Loved
your book and it will be my constant companion as I learn the art of
hand quilting. I started making quilts last year and have
finished 6 so far, but only with the assistance of a long arm
quilter. This gets expensive and so I have taken on the
challenge to do smaller projects like table runners and ease into
hand quilting. In your guide, you talk about continuous
thread...and you pull off approx 18 inches...do you cut the thread at
the end or just leave it to unwind from the spool as you quilt.
Probably a stupid question, but I am having a hard time visualizing
what you mean. I believe you mean you cut it at 18 inches, then
pop a knot or do the tiny little back stitches....Thanks for your help. jlm
ANSWER/SUGGESTION;
I'm hoping to
figure out how to make a video, otherwise, my hands are flying while
talking and can't 'talk' without that! LOL..
1. Ok, when you pull the thread from the spool, thread the needle and start quilting. When you get to a point that you want to pivot or turn a corner, tie THAT end off. Then, the thread that's still on the spool....pull until you have about 18" or just enough if you don't need that much thread to finish up, cut that length and finish the quilting on that side of your design and tie off.
Let's see if I can delete some words (I tend to write novels when talking, ha)
Start with thread that's Not cut. You can go for Miles on that thread. Now, when you've tied That end off, go to the thread spool and use whatever length you need to finish off That end of the quilting. If you're like me, I quilt from left to right. The right side is the side that's still on the spool. I usually would cut the thread about 18" or so if I had that much more quilting to finish that right side of the design.
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1. Ok, when you pull the thread from the spool, thread the needle and start quilting. When you get to a point that you want to pivot or turn a corner, tie THAT end off. Then, the thread that's still on the spool....pull until you have about 18" or just enough if you don't need that much thread to finish up, cut that length and finish the quilting on that side of your design and tie off.
Let's see if I can delete some words (I tend to write novels when talking, ha)
Start with thread that's Not cut. You can go for Miles on that thread. Now, when you've tied That end off, go to the thread spool and use whatever length you need to finish off That end of the quilting. If you're like me, I quilt from left to right. The right side is the side that's still on the spool. I usually would cut the thread about 18" or so if I had that much more quilting to finish that right side of the design.
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2. At the lower right of that petal
I started quilting where the thread spool is and thread
is still attached to the spool. ....I quilted from the lower right
and worked the entire 'figure 8' of the petal and would tie it off.
Pretend that I quilted from the spool and wanted to go in another
direction or just finish up a line, I would cut the thread to a few
inches, re-thread the needle, do a little bit of quilting and tie
off. Or...cut the thread to a longer length and continue to quilt
and Then tie off....I SO WISH I knew how to upload a video...that's
something for me to learn this winter for sure!
Date: Fri, 21 Mar 20,2014-
I
have attached several photos of a project (runner) I am quilting.
I was wondering if you could look at my stitches and make
recommendations for improvement. Sometimes they are not even
and I am uncertain about how to distance them. Please let me
know...I hope you don't mind...
Sincerely,
Well, personally I think you're
doing a Great job! A lot of the process of hand quilting is learning
to Relax! Relax your hand and don't count the stitches. Whatever
works for You is what works. Are you loading stitches to your needle
before you draw up your thread? If you are, how many are your trying
to get on the needle?
Try:
1. Loading no more than 3 stitches to your needle at a time and look at the consistency of those stitches Before you draw the thread. That way, you can correct a stitch before you actually make it.
2. Just do one stitch at a time. when you have the needle down into the back of the quilt, use your index or middle finger of your left hand to guide it back up and into the top next to the previous stitch (you'd do that with any technique).
3. relax your hand and that will relax the needle and it's easier to have more control over your stitches.
but, like I said...you're doing GREAT!
Date: Fri, 21 Mar 2014 13:37:04 -0400
Karen
Thank
you so much, and I will give your tips a try in the am..I have been
doing one at a time, and on occasion two...I will push (in a relaxed)
manner for two or three consistently. I have noticed they look
nicer...I am experimenting with several sized between's...and
brands....plus I feel in love with the Sulky thread...is there a
particular weight you use...I am using a 30 %...it is
variegated...chocolate...really was hard to find something to stand
out with the various colors!
Sincerely,
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