Learn as you Quilt

Fabricland opened a new store in Kamloops a few weeks ago, and I managed the time off work to get in there over Easter. I bought a few things, including thread.

Fabricland isn't a quilt shop but it carries standard 100 per cent polyester Gutermann thread which I like as an all purpose thread. So I bought a small selection of different thread for my latest project - including a nice purple top stitch to stand out against the black fabric. And some 40 wt. Coats and Clarke caught my eye because it was on sale (buy 1, get 2 free - who can resist?)

OMG! All that cat hair!

I finished my stitch in the ditch earlier in the week so I was ready (or not) for some free motion. I loaded the top stitch Gutermann (looked like a 30 wt.) and put in a new Schmetz top stitch 80/12 needle, although I had a heck of a time threading it - then took a couple of practice runs to get the tension right. But the thread just refused to go through the needle .

Finally I gave up on the Gutermann and put in my new spool of purple Coats and Clarke (100 per cent trilobal polyester) and away we went! Until my (very small) bobbin ran out a while later, and then it was way past my bedtime, anyway.

The backing is actually violet, not the grey it looks like here

I looked up Gutermann "top stitch" on the internet.  Hmmmm. Heavy duty sewing. buttonholes. Hmmm. Maybe not the top stitch I just assumed it was.

I was quite-satisfied with my free motion this week. It's not beautiful or evenly spaced or consistent, but at this stage I'm just going for "stitches stay stitched, even when washed" and I think I've achieved that. Looking at the back of the quilt, I don't see any major problems (yet), and that's call for a celebration. Only washing will tell.

 

 

A Taurean Moon is very fortuitous for quilters, as it speaks to home crafts and getting them done, no matter how long it takes.

Favourite Taurus colours (ruled by Venus): Taurus colors are brown, russet, and turquoise. Vulnerable parts of the body are the neck, throat, shoulders, and upper torso. Stiff necks, sore throats, and earaches are common Taurean complaints. The emerald, a variety of the mineral beryl and as costly as a diamond, is the Taurus birthstone. The emerald's rich green color is suitably Taurean since it is the color of money, green pastures, and serenity. The emerald has a six-sided geometric form. Six is the number assigned to Venus which in turn, is the planetary ruler of Taurus. Flowers for Taurus are the rose (red), daisy, lily, and daffodil.

Until next time,