Quilt Question

[paelthom]

This has probably been covered but I can't find it.

I'm working on the second wallhanging and I want to quilt or stitch a design on the finished block. On the one I did for my sis I just stitched around a couple of squares and let it go at that. This time I would like to stitch some flowers or hearts on the wallhanging in contrasting thread. How do I do this and have each one match? I don't want to "draw" on the material as it will show later. I'm not wording this right but I just can't think of how to say it. Do I use a special thread? Or will just regular thread, doubled do? Any helpful ideas appreciated.

So far this one has turned out better than the first one, but I could mess up at any minute.

[homesteadmamma]

Pat, sounds like its going to be really pretty.

To put a picture on your quilt, you'll need a stencil and a special quilting pencil.    You draw the picture on to the quilt, and then hand stitch it.  Usually the colored thread will cover the pencil markings, but if it doesn't then when its washed, it will come off.    Here is a link to show you the type of pencil.  http://qheartland.com/pd_quilters_choice.cfm

There are some wonderful quilting threads out there.    My favorite is Silky Thread and comes in many wonderful colors.



Here is the website describing silky thread.  http://www.grannystrunk.net/Notions/...ngThreads.html    (Scroll down a bit and you'll see it.)

HTH

 

[paelthom]

Thanks CJ. There is a quilting store near my office. I've never been there since I've heard its terribly high. I just may sneak down there and look for the thread and pencil.

Next dumb question - am I supposed to wash these wallhangings before I give them? Won't that mess them up?

[homesteadmamma]

Pat, no don't wash them. What I do is always put a little note with mine.

I always put:

- date it was made
- any washing instructions (if there are lots of darker colors with lighter colors, you don't want to wash in hot water, those types of things)
- a little note about pencil marks (I'll put on the note, when washed, pencil marks will come out.) If the marks aren't noticable, then don't say anything about that.
- I also try to put a little quote about quilting (a fun one).

btw - when your in the quilting store, ask for advice. Most quilting stores are more than happy to give you tips on whats best. There may be new items out that I haven't heard about that would make it easier.

[Michelle]

CJ: a question based on what you just said.

Why not wash them first and leave out the part about the pencil marks coming out?

[homesteadmamma]

Michelle, good question.

First your wall hanging (or quilt) will be quilted. If you wash it, it just won't look NEW, kwim - especially if it is a quilt, rather than a wall hanging.

I just like giving a quilt or wall hanging to someone where it looks like it has just been made, not washed and then given to them. I want others, when they first see the quilt, to know that I made it NEW and just special for them. I don't want them to wonder whether its been used or not. Just my make-up I guess.

Again, as with everything in quilting, its your choice whether to wash or not. There is no fast rule that says you can't wash it. When it comes to a quilt, you might even want it to have the older look and if you've used the batting especially for that (there is special batting when once washed, your quilt looks old), then for me that would be okay.

If the quilt is quilted by machine, you don't have to worry about this at all. Then I don't usually put a note with the quilts (I probably should though, especially about washing instructions.) One of the reasons I like my sewing machine is because if I want little flowers or fancy things on my quilt, my sewing machine does it for me.

I'm sure there are quilters though that do wash the quilt or wall hanging. My only thought about that is sometimes the markings need a couple washings.

tip- Always test your marker or pencil on a piece of material to make sure that you can wash it off.

Again, when you go to the quilting store, ask questions. They will be able to tell you how to use them. There are also erasers that will take the marks off (if you use the right markers), but I haven't use those so can't comment on how efficient they are. You might want to look at those while your at the quilting store.

[paelthom]

CJ
I did venture into the quilting store and I hated it.
They did not even speak to me. I had to wander around to find the thread. I looked at stencils but thought they were boring and I could do better than that freehand., plus they were expensive. I forgot to look for the quilting pencil. The ladies were just standing around gossiping about another lady and ignored poor, dumb looking me. I will just stick to Joanns Fabrics. Their supplies may be limited but at least they are nice. I did go ahead and buy the thread because I need to work on this tonight. I do not expect to ever go back even though the store had tons of beautiful fabric.

Thanks for the quilting tips. I will post a pic just as soon as I get it done.

[homesteadmamma]

Pat, then you need to send a letter to the manager. Even if it was the manager that was gossiping about someone else, she at least needs to know how upset and angry you were.

You can make your own stencils, all you need to do is get the stencil material, draw it out and cut it. Does JoAnns have quilting pencils? I know Walmart has the stencil material and they also have quilting pencils.

[paelthom]

I'm sure they will, just thought going to the quilting store would be special. (We have both Walmart and Joanns) I think I will send the quilt store a letter.