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Quilted Sea Turtle Pillow — July 2017

Scrappy Sea Turtle Pillow — original design and copyright Tracy Lee Chapman

This is the Scrappy Sea Turtle Pillow I designed and made as a gift for a very dear friend. She listens without being judgmental, she encourages without being critical, but she also tells it like it is. She is the best kind of friend and she’s made a wonderful difference in my life so I wanted her to have something special to know that she’s important and cared for. She adores Sea Turtles–and purple & blue are her favorite colors.

At first I was going to make this as a wall hanging. Then I decided to make it into a pillow instead so my friend can display it easily wherever she wants and it’s hug-able. Making the quilted turtle as a pillow sham (with a custom shredded gel-foam pillow insert) also keeps the quilted turtle sham easy to wash and dry.

This is my own original design, entirely from scratch. Where did I get the turtle image? I looked at many sea turtle images and sketched my own. Then I challenged myself to use only fabrics, threads and items from my own personal stash–no buying anything new.

First the turtle was outlined with a hand sewn big stitch using rayon perle from my personal stash.

I used raw edge fusible applique (using Sew Lazy Fusi-Bond http://www.sewthankful.com/Sew_Lazy_Fusi_Bond_Lite_Sew_Lazy_SLG101.html) to place the pieces of the turtle body & shell.

Each piece is freemotion quilted using Superior Microquilter thread (http://www.sewthankful.com/superior-sewing-threads-microquilter.html).

Then I added wavy quilting lines (to give the feel of water) using Superior Rainbows Thread (I used #831 Mediterranean – http://www.sewthankful.com/Superior-Thread-Rainbows.html ).

The scrappy binding was made from random small scraps of fabric used to make the turtle.

The finished dimensions of the pillow are approximately 27 inches x 20 inches.

I love how this sea turtle turned out. Even better, my friend was thrilled and loves it too.

Yes, a pattern is being developed…stay tuned.

Save

Donuts go GREAT with coffee, quilts and sewing

Reg. $39.00 // ON SALE: $29.99
Everybody knows a donuts goes great with coffee! Superior Frosted Donuts also go great with quilts and sewing.

Superior Frosted Donut II includes 36 colors from the Frosting line of L style prewound bobbins with MasterPiece Thread all Tucked into a BobbinSaver for safe keeping and instant access to all colors!

MasterPiece Thread is #50/2-ply 100% extra-long staple Egyptian-grown cotton.

Click here for a closer look and to see what colors are included in this donut.

Another practice panto finished – Wild Horses

The last few weeks have been so packed for me it has been really difficult to spend bonding time with Max (the longarm).

Finally, I was able to work on (and FINISH) another practice panto piece earlier this week. I chose Wild Horses by Deb Geissler.

Click here to see this panto on SALE at SewThankful.

Click here to see more pantos by Deb Geissler.

I used the large (12″ design) panto and Superior King Tut #925 Caravan thread with Fil-Tec Magna-Glide bobbins to practice edge-to-edge quilting on muslin again.

I LOVE this design and once I got the hang of where I was going, it was no problem to complete…though I did “motion practice” the design several times before I started quilting. I love how the variegated thread turned out and I have very almost zero issues (LOVE those Magna-Glide bobbins). I’ll definitely use this panto again! Jeff and the boys love it too.

Here’s how it turned out (click each image to open larger image in a pop up window):

I still have a LOT to learn, but I’m feeling good about it because I can definitely see progress in my work. FUN!

Want to know when I post new panto and product reviews, demos and more? Be sure to join the Sew Thankful eNews — click here.

Bobbin tension and bobbin thread selection…

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Sew…you have your project.

You’ve picked your “top” thread.

Now you are wondering, “What do I put in the bobbin?”

Choosing a proper bobbin thread is critical to the success of your project. Yet there is no one-size-fits-all answer to bobbin thread selection. As with selection of the “top” thread, the choice of the bobbin thread is dependent upon the needs of the project (fabric type & weight), the function of the item being sewn, etc.

Heavier fabrics generally require heavier threads. Choosing the same thread for the bobbin is absolutely fine if you want to wind your own. Yet, SuperBOBs have the strength needed to match most all top threads in most all sewing situation (with the exception of very thick and heavy denims, upholstery, etc.).

Thread Tension: It’s a balancing act. You want a balanced stitch and that means even thread on the top and the bobbin without either poking through to the other side. The following picture is the best image I have ever seen demonstrating balanced tension and solutions (scroll down for a text link to a printable version):

Click here for a printable document (PDF file) for this image.

The above image provided for your education with permission provided by Superior Threads. Copyright for the above image belongs solely to Superior Threads, all rights reserved. For uses beyond personal education (of the above image), please contact Superior Threads directly–contact information is provided on the image.

YES, you can adjust your tension (both on the top and on the bobbin) if necessary. You own your sewing machine. You have permission.

Problem: Eyelashes and Loopies with thread breakage on top.

If you are experiencing problems when using a smooth and fine bobbin thread, like The Bottom Line or SuperBOBs, it is likely that your bobbin case’s factory settings are not applying the breaks correctly when you come to a stop. The bobbin thread
causes a backlash (continuing to unwind, forming a loop) then when you start sewing again the force of motion will whip forward causing the thread to break.

Solution? Tighten your bobbin case tension just a smidge (less than 1/8th of a turn). Remember the clockwise “turning” rule: lefty loosey, righty tighty.

Hint: Perform the tightening or loosening adjustments to the bobbin case inside a large ziplock bag. This way you can see what you are doing but in the event you accidentally turn it the wrong way or turn it too far and the little screw pops out you won’t have to search forever to find it.

Problem: The bobbin thread keeps jamming and snapping.

Solution? Using thick, heavy and/or decorative threads in the bobbin requires LOOSENING the bobbin case tension.

Problem: Have you ever experienced frustration from knowing you have the correct bobbin tension setting but the top thread still breaks? You loosen the top thread but then you get loops?

Solution? Try just very slightly loosening BOTH the top tension and the bobbin tension.

Timesaver IDEA: If you sew with all different weights of thread in the bobbin on a regular basis, keep 2 or 3 different bobbin cases, each set for the weights of thread you use most. Be certain to mark them so that you choose the correct one each time.

OKAY…sew, what do I use in my bobbin?

For piecing and most general quilting I personally tend to use the same thread in the top as in the bobbin.

I have used Presencia 50wt, Presencia 60wt, Masterpiece,So Fine, and The Bottom Line in the top AND bobbin for both piecing and quilting.

I have also mixed SuperBOBs (which is The Bottom Line Thread in pre-wound format) in the bobbin with all of the above threads and when quilting with King Tut. King Tut is not recommended for piecing.

When quilting, topstitching, thread painting or embellishing with Glitter, Art Studio Colors, Living Colors, and LAVA, I like to use The Bottom Line (or SuperBOBs) in the bobbin.

When doing Razzle Dazzle bobbin work (reverse quilting with Razzle Dazzle in the bobbin), I usually use a blending Bottom Line thread on the top.

SAVE on Superior Thread at SewThankful.com

What thread should I use? How do I decide?

It’s all so confusing. How do you decide what thread to choose?

“All Purpose Thread” implies that it’s good for ALL purposes, right? Wrong. There really is no one size fits all thread. All Purpose Thread may be OK for a wider range of purposes than other (specialty threads)–or maybe not.

QUALITY COUNTS!

Real quilters only use cotton thread, right? Wrong! Historically…20, 30, 40+ years ago, women primarily used cotton threads for quilt making because that was the best product available at the time. The very early (old) poly threads were not very good quality (same with most old polyester fabrics). Those old poly threads either did not hold up over time or they were so “hard” they might damage the quilt. Therefore cotton was the best (only good) choice at that time. But fast forward 20 – 40 years and look at what technology has given us! Just look at the gorgeous poly fabrics that are available now. There are so many that are very high quality and simply gorgeous. The same goes for poly threads. It is perfectly fine to use poly threads as long as you choose a good quality thread that is appropriate to the task you are performing.

To determine what thread to use in your project, you need to ask yourself some questions:

What sort of project are you sewing?

Piecing a quilt top?

Heirloom sewing?

Applique?

Garment construction?

Craft or home dec projects?

Quilting?

Surface embellishment?

Quilt Top Piecing

Personally, I use and recommend a good quality 60wt or 50wt cotton thread for quilt piecing. I like 50wt Presencia, 60wt Presencia and 50wt Masterpiece.

I prefer cotton over polyester because I don’t have to concern myself with checking my iron temperature every time I press. I like nice flat, crisp seams when I piece so use a HOT iron. When the fabric content and the thread content are the same, they can withstand the same heat.

If you like using polyester for piecing (like 60wt Bottom Line or 50wt So Fine), that’s perfectly fine. HOWEVER, if you choose to use polyester for piecing you MUST BE CAREFUL when applying direct heat to the seam. An iron set at high heat (Cotton) can melt right through polyester.

Heirloom Sewing

I recommend 60wt Presencia.

I like 50wt Presencia, 60wt Presencia or 60wt Bottom Line.
For folk style applique where you hand blanket-stitch around the outside edge, I recommend taking a look at Perle Cotton. The weight of perle cotton you choose will depend upon how you want your finished project to look. If you want a “heavier” thread look, choose the “lower” number weight (i.e., a size 8 perle cotton is heavier than size 16 perle cotton).

Garment, Craft & Home Dec Construction

Here, you must carefully consider the fabric content and weight and about the function/stress put on the seams of the item.

For example, if you are sewing denim or fleece that will be worn or the seams may experience stress from pulling or wear, you probably do NOT want to use a light weight cotton or poly thread. The thicker the fabric, the heavier thread you will want to use. For denims and fleece I like So Fine. If you are surface embellishing denim or fleece, you can use just about any thread you choose that will provide the look you want.

For construction of garments and projects using light weight fabrics, I generally use 50wt Presencia, 60wt Presencia or 60wt Bottom Line.

Quilting and Surface Embellishment

For quilting, you may choose whatever thread you wish based upon your own personal preferences and the look you wish to achieve.

Using “invisible” threads such as Monopoly keeps the focus away from the thread and puts it strictly on the design itself. Sew Art is a nylon and there are known cautions about using nylon (may yellow, become brittle, etc.) but I know many people who have used it successfully for years. Monopoly is polyester and does not have these issues, but it is shiny and catches the light. So you must consider the qualities of the thread with regard to your project needs and then decide which product you prefer.

A fine (light weight) thread like 60wt Presencia or 60wt Bottom Line will tend to “blend” into the background placing the emphasis on the quilting design (rather than the thread used to create the design).

Using heavier threads such as King Tut, Art Studio Colors, Living Colors and LAVA will change the focus to the “threads” used to create the design.

Embellishment thread such as Razzle Dazzle is not meant to go through your machine needle. Please do not attempt to use Razzle Dazzle in the top. Razzle Dazzle is gorgeous when couched on to the surface of your project. Or, use it in your machine bobbin.

HELPFUL HINT: BEFORE you start your project, always test your “selected” thread on a sample swatch of the same fabric you are going to use in your project. This will help you identify any potential issues or special considerations before you are invested in having to make that thread work no matter what.