Hey there! I am making a quick stop with a mid-week check-in and to say that Madam Butterfly is ready to take flight to her new home. This project was the result of finding a list of "Creative Quilting" ideas... you can find that list here.
Here are a few glamor shots from her photo session... (I used a new location - the beautiful garden at my Mom's apartment complex.
At the beginning of the summer the landlords/owners invited the other residents to purchase a few plants/flowers to fill the garden beds. I love that they invited them to do this... allowing them to take a bit of "ownership" of the project.
My Mom selected a few plants like she had at her house... a rosebush with a deep red-ish-maroon color, a few rose moss plants and 2 tomato plants. She has been sharing the fruits of the tomato plants with others and all are enjoying them. She likes to spend some time sitting out in the garden area. She told me that she enjoys being outside, thought it felt strange to not have to be weeding or "working" in the yard.
Have I mentioned that I am SO happy that she no longer has the burden of the house and yard? ;)
Madam Butterfly finishes at 40-inches square.
The all-over medium stippling was all free-motion quilted with no templates and I am pleased with how it looks.
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| close up of texture |
I didn't experience thread breakage and only a few skipped stitches.
It is a win that I will celebrate. I have narrowed down the issues of thread breakage and skipped stitches to what sort of thread I am using.
My machine is happiest with Aurifil 50 wt. thread.
The general sewing thread I have been using is 30 wt. I have the worst problem with it... even in straight line quilting.
I have some connecting threads spools that are 50 wt. and plan to try them on my machine for FMQ.
What brand and weight of thread do you use?
I'm feeling brave after this quilt! I may consider feathers again! Oh, and here's a peek at the pieced backing ;)
Keep Piecing,
Melva
Linking with:
m
You don't want to know what kind of thread I use....any that I find at yard sales, estate sales, thrift shops etc. My most expensive machine I can not even use because threads break and bunch. I paid $75 for servicing and 3 days later it was doing the same thing. I should have taken it right back to the shop but I didn't (like an idiot). It's frustrating because that's also the only machine that I have a walking foot for.
ReplyDeleteThat is such a pretty quilt, Melva! I love the different purples and the butterfly sashing print. We're those orphan blocks that you used for it? I'm glad your mom's place has pretty gardens and that she can be involved with them, too. I think things like that make a big difference in how people feel about living there. Threadwise - I use Gutermann Sew-All polyester thread. I couldn't find a weight on it, but my sewing machine likes it, so that's why I keep using it!
ReplyDeleteWhat a pretty quilt Melva - Madam Butterfly looks pretty in any setting! It matches the flowers in the first photo beautifully. How fun that your Mom has tomatoes to share.
ReplyDeleteMost of my thread is Superior So Fine 50wt and my favorite color is Genoa Gray. I started off my quilt life using Superior threads because that is what my "idol" Angela Walters used. I have no idea if she still uses it!
Great finish on your quilt! My machines (all vintage or antique) can handle most threads, but I like piecing with 50 wt. thread for greater accuracy. I use Aurifil 50wt. for piecing. For quilting, I always use 50 wt. or finer thread, such as Aurifil or So Fine, because they work beautifully and I don't get so much lint build up, which can cause problems like skipped stitches. I've learned that I need to change my needle often. I'm generally a cheapskate, but with thread, I don't skimp. I do watch for sales!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the finish Melva, I have some of that butterfly fabric. I use serger cone thread in my machines for piecing(some people will freak at that!). Glide in my longarm.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful finish, Melva! I use Superior, YLI, Aurifil, Valdini and Floriani threads to name some. Weights. . .20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 100 wts. I use cotton and polyester threads. . .whatever seems to be the "one" for the project I'm working on and often there are a lot of "ones!"--TerryK@OnGoingProjects
ReplyDeleteLovely butterfly quilt! Thanks for sharing on my weekly show and tell, Wednesday Wait Loss.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.inquiringquilter.com/questions/2025/08/06/wednesday-wait-loss-444
Hi Melva! I have used Connecting Threads thread for years but my newer Janome only likes 50 wt. Aurifil. My Juki is getting the same way, but my older machines are happy with most anything. Nice quilt.
ReplyDeleteWOW, that quilt is amazing and it would be difficult to find a prettier one. Bravo you! Thanks for joining Angel Brian's Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely quilt Melva - and so much fun to find a new spot for photos :-) I'm glad that your mother is able to spend time in the garden, even if she's not weeding (I don't either but it really shows!) Thanks for linking up to FM Mavericks...oh yes, I love doing everything with cotton thread but sometimes it just doesn't work - then I use my lighter polyester thread. I'm not sure why but it works, so I don't argue!
ReplyDeleteYour quilt is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteLove Madam Butterfly!!! She posed so well for her glamour shots!! That flower garden is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI use Cone thread to piece - its serger thread I think - But I bought Like a million spools about 10 years ago and am still working thru those.
That turned out so pretty! Thanks for joining in on Home Matters Linky Party! I will be featuring your post this week! #HomeMattersParty xx
ReplyDeletei use 50 wt cotton "whatever" thread. coats, aurifil , or missouri star. im far from proficient, but the weight seems to work well and be readily available. love the story of your mom's new "yard". so nice for all involved.
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