Sunday, June 2, 2013

The 'Big Girl' Thread


I call this my 'growing up' post.   One of the main reasons I quilt is to create original art quilts that I can enter into juried shows.   Not so much to build character by receiving those multitudes of rejection letters, but for the thrill of the phantom acceptance letters.

What you may not know is that I have a deep seeded fear.   Not of rejection, but of thread.   Yep, any thread that is slippery, fancy, metallic, shiny, satin or anything other than plain and simple thread.  
See this picture:

I have 2 of these.   They are all fancy threads.   I have had them for over 5 years.  I have never used them.   Until a few days ago.   Then all 'thread' broke loose, so to speak=)

While I was away at our national conference, I of course wandered into the Merchant Mall.  I walked into 'Cindy's Threadworks' and told her to load me up on fancy threads, and tell me what to do.   

Cindy, is a total doll!  She did in fact fill my basket and gave me very specific directions.

As luck would have it, the Janome dealer was directly across the aisle from her.  So I marched off and asked if I had to adjust tension to use fancy threads.   I should add here that I have NEVER adjusted tension on my machine.  EVER!   I have a Janome Horizon, in case you were wondering.   
Liz from Janome told me I did not have to do that, but if I had this gizmo, (a spool stand) I could use it and I would never have any problems.   I admitted that in fact I did have said gizmo, still in it's box when I brought the machine home 2 years ago.   I pulled it out and hooked it all up, which really meant putting in 2 little screws=)


I changed my bobbin and put in the thread Cindy told me to, along with the needle she said, took out my scrap fabric,took a breath and went for it.  ( I used Superior Magnifico thread, 90/14 topstitch needle, and 'The Bottom Line' by Libby Lehman thread, 60 wt in the bobbin.

Guess what?  It totally worked!   I was doing it, I was using fancy schmancy thread and it was actually working!   This was very big in my little world.

I am working on a little challenge, so decided to use my new shiny thread.   Look how great it turned out.

Do you know what I used next?  Metallic thread!   I know, only the bravest of brave quilters use that.   And it worked!   I will post more pics of my little challenge piece in all it's fancy thread glory tomorrow!



10 comments:

Sherrie Spangler said...

Good for you! I've been using metallics and other fancy threads for years, and as long as I'm using a top stitch needle I never have to make any other changes. Welcome to a shiny, sparkly world!

Janet said...

Looks like you're having fun! Fancy thread can do that to you.

What Comes Next? said...

good for you! While they are pretty to look at on the thread rack, they are even better in a quilt!

Dana Gaffney said...

You made me laugh, I have the same fears and the same threads. I also have the gizmo so maybe it's time to try again, thanks.

Rolanda said...

I have to get one of those thread racks. Mine is too small to hold my fancy thread so the thread is put away and it is a case of "out of sight, out of mind".

jlk said...

Whoa. Just whoa. Slow down, Mama! Next thing you know you'll be using your machine to sew on buttons.

CraftyViolet said...

I use fancy thread all the time. I love the sheen it gives on my quilts. Isn't it great though when you try something new and you actually like it!!...especially when you thought you wouldn't!

Candice @ Made With Love said...

I love this post! :)

Renate said...

OOO! How fancy schmancy is that? Wonder what you could do with 100wt silk thread? Hmmmm?

Mama Pea said...

One of my goals for the year was to get more confident with a variety of threads, so I signed up for Superior University. But I haven't opened a single package yet. Shame on me. They are piling up, and I said I'd catch up this summer...... Hmmmmm.....