More Thread
I’ve received several questions about my thread post so I thought I’d answer them in a new post instead of my normal plan of answering questions in the comments. I was going to write about art school tonight in response to some very interesting posts I read last week on other blogs but that can wait another day.
First thanks for all the compliments on my over-organization. I agree with Omega’s comment on my last post, the organization of the supplies is part of the creative process.
I stopped using rayon, polyester and metallic threads back in 2000 or 2001 when I started making exclusively pieced abstract quilts from my handdyed cottons. I don’t feel the glitz and shine of the specialty threads matches with the work I’m making now. The cotton thread provides exactly the look I’m after, so that’s all I use.
This has the added benefit of not having to deal with the hassle of those threads breaking and shredding as they go zipping through the sewing machine. Nor the hassle of experimenting with different needle types trying to find one that works with each specific thread. I love the process of making quilts but all that technical fussing is just not for me. I like simple.
I don’t think there is necessarily anything wrong with these threads. They just aren’t for me.
I always use matching thread in the bobbin when quilting and piecing. It takes a bit more time to wind and change the bobbin but I think it’s worth it to not have some unmatched color poke through here and there. The tension on a sewing machine is not rocket science and no matter how well adjusted there are times the bobbin thread can be seen from the top and I find matching thread colors in the bobbin results in a nicer looking sewn line.
This means I have a large stock of bobbins. One per thread color plus extras because when I’m piecing I will wind 10-15 bobbins of tan or gray (the colors I use when piecing 99% of the time) so I don’t have to stop and wind bobbins very often.
I also need a way of keeping track of which bobbin matches which spool of thread. And for that I use handi bobs from Nancy’s Notions. They attach to the top of the spool of thread and hold the bobbin in place. Here’s a close up view of some of the spools on the thread rack with their bobbins.
As to the batting. Warm and Natural used to have seeds in it, long ago. I actually wrote an FAQ about batting in 1993 that mentions the cotton seed oil. You can still find the FAQ on the internet here, too bad most of that information is out of date.
I called many of the batting manufacturers when I wrote some of that as I was doing research for a program I presented at my local quilt guild. It was interesting research. If you want to know something about a specific batting just call up the manufacturer. They were more than happy to chat with me and many sent me samples.
To quote the current information from the manufacturer about warm and natural:
The soft, natural cotton goes through a gentle mechanical cleaning to pick out cotton plant and seed remnants. The tiny plant particles that remain lend a special look to crafts when used as an exterior fabric and will not damage your fabric when used in your quilt.
I have never had a problem with Warm and Natural since they started cleaning the cotton before needle punching the batting. Beyond the color I’m not sure there is a difference between it and Warm and White. I prefer the natural colored batting because it hasn’t been subjected to bleaching to turn it white. Seems a bit nicer to the environment.
I recently bought 30 yards of plain white fabric (which I’m sure is bleached, just like the hundreds of yards of fabric that I dye each year) to challenge myself to try to use white in my work. I might have to use Warm and White batting in quilts with a lot of white in the design but we’ll see how it goes. I’ve used the Warm and Natural with some very light colored quilts and have never had a problem.
Posted by Lisa in: Quilting Process
Yes, white on white: that’s always a great challenge. There are so many whites that I’m sure your style of design would come up with something appropriate and great.
I have enjoyed reading about thread the last few posts. I have a shelf unit with five shelves that my dad made for my Cleveland Indians cups collection that is now being used for all my spools of thread for machine quilting. I just sit the bobbins in front of the correct spools. Thanks for the info on the Valdani thread. I get so frustrated with Star quilting thread because of the knots I come across as I sew.
I have never had a problem using off white batting in white or dark quilts. I use Hobbs 80/20 and buy it by the 30 yard bolt from Hancocks in Paducah.
I always find your posts so informative. As a beginning quilter I very much appreciate all the information you are generous enough to share. THank you.
Would you also share some of your finishing details, like signing and labeling your pieces? Thanks!
Patty – I buy my batting by the bolt also. I wait until it goes on sale at Joanns and then I buy an entire box/bolt/or whatever it is. I go through about 1 a year and it seems to go on sale for less than 50% of the original price about once a year so it works out pretty well.
Joyce – you’re welome – glad the info is of help. I like to have the blog as a place to document my process also.
Sure Pat – coming up soon. I’m working on a “how I do my binding” post also.
Omega – I’ve always said white was one of the hardest colors to use. I’ve actually had this bolt of white for 6+ months – I seem to be slow at picking up the challenge. But I will by december I hope!
I agree with Joyce, as a beginning quilter, it is good to see what the pros are using and the hows and whys! I appreciate that your are sharing your processes with your readers!