Monday 10 November 2014

Four more Little Letters

Instructions for two patchwork letters are being posted each week (one on Sunday and one on Wednesday) on the blog of the Temecula Quilt Company. They finish at 4" square, are really easy to make, and come together quickly. The project incorporates them in a quilt, but I see a potential for using them to personalise gifts.

On Sunday morning I made four more letters:


which brought me up to date. However, seeing as the tutorials are posted on Sunday and Wednesday, I'm already behind again!

On Thursday I started quilting my Christmas table runner.



I thought I would do a FMQ all over ramble with variegated thread.

Quilting? Now you see it; now you don't!
What a mistake! Variegated thread  doesn't suit me:

  • firstly: all the mistakes show up (and I am no expert)
  • secondly: it gives too fragmented an effect on already fragmented patchwork. 

Logical really,  but I had to experience it.

Just look at all those horrible wobbly lines, and
what is being achieved by using variegated thread?
After 20 minutes quilting this was clearly a mess so I broke my rule, (never unpick quilting!)


this was the only thing for it - for the next FIVE HOURS!

I haven't looked at it since, but this afternoon plan to choose one uni-coloured thread and start again. Which colour would you use?

I'm linking up to:

 Patchwork Times

so pop over there and see what else is going on this week.

Happy Sewing

Marly.

6 comments:

Ruth said...

Christmas table runner looks really lovley and happy. I bought blue green variegated thread and struggled to use it. Seemed to suit straight lines for me more than free motion. I haven't bought any since!

Lisa J. said...

You are in better shape than me with keeping up with the letters. Your echo shell quilting looks really good. I know what you mean with the variegated thread I'm not crazy about it either. Not sure what colour you should use. I'd probably go light.

Vireya said...

I'd probably go for a light colour, maybe white or close to it, as even your red fabrics have white sections.

It's interesting, isn't it? I love the look of variegated threads, so I've bought quite a few over the years. But they only suit certain types of projects.

Kathy S. said...

I totally feel for you on the ripping out of the variegated thread. I did a king-sized quilt and the quilting on it looked like my son had scribbled on it with a crayon (because of thread color and my inexperienced FMQ.) Your table runner is yummy! I love the colors of your little letters. Keep up the good work.

Glinda ♥ said...

It's a lovely runner. I just used variegated thread in my bag - wavy lines seemed to work well. I used ordinary cotton in the bobbin and it did snap a few times but I slowed the quilting down and it turned out great in the end. I'm sure whatever you choose will be delightful :)

Val's Quilting Studio said...

Your letters are adorable...I'm enjoying making mine as well...but have to admit am looking forward to letter Z ! LOL!!! Love your table runner and felt for ya having to pick out....for five hours ugh!!!