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An FM quilting idea

I was watching Sewing with Martha (I think that's the name of the program???) and her guest was FM quilting using a double/twin needle. She said you don't have to do anything special other than read your owner's manual on how to thread your machine for two spools/threads. And she warned the back side of double needle stitching looks like a zig-zag and that should be taken into consideration- but it could be somewhat hidden with a busy print for the backing. But it opens the door for some new and interesting possibilities!

I can see using a double needle with a wide space between the needles and then threading a strand of yarn between the two rows of stitching and between the quilt top and batting for a trapunto effect. In Celtic quilting patterns it could be stunning. Or taking a step out of echo quilting since you could stitch two parallel rows at once. Or outlining a feather quilting motif with a double row of stitches that are perfectly spaced. Or even quilt the feather with two rows of stitches. Or rather than stitch in the ditch you could straddle the seam and have perfectly parallel rows on each side of the seam line. Or stitching down raw edged appliqué with the double row of stitching Lots of good stuff when you start thinking...

Just an idea I thought somebody might like to grab and run with it.

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

Reply to
Leslie& The Furbabies in MO.
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Hi Leslie,

I read about that technique (it's not couching, but similar) within the last month or so with regard to my PCQ; I agree there are some nifty possibilities. There was also mention of using double needles with ribbon or seam tape in creating stain & art glass quilts, Asian panels (my vocabulary is gone fishing tonite... :-( etc.

Doc

Reply to
Dr. Zachary Smith

I don't know about that, Leslie. Twin-needle stitching is an acquired taste sort of like 20 year-old Scotch. There's just all kinds of things that can cause little loopies; all kinds of tricks such as turning one spool of thread upside down (or not, depends on the moon). Only the very brave can do a pivot with a twin needle. If the weight of a quilt were to yank suddenly, for sure you could pop a twin needle and they are pricey - plus, you'd have to clean up the mess of re-starting. Twin-needle stitching on fine batiste, lace and ribbon is truly lovely, but would take a whole lot of practice and tenacity on a quilt. IMHO, of course. I miss Martha. Our stations only do hawg raising and woodworking. Polly

"Leslie& The Furbabies in MO." I was watching Sewing with Martha (I think that's the name of the

Reply to
Polly Esther

I really like double-needle quilting (I never care much what the back looks like! (slap wrist >gprogram???) and her guest was FM quilting using a double/twin needle.

Reply to
Patti

I haven't tried it, but the lady demonstrating on Martha's program was doing small loop-de-loops with the twin needles and made it seem like No Big Deal . My brain can't wrap around it, but she certainly whizzed right thru it. Amazing.

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

Reply to
Leslie& The Furbabies in MO.

The choice I finally made for my Overlocker was influenced by the quarter-inch seam it made. I've used it for string piecing and it does a lovely job of bindings. The corners are a bit fiddly, but perfectly possible. It is a five-reel machine.

It also does some doody stuff using the twin needles and replacements are one at a time! Pin tucks and entre-deux and butting edges.

Personally, I agree that twin needle stuff is an acquired taste, but I've seen some fabulous stuf using embroidery thread in the top and then embellishing fabric before it is cut up and sewn. Also think crazy quilting embellishments, where the back won't show? Need to experiment, I think.

Nel

Reply to
Sartorresartus

Twin needles are great when working on stuff like t-shirt knits. You get the straight stitch on the top and the zig-zag on the bottom and that gives just enough stretch that you don't pop the stitching. Another thing to consider when doing fancy stuff are the specialty feet available. I have the ones that make it easy to sew on strings of pearls, piping, cording, ribbon, elastic, etc. My "funniest" and most unusual foot is one that has a wide opening so that you can do a zig-zag stitch. The upper face of the foot -- right in front of the needle hole is sort of tall and has FIVE little holes in it. You thread different threads through the holes and the foot keeps them in line and then you can do a multiple stitch zig-zag (I use good quality nylon thread) over top to hold them in place!!! I have a blouse that I made with a scrappy front and all the seams were top stitched this way using rayon and metallic threads. This one would be great for use on a crazy quilt or any quilted project where you wanted to add a bit of metallic to front but don't want to actually stitch with the metallic thread. I'll have to take a photo and post it to Webshots so that you can see what I am talking about. CiaoMeow >^;;^<

PAX, Tia Mary >^;;^< (RCTQ Queen of Kitties) Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their whiskers! Visit my Photo albums at

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Reply to
Tia Mary

I have more feet than a centipede! I have a 7 hole one of those for my Lily. It makes great effects if you stitch the threads down with fancy leaf, star, or flower patterns...

Reply to
Kate XXXXXX

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