Embellishments-Help!!

Amy, while I'm sure that some people do embellish before quilting, I also know that lots of people say it's easier to quilt without embellishments getting in the way. I've only embellished one quilt (Pat's Baravelle Spiral), and I added the beads after I'd done the quilting. Another advantage of doing it that way is that the beads can follow along some of the quilting lines or accent them or otherwise add to them.

Any time that I have added beads or other embellishements to a quilt it has been AFTER the quilting. Otherwise it would be too hard to do the quilting properly. Also, then you can add beads along a line of stitching if you like. A word of warning though - this can get very, very addictive! :)

Allison

I haven't beaded an actual quilt but I've embellished quilted garments and done it both before and after. I cut each section of the garment after I had quilted, then I beaded, then I assembled the garment. Not a smooth operation. Right sides together would sometimes catch and not work/flow, can't explain better, but it was a PITA while sewing. Also the clicking when right (beaded) side was down, and occasional catching on table/machine edges drove me nutz. YMMV

From personal experience I'd say quilt first, beading very last. It's also easier to sort of stand back and take stock of the finished quilt before you start beading. Then you can see if you want to emphasize the fabric, the squares, the stitched quilting lines or the design as a whole ......or just a random OTLG.

Just thought I'd toss in that OTLG since most of the time when I read the quilt related acronyms in RCTQ I have to look them up to see what in the world you all are talking about. LOL ;)

OTLG (Oh! Thaddle Look Good)

Val

Aha. Didn't know that one but I needed it. I had one fish left over from another quilt and the sailboats quilt seemed to want it. OTLG, I thought. Polly

Thanks, Gals!!! knew i could count on you all! so, i will go ahead and finish the applique and then quilt, THEN i will add the beads, etc.

Chocolate all around!!!

you guys are the bomb!!

amy in CNY

depends on how much embellishment you want to do and how you plan to quilt it and there are so many permutations of how that will go most smoothly! Mostly, add after quilting, or even during if hand quilting. Having the batting to secure the thread ends in I feel is quite helpful, so I probably wouldn't do it before unless I was literally just adding a couple in the middle of a flower and I had the thread there and ready to go and it seemed like that would be faster overall!

Make sure to secure at regular intervals, worst thing is for a bead to get caught and a whole lot of them fall off!

Cheers Anne

The beads would go on after the quilting.....even after the binding. They are the "icing on the cake."

Happy quilting,

Lenore

Don't use regular thread with the beads...there is a nylone thread..nymo...I think... that is used and is strong to not break.

that was my next question. Thanks!! ok, so i should finish all the applique, sandwich, quilt it, then bind it, THEN put the fancyschmancy's on?

amy in CNY

Yes, that is the usual procedure. Then you label it, and send to me. Easy!