Opinions on threads requested

And you could have ended your question with " and I already know what Polly's going to say". Test, Leslie. Test. I've never worked with solids or attempted an Amish flavor. Still, so you can get the 'just right' look you have in mind, you really do need to make up a test block. It doesn't have to be tedious, just close. Then you can see how this and the other do. And how are you doing with Teddy's hair styling? Polly

Amish quilts are usually very plain blocks/patterns, but the quilting is fancy. i like the idea of the varigated. a little 'oomph" if you will.

amy in CNY

But... but.... but, Polly! I have 50-60 fabrics! I certainly cannot test that many! That's why I need YOU! And how is your VERY special puppy coming along? You really *need* to share that story with our quilters! (giggling!!!)

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.- with a hairy Teddy bear who is about to get desperate for a haircut!

puppy? puppy? Polly got a puppy? < said in my best parrot voice

Nooooo, Kathyl. Polly's got a Yorkie and one is plenty, believe me. During hurricane season, we're usually the shelter for Yorkies whose homes are in danger and we just love them immensely . . . and we are very relieved when they are able to return to safe homes. Very relieved. Polly

"KJ" wrote > puppy? puppy? Polly got a puppy? < said in my best parrot voice

>

Okey-dokey, Polly dear, I made up two test blocks with the various threads. I am not quilting the blocks like these samples, but it will give you an idea what the threads look like. Maybe it will help y'all visualize what I am thinking and help with opinions.

I still am undecided- other than I think I'd like hand appliqué the best (better than the buttonhole stitch) but my hands wouldn't last thru one block so that's out of the question.

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

Well. Finally. At least I can help you with the appliqué. Leslie, I'm not a bit familiar with your Janome's abilities but pretty sure that it will do what's called a blind stitch or hemming stitch. It goes 1, 2, 3, bite, l,

2, 3, bite. (bite = swing over and take a tiny stitch over to the side) You can adjust how long the straight stitches are. You can adjust how big a bite (or far the swing-over is). And you can adjust whether it swings to the left or the right. (Mine's called 'mirror'.) Fold a strip of fabric and put it down the middle of another strip of fabric. Tinker with stitch length and bite width. Soon, you'll be able to nail down an appliqué that is: sturdy, almost invisible and very kind to your hands. If memory does not serve, write down the length, width and mirror (if needed). Try it. Polly

That's the stitch that I used and I can adjust widths and lengths to all kinds of combinations- actually my machine has 6 or 7 stitches like that with different back and forward numbers and some take the bite twice over the same place and I can mirror image the stitch. But I still don't know which threads to use..... eeekkkkk!!!

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

I can't help much with the applique stitches. That's a personal preference. Some like satin stitch, some invisible thread zigzags. or even a buttonhole/blanket stitch..it just depends. Though I don't think I'd like the heavier thread as the applique thread. One of my friends made a MOM and her quilting was the perfect thing IMO. All she did was do a gentle undulating wave across the blocks on the quilt. When it hangs on the wall, it looks like wispy invisible clouds hanging over the mountains. It's not a lot of quilting, but it's very effective. I'll check with her to see if there is any other stitch in the ditch type of quilting, but from a distance all you see are the waves across the quilt. Her moons were all in the yellow and gold batiks, with the rest of the fabrics also batiks. It's a beauty. Simple and subtle.

I like that idea for the quilting! What color thread did she use for the quilting?

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

I'm replying without having read *any* of the other replies!! This is such a rare question ...

My immediate inclination would be to use the finer threads on the moons and the thicker ones on the mountains. I would also use a finer thread on the sashing. I also just had a little idea about the 'junctions' of the sashings. Still using the finer black, could you outline the square of the 'junction' and then quilt a tiny 'moon over the mountain' shape there?

My reasoning: the sky and the mountains are more variable, in nature, than the moon, so they could readily accept the variations of the threads. They are also 'more substantial' than the moon. Finally, there should be a lightness to the moon, so the somewhat finer thread would suit it better.

Now, I'll go along and see what the others have said >g< . In message , Leslie & The Furbabies in MO. writes

I have done this, too, Leslie. It really is very discreet! If you were to 'line' the moon (and mountain?) with freezer paper - to keep the shape nicely - you could do the invisible machine appliqué with the freezer paper still in. Then, cut a slit behind the appliquéd shapes when you are finished and take them out.

Dawn Cameron Dick has written books and gives talks and workshops all the time about this. Perhaps she has some instructions on a website somewhere? . In message , Polly Esther writes

IMO, and having already seen your later wonderful test pieces, go with invisible thread. See Hargraves on "Heirloom Machine Applique", and use the machine blind stitch. You can quickly and easily face the moons and mountains, using either thin interfacing orcotton. I did one, facing with iron-on interfacing. The sticky side should be treated as the"right side". After turning the piece RSO, use a wooden presser to crease. Trim away all but about 3/8" of the interfacing, then iron it in place and applique.

My >I am getting ready to make a Moon Over The Mountain lap quilt for a male of

What a great idea - I haven't heard of doing appliqué in this way before and it would make some things soooooooo much easier - thanks!

In message , Roberta writes

I'll call her tomorrow and double check the particulars. Her MOM didn't have any sashing. I could even pop over and take a picture for you.

I think that's what I'd do, too. Use invisible thread or a fine thread that matches what you're appliquéing. I think the buttonhole stitch, especially with the variegated thread, is distracting from your clean, sharp lines. You can use the fusible interfacing method where you trace your shape on very light fusible interfacing (such as Pellon featherweight), lay (do not press) the interfacing fusible side down on the right side of the fabric and stitch on the line. Slit the fusible and turn. Finger press and then fuse to the background. Use the machine blind stitch or a very narrow zigzag and monofilament or a fine matching thread to stitch it down. The appliqué will be nearly invisible.

Julia > Well. Finally. At least I can help you with the appliqué. Leslie, I'm not