Sticky Needle?

I've had some success with silicone needle lube. Seems to help keep the needle from getting so gunked up so quickly. You have to be careful, though, not to get too carried away with it and wind up with oily spots on your project (although they do come out in the laundry).

Kathleen

Thread Heaven might help the needle stay less sticky longer. The thing that's getting you is that basting spray... the freezer paper shouldn't be trouble.

And, yes... JoAnns now carries it as well as needlework stores.

-Liz

Penny S wrote:

In news:IwO8b.51896$ snipped-for-privacy@rwcrnsc51.ops.asp.att.net, CW scrawled in bright red lipstick:

lol I can just see doing intricate invisible machine applique with industrial thread....rofl!!!

Penny S

(corrected t> What, you aren't using thread?

Didn't you catch where she said "Invisible applique"? ;)

gabrielle

and the idea is to do teeney weeney appique stiches that resemble very fine handwork.

Penny

Try some rubbing alcohol.

Hehehehehe! I just thought that too! Is this another quilt? Will we get to se pix?

And I hate sewing with it! What stitch do you use, Penny? And do you use the same stuff top and bottom? If not, what do you use on the bottom that the monofilament doesn't cut? Steel hawser? ;D Someone I know swears by that stuff for sewing hems, but I loath it!

just a wall hanging maybe when it's fully completed. Yes, pix of course!!

Penny S

Kate Dicey scrawled in bright red lipstick: "Invisible applique"? ;)

this particular piece is a ploy glot. I've tried /\/\/\ ( very fine zig zag) __/\__/\__ ( very fine blind hem ) and __II__II__ very fine button hole. I like the way the button hole looks, most closely resembles hand work.

Kate, it's a Very Bad Thing to use monofilament in the bobbin, it can cut grooves in your machine that will wreck it forever. Or something like that. I am sure Ron will fill us in.

For the bottom I use Madiera #50 super fine machine embroidery thread. Did I mention that some of the pieces are hand sewn just for the heck of it ( watching the tube one night)

I took a class in invisible machine applique and this is the technique I used slightly modified from the class. I trace the design reversed on freezer paper, iron to WS of pieces. I trace the design RS up on to the backing fabrics. Everything is numbered in sewing order. Then I trim all my pieces, take them out to the shop, spray with a temporary adhesive and stack them up in groups ( rose A etc) Then I pinch over the seam allowance, stitch on and remove the paper by cutting it out. This gives really crisp and accurate pieces.

I'm using a Nancy Pearson pattern, and I am happy to say you can do her special twisted ribbon effect with the above techniques.

Penny

Nancy's Notions has some Titanium (?) needles in their catalog that supposedly won't allow glue to stick. Never tried them.

BP~

'Just'?? There's no 'just' about a wall hanging! I've 'just' been to the show at Hever Castle, and the wall hangings had some of the most fabulous work on them - even if Little Sis and I STILL think the best use for a quilt it to shove a bed under it! ;)