Archive for the 'Quilting Machine' Category

Choosing Quilting Thread for Machine

AgelessQuilting November 15th, 2006

Quilting was once done entirely by hand. Quilting became a popular activity for two reasons: to create something beautiful and to have something to do while gathering with friends. Quilting bees were a good ways for a community’s women to pass long winter evenings. Hand sewing has been at least partly replaced by the technology of the sewing machine. Gathering with friends, of course, has been enhanced by the technologies of TV and cinema among others. While the pattern and fabric are the stars of the quilting world, the thread is also important. Thread that tangles or pulls can ruin the quilt or, at least, the experience of making one. Thread that isn’t strong enough will break loose and require making repairs to the quilt.

Types of Thread

Thread made for quilting has a finish applied to help it glide through the layers of fabric and batting. If you have ever tried to sew batting, you will understand why this is necessary. The thread package or online description should say whether the thread is appropriate for quilting. If you intend to use the quilting thread for machine quilting, make sure the description states that it is made for machine sewing. The quilting finish can clog some machine’s tension mechanism as it feeds through so quickly.

All quilting thread can be used for hand sewing. For sewing just on the fabric of the quilt, any good quality, cotton or polyester-wrapped cotton can be used. The medium weight size 50 is good for most jobs. This kind of thread makes good quilting thread for machine use since it has no coating that can wear off from heat or friction. A heavier weight can be used for piecing the panels together. The heavier the thread, the lower the size number is. Size 40 weight is good for piecing. If you have only used medium weight thread, you may have to get used to the difference in the look of the stitches.

When adding a decorative stitch after the piecing is completed, you can use cotton embroidery thread as quilting thread for machine use. You can find it on cones for machines. Embroidery thread comes in different weights. You can use a heavy weight for hand embellishment or a medium or light weight as quilting thread for machine sewing, depending on the pattern and your artistic taste. Choosing the right thread for your quilt means considering the needs of the pattern, the fabric and the embellishments you’re planning. Remember that quilting thread for machine use should conform to the needs of your machine.

 

 

The Benefits of an Embroidery and Quilting Sewing Machine

AgelessQuilting November 13th, 2006

An embroidery and quilting sewing machine is a great asset to anyone. Whether you are using it for commercial or personal purposes, you will be amazed at the amount of work you will get out of it. Let us explore together the benefits and many advantages of owning embroidery and quilting sewing machine.

Getting Creative

A sewing machine is great for any type of sewing such as clothes, curtains, table clothes, napkins, and even quilts. There are many types of sewing machines, and depending on your use you can pick and choose. Embroidery and quilting sewing machines for personal purposes are smaller and easier to use, as well as easier to store once you are done using them. The commercial sewing machines are larger and come with many complex features which you may never need, such as carpet mending.

Choose your embroidery and quilting sewing machine carefully. while it is not suggested that you pick a very complex machine, it is recommended to choose one that is past the basics as these toys can get addictive and before you know it you will want to sew and make most things around the house.

A Little History

A French tailor named Barthelemy Thimonnier invented the very first sewing machine in 1830 and he used it for commercial purposes in his garment factory. This machine had only one thread hooked to a needle, which only performed chain stitch. Today, however, even the simplest embroidery and quilting sewing machine comes with a great variety of programs, which performs most stitch patterns on most materials.

Helpful Tips

Before purchasing an embroidery and quilting sewing machine make sure you check all available stores and possibilities such as online stores which offer at times a trial period in which time you can change your mind and exchange the machine with another. Looking for a trial option is probably the best way to buy an embroidery and quilting sewing machine, especially if it is your very first machine.

The more you use your sewing machine, the more creative you will get, and soon everything in the house will have your personal touch and creativity. Sewing is not only creative, it is also very relaxing and inspiring to others such as your children and grandchildren. Enjoy being your household fashion designer as well as a great example to follow by your family and friends.

A Little about Batting Designs for Machine Quilting

AgelessQuilting November 11th, 2006

If you are an avid quilter, you know it’s tough to come up with new and exciting batting designs for machine quilting. And even if you’ve never quilted before but are interested in the concept, it can be hard starting your first project simply because you don’t know where to start. When it comes to a batting design for machine quilting, there are a few different options and all of them bring something different to the table.

How to Find Ideas and Suggestions for Your Next Batting Design

When it comes time to create your next project, you have a couple of different options in regard to a batting design for the machine quilting you’ll be doing. Many people instinctively end up at a local fabric shop. While this option is definitely viable, you’ll want to look for out of the ordinary designs to make your quilt one of a kind. The patterns sold in a fabric store are plenty, but it’s up to you to sift through them and find one that isn’t ordinary.

Another option is to use the Internet in finding either patterns, ideas, or step by step how-to instructions. Most batting designs for machine quilting seem to be the same, so finding an original pattern can take some digging. Your best bet is to search for and find a website that is created and maintained by a fellow quilter as opposed to just another online fabric store.

Fellow quilters that maintain a website are usually very committed to their quilting and therefore have spent years coming up with new batting designs for machine quilting. And a great thing about these websites is that the fellow quilter is usually more than happy to share their ideas and patterns for free as opposed to selling them.

Even the websites that do charge a fee for their patterns usually charge a nominal fee which is used to help maintain their websites. So in the end, you get a great deal on your batting design ideas and patterns, while enabling yourself to create something different than what you’ve created in the past.

Finally, you have the option of experimenting. Taking some time to put together batting designs on your own can result in a unique pattern that you just may want to share with the rest of the world! It may take a few tries before you come up with something worth using, but coming up with your own original batting design for machine quilting is worth all of the effort you put into it.