Thread Talk

Following is the second part in a series of articles on threads, their differences and their uses. This is used with permission by Bob Purcell of www.superiorthreads.com

A generation ago, there were very few thread choices.  It was almost is if one type of thread was used  for every project, whether that was piecing, quilting, clothing construction, upholstery, and so on.  Times have changed and much better quality products are available today.  Thread has become more specialized to enhance and improve our sewing projects.  
There are differences between quilting, embroidery, bobbin, applique, serger, upholstery, and, construction threads.

Bobbin Thread
Some teach that we should always use the same thread in the top and in the bobbin.  I think the reason they recommend this is to keep things simple and also thinking there will be fewer tension problems.  However, it is perfectly fine to use a different thread in the bobbin and, in most cases, it is actually preferred. Here's why:
Quilting
a.  A fine bobbin thread reduces the bulk in the seam.
b.  You can wind more fine wt. thread on the bobbin than a medium wt. thread.
c.  Tension can be easily adjusted to accommodate different threads.
d.  A finer thread blends well.
e.  A finer thread is usually less expensive.
Embroidering
a.  A fine bobbin thread leaves a softer, more pliable embroidered design.
b.  You can wind more fine thread on the bobbin than a medium wt. thread.
c.  A finer thread is usually less expensive.

Whether quilting or embroidering, it is recommended to match the color of the bobbin thread to the top thread just in case a little bobbin thread occasionally shows. The most common bobbin threads are 50 wt. and 60 wt. threads.
Recommended bobbin threads
MasterPiece  #50 extra-long staple Egyptian-grown cotton.  Very little lint.  Iron safe.  75 colors.  600 yd. spools and 2,500 yd. cones are 3-ply.  MasterPiece prewound bobbins are 2-ply.
So Fine #50  #50 smooth, lint-free polyester. Polyester is stronger and less expensive than cotton.  Recommended to set iron to low or medium heat. 134 colors.
Bottom Line  60 wt. smooth, lint-free polyester.  Recommended to set iron to low or medium heat.  55 colors.
MonoPoly   Invisible polyester monofilament thread available in Clear and Smoke colors.  Commonly used as a bobbin thread for quilting and thread painting when using many different colors on top.  Recommended to set iron to low or medium heat.  If you like monofilament thread, make sure you use polyester monofilament and not nylon because nylon tends to go brittle, discolor, and has a lower heat tolerance.  Some brands of monofilament invisible threads are labeled "polyamide" which is the chemical name for nylon. MonoPoly invisible thread is 100% polyester and the preferred type.  

Another Chance to Help...

Hello! How's your summer going? In between the "good" weather, we seem to be having lots of rainy or just dreary days so I hope you are finding some time to enjoy your sewing machines and whatever projects you have on the go. Thanks again to all those who made slab blocks for Calgary. From what I can see on Cheryl's blog, she has received 1630 blocks!! What a great response. I'm sure assembly of said blocks is keeping her very busy.
In case you missed the opportunity to participate in that project, here is another chance to be of help. I received the following email from Bev Rogan of Calgary. Read below and perhaps you can find a way to help or contribute, if you wish to!

Hello,

Quilting for Calgary is a group of caring quilters from throughout North America, dedicated to bringing hope and comfort to the 2013 Flood victims of Southern Alberta.

We are hoping you can help as we embark to spread word of our efforts and set out to gather the 3,600 quilts needed for those affected in our city and those that will be placed here in temporary housing. 

We are hoping you can share our information with your friends, colleagues and fellow bloggers.

While we cannot replace the precious family heirlooms and mementos of these families, we do hope we can help to warm their hearts and homes.

.

Please note:  We are happy to offer free shipping within Canada and are able to offer our friends from the United States the ability to send their donations to us with no customs, duty or brokerage fees (See: “My Donation is Ready” under our “Files” tab.) as well as offering quilters a drop off and mailing address in Houston, Texas with FREE shipping from Houston to Calgary.

We thank you for your time and hope that you will join us in our efforts to warm the hearts and homes of Calgary’s flood victims. 

Please stop by and visit our group on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/quiltingforcalgary/

Bev Rogan

Quilting for Calgary

"Warming Hearts & Homes"

bev.rogan@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/groups/quiltingforcalgary/

"How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world." ~ Anne Frank

I take from that, that they would love to receive finished quilts. Perhaps you have one sitting around that you made "just because" and it is not intended for anyone in particular. If you'd like to "move it on".. there's your chance!!

Stay tuned: I'll be posting another Superior Threads newsletter educational component in another day or two....

Happy Quilting...

THANK YOU!!!

Ladies, thank you for your great response to the request for Slab blocks for Calgary. I have a box ready to send off today with 39 blocks (a veritable rainbow!!)
PLUS a full size quilt top that was generously donated!! THANK YOU so much for your help. I'm sure the recipients in Calgary and surrounding area will be thrilled to receive these "quilts of love" from their fellow Canadians. Cheryl has had a very good response. I will follow her blog and be in touch with her later in the summer, and I'll let you know (if I can) how many quilts they were able to assemble with the donated blocks. Thanks

also to the members who kindly gave a monetary donation as well  to help with the cost of battings, backings, etc. You know who you are! And lastly- Barb P. - thanks for the box! It was the perfect size - it's packed and ready to go. Oliver (who loves playing in boxes) thought he might like to go along to Calgary too, but I couldn't fit him in...
Enjoy this beautiful summer weather we are finally getting!! I'm off tomorrow on a 12 day vacation.. If anyone else has blocks for Calgary, you'll have to mail them yourself- the link is in the previous post to contact Cheryl for her mailing address. And thanks also to anyone who did mail their own- I know of at least one FQG member who is out of province but was sending her own blocks. Thanks to all!!

Quilt Blocks for Calgary...

LADIES:  I just found out about this project tonight. I have re-posted below the entire post that Cheryl put on her blog. This is a call for quilt blocks only. Not entire quilts. Just 15.5" blocks. I bet there are very few in our Guild who don't know someone in Calgary or other affected areas in Alberta. And whether that person or family you know was affected by the recent flooding or not, wouldn't you like to do something quick and easy to help out with the recovery efforts? If so, please read on and consider making one or more blocks to send off soon to help this great project...

If you are interested in making a block or two.. or three...  and you can get them to me (Linda Hubbard) by noon next Wednesday July 17th, I will mail them all together. Seems silly for each person to mail their own. I'm imposing the noon Wednesday deadline as I am leaving Thursday to be away for 2 weeks so I would have to have them by then. If that's too soon for you, you'll have to mail your own. Please note she does want all blocks in by July 30th - you can read that post on Cheryl's blog here.   The clock's a-tickin'...  I'd love to hear from you, by phone or email, if you are participating and intend to drop your blocks off to me. Please read the "directions" below- I have added Cheryl's suggestion of "stay-stitching" around your finished block, about 1/8" from edge...
I now have Cheryl's mailing address if anyone wants it to mail your own block(s)... Please attach your name to your block if you are dropping it off to me, as Cheryl wants to put all names on the quilt labels.

Just One Slab

Just a slab. One slab. Grab some scraps of fabric and sew them together.

I'm putting out a call to all my quilty friends out there. Maybe you can't spare the fabric or time or postage to send a whole quilt as we try to recover in Calgary and Southern Alberta. That's okay. But I bet you can make just one block. And the more of you that can make and send just one block, the more quilts we'll be able to donate. I will put all the blocks I get together into quilts. With an army of local long armers lined up to donate their time we will get some beds and hearts covered in no time.

Here are the basics:

Make a slab 15.5'' square. You can insert the white bit or not, that's your choice. Just aim to make your block in a single colour. Make as many as you like.

Our inspiration for these quilts is The Missing U quilt from Sunday Morning Quilts.

How do you make a slab? If you have the book, refer to the directions on pages 48-49. If you don't have the book let me summarize how to make a slab:

Take two pieces of fabric and sew them together. Do that a few more times. Then start sewing more pieces to those first pairs. Sew groups together. Add additional pieces of fabric as necessary to get up to your finished size. Start with small bits or big ones, it doesn't matter. Raid your scrap bins and go with what you've got. Once you've squared up your block it is helpful to sew a stay stitch around the edge of the block. Just a regular stitch, about 1/8'' of an inch from the edge of the block. It helps prevent seams splitting when the block is going to get handled repeatedly before final assembly.


Feel free to grab that top image and share it on your blogs/web-sites. Tell the world about how you made your slab. Link back to this post if you do.

When your block is done and you're ready to post it, send me a note and I will gladly send you my snail mail.

Thank-you so much for continuing to think of us here in Southern Alberta. Now that the emergency situation is behind us it is time to think about recovery. Quilts go a long way towards that.

*If you are interested in donating complete quilts or tops, make sure you check out this information.*

Thanks so much to Bea Long (Monica W's sister) of Grand Falls who sent me this info. Below is one of the blocks Bea has made to send. Thanks Bea for sharing the news of this worthwhile project with us! 

Perfect Quilting Weather!

Hello! I hope your summer is going well. It seems we have one of two extremes- rain, rain, rain or heat and humidity - both are perfect for sewing and quilting. You can't garden when it's raining- perfect for quilting! And when it's too hot and humid to be outside- stay indoors and work on your quilting projects! Just kidding of course, but I do hope you are finding some time for your favourite hobby...
I don't know how many of you receive the regular newsletter from Superior Threads, but since they allow the educational portion of their newsletter to be shared, I thought I would post some of their info on threads. They have just started a new series of educational pieces on Threads, and this is the  first one, taken from the mid-June 2013newsletter. I hope you find it useful.

 What is the difference between Quilting and EmbroideryThreads?

A generation ago, there were very few thread choices.  It was almost is if one type of thread was used  for every project, whether that was piecing, quilting, clothing construction, upholstery, and so on.  Times have changed and much better quality products are available today.  Thread has become more specialized to enhance and improve our sewing projects.   There are differences between quilting, embroidery, bobbin, applique, serger, upholstery, and, construction threads.  In this newsletter we will discuss the differences between quilting and embroidery threads.  Other threads will be discussed in future newsletters. Quilting Threads The most common machine quilting threads are cotton and polyester. If you have heard “don’t use polyester in your quilt because it will tear the fabric,” that is the biggest myth in the quilting world. (Click here to read about that myth) Cotton Thread Facts Low Quality   Short staple cotton.  If the label does not specify the staple length, most likely it is short staple.  Companies do not print “short staple cotton” on the label because that is nothing to brag about. Medium Quality   Long staple cotton. Highest Quality   Extra-long staple Egyptian-grown cotton Egyptian cotton   99% of cotton products labeled as Egyptian cotton are lying.  Egypt does not grow enough cotton to make all those “Egyptian cotton” bed sheets, towels, clothes, and threads. In fact, Egypt grows less than 1% of the world’s cotton. Countries such as Greece, Mali, and Syria grow more cotton than Egypt. So why is the term Egyptian cotton so coveted?  Egyptian cotton is the best grade and most manufacturers want that label on their cotton products, whether honest or not.  I’ve even seen labels stating “Egyptian cotton, Made in India.”  As far as I can discern, Superior is the only thread company that can honestly say “Extra-long staple Egyptian-grown cotton.” We buy our extra-long staple cotton in Egypt and turn it into King Tut and MasterPiece thread.   Mercerized   A term printed on the label when there is nothing else to brag about.  It tends to divert your attention from the fact that it is not Extra-long staple Egyptian-grown cotton.  Mercerized cotton is a good thing and nearly all cotton thread is automatically mercerized during the production process.  Whether the cotton labels states Mercerized or not, it probably is. Polyester Thread Facts Spun poly is a less expensive grade of polyester threads. It has a fuzzy appearance similar to cotton and produces some lint when sewing.  It is primarily used for clothing construction, including serger thread.   It is stronger than comparable wt. cotton threads.  Our spun poly quilting thread is Poly Quilter, a #30/3-ply variegated thread which is in the heavier thread category. Our new Tailor Made thread is also spun poly and recommended for clothing construction and serger applications, not quilting. Multi-filament polyester is smooth, lint free, and stronger than spun poly. It is more expensive that spun poly threads and is a much cleaner thread, meaning very little or no lint.  Threads in this group are Bottom Line, So Fine #50, So Fine #40 (variegated), and So Fine #30. Trilobal multi-filament polyester has a nice high sheen.  Traditional trilobal poly is not as strong as regular multi-filament polyester, but a new HTT (High Tenacity (strength) Trilobal) polyester has recently been developed.  Magnifico, Fantastico (variegated), and Twist are HTT polyester threads. Poly-wrapped poly core thread is made with a multi-filament polyester thread core and then wrapped with a spun poly thread.  The appearance is like cotton due to the outer spun poly wrap, but it has the strength of multi-filament polyester due to the inner core.  It is less expensive than a 100% multi-filament poly thread. Omni is poly-wrapped poly core thread. Embroidery Thread 1. Embroidery threads usually have a looser twist than quilting threads.  The tighter the twist, the less the sheen.   2. Depending on the machine and embroidery speed, embroidery threads may not require the strength of a quilting thread. 3. Most embroidery threads are two-ply to preserve the high sheen. Due to the three differences just described, embroidery threads are usually less expensive than quilting threads. Rayon    Traditionally, the most common embroidery threads have been rayon.  Rayon is a half natural/half manufactured fiber with a beautiful sheen.  The problems with rayon threads are twofold: a. most rayon is not colorfast (meaning bleach-safe), and b. rayon is a weak fiber.   Rayon production also causes substantial pollution so the U.S. banned domestic rayon production many years ago. Polyester  For a high sheen look, the best thread for embroidery is trilobal polyester or HTT (high tenacity trilobal poly). These polyester threads have a sheen equal to that of rayon, are stronger, and are colorfast.  HTT polyester is much stronger than regular trilobal poly. Is there a thread that is suitable for both quilting and embroidery? Many threads can be used for both.  It depends on what look you want to obtain in your project. Some people embroidery with cotton because that is the look they want.  Some quilt with polyester because they like a high sheen thread or a strong, very fine thread.  If you want both high sheen and high strength for both embroidery and quilting, the best choice is HTT polyester such as Magnifico or Fantastico (variegated). These are like hybrid threads, combining two features into a single thread.  Magnifico is much stronger than regular trilobal polyester threads.  It has already replaced our former Highlights (regular trilobal poly) line of threads. It is available in 200 solid colors.  Fantastico is the exact same thread type, but in variegated colors.  There are currently 20 colors of Fantastico available, but over 100 more are in process.

Used with permission from Bob Purcell, www.superiorthreads.com   

Two Local Shows...

Hello everyone! Just thought I should bring to your attention two shows in our local area. At Charlotte Street School, in the Penny Gallery in June and July is an exhibit of quilts by local quilter Solveig Wells. Solveig spoke to our Guild back in 2008 or so. She passed away in March of this year and her family has put this display together to honour and celebrate her life.
In 2006-2007 she created a series of quilts entitled Katrina Recovery Quilts to express the personal and collective experience of Hurricane Katrina. These quilts were created with fabrics recovered from the hurricane debris. These quilts as well as others which reflect her extensive travels are on display - the Gallery, open daily from 9a.m. -10p.m. is on the first floor of the Charlotte Street Arts Centre and is free to visitors.
On July 27 and 28 there will be a celebration of her life held in the auditorium of the Arts Centre, with a reception from noon -1p.m. on the 27th. All the quilts will be moved from the Penny Gallery on the 26th to the Auditorium for the celebration on the 27th and 28th. The 28th is the final day for the exhibit.

This coming weekend you can attend a Quilt Show being held in conjunction with a celebration of Maugerville's 250th Anniversary. Sponsored by the Maugerville Women's Institute, it will be open

Lois showing some of Kings Landing's antique quilts.

June 27-29, from noon-7p.m. on Thursday, 10a.m.-7p.m. on Friday and 10a.m.-4p.m. on Saturday, at the Maugerville Baptist Church on Peters Road. This is immediately after the Auction Centre (on your left going downriver).Watch for the signs along the highway. Admission is only $3.00 and refreshments will be served. On Friday afternoon at 2 pm, there will be a Trunk Show of antique quilts from the Kings Landing Collection, by Lois MacDonald. 

These events are local- why not support  them both?

Two Talented Members...

Congrats to members Kathy Tidswell and Donna Young who had pieces accepted to two Ontario Shows this spring. Kathy and Donna both had quilts in the Grand National 2013, which is held annually at Homer Watson House and Gallery in Kitchener. The show, whose theme this year was "Local Colour", opened April 21 and closes this weekend.

Kathy's piece, titled Through the Glass 2013 measures 55" x 21.25".
 Her artist statement:

As a young person, I did not notice the beauty of the Douglas valley until my first trip home from university. Paying tribute to this area of New Brunswick, I created a triptych of abstracts. The breathtaking beauty of a Maritime fall and the brilliant renewal of spring are all the more colourful when juxtaposed with the monochromatic greyness of winter. Looking "through the glass" takes me back to my childhood home. 

Donna's piece Wild Blueberry Field 2013 is 32" x 24".

Her artist statement: 

Native wild blueberries are not blue, but royal violet, and they are produced on ground covering plants on the hilly coastlines of NB. In the fall, all of the leaves turn rosy orange. It creates a brilliant, breathtaking panorama of colour. Winter eradicates the scene but the berries have been harvested and preserved. I chose contemporary techniques to emphasize the roughness of the landscape and the dazzling colour of the stored wild blueberries. 

If you would like to view the entire Grand National Show via the catalogue you can do that by clicking here.

Kathy also had a quilt accepted to  "Threadworks: A Juried Exhibition of Needle Arts " This show hung at the Wellington County Museum from April 20 to June 9 and this year's theme was "Water". Selected pieces (including Kathy's) will now travel to various museums and galleries around Ontario until the Fall of 2015.

Kathy's piece for this show was called  Splendour of the Caribbean. 

Again, you can view all the pieces from this spectacular show by clicking here, then click on View Images of the works in this exhibit.

Congrats to Kathy and Donna!! We are so proud of you both!

Yummy treats

A few posts back I promised you a few recipes for dishes we enjoyed at our end of year Potluck. Here they are today. First of all Citrus Quinoa Salad, courtesy of Ann P. I have made this several times since the Potluck and it IS yummy! Should I admit I could eat the entire recipe myself? Not all at once, of course...

Citrus Quinoa Salad
1 cup uncooked quinoa
1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
1/3 cup dried cranberries
6 green onions, chopped
1/2 cup chopped Italian parsley
1/3 cup toasted slivered almonds
salt and pepper to taste

Citrus Vinaigrette dressing
2 Tblsp. freshly squeezed orange juice
2 Tblsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 Tblsp. grated orange rind
2 teaspoons grated lemon rind
1 Tblsp. freshly grated ginger
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon sugar
pinch of salt and pepper, or to taste

Rinse quinoa well. Bring 2 cups water to a boil, add quinoa and cook about 14 minutes, until translucent. (Follow pkg. directions.) Remove from heat, drain any remaining water, and fluff with fork. Gently stir in apricots, cranberries, onions, parsley, salt and pepper. Let cool. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 12 hours. Combine vinaigrette ingredients, pour over salad and stir in almonds. Serve.
Thanks Ann, I know our members will enjoy this healthy and delicious salad.

This next one might not be quite so "healthy" but we all need a little treat now and then, don'cha think? This Brownie recipe comes from Paula MacD.

Cream Cheese Brownies

1  8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup w. sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp. vanilla
Beat these 4 ingds. together until
smooth, set aside.

1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 cup w. sugar
1/2 cup cocoa
2 eggs
3/4 tsp. vanilla
2/3 cup flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking powder
Melt butter or margarine, add sugar, cocoa, eggs and vanilla. Mix well. Sift dry ingds. together, add and mix well.  Grease a 9" square pan well. Spread half of chocolate batter in pan, pour cream cheese mixture over, top with remaining chocolate batter**. Bake at 350F for about 40 minutes, being careful not to overcook. (Test with a toothpick)
**Note: the chocolate batter is quite thick and the cream cheese mixture is more runny. It is difficult to "spread" the thick batter on top of the runny mixture- just do the best you can to spread it out. It will sort of resemble marble cake.

These brownies are sooo good. They do not require frosting. However, in my house (yes we are all admitted Chocoholics!) frosting is "expected". So I just threw on some chocolate chips when the pan came out of the oven. That was my addition- it's not mentioned in the recipe above.

Enjoy!!

Quilt BC 2013 Winners

Each year the Canadian Quilters' Association hosts a national conference and this year's was in Penticton B.C. Quite a distance for our local quilters to travel, so if we cannot attend, it's nice that we can at least enjoy photos from some of the Shows.
Click here to see the 2013 winners from the National Juried Show. You can click on each image for a closer look. This show features "the best of the best" in Canada. A jury panel selects the NJS entries from a large number of submissions so just to be accepted into the Show is quite an honour! There are a number of categories ranging from traditional to contemporary, and most entries must be original. There is one category which accepts quilts from patterns or books, these are judged on workmanship only, and are not eligible for Best Of Show Awards.
Click here to see the 2013 Trend Tex Challenge entries and winners. Each year Trend Tex Fabrics donates the fabrics for this challenge. Five of their fabrics are selected, and a theme is chosen; the theme this year was "Sunshine and Vines". Participants purchase a kit of the five fabrics (5 fat quarters) - every one gets the same five. (Of course you can use both sides of the fabric, so I suppose you could say you have 10....)  Two additional fabrics can be added if you choose. The idea is for each participant to make a quilted piece on their interpretation of the theme and donate it back to CQA/ACC. The  quilts are sold by auction at the conference and the money raised helps support CQA/ACC. It's always inspiring to see how different all the pieces are. Some quilters are so creative!! I'm sure you'll enjoy looking over this year's entries and winners.
If I come across any photos from other shows at the conference, I will add links here.