I finished quilting the 20 star blocks (see them here) and then moved on to the outside of the stars. I wanted to use a Sulky Blendable thread but it kept breaking. I am pretty stubborn when it comes to making a thread/needle combination work and tried all of these various needles. I was about to give up and thought to check the website for the Blendable threads and read that a topstitch 90/14 needle is recommended...it's the only needle I didn't have of course. The 80/12 (the embroidery, the quilting and the topstitch) needle was still breaking the thread. I sent my husband to the sewing store on the way home from work today to pick up the topstitch needles and I am eager to see if
that will fix the problem.Until I could get the proper needles to use the Blendable threads, I worked on the double 9 patch blocks. I am using Aurifil thread in these blocks and it never breaks on me no matter how fast I quilt! I don't know if it will show up in this photo well enough to see, but I have quilted feathers with 7 little branches (or barbs or lobes...or whatever you call them!) in the plain blocks of the double 9 patches. In my quilt I have 30 double nine patch blocks and they are finally all quilted. My machine really does deserve a rest, but it's not going to get one because now that I have the new needles, I will see if I can finish the star blocks with that Blendables thread. And then I'll only have the borders to quilt!!
4 comments:
I am always amazed at the difference the right needle/thread combination makes. I am sure you will have better luck with the 90. I have used the 90 topstitch and metallic needle interchangeably with good results (just in case you can't find the topstitch). The store is usually out of the needle I need :) Your quilting is beautiful-I can't get the picture to enlarge but I love what I can see of it. I can't wait to see what you do with your DD. I love your new flying geese header by the way :)
I always use a 90/14 as I find it's the best needle what ever the thread.
I recently ordered some Aurufill from the US as I've heard such good things about it. We struggle to get it over here unfortunately.
Love and hugs Gina xxx
You are one busy girl just quilting away...good work, love the feathers.
hiya, whenever I machine quilt (really simple stuff, nothing fancy like your beautiful work) I always use a top stitch needle because of the larger eye. Sometimes I will use a jeans needle if I am going thru thicker batting. I also use the basting stitch lenght on the dial, this can make the biggest difference. Schemtz is the only needle I use in all my machines. hope this helps! (mauh) Liz
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