Posts Tagged ‘tips’

Threads for Your Machine Quilting

Monday, June 10th, 2013

blendables_spoolThe question came up again this week about the difference between 30wt and 12wt thread, and which is better for machine quilting. Our initial search was based on a well dispersed but yet unproved rumor that thread weight is a measure of “miles of thread per mile.” [Note: An easily distracted person should not Google "miles of thread per pound" as every noun in the phrase has multiple meaning that call up dozens of hits - very entertaining, but not very enlightening].

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We went looking for information again, and found lots of it. Mary Mashuta’s book Foolproof Machine Quilting has a good section on threads and needles for machine quilting, as do several other books on our shelf. From there we went to the thread manufacturers. Some of what we found was facts and some was opinions, of course. Sulky.com had lots of information on these two weights, including suggestions to use the heavier thread in the bobbin, to use the heavier thread in the top, and to use the lighter thread instead. There’s also a link about parallel weights in cotton, rayon and blends

Superior Threads (King Tut) offered a thoughtful essay  on the differences and how you can make an informed choice.
At the risk of spoiling the suspense, we think the last point of the Superior Threads essay is the best suggestion:

“Ignore the weight number on the label. Choose thread based on the type of fiber, look, feel, and thickness and not by the printed weight size. Trust your eyes and fingers more than the label. You’ll get better results and be much happier with your selection. Choose fine threads to blend and medium and heavier threads to show.

 

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Top thread broken, bobbin thread through needle. How?

We’d love to hear from you about your experience with these threads and others. You can comment here, or post your thoughts on the “New Pieces – Get it Done” Group*. We’re all in this together — and there is no philosophy that says that we can’t share each others experience and learn from each others’ mistakes.

 

*The “Get it Done” Group is an unstructured place to ask advice and show off your product AND your process. Come play with us!

New Pieces for New Pieces Blog

Tuesday, May 28th, 2013
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Good things come in pieces!

The blog is back after a few months away!

A lot is happening at New Pieces * and in the local quilting world. We’d like to use the blog as another way to reinforce the New Pieces Quilt community. I will be looking for items to post about gadgets and techniques, to alternate with  stories about the quilts and quilters in our midst, and other stuff of interest to you all. You are invited to send  your ideas for blog entries to New Pieces, or to write something yourself and send it to me. Pictures are welcome too!

*Many of you will notice that this amazing 360 degree picture of the store is filled with quilts by staff emeritae. We are rebuilding our teaching program as you read this. Please ask about the changes underway, and feel free to suggest great teachers and classes to us!

Quilt Patis – A New Take on an Old Skill

Wednesday, May 9th, 2012

 

Confession: I didn’t expect to like these as much as I do.

Quilt Patis are little templates for English piecing — but made of flexible plastic instead of paper, so they can be used over and over again. The best part may be that they’re portable — you can stick a little kit (some  Patis, fabric scraps, two pins and a needle and thread) in your bag and play with them when you’re waiting out one of life’s little delays.

New Pieces currently has diamond and hexagon-shaped Patis, in two sizes each. The pincushion above was made by Mary Risard Burnett, from the smaller diamond Patis, and there are a few of the larger ones under it. Using the cutting board for scale, you can see how small they are. You can’t see that they’re easy to use. Look for them the next time you come in!

 

What’s the Difference? (Synthrapol vs. Retayne)

Thursday, April 12th, 2012

We decided to solve this question once and for all. After a diligent Google search, the answer is:

Retayne FIXES dye to fabric and should be used in cases where you are concerned that a fabric dye may bleed. Use Retayne as directed,  as a pre-wash or before putting suspect fabrics into a quilt.

Synthrapol is a special detergent that suspends dye particles so that they do not reattach to fabric. Dyers use Synthrapol as a pre-wash to REMOVE  sizing, oils, fingerprints and other impurities that would interfere with an even dying of fabric — and then they wash the dyed fabric with Synthrapol to remove any remaining unattached dye particles.

Here is one situation that requires further research; I’ll update when I can confirm or deny it:

It’s my understanding that you don’t use Retayne on a completed quilted, because of the possibility that dye might migrate and THEN affix to (the wrong) fabric. The proper procedure in that case would seem to be to wash the quilt with Synthrapol (to remove the extra dye), and THEN use Retayne to affix the dye that remains.

Both products are available at New Pieces, and we have directions on how to use either one. If you’re interested in the chemical reactions that each one employs, please contact Heather (who is interested is such things) at Rags1927@gmail.com.

 

Good Foundations for Your Piecing

Thursday, January 19th, 2012

Let’s imagine you’re looking for the perfect Winter project.

It should have a real wow factor, but also be doable in small pieces. Maybe you’ll be working by the light of a single lantern in your sewing room…or maybe your Bernina will bask in Ott-Light bliss…. Whatever the circumstances, pre-printed muslin foundations are a really clever idea, and once your quilt is finished no one will know you used them — unless you tell them.

 

New Pieces has three new bolts of Benartex muslin foundation cloth right now. There is also a lovely quilt on display that was made using the fabric foundation method. (If it looks familiar it appeared in the last blog entry, too).

Sew With Sho – Banish UFOs

Wednesday, January 4th, 2012
One of the things we want to do this year at New Pieces is to find ways to help you (our friends and customers) get from where you are in your quilt journey to wherever you want to be. We are offering a range of new classes and groups towards this end.
One option is this monthly class, Sew with Sho. Sew with Sho is an opportunity to work on something new, or something old, with the support of a group, and under Sharona’s guidance.
Join Sho on the 3rd Tuesday of every month in 2012, from 11:00 to 1:00 pm or 6:00 to 8:00 pm with the goal of doing something challenging for you — whether that’s starting a new project or finishing an old one; learning to take your sewing a little more seriously or yourself a little less…
Bring your machine and fabric from your stash, or let us help you move in a direction that’s new for you. Batiks? Large Prints? Asian Indigos? Come play with fabric and set your own goals. Help protect the planet from being overrun by UFOs!
For each block, quilt or UFO you complete you will be entered into a monthly drawing!
Come and sew! Come and enjoy the company of other quilters! Come finish a project!

PAT DICKER – BINDING BASICS!

Tuesday, November 29th, 2011

New Pieces is fortunate to have a friend like Pat Dicker.  We’re even more fortunate that Pat is willing to share with us her mastery of  the techniques that showcase her own wonderful work. On Saturday December 3 (this weekend), Pat is teaching “Binding Basics” at the Store, from 10-1:00pm. In this three hour class Pat covers making a standard binding from start to perfectly joined ends.

There is no more pleasant way to finally subdue those mitered corners. If there is time we will also covered faced bindings and how to finish an edge beautifully with machine satin stitch. This class is open and appropriate for all levels.

No matter how busy your December is, Pat’s class is one that will give you time back, in the long run — Did we mention it will be fun?

Call soon, space is limited and Saturday looms.

The Mystery Quilter is Among Us!

Friday, October 14th, 2011

Portrait of the Mystery Quilter?

Join us at New Pieces on Tuesday October 18th, from 12:30 -1:30 pm

to hear from the latest Mystery Quilter! Bring your lunch and a friend for this free talk.

We’d tell you more if we could, but it’s a secret!

Hope to see you there!

Important Rules from Singer – circa 1949

Tuesday, September 6th, 2011

The following rules for sewing were recently found on the Internet, and posted in the New Pieces bathroom, by Sharona Fishrup:

I apologize for the poor quality of the photo,  taken with a “smart” phone. While it’s true that an organized workspace helps one be creative and work more efficiently — few of us could ever sew if all these requirement were prerequisite.  And no, New Pieces does not carry bags of French chalk for your fingertips.

Imagine how life has changed over the last 62 years — and what future quilters will say about us in another 62 years!

Do You Know About Our Website?

Wednesday, August 31st, 2011

when you get ALL your tools together, you might need a computer!

Sometimes a customer has a question for which the answer is “Have you seen our Website?”.  It’s tricky to write about the website, since you’re ON the website right now — but maybe a quick introduction is in order — it will help you get more out of what is available at New Pieces.

The New Pieces website has Contact information for the Store, and Directions for getting to our Store (at 766 Gilman Street). You can read About New Pieces for information about the Store and the Staff. And of course it wouldn’t be a quilt store without a place for “Show and Tell”. We are always looking for pictures to add to our gallery of proud friends and customers.

Under Quilting Service is a brief explanation of the quilt related services available at New Pieces. Even old friends of New Pieces may be surprised at the range of tasks we can do for you when you don’t want to do them yourself. We recommend reading this part of the website to acquaint yourself with the range of possibilities, and their estimated costs. “Quilting Service” also has samples of some of the quilting designs we offer — and precise instructions on preparing your quilt top & back for longarm quilt service — Reading these instructions can save you time and money.

In Classes you will find a calendar of all upcoming events and classes and a description for each class – usually with a photo of the class sample quilt. While we have always tried to indicate how much experience you may need for certain classes, we recently began tagging some classes as being especially appropriate for certain kinds of students:

 

If you find a class that interests you, you can register by phone or come see us in person. If you are looking for a particular class or pattern, there is also a search function (click on “go here>>” on the Classes page to get there). If you still don’t see what you’re looking for — let us know!

 

...Have you seen the Mystery Quilter?

SO… since you’re reading this you already found the Blog.  You either got here by clicking “Blog” on the navigation bar (the red bar under where it says “New Pieces Quilt Store & Gallery”, or by clicking link from our Facebook page. The Blog is meant to give you an idea of what we’re about. We use it brag about students and teachers and to remind you about upcoming classes; we mention new things happening in the store and offer tips and how-tos. The Blog is about the things we’d tell you if you were right here in the Store. If there are things you want to know more (or less) about please don’t hesitate to let us know, either as a comment here, or on the New Pieces Quilt Store  Facebook page. It’s not a conversation without your input!