How's everyone doing with finishing old projects? I've been working all day long on some little projects for next weekend's Buggy Barn/Halloween class, and I finished the most time-consuming part just a few minutes ago--some simple stitcheries. I can't show you just yet, but I'll share a photo or two next weekend after the class. I've added those to my list of things to finish in August--I had actually started these sometime in June or July, but I just limped along on getting them done until now that the pressure's on.
I know several of you love embroidery and I noticed I was having some trouble with my black floss "shedding" all over the muslin background. I thought it might be caused by my needle, so I changed needles but it didn't seem to make any difference. I'm using Presencia floss and I know lots of stitchers like it but I'm not too sure. What do you use and like?
I finally settled on the fabric I'm planning to use for the Hocuspocusville project.
I really like this Spook- tacular line. The black and white fabric on the left will be used for the outside border; the cream colored fabric is background; and the orange swirls with bats, etc., will be used for setting the 9-patch blocks in the center. I also got two charm packs for those 9-patch blocks. This is one of the reasons, though, why I'd like to find some black floss that doesn't shed.
I found myself thinking today about the Thimbleberries Hometown Christmas quilt I was working on a year or two ago--remember that one? There were several of us who were going to get that done, and I think only one or two managed to actually DO it. I've added that one to my sidebar list too, although I don't know when I'll get to it. I DO really like that quilt though.
I never did hear from the winner of the #2 pattern giveaway, so I've drawn another name--Nancy from Blogging, Near Philadelphia! Come on DOWN, Nancy! Woo-hoo! Email me your address and I'll send these out next week. The other patterns went in the mail on Friday--by the way, if you're a winner and receive a package from a law firm, that's just me--don't freak out. I printed the addresses at work and the printers automatically add the firm name and address.
Tomorrow (Sunday--which is really today, but I need to sleep first!) I need to do some housecleaning and some Sweat Shop cleaning--I'll sort out something--books, scraps, or magazines, I suspect--and come up with another giveaway, I'm sure! And tomorrow night, I'll draw a winner for the little wool kit, so make sure you come back to visit! And if you're in my sidebar for the August challenge, let me know if you post anything you've finished on your blog--we'd really like to see it!
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24 comments:
I love Thimbleberries, i have not as yet done a proper TB quilt in that i not done one following one of their patterns i have enough of their books lol actually so far i haven't as yet done a quilt to a pattern, i done them using EQ6 i just pick out a block & put in the size & work it out myself may be that is where i am going wrong & they are not coming out like the ones i see lol i am not sure if i seen the quilt you are talking about but i do have some Christmas TB fabric not stacks as over here in the UK where i live there not many LQS actually only 1 & the prices of fabric here is high so most of my stash comes from the USA even with postage it can work out cheaper
Hugs Janice
I hadn't ever heard about that thread shedding...how interesting. What if you take and swipe in through some (oh...name is escaping me....Blue Heaven?) you know, the little square blue container to run thread through? Anyway, maybe that will help?
I do lots of stitching and use DMC Floche. I get it from Needle In a Haystack by the hank. I really like it. It covers just like 2 strands of regular DMC and uses the same color chart.
http://www.needlestack.com/WebStore/Thread/DMC_Floche.html
I would be happy to send you a piece if you send me your address. You could try it out before you buy some.
I work with DMC just about every single day. Sometimes there is a "sheddy" batch of the black. It only happens with the black. *shrug*
1. Try out DMC 3371. That's what I'm using on Crabapple's Over The River. My embroidery is also being done on cream background and I think the deep brown looks better than black.
2. Thread Heaven, run your floss over that a couple of times.
3. Try Anchor floss, I know more than one stitcher who swears by it. I know Presencia floss is trying to get a toe hold in the US market. People that I've heard from that have used have said it's nice - but nobody has raved "OMG better than DMC!!!11!!"
4. My favorite can't live with out them embroidery needles are Bohin. Ask for them by name.
I'm working on Hocuspocusville too, but I'm using DMC perle #12. I like using this brand of perle cotton, and it's very fine almost like thread, I love it.
I don't do much stitcheries but when I do , I use presencia.
SO glad you are catching up on some projects.
RE: Presencia floss..I did a redwork project with the red floss & it shredded like crazy. I ran a lint roller over each block & it got rid of the excess. I probably won't use it again.
I can't speak for the floss although a lot of people are using the new (to the US) Cosmos. I have not tried it yet but everyone that has raves about it. I love Hocuspocusville too but have not been able to get my hands on the pattern just yet. Still working on that. I received a charm pack of the same one as you and that's a great idea for using it, thanks! I have been tackling my old UFO's all year (see side bar) and have made quite a dent. Thanks for the inspiration!
That is such a cute pattern. I saw a completed quilt at my local quilt store. Can't wait to see your version.
i am using plain old DMC 3371 (it's a brownish black) for HPV and it hasn't shred at all ... i do snip off a bit of the two threads (the opposite of the knot end)when they start to look raggedy ... and i cut the thread twice as long as i want to stitch with and bring the ends of one strand together to thread the needle - it doesn't seem to snarl up and make knots as much as using two separate strands ... i saw a finished HPV at TGAQF yesterday that had a bunch of brights in the center 9 patches, but the jury inside my head is still out on whether or not i liked it
Man, I totally forgot about Hometown Christmas. I wonder where I put it. I wonder where I left off. I wonder why you had to remind me about it! xox
I LOVE that new Spooktacular line. It's fabulous.
I forgot to tell you! I received your package! I LOVE the little quilt - it's darling. And, of course, the little bag-o-chocolates. Yum! Thanks again, Kim. You're the best!
The Spooktacular fabric will be great. I quilted three table runners and a small 15" quilt, posted pics on my blog.
Hi Kim!
So glad you're all better and back in 'game form'! I have been VERY busy-2 items finished and onto number 3!! See my post for details. Thanks for the kick in the pants to get me going!
Paulette
I usually use Valdani for stitching, but with Hocuspocusville, I am using Sulky heavy cotton thread. It is perfect for the small details and flies through the fabric.
I have tried the Cosmos and am IN LOVE with it! Go to Crapapple Hill site and order directly from them--they are fantastic. A hint: you can now get Cosmos in two strand and DO NOT have to separate threads--this is the BEST thread I have ever used for embroidery and have I tried them ALL! Run don't walk to that site and order today--you won't regret it--tell them Barb sent you! Go to the end of the thread to find the two-thread cosmos! I have Hocuspocusville and am starting it also--using Cosmos black two strand.
I just have to get this off my chest--I feel wronged by a giveaway with Blogging from Philadephia. Rules were changed midstream, and yes I did not win because of it. I will get over it with this writing. Hopefully, what goes around comes around. Thank you.
I love Gentle Arts. Never had anything shred. I also use No. 12 Perle in Presencia and it is super.
Some of the ladies gave you some good tips.
If you still have the tags that come on the floss (they have the colour and tint numbers of the batch), bag them up with the floss and take them to the shop. I think that it worth letting the company know about.
I am happy that you are accomplishing to your hearts content. You are an inspiration!!!
I am glad that you are feeling better.
Hi Kim - I have enjoyed your blog for several months now. I have actually finished the Hometown Christmas and got it back from the quilter's last month. I will bind it when it gets cold as I want it to decorate the bedroom for Xmas. sorry I cannot buy the floss you are talking about, we only get DMC here in northern Ontario Canada. Keep up the great work. Fondly Wendy
Hi Kim - I have enjoyed your blog for several months now. I have actually finished the Hometown Christmas and got it back from the quilter's last month. I will bind it when it gets cold as I want it to decorate the bedroom for Xmas. sorry I cannot buy the floss you are talking about, we only get DMC here in northern Ontario Canada. Keep up the great work. Fondly Wendy
I am using Aurifil Mako 12 weight. You just pull it off the spools and start stitching. My SIL is using a Sulky 12 weight that she got from www.thequiltmerchant.com - have fun stitching!
I'm using Sulky 12wt black for mine...love the weight of the 12wt and the big plus is I don't have to separate threads.
I just finished a baby quilt that I started last month. All applique; a bouquet of flowers in the center with butterflies flying around the bouquet. Done in bright colors.
On to the next project I am calling autumn leaves, looks like maple leaves, done in fall sort of colors.
You motivated me enough to set up my cutting table, hopefully today!
Thanks!
I'm also stitching Hocuspocusville and using Premium Sulky 12wt Heavier Long Staple Cotton.
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