1st SAL.....Peg, Dale and I committed to stitching Anni Downs - A Gardener's Journal in March. I blogged about this on my blog thinking maybe one or 2 others may join us and lots of girls indicated an interest so I decided to start this blog where we can all encourage each other to meet the goals set along the way....March 2010 -March 2011...........
2nd SAL ......well so many of the girls wanted to continue on with another project and some new girls joined us and now approx 91 girls are stitching Natalie Bird's Tis the Season. March to Sept 2011...............
3rd SAL....many girls want to stick with the SAL so now we have moved onto Anni Downs Some Kind of Wonderful - My Favourite Things Quilt.......Oct 2011-Oct 2012.........
Where are we now.....
4th SAL 2013...is numerous smaller projects from the previous 2 books Tis the Season and Some Kind of Wonderful plus some projects from Red Home by Natalie Bird approx 60 ladies stitching together.........
2014 we had the year off..............
5th SAL 2015..........inspired to continue we are doing another quilt project.....Anni Downs newest quilt Natures Journey.....
6th SAL 2017.............A Holly Cottage Christmas by Michelle Ridgway.......once again the pattern is in an affordable book so it is easy for everyone to join in...........and you can raid your stash for the fabrics........or lash out and buy a the whole lot........this SAL will be run by Fiona aka Bubz Rugz and Raewyn........
Chookyblue........

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

There's been a lot of talk about thread..........

There has been some discussion about thread type for needleturn applique on the blog lately, as we all begin our newest quilt Some Kind of Wonderful, so I decided to share my thoughts and experiences.........
I have enjoyed doing needleturn applique for some time now, and was always an avid Guterman cotton only woman, mainly because of the old argument that the thread type (cotton) should match the fabric type for similar wear and tear qualities. I did find though that cotton thread is not as strong as I would have liked and I did learn of an alternative, which I reluctantly tried (I say reluctantly because it is a polyester thread and it didn't match my cotton theory!!!)  But one try and I was in love with it..........I justify allowing a polyester thread on my needleturn quilts this way.. 
 1..... a needleturn quilt of mine won't hit the washing machine on a weekly basis, so I'm not so worried about the fabrics wearing at varying rates                                                   
2......the stitches are completely invisible, and my work in turn looks more professional                                    3..... the thread is strong and does not fray to nothing as I work with it 
4......it is cheaper as the thread is sold as bobbins so I can have many smaller amounts of lots of colours for variety, which is really essential for applique

........so you may ask what is it called??????.......
It is from the Superior Threads range, more particularly their Bottomline Polyester thread......a 60weight thread (fine), and you can buy it like this..........

 ....it's called a Superbobs Donut....how cool is that???????.........
......every colour to suit.................................
Just ask me in the comments and I can let you know where I got mine and how much I payed.......as the saying goes....."I think it's the best thing since sliced bread!!!!!!".

Oh and I have made a start on my first block, the patty cakes.....here's the proof.........


Anyway, I hope this may be of help to some of you as you gather everyone's ideas in order to make your own decision on the issue of thread............
I'd better get back to the needle now....Chooky will be cracking that whip soon!!!....lol...

P.S.....There have been many people interested to source this fantastic thread donut.........Chooky has found this place that is lots cheaper than where I got mine (I always knew she was a better shopper than me!!)......

enjoy................

16 comments:

Shiralee Stitches said...

Mustn't forget the 'tick'!!!!....lol...

FloS said...

These threads are my dream !!!
Hopefully Chookyblue gave me an address where I can buy this appetizing donut !
I totally agree with you after trying it I think it's the better thread for appliqué !
Florence

Susan said...

Thats a handy way to build your stash of threads - no matter what you need them for - they would be Ok for machine applique too - I will look out for them too.

Sue said...

I would love one of those lovelies to stitch with.
Next week when I can finally start, HSC supervision finishes friday, won't get paid for a month but it will be nice coming in just before Christmas.

De said...

What a great selection! Can you please let me know the details. Oh and the patty cakes are looking good too!

Linda said...

Love your block and can i please know the details of the thread, i must get me some.

Linda said...

Oops i just read the PS part i will have to go and order some. thanks

Quilt Kitty said...

Thanks for that. I found one to buy at a very nice price. Can't wait to get it. Tracee xx

Fiona said...

Thanks for the tip for the threads.... great idea... on my list.... and love your pattycakes...
Hugz

Chookyblue...... said...

good post.........I sure am a bargain shopper...........lol........

Helen said...

After your previous comment on my last post, I remembered that I had a bobbin of Bottomline thread in my (untouched) This Goes with That pack. I had already raced out and bought the Gutterman thread, so I was able to try out both types of thread side by side. The Gutterman thread looked great, but the Bottomline was totally invisible (even with a light thread on dark fabric) and so lovely to work with! My husband is out at this very minute at a closing down sale buying me a set of Bottomline threads for 50% off. Sorry everyone, the shop only has the one set (mine, all mine!), or I'd give you the details.

Larissa said...

Oooh! I am a fan of the superior threads bobbin sets - though I have a couple of 'Frosted Threads' donuts ... 1 and 2. They are so smooth to work with, and these are cotton threads. Very nice thread ... might need to get me some of the poly-threads in time, lol! Can't every have enough thread when one's a sew-er!!!
Also, I am loving your cupcakes!!!

Kris said...

I love those threads and use them in my bobbin when I quilt. I also use them for my EPP. They are brilliant!

Love Bears All Things said...

I like that you had all those colors together in a case like that, maybe it should go on my Christmas list....I am mostly using embroidery thread on mine.
Mama Bear

Elaine said...

I absolutely love to do all my applique and machine sewing with Superior threads. Only complaint is at first they had them on bobbins. Now they have them wrapped around some type of carboard which tends to pull off on one side.

DAWNIE said...

Thanks Shiralee for your post. I too love this thread for needleturn and have found it very hard to source, so have been hanging on to every last metre of it. I only have the one neutral colour so am very excited to learn that there is actually a "donut" of all colours -definitely on my order list. p.s. I wonder if this new as I have not seen it before??