Aurifil Thread and Heart Leaves

Last week, I mentioned in my post for Leah Day's QAL Wednesdays, an issue I was having with Aurifil thread breaking when I free motion quilted. I know that Aurifil is a high quality cotton thread and should work fabulously with FMQ. When I switched to Isacord thread (polyester), I didn't have any problems (although I did have to lower my thread tension from 4.0 to 1.0). I got a great response from people offering several different solutions. To my great surprise, Alex Veronelli from Aurifil actually responded to my blog (he even posted my problem on their facebook page, talk about transparency!!!). I have been in quality management for 25 years and even a senior Baldrige examiner (Malcolm Baldrige is the highest quality award given in the U.S.), and what separates a good company from a great company is, in my opinion, customer service. Aurifil is a GREAT company! I emailed Alex back and asked for some ideas. He was wonderful and emailed back several possible solutions. Leah Day was also wonderful in offering a solution to use a spool stand. I tried the spool stand first and it worked like a charm. Not only did the Aurifil thread work great, but I didn't have to lower my tension with either the Aurifil or Isacord thread. Isn't the blogisphere wonderful!!!

Sew on with heart leaves! SewCalGal is having a FMQ challenge and this month was heart leaves. I did practice this pattern several times.

First practice

 

 

Stitched into my FMQ sampler quilt

Close up of the stitching

Finally in my extra quilt block for Quokka Quilts QAYGFMQQAL using Aurifil thread!!! 

So a big THANK YOU to everyone who offered solutions!

Today I'm linking up with SewCalGal and A Quilt Story - Fabric Tuesday. I hope everyone is having a great day!

Color Me Quilty!

Pat

WIP Wednesday: FMQ Scale

I had lots and lots of fun this week because I got to do lots of FMQ! Who would have thought that years of doodling would have a purpose??!! Leah Day's homework this week was stitching different scales of stippling. This was a great exercise and harder than I thought it would be. I think this is going to a valuable skill to have in my bag o'stitches (sew to speak)!

Attempted 4 different scales (the last two kind of blend together)

Small scale

Medium

Large

Extra large

 Things I learned this week: 1. I like quilting with Isacord thread better than Aurifil. With the cotton Aurifil, the thread broke constantly, even after lowering my tension. 2. Sitting at the right height while quilting, keeps you from getting a backache/sore neck and shoulders. 3. Having tools that help you, such as gloves and a supreme slider, make FMQ easier so you can focus on other aspects of your quilting 4. I really love FMQ (already knew that, but it was reconfirmed this week).

The only question I have for Leah this week is: When quilting with a good quality cotton such as Aurifil, is there a way to keep it from breaking? I always have to lower my tension considerable to FMQ. 4.0 is the default (I piece at this tension), to about 1.2 to FMQ with Isacord. The thread was new. Any suggestions, other than stick with Isacord?

First block quilted

Last block quilted

On to my WIP this week. I worked quite a bit on my Storybook quilt. I got all 20 blocks, sashed, sandwiched and quilted. Now I just need to square them up and join them together.

I also got the first four blocks for Quokka Quilts QAYGFMQQAL completed. 

So, my stats this week are:
In-process: (5)
Hip to be Square FMQ sampler (20 out of 30 blocks quilted)
Purple heart wall hanging ( needs borders, backing, quilting and binding)
Expanding Possibilities quilt (needs backing, quilting and binding)
Storybook quilt # 1 -  All blocks are quilted
Storybook quilt # 2 - All embroidery is done
Quokka Quilts QAYGFMQQAL quilt (First 4 blocks are quilted).

New projects in the cue to start: (4)
FLMQG solids challenge crib quilt (Not started)
New Wave quilt (not started)
Friend's baby quilt - fabric picked out!


Finished (0)

I'm linking up with Freshly Pieced for WIP Wednesday and The Free Motion Quilting Project for Quilt A Long Wednesday!

 






Color Me Quilty!


Pat

Squaring Up!

Well, I have to say I'm quite pleased with the quilting on my first storybook quilt. Amazingly, the quilting got better the more I did.  Hmmmm, must be true, practice makes you better!  ;)   I did have to switch thread after the first few blocks from Aurifil (cotton 40 wt) to Isacord (polyester 40wt). The cotton kept breaking. I did lower my tension, but still kept breaking. I usually quilt with Isacord (recommended by Leah Day) because that's what I use to machine embroider. I was trying the Aurifil, because I had heard such good things about it.

I started squaring up my blocks 15 1/2" x 151/2"

4 blocks done!

16 blocks to go! :(

I have to say that squaring up the blocks, making sure that the sashing is even on all sides and getting them all exactly 15 1/2" x 15 1/2" is the hardest part of the quilt so far. Hopefully I will get them squared up soon and start the joining process.

I'm linking up with Canoe Ridge Creations for Sew Modern Monday and Sew Happy Geek for Manic Monday!

Color Me Quilty!

Pat