Big stitch or utility quilting

Perle looks nice, but if you're going to do any significant amounts of big
stitch on a bed-size quilt, the cost can rapidly become breathtaking.

The big balls of crochet thread that are about the same weight as perle also
work well, if not looking as shiny, and are much more economical.

--pig

On 11/12/03 10:31 AM, opined:

I'd like to try some big stitch or utility quilting (I've heard it called
both) for one of my basted, but unfinished projects. I was going to machine
quilt, but have decided that I won't get the look I want, plus, I enjoyed
hand-quilting that wall hanging I did, and want to do some more.

The quilt is Asian-inspired, so I was thinking big stitch would give a
similar look to sashiko stitching.

Are you supposed to use heavier thread? Perle cotton? My LQS does not have
any books on this technique, but I could try my guild library, if I knew
what to look for. Suggestions?

Try Michael's, Joann's or Wal-Mart, perhaps---not quite the range of colors
available, but once you pick the *size* of thread you have in mind, having
looked at it in person, you should be able to find just about any *color*
you want online somewhere.

You might want to pick up a small skein of each weight and take it home and
experiment on a test sandwich to see which you like the look of best, which
is more trouble to pull the needle through than it's worth, that sort of
thing.

--pig

On 11/12/03 3:21 PM, opined:

Ok, you got me there with those acronyms! I figure out that LNS is a local
needlework shop. Don't have one that I know of, but there is a knitting shop
down the block from the LQS, but I'd rather avoid going there if I can.
Don't like the owner.

Could you explain B&M or E? Thanks!

Oh, and what kind of needle should I use?

Can someone please tell me where I can get DMC perle cotton and
thread online?

Thanks.
Hope

Do you have any pictures of your Sashiko work? I took a class in Houston
this year and really love it.
I'd like to ask you which needles do you use, Sashiko needles or Embroidery
needles and what size?

Elena in Tx

"Tia Mary-remove nekoluvr to reply " wrote in
message ...
From: "frood"

.... The quilt is Asian-inspired, so I was thinking big stitch would give
a
similar look to sashiko stitching. ....... Are you supposed to use
heavier
thread? Perle cotton? ........

I have done a number of Sashiko pieces and have a bunch of the supplies
in
my stash. Perle cotton would work as it is similar to Sashiko threads.
Just
remember that perle cotton comes in different weights -- #5, #8, #12 are
the
most common for needlework. Find an **LNS** and look at the different
types of
perle cotton available and then decide which weight you want to use.
Perle
comes wrapped on a little ball or in skeins so be sure to look for both
types.
Also, an LNS -- either B&M or E -- will have a better selection of
colors,
assuming you want to use a specific color. CiaoMeow ^;;^
.



PAX, Tia Mary ^;;^ Queen of Kitties
Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about
their
WHISKERS!!
Nothing is complete without a few cat hairs!

Oops never mind, I read the rest of the replies after I sent the previous
request for needle information.

Elena in Tx

"Tia Mary-remove nekoluvr to reply " wrote in
message ...
From: "frood"

.... The quilt is Asian-inspired, so I was thinking big stitch would give
a
similar look to sashiko stitching. ....... Are you supposed to use
heavier
thread? Perle cotton? ........

I have done a number of Sashiko pieces and have a bunch of the supplies
in
my stash. Perle cotton would work as it is similar to Sashiko threads.
Just
remember that perle cotton comes in different weights -- #5, #8, #12 are
the
most common for needlework. Find an **LNS** and look at the different
types of
perle cotton available and then decide which weight you want to use.
Perle
comes wrapped on a little ball or in skeins so be sure to look for both
types.
Also, an LNS -- either B&M or E -- will have a better selection of
colors,
assuming you want to use a specific color. CiaoMeow ^;;^
.



PAX, Tia Mary ^;;^ Queen of Kitties
Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about
their
WHISKERS!!
Nothing is complete without a few cat hairs!

From: "Elena"

Do you have any pictures of your Sashiko work? I took a class in Houston
this year and really love it.
I'd like to ask you which needles do you use, Sashiko needles or Embroidery
needles and what size?

No pics online -- sorry. I use regular Sashiko needles but they are
difficult to come by in the states. I was given mine as a gift by a Japanese
exchange student and then I did an exchange with someone who was living in
Japan.
I posted over at RCTN about the type of needle to use with perle cotton and
this is the reply I got from a VERY kowledgeable stitcher who teaches........

From: Dianne Lewandowski

Round-eyed needles - with a size large enough to accomodate pearl cottons -
might be a tad too long for quilting. I'm thinking darning needles. I don't
think sharps at all. The biggest I have on hand is a 5, and that's not near
big enough.
For quilting, her best bet would be a chenille. Shorter, stouter, like
tapestry only with points.
She may find a crewel/embroidery large enough in a size 3 or 5. But again,
the length might not suit a quilter.

So -- you might want to try out some different sizes as someone else pointed
out. I also agree with the person who suggested using crochet cotton --
especially if you are working on something big. It comes in the same sizes as
perle cotton and a lot of neat colors too! That stuff is available online & by
mail order from places like Herrschner's & Mary Maxim in a wide range of sizes
and colors. You might find it locally in a yarn shop too!
Hope the needle info is a help. You'd think that I would have learned the
names and stuff since I have been doing needlework since I was a little girl.
VBS -- just one of those things that I can't keep in my head -- LOL! CiaoMeow
^;;^
..


PAX, Tia Mary ^;;^ Queen of Kitties
Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their
WHISKERS!!
Nothing is complete without a few cat hairs!

Great info, thanks! And thanks to Marcia, I have some places to look
locally.

--
Wendy
http://griffinsflight.com/Quilting/quilt1.htm
De-Fang email address to reply
"Tia Mary-remove nekoluvr to reply " wrote in
message ...
From: "Elena"

Do you have any pictures of your Sashiko work? I took a class in Houston
this year and really love it.
I'd like to ask you which needles do you use, Sashiko needles or
Embroidery
needles and what size?

No pics online -- sorry. I use regular Sashiko needles but they are
difficult to come by in the states. I was given mine as a gift by a
Japanese
exchange student and then I did an exchange with someone who was living in
Japan.
I posted over at RCTN about the type of needle to use with perle cotton
and
this is the reply I got from a VERY kowledgeable stitcher who
teaches........

From: Dianne Lewandowski

Round-eyed needles - with a size large enough to accomodate pearl
cottons -
might be a tad too long for quilting. I'm thinking darning needles. I
don't
think sharps at all. The biggest I have on hand is a 5, and that's not
near
big enough.
For quilting, her best bet would be a chenille. Shorter, stouter,
like
tapestry only with points.
She may find a crewel/embroidery large enough in a size 3 or 5. But
again,
the length might not suit a quilter.

So -- you might want to try out some different sizes as someone else
pointed
out. I also agree with the person who suggested using crochet cotton --
especially if you are working on something big. It comes in the same
sizes as
perle cotton and a lot of neat colors too! That stuff is available online
& by
mail order from places like Herrschner's & Mary Maxim in a wide range of
sizes
and colors. You might find it locally in a yarn shop too!
Hope the needle info is a help. You'd think that I would have learned
the
names and stuff since I have been doing needlework since I was a little
girl.
VBS -- just one of those things that I can't keep in my head -- LOL!
CiaoMeow
^;;^
.


PAX, Tia Mary ^;;^ Queen of Kitties
Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about
their
WHISKERS!!
Nothing is complete without a few cat hairs!

From: "Hope"

Can someone please tell me where I can get DMC perle cotton and
thread online?

Mosst of the "regular" needlework catalogues will have this stuff -- places
like Herrschner's and Mary Maxim -- at the best prices. If they don't have
what you want, try Nordic Needle or my favourite E-LNS Thread Express. If you
still have trouble finding what you want, post over at RCTN and ask. there are
as many places online to buy DMC stuff as there are places to buy fabric :-))!
CiaoMeow ^;;^
..

PAX, Tia Mary ^;;^ Queen of Kitties
Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about their
WHISKERS!!
Nothing is complete without a few cat hairs!

Howdy!
Long, long ago, we called it "utility quilting" when we didn't
worry about the size and precision of each stitch; we just
wanted to get it quilted!
Big Stitch (the more current trend/style/method) is a folk art
kind of stitch, often a measured stitch, larger than the teeny stitches
many handquilters do. It's not necessarily a faster way to quilt.
It does use a heavier thread.
However, the terms are also used to mean the same thing
these days. Here are a few definitions g:

http://www.debbiemumm.com/potm/02/fe...quiltingtt.asp
http://www.quilt.com/QuestionOfTheWeek/1999/0308.html

Good luck!
However you stitch it, Finished is the best kind of quilt. ;-D
Ragmop/Sandy

"frood" wrote in message
.com...
I'd like to try some big stitch or utility quilting (I've heard it called
both) for one of my basted, but unfinished projects. I was going to
machine
quilt, but have decided that I won't get the look I want, plus, I enjoyed
hand-quilting that wall hanging I did, and want to do some more.

The quilt is Asian-inspired, so I was thinking big stitch would give a
similar look to sashiko stitching.

Are you supposed to use heavier thread? Perle cotton? My LQS does not have
any books on this technique, but I could try my guild library, if I knew
what to look for. Suggestions?

--
Wendy
http://griffinsflight.com/Quilting/quilt1.htm
de-fang email address to reply

I did a big stitch quilt once - for my son. It was alternating denim and
flannel squares with a washed out mauve and white print for sashing and
backed with red fleece -I used what I think was perle cotton - it came on a
round spool and was much bigger than quilters thread, and I used red - so it
didn't come across at all like a utility quilt but as a deliberate and
artistic choice.
--
Cindy Bettinger

http://photos.yahoo.com/cbet_99
http://www.one-eleven.net/~music/
http://simplymusic.net
"frood" wrote in message
.com...
I'd like to try some big stitch or utility quilting (I've heard it called
both) for one of my basted, but unfinished projects. I was going to
machine
quilt, but have decided that I won't get the look I want, plus, I enjoyed
hand-quilting that wall hanging I did, and want to do some more.

The quilt is Asian-inspired, so I was thinking big stitch would give a
similar look to sashiko stitching.

Are you supposed to use heavier thread? Perle cotton? My LQS does not have
any books on this technique, but I could try my guild library, if I knew
what to look for. Suggestions?

--
Wendy
http://griffinsflight.com/Quilting/quilt1.htm
de-fang email address to reply