Machine Quilting Thread and Needles

Off to Chilford Quilt Show in the morning. I have Variagated Machine
Quilting Thread on my shopping list. Has anyone any particular
recommendations - or un-recommendations!

Also if you are using non-variaged thread do you tend to use the same
weight as you have for piecing, or is a slightly thicker one better? (I
am going to be machine quilting, not hand.) Is machine quilting (will be
a flowing rather than a tight stipple) very thread greedy - I am
guessing at one spool for the top and one for the underneath which will
be the same colour.

I also need some more quilting needles - has anyone any preference
between Quilting and Jeans needles, and what size should I get. I must
admit that needle sizes absolutely defeat/confuse me. I just know to
avoid Universal.

Got to go to bed early tonight for once.

--
Sally at the Seaside ~~~~~~~~~~ (uk)
http://community.webshots.com/user/sallyswin

Have a lovely day. I used to live just up the road from Chilford!! I
met Dave in Linton Village College which you will probably go past g

Anyway: I love Aurifil variegated. I have a lot of YLI which is very
good, has lovely colour collections, but it is a little 'chunky' for my
little pieces (just fine for the large ones). I also love Madeira rayon
for wallhangings (I think it might not be too hard-wearing for bed
quilts and other things that have to be washed - though I have no
evidence for saying that. There is another one which has some very
unusual colour mixtures, as well as the more ordinary, and that is
Alcazar, made by Anchor (green plastic spools). I bought a nice
selection of Sulky rayons when I was in the US - beautiful colour
combinations - subtle and bright.

As to needles, I like Jeans, because the long, sharp point seems to
offer no resistance to the fabric - just goes through beautifully, even
seams. I'm sure the 'sharps/quilting/microtex' are as good. I use 10
or 11 for piecing, but probably prefer 12 for quilting. (That's 70, 75
and 80 if you need that).
..
In message , Sally Swindells
writes
Off to Chilford Quilt Show in the morning. I have Variagated Machine
Quilting Thread on my shopping list. Has anyone any particular
recommendations - or un-recommendations!

Also if you are using non-variaged thread do you tend to use the same
weight as you have for piecing, or is a slightly thicker one better? (I
am going to be machine quilting, not hand.) Is machine quilting (will
be a flowing rather than a tight stipple) very thread greedy - I am
guessing at one spool for the top and one for the underneath which will
be the same colour.

I also need some more quilting needles - has anyone any preference
between Quilting and Jeans needles, and what size should I get. I must
admit that needle sizes absolutely defeat/confuse me. I just know to
avoid Universal.

Got to go to bed early tonight for once.


--
Best Regards
pat on the hill

Patti wrote:
Have a lovely day. I used to live just up the road from Chilford!! I
met Dave in Linton Village College which you will probably go past g

Anyway: I love Aurifil variegated. I have a lot of YLI which is very
good, has lovely colour collections, but it is a little 'chunky' for my
little pieces (just fine for the large ones). I also love Madeira rayon
for wallhangings (I think it might not be too hard-wearing for bed
quilts and other things that have to be washed - though I have no
evidence for saying that. There is another one which has some very
unusual colour mixtures, as well as the more ordinary, and that is
Alcazar, made by Anchor (green plastic spools). I bought a nice
selection of Sulky rayons when I was in the US - beautiful colour
combinations - subtle and bright.

As to needles, I like Jeans, because the long, sharp point seems to
offer no resistance to the fabric - just goes through beautifully, even
seams. I'm sure the 'sharps/quilting/microtex' are as good. I use 10
or 11 for piecing, but probably prefer 12 for quilting. (That's 70, 75
and 80 if you need that).
.


Thanks Pat - I have printed it all out - twice actually - so that if I
drop one piece of paper I still have a spare!

Now to round the Kitties up for bedtime. At least they are all inside in
the warm tonight. Kiwi has taken to going on the roof (we are single
storey) and insisting he can't get down (as he is more agile than Mia
and she gets down quite easily I don't really believe him. I think its
because he likes stepping into the large wicket shopping basket I have
to hold up to the roof for him, and having his own personal lift
(elevator) down and then being carried in the house in it!
--
Sally at the Seaside ~~~~~~~~~~ (uk)
http://community.webshots.com/user/sallyswin

In article ,
Sally Swindells wrote:

Off to Chilford Quilt Show in the morning. I have Variagated Machine
Quilting Thread on my shopping list. Has anyone any particular
recommendations - or un-recommendations!

Also if you are using non-variaged thread do you tend to use the same
weight as you have for piecing, or is a slightly thicker one better? (I
am going to be machine quilting, not hand.) Is machine quilting (will be
a flowing rather than a tight stipple) very thread greedy - I am
guessing at one spool for the top and one for the underneath which will
be the same colour.

I also need some more quilting needles - has anyone any preference
between Quilting and Jeans needles, and what size should I get. I must
admit that needle sizes absolutely defeat/confuse me. I just know to
avoid Universal.

Got to go to bed early tonight for once.


Like Pat, Sally, I love Aurifil -- both the variegateds and the solids.
Aurifil is available in the 50 wt. and heavier, but I generally use the
50wt for both for piecing and machine quilting. If you want your
quilting to stand out more, though, a heavier weight would be fine. As
for how much thread to estimate, it would depend on the size of the
quilt and how much quilting you'll be doing. I'd buy an extra spool if
you have any doubts at all.
--
Sandy in Henderson, near Las Vegas
my ISP is earthlink.net -- put sfoster1(at) in front
http://home.earthlink.net/~sfoster1

AKA Dame Sandy, Minister of Education

Sandy Foster wrote:
In article ,
Sally Swindells wrote:

Off to Chilford Quilt Show in the morning. I have Variagated Machine
Quilting Thread on my shopping list. Has anyone any particular
recommendations - or un-recommendations!

Also if you are using non-variaged thread do you tend to use the same
weight as you have for piecing, or is a slightly thicker one better? (I
am going to be machine quilting, not hand.) Is machine quilting (will be
a flowing rather than a tight stipple) very thread greedy - I am
guessing at one spool for the top and one for the underneath which will
be the same colour.

I also need some more quilting needles - has anyone any preference
between Quilting and Jeans needles, and what size should I get. I must
admit that needle sizes absolutely defeat/confuse me. I just know to
avoid Universal.

Got to go to bed early tonight for once.


Like Pat, Sally, I love Aurifil -- both the variegateds and the solids.
Aurifil is available in the 50 wt. and heavier, but I generally use the
50wt for both for piecing and machine quilting. If you want your
quilting to stand out more, though, a heavier weight would be fine. As
for how much thread to estimate, it would depend on the size of the
quilt and how much quilting you'll be doing. I'd buy an extra spool if
you have any doubts at all.

Thanks Sandy. I searched the show for Aurifil but couldn't find any. I
think Pat said they had it at Cotton Patch, but they didn't have a stall
so will have to look on their site - or in their catalogue. I did find
Madiera though, so got that for SisIL's Quilt as I want to do some this
weekend. Bought a good supply of needles (the ones Pat recommended) - I
always find shops have sold out of which ever size I need! Also bought
some buttons shaped like little white doves to go on the back of the
matching cushion - as she is a button collector thought I'd better put
special buttons on, and the quillow has a bit of fabric with doves on as
she is an avid bird watcher too.

Didn't actually buy much else - did get one of Lynne Edward's Drunkard's
Paths templates, and promised her I would finish my sampler quilt soon.
(some of the blocks came from her books). It will make me use the curved
piecing foot I had for my birthday but is still in the packet. She had a
worksheet on folded blocks which looked interesting too, so got one of
those, but haven't really looked at it properly yet.

Also bought some paper piecing paper from Rio who I've ordered my EQ6
from. He said I was third on their waiting list, and that when he was in
Houstan was told that they were in the process of making the discs. When
I got home there was a message from the other supplier I had asked about
EQ6 so must e-mail them tomorrow and let them down gently! I was
impressed by Rio's very prompt service and good price.

Didn't buy any fabric - it was very busy and crowded and the aisles were
narrow and I like a bit of peace when I'm concentrating - my brain just
goes into a spin with all these other hands flying over the fabrics. The
prices seemed fairly normal, and the few bits and pieces I had on my
list I would rather get next week when I am having a shopping afternoon
while DH goes to a meeting. Know what I want, who has it and that their
price will be lower. I don't need it until after Christmas when I will
be finished with Christmas gifts.

Sally Holman was there with her fantastic embellished quilts and had the
first copy of her new book 'The Quilter's Directory of Embellishments'.
It had only just dropped through her letter box, so there weren't any to
buy, but it looked good. As everyone was having a look at it it will be
worn out by the time she gets it home.
--
Sally at the Seaside ~~~~~~~~~~ (uk)
http://community.webshots.com/user/sallyswin

Sounds like a good day to me!

--

Cheryl & the Cats in OZ
o o o o o o
( Y ) ( Y ) ( Y )
Enness Boofhead Donut
http://community.webshots.com/user/witchofthewest
catsatararatATyahooDOTcomDOTau


"Sally Swindells" wrote
in message ...
: Sandy Foster wrote:
: In article ,
: Sally Swindells
wrote:
:
: Off to Chilford Quilt Show in the morning. I have
Variagated Machine
: Quilting Thread on my shopping list. Has anyone any
particular
: recommendations - or un-recommendations!
:
: Also if you are using non-variaged thread do you tend
to use the same
: weight as you have for piecing, or is a slightly
thicker one better? (I
: am going to be machine quilting, not hand.) Is machine
quilting (will be
: a flowing rather than a tight stipple) very thread
greedy - I am
: guessing at one spool for the top and one for the
underneath which will
: be the same colour.
:
: I also need some more quilting needles - has anyone any
preference
: between Quilting and Jeans needles, and what size
should I get. I must
: admit that needle sizes absolutely defeat/confuse me. I
just know to
: avoid Universal.
:
: Got to go to bed early tonight for once.
:
:
: Like Pat, Sally, I love Aurifil -- both the variegateds
and the solids.
: Aurifil is available in the 50 wt. and heavier, but I
generally use the
: 50wt for both for piecing and machine quilting. If you
want your
: quilting to stand out more, though, a heavier weight
would be fine. As
: for how much thread to estimate, it would depend on the
size of the
: quilt and how much quilting you'll be doing. I'd buy an
extra spool if
: you have any doubts at all.
:
: Thanks Sandy. I searched the show for Aurifil but couldn't
find any. I
: think Pat said they had it at Cotton Patch, but they
didn't have a stall
: so will have to look on their site - or in their
catalogue. I did find
: Madiera though, so got that for SisIL's Quilt as I want to
do some this
: weekend. Bought a good supply of needles (the ones Pat
recommended) - I
: always find shops have sold out of which ever size I need!
Also bought
: some buttons shaped like little white doves to go on the
back of the
: matching cushion - as she is a button collector thought
I'd better put
: special buttons on, and the quillow has a bit of fabric
with doves on as
: she is an avid bird watcher too.
:
: Didn't actually buy much else - did get one of Lynne
Edward's Drunkard's
: Paths templates, and promised her I would finish my
sampler quilt soon.
: (some of the blocks came from her books). It will make me
use the curved
: piecing foot I had for my birthday but is still in the
packet. She had a
: worksheet on folded blocks which looked interesting too,
so got one of
: those, but haven't really looked at it properly yet.
:
: Also bought some paper piecing paper from Rio who I've
ordered my EQ6
: from. He said I was third on their waiting list, and that
when he was in
: Houstan was told that they were in the process of making
the discs. When
: I got home there was a message from the other supplier I
had asked about
: EQ6 so must e-mail them tomorrow and let them down gently!
I was
: impressed by Rio's very prompt service and good price.
:
: Didn't buy any fabric - it was very busy and crowded and
the aisles were
: narrow and I like a bit of peace when I'm concentrating -
my brain just
: goes into a spin with all these other hands flying over
the fabrics. The
: prices seemed fairly normal, and the few bits and pieces I
had on my
: list I would rather get next week when I am having a
shopping afternoon
: while DH goes to a meeting. Know what I want, who has it
and that their
: price will be lower. I don't need it until after Christmas
when I will
: be finished with Christmas gifts.
:
: Sally Holman was there with her fantastic embellished
quilts and had the
: first copy of her new book 'The Quilter's Directory of
Embellishments'.
: It had only just dropped through her letter box, so there
weren't any to
: buy, but it looked good. As everyone was having a look at
it it will be
: worn out by the time she gets it home.
: --
: Sally at the Seaside ~~~~~~~~~~ (uk)
: http://community.webshots.com/user/sallyswin

Oh that sounds like a fun day, Sally.
Yes, Cotton Patch do have Aurifil. So glad you were able to get some
things you wanted.
Did you try any of their wine? or is it perhaps not available on days
like that? (Chilford - where they have this show - is a vineyard, for
those who have never heard of it!)
..
In message , Sally Swindells
writes

Thanks Sandy. I searched the show for Aurifil but couldn't find any. I
think Pat said they had it at Cotton Patch, but they didn't have a
stall so will have to look on their site - or in their catalogue. I did
find Madiera though, so got that for SisIL's Quilt as I want to do some
this weekend. Bought a good supply of needles (the ones Pat
recommended) - I always find shops have sold out of which ever size I
need! Also bought some buttons shaped like little white doves to go on
the back of the matching cushion - as she is a button collector thought
I'd better put special buttons on, and the quillow has a bit of fabric
with doves on as she is an avid bird watcher too.

Didn't actually buy much else - did get one of Lynne Edward's
Drunkard's Paths templates, and promised her I would finish my sampler
quilt soon. (some of the blocks came from her books). It will make me
use the curved piecing foot I had for my birthday but is still in the
packet. She had a worksheet on folded blocks which looked interesting
too, so got one of those, but haven't really looked at it properly yet.

Also bought some paper piecing paper from Rio who I've ordered my EQ6
from. He said I was third on their waiting list, and that when he was
in Houstan was told that they were in the process of making the discs.
When I got home there was a message from the other supplier I had asked
about EQ6 so must e-mail them tomorrow and let them down gently! I was
impressed by Rio's very prompt service and good price.

Didn't buy any fabric - it was very busy and crowded and the aisles
were narrow and I like a bit of peace when I'm concentrating - my brain
just goes into a spin with all these other hands flying over the
fabrics. The prices seemed fairly normal, and the few bits and pieces I
had on my list I would rather get next week when I am having a shopping
afternoon while DH goes to a meeting. Know what I want, who has it and
that their price will be lower. I don't need it until after Christmas
when I will be finished with Christmas gifts.

Sally Holman was there with her fantastic embellished quilts and had
the first copy of her new book 'The Quilter's Directory of
Embellishments'. It had only just dropped through her letter box, so
there weren't any to buy, but it looked good. As everyone was having a
look at it it will be worn out by the time she gets it home.

--
Best Regards
pat on the hill

Patti wrote:
Oh that sounds like a fun day, Sally.
Yes, Cotton Patch do have Aurifil. So glad you were able to get some
things you wanted.
Did you try any of their wine? or is it perhaps not available on days
like that? (Chilford - where they have this show - is a vineyard, for
those who have never heard of it!)
.
In message , Sally Swindells
writes


It was cold and windy and the entrance to the Wine bit looked deserted.
When we arrived we were too anxious to get inside - thank goodness for
pre-booked tickets and quick entrance. When we came out we were too tired.

I was looking out for your college, but the Tom-Tom route thingy shouted
'Turn right' just as we entered the village(?) and we shot off through a
new housing estate (Mrs. Tom-Tom knew a shortcut) so I don't think we
had gone far enough. We came home through Cambridge and Bury St Edmunds
which was half an hour quicker than the country lanes.
--

Sally at the Seaside ~~~~~~~~~~ (uk)
http://community.webshots.com/user/sallyswin

In article ,
Sally Swindells wrote:

Sandy Foster wrote:
In article ,
Sally Swindells wrote:

Off to Chilford Quilt Show in the morning. I have Variagated Machine
Quilting Thread on my shopping list. Has anyone any particular
recommendations - or un-recommendations!

Also if you are using non-variaged thread do you tend to use the same
weight as you have for piecing, or is a slightly thicker one better? (I
am going to be machine quilting, not hand.) Is machine quilting (will be
a flowing rather than a tight stipple) very thread greedy - I am
guessing at one spool for the top and one for the underneath which will
be the same colour.

I also need some more quilting needles - has anyone any preference
between Quilting and Jeans needles, and what size should I get. I must
admit that needle sizes absolutely defeat/confuse me. I just know to
avoid Universal.

Got to go to bed early tonight for once.


Like Pat, Sally, I love Aurifil -- both the variegateds and the solids.
Aurifil is available in the 50 wt. and heavier, but I generally use the
50wt for both for piecing and machine quilting. If you want your
quilting to stand out more, though, a heavier weight would be fine. As
for how much thread to estimate, it would depend on the size of the
quilt and how much quilting you'll be doing. I'd buy an extra spool if
you have any doubts at all.

Thanks Sandy. I searched the show for Aurifil but couldn't find any. I
think Pat said they had it at Cotton Patch, but they didn't have a stall
so will have to look on their site - or in their catalogue. I did find
Madiera though, so got that for SisIL's Quilt as I want to do some this
weekend. Bought a good supply of needles (the ones Pat recommended) - I
always find shops have sold out of which ever size I need! Also bought
some buttons shaped like little white doves to go on the back of the
matching cushion - as she is a button collector thought I'd better put
special buttons on, and the quillow has a bit of fabric with doves on as
she is an avid bird watcher too.

Didn't actually buy much else - did get one of Lynne Edward's Drunkard's
Paths templates, and promised her I would finish my sampler quilt soon.
(some of the blocks came from her books). It will make me use the curved
piecing foot I had for my birthday but is still in the packet. She had a
worksheet on folded blocks which looked interesting too, so got one of
those, but haven't really looked at it properly yet.

Also bought some paper piecing paper from Rio who I've ordered my EQ6
from. He said I was third on their waiting list, and that when he was in
Houstan was told that they were in the process of making the discs. When
I got home there was a message from the other supplier I had asked about
EQ6 so must e-mail them tomorrow and let them down gently! I was
impressed by Rio's very prompt service and good price.

Didn't buy any fabric - it was very busy and crowded and the aisles were
narrow and I like a bit of peace when I'm concentrating - my brain just
goes into a spin with all these other hands flying over the fabrics. The
prices seemed fairly normal, and the few bits and pieces I had on my
list I would rather get next week when I am having a shopping afternoon
while DH goes to a meeting. Know what I want, who has it and that their
price will be lower. I don't need it until after Christmas when I will
be finished with Christmas gifts.

Sally Holman was there with her fantastic embellished quilts and had the
first copy of her new book 'The Quilter's Directory of Embellishments'.
It had only just dropped through her letter box, so there weren't any to
buy, but it looked good. As everyone was having a look at it it will be
worn out by the time she gets it home.


It sounds like you had every bit as much fun as I did in Houston, Sally!
I was amazed when I met up with a French quilter I knew from another
list and she said that the aisles were wide and not too crowded in
Houston; we consider them pretty full and rather narrow, but I guess
they're worse at the French shows. G

One of the things I bought at the Houston show and which I'm rather
pleased about is a pattern for a laptop bag. I'm tired of boring black,
professional-looking bags, so I'm going to think about what sort of
print I want to use for this! G
--
Sandy in Henderson, near Las Vegas
my ISP is earthlink.net -- put sfoster1(at) in front
http://home.earthlink.net/~sfoster1

AKA Dame Sandy, Minister of Education