Variegated Thread

I finally got my jewel tone variegated thread!  There were so many choices at this sewing store in Madison--I didn't realize variegated "jewel tone" thread came in so many options!  Some thread had more blue in it, some had more reds, some more greens or yellows.  Some changed colors every 1 or 1.5 inch, others had longers stretches of color so it changed in 3 or 4 inches.  Of course then we have rayon, polyester, cotton, silk and embroidery thread to consider.  Ok, no silk, rayon, or embroidery for me.  I got two opposing opinions on polyester vs cotton thread.  One said if it's cotton fabric, ALWAYS use cotton thread.  Another said that's an old wives' tale, polyester thread is better--less "linty" and almost never breaks (unlike cotton thread). So I bought 2 spools of "jeweltone" variegated thread, one with more blue (cotton thread), and one with brighter colors (polyester).  I brought them home and made 2 samples and decided I like the brighter tones better.  (The blue-sy thread seemed too light.) Thus I am using POLYESTER thread for this portion of my quilting.  Here's how it looks!

Using polyester variegated thread to echo the butterfly.

Also you may notice that I decided against decorative stitching after all.  Keep it simple.  I want the butterflies with the echoing to get the focus. You can notice my half circles in the framing strips.  I am also doing a very simple X in the sashing strips for the same reason.  I love these fabrics and don't want to hide them under a lot of quilting stitches.

Echoing

While I am looking for jewel-tone variegated thread, and trying to decide on which decorative stitch to use, I am echo-stitching around the butterflies in this part of the quilting process.  I am using a burgundy colored thread for the black-framed butterflies, will use the variegated thread in jewel tones to do the mint-framed butterflies.  I think this is a fun way to quilt, and easy too.  The echoing around the butterfly causes the butterfly to be slightly poofy and raised.  I think this looks really nice!    Take a look!

Decorative Stitching

I have stitched in the ditch around all the blocks and outer borders.  Now for the fun part!  My sewing machine has hundreds of decorative stitches.  Since the framing strips around the butterfly blocks are fairly narrow, I thought it would be perfect to use a decorative stitch to quilt around the blocks.  I bought some varigated thread in pastel colors to use, but it's light and doesn't show well in the practice stitches (or in the picture below.)  I would like to use the varigated thread on the black strips, and black thread on mint green strips.

I have narrowed it down to these choices.  The color shows up best in samples D and F, but they are a little to "dense" in my mind (which is probably why the colors show up better).  I don't want these decorative stitches to take away the focus from the beautiful fabrics.  I'm leaning towards Sample G, it reminds me of a flitting butterfly, it's not too dense, but the colors seem more spread out, and less noticeable. (Sample E is a smaller version of this stitch.) It's a dilemma!  That's the problem with too many choices, I guess!  It's always so hard to choose!  I'm gonna think about this awhile.  Maybe look for some varigated thread in jewel tones instead of using pastels.  

Quilter

I have started the process of quilting Anna's birthday quilt.  The first thing I do is stabilize the quilt sandwich by stitching in the ditch around the blocks (the butterflies in this case,)  or sometimes I quarter a quilt by stitching in the ditch along row lines. This quilt doesn't lend itself to quartering very well, so I will do the blocks.  Fancy stuff comes later. And speaking of "fancy stuff," I found a FABULOUS blog for free-motion quilters, showing hundreds of free-motion "stitches".  I'm gonna try out a couple on this quilt.  Only problem is there are so many interesting and exciting patterns to choose from!  How to decide which one???  Every stitch has a short (@ 1-2 min) video tutorial!  Take a look-see at the Free Motion Quilting Project!  Got a favorite?  Let me know!

Here I am, starting the quilting of Anna's Painted Lady!

Backing and Pinning

My backing fabric arrived from the shop in Minnesota, River City Quilts.  They were VERY pleasant to do business with, and my fabric arrived TWO days after I placed the order.  I talked with REAL people on the phone, not just a generic computer geek with a catalog somewhere in cyberspace.  Do yourself a favor and do business with River City Quilts!  I will again!  Visit them here.  Anyway, I promised you a picture of this elusive fabric, so here it is!

Pretty backing fabric for the Painted Lady

So now that the fabric has arrived, I quickly sewed it into the backing, and today I pinned my quilt.  This is always the chore I like the least.  There is lots of kneeling and getting up and down from the floor and my poor knees creak and crackle.  I do use a kneeling pad and that's helpful.  Also, lots of stretching and reaching--I will feel this tomorrow in my butt muscles and thighs!  But the job is done, and now for the FUN part!  QUILTING!  I'm gonna study this quilt a little to decide what to do and where to do it.  There are 3 main parts that need quilting--the butterfly blocks, the sashing, and the borders.  All the same?  Or each different?  Hmmmmm!  I love this quilt and can't wait for April to get here!  Here is a picture of the quilt sandwich, taped to my kitchen floor!  (I'm glad I have a big kitchen!)