tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12735540.post2484960029966415206..comments2023-10-17T06:15:05.920-07:00Comments on Quilting with the Dread Pirate Rodgers! aarrggghhh!: hexies is what I'm working onShelley: the Dread Pirate Rodgershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13431557867878383150noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12735540.post-60883983813237629972015-07-12T11:35:56.333-07:002015-07-12T11:35:56.333-07:00Val .. the narrow zig-zag for attaching the appliq...Val .. the narrow zig-zag for attaching the appliques is a sop to my need to get this little quilt finished rapidly. From my garment sewing days, in my mind, zig-zag stitching is not decorative but utilitarian, designed for mending. :-) So, when I see zig-zags on appliques, I kinda turn up my snooty nose. (See, I admit it!)<br /><br />*Normally*, I will use a narrow buttonhole stitch. My machine has several variations to choose from and I typically use the one that has a small "bite" to it (Janome 6500, mode 2, stitch 34. If I want the "bite" further apart, I'll use stitch 36).<br /><br />If I use a matching or coordinating thread, the applique is very unobtrusive. If I want a definite look, I'll use a high contrast thread, usually black. I do have Superior's Monopoly polyester invisible "thread" but I'm very hesitant to use that on a baby quilt or any quilt that I'm going to give as a gift. I, personally, don't know how well that stuff holds up over time and I would hate for a gift of mine to become undone. (My own quilts? Heck .. I don't care; I'm here to fix it. I can even berate the quilter! :-) ).<br /><br />I almost never use a tight satin stitch. I think of embroidery patches when I see that *and* it's a very, very heavy stitch.<br /><br />I'll admit that I'm quite the snob when it comes to machine applique. :-) Not to say that my machine applique is perfect, but I sure do have my preferences! :-PShelley: the Dread Pirate Rodgershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13431557867878383150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12735540.post-92156688150049110482015-07-12T11:27:19.210-07:002015-07-12T11:27:19.210-07:00Ami - hmmmm. Hadn't thought of that. It woul...Ami - hmmmm. Hadn't thought of that. It wouldn't look out of place because the next column will be *all* applique. :: thinking ::<br /><br />Oh. Wait. That won't work. The white fabric I have for the applique columns will yield *EXACTLY* 3 equal width columns of 14" each. There won't be any fabric on the long sides for the applique to be stitched to; I'd be encroaching on the vine applique.<br /><br />Oh. Wait. Who cares? The vine applique is undulating. It zigs and zags. *I* control the placement of the vines, leaves and flowers. I could just *barely* overlap the hexie flower columns onto the white fabric. It surely *would* give me the exact same look-and-feel without the fussiness of the half diamonds (which I was using to straighten out the hexie edges for ease of attaching the white column fabric).<br /><br />WOWSER! Ami, I do believe you have just saved me a whole messload of time and unbelievable tedium. <br /><br />Consider yourself the receipt of "Escape one skewering" card, useable on any occasion. :-)Shelley: the Dread Pirate Rodgershttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13431557867878383150noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12735540.post-28839235143540269622015-07-12T07:58:22.752-07:002015-07-12T07:58:22.752-07:00I like that you showed how you put your hexi's...I like that you showed how you put your hexi's on the cloth....using the zig zag. Can't wait to see how ya quilt this one!Val's Quilting Studiohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09451000559295763123noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12735540.post-72422520522124932015-07-12T06:56:01.511-07:002015-07-12T06:56:01.511-07:00On your diamonds................could you not just...On your diamonds................could you not just applique your units to fabric and then use it that way instead of fussing with all those bothersome little half diamond units? I love your fun new project with the cheater fabric!Sewing Up A Stormhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07702395570055483788noreply@blogger.com