Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Silks and a Plus Finish




I thought this organic quilt was nearly finished as I stitched the binding by hand - but then I realised some more hand quilting would be wise, both for the the visual effect and to add to the stability of the quilt. I didn't have enough silk in the right grey so I have been using some 12wt cotton which I had on hand. As much as I really do like using 12wt cotton for decorative quilting I much prefer to use buttonhole silk in most instances.




The silk, in this case Gutermann's R 753 buttonhole twist silk, is stronger, smoother, has a higher sheen and retains it's lustre much better as you continue stitching with each length of thread than cotton does.  Yes, I DO love to stitch with silk......






I recently purchased two large reels of Gutermann silk, one in black and one in white, from Bay Tailor Supply in the US. I'm very much tempted to order some more reels/cobs of silk in gorgeous right bcolours, but which ones to choose?








This delightful 100% organic Plus small baby quilt from last week is now completed and in my Etsy shop - another satisfying finish. The front is made of Cloud 9's Cirrus solids in Limestone and Rain. The backing is Cloud 9's Arcadia, Flutterflies in Aqua. Scanfil organic threads used throughout. Miss E (6) bravely held this quilt for photos - more of which you can see in the Etsy listing.


Sharing at WIP Wednesday.

15 comments:

Lisa said...

Lovely colours all around here! The backing on the plus adds such a bunch of fun, I am enamoured with the soft yet lively quality of this quilt!

marmarel said...

Nice you have an Etsy-shop! Sometimes I think about it.
Very beautiful quilts and interesting to read about the different yarn's!
Greetings from Marijke

Susan said...

I have yet tried a silk thread! Your work is so beautiful, I guess I should! Both quilts, and your amazing photos of them, are delightful!

Giga said...

For the good that silk threads are stronger and nicer than cotton. Surely you have a supply of materials for sewing quilts, and I am under the colors of their kupowaƂabym new thread. I admire you for your patience while sewing these quilts. Regards.

DeborahGun said...

The colours of those silk threads are just so glamerous - can't wait to see this latest quilt :-)

the momma said...

I'm not sure how much the shipping would be for you, but wawak.com is discontinuing their silk threads - They have 5 of the large cones for less than the price of 1 ~ the only kicker is, you don't get to choose your colors. BUT - if you order multiple 5 sets at the same time, they do their best to choose different colors for each 5 pack.
Interestingly - I e-mailed them the question (about whether or not I'd get duplicate packs) and after I didn't hear back for several days, I called. The person I spoke with told me they hand-selected the threads and would not duplicate if possible. A few days later, I finally got an e-mail response that said those were factory packages and there would be no such considerations. I figured for $2 a spool, it was worth the risk. But it turned out that the person I spoke with was correct :-)
http://www.wawak.com/products/product.cfm/pid/12949/Gutermann-Silk-Thread-440-yds-Assorted-5-Pack/
happy silk stitching ~ Tracy

geanina said...

very beautiful work!:)
complimenti!

Unknown said...

Your work is Beautiful!

Hugs~

Kim said...

The plus quilt looks so lovely and soft; gorgeous hues. I love the bright pink fabrics in the first quilt. It is such a lively pattern.

Anonymous said...

This is so very lovely!

Optimistic Existentialist said...

I really love those colors in the last three pictures!!

SarahZ said...

Mmmmm, such a pretty post :) I love the photos you take when you talk about thread...such a neat look at the fabrics and the thread! The colors of your plus quilt are perfect, and the diagonal grid of quilting is just right!

Seeing Each Day said...

Those threads matched with the colours are so vibrant. And as you know, I always look forward to the finished product. I want to thank you Karen for your encouraging words in your reply to my last post. Things have been hard. As they are for all of us, but thanks for passing on some strength. Renee

Liz said...

You have chosen really beautiful colours, Karen and gorgeous fabrics! I love them both.

Jeanne said...

I love the appearance of this thread that you are using, and i assume that it is one of the organics that you have been ordering. Beautiful, and of course your shot of it is also amazing.

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