Create a Quilting Thread Sampler!

Today’s Topic:  Create a Quilting Thread Sampler

Welcome to Week Twelve of The Better Machine Quilt-a-long based on my book 25 Days to Better Machine Quilting.

Find all of the previous Lessons HERE.

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Good Morning, Quilters!

Today we will continue our discussion of threads and start a thread sampler.

Yesterday, we discussed the importance of the inspection method of evaluating thread on a spool. Today, we will compare the threads by stitching them.

Create a Quilting Thread Sampler

Prepare a quick quilt sandwich (fat quarter size) with a solid fabric on top.

Use a chalk marker to create a 6 x 6 grid (number of cells) .  

Mark the vertical lines 2-1/2 inches apart.

Mark horizontal lines 3 inches apart.

Use a contrasting, heavy weight thread to stitch the lines. 

Free motion quilt a wavy line or for more challenge using a decorative stitch like zig zag to create the grid.

Label “Light, Medium, Heavy”

Use either a permanent marker or stitch the words “Light”  “Medium” “Heavy” in the space above the grid.

The first two columns are “Light”.  The second two columns are “Medium” and the last two are “Heavy”.

Sort Threads by Weight and Fiber

Yesterday, we inspected spools of thread and divided them by weight into three categories: Light, Medium, Heavy.

Within each weight category, see how many different brands and fibers (cotton, polyester, rayon) you have in each weight class.  For example, in the heavy weight category, I have:

Aurifil 28wt Cotton,

Sulky 30 wt Cotton

King Tut 40 wt (Superior) cotton

Magnifico (Superior) 40 wt polyester

Sulky 40 wt Rayon

Mirage (Wonderfil) 30 wt Rayon

Ready to Stitch

Fill your bobbin with 50 wt cotton or polyester thread–don’t change it while you sample threads.  Insert a size 90 Topstitch needle.  (You may be able to use this needle for all the weight classes, however if you notice skipped or broken stitches for the light weight threads, reduce your needle size to 80 or 70.)

Use your threads to fill in the grid with a variety of threads using the motif of your choice. Whenever possible, use the same color thread for each brand/fiber for better comparison.

Use a permanent marker to label each thread as you stitch.

Have Fun!

I will acknowledge it’s a bit tedious to change threads frequently, so make it fun by stitching fun motifs.  Add a variety of designs to the spools or use a different motif altogether.

I have several thread samplers in my collection.  They are decorative as well as informative.

Evaluate

Do YOU have an equal amount of light, medium, and heavy threads?

Which threads are your favorite?

On YOUR next shopping trip, which weight class would you like to purchase?

Do YOU like high sheen threads?

We’d LOVE to hear!

Your Thread Sommelier,

Lori

PS…All tutorials, images and information are the property of Lori Kennedy Quilts and are intended for personal use only.  Feel free to re-blog, pin or share with attribution to LKQ.  For all other purposes, please contact me at Lori@LoriKennedyQuilts.com.  Thank you!

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