Good Morning, Quilters!
We’re stitching right a long on our Sunflower Samplers, but first I want to answer your questions about thread.
BOBBIN THREAD AND NEEDLE
I have been using Aurifil, 28 weight cotton for the Sunflower Sampler and for the Annie Smith project (see yesterday’s post) Whenever I use heavy weight thread on top, I use a lighter weight thread in the bobbin. I use Aurifil cotton 50 wt in the bobbin. This allows the top thread to win the tension “tug-of-war” more readily and it lasts longer than a heavy weight thread would. As for color, I usually match the color of thread with the top thread. If there are any areas where the tension is not perfect, it will not be noticeable.
A Topstitch 90 needle is my “go-to” needle for FMQ. It has a very large eye, a sharp point and it has a deep groove in the shaft of the needle that helps protect the thread from breakage. I
SUNFLOWER SAMPLER
If you have been following along, your Sunflower is stitched and two sections have been filled with linear designs. If you need to catch up here are the links?
Week One-Marking
Week Two-Stitch the Center
Week Three-Stitch the Petals
Week Four-Linear Fills
CURVY FILLS
This week we are going to add curvy designs next to the linear fills. Choose any curvy design YOU like. I added Pebbles in the right corner.
Be sure to tuck those little circles into the petals to give them more definition.
If you’d like an easier option, try Flower Power.
In the upper left corner add another curvy design.
You can repeat whatever you added in the opposite corner–Pebbles or Flower Power, or pick a new curvy design. I used The Dizzy Daisy.
Your quilt will look something like this:
Sunflower Love!
Happy Quilting,
Lori
PS…All tutorials, images and information are the property of Lori Kennedy at The Inbox Jaunt and are intended for personal use only. Feel free to re-blog, pin or share with attribution to The Inbox Jaunt. For all other purposes, please contact me at lckennedy@hotmail.com. Thanks!
16 comments
Peggy Beck
I finally got all the materials and the time to do this quilt-a-long. I made the quilt sandwich yesterday and all the markings, then I spent today doing all the quilting until I was caught up with you. It is SO beautiful! I just keep admiring it, Lori, and can’t believe something so pretty is just plain fabric and thread. I am using a bright yellow fabric for the background, and then an orange-yellow Superior New-Brites 30 wt. thread with a matching 50 wt. cotton thread in the bobbin. I have wanted to do your quilt-a-longs before but just never got going. I’m so glad I’m doing this one and learning as I go! Thanks you for this project.
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Hurray!! Your excitement comes through in your note! I couldnt be more delighted!!
Nan Wilson
Practicing with this little project quickly became my Saturday morning treat–just a short break at the end of the week. Thank you.
Janice King
Lori, am loving the pumpkin quilt along! Wanted to let you know I received the thread giveaway from Sulky!!! So thrilled! Thank you and Sulky again for your generosity.
Lori Kennedy
Have fun playing with the thread! Can’t wait to see what you create!
Thank you to Sulky for sponsoring this giveaway!
Carole
My bernina is an older 180 model. My question is what tension are you setting for the heavier thread?
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I lower my top tension a lot. Sometimes as low as .5. Stitch samples at several tensions tofind the best
Carole
Thanks….can’t wait to try ?
Grandma Jane
Did I miss the stuffed pumpkin tute? I’ve rescued and readied a couple of stems!
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Coming this week!
Christine B.
Thank you Lori! This is a lovely QAL and I am learning so much. The thread I used last week in the background was darker than I would have liked so I had to retrace the petals of the sunflower….. all part of the learning process!
Colleen
Enjoying this project! Is this a variegated thread you are using?
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Yes! From Annie Smiths Aurifil collection.
Debbie Kanavel
I’m having so much fun!
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