Add Depth to Fabric Art with Double Thread Stitching

re: Add Depth to Fabric Art with Double Thread Stitching

angela maves — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 20:05:34 GMT

I have used two threads at the same time with great success. I have even used three but you have to stitch slowly. My favourite "go to" needle of choice is a metallica needle by Schmetz. It has a long, rectangular eye which accommodates two ,even three threads of the same weight. Schmetz also makes a double eyed needle and I plan to try them as soon as I can remember where I put them in my studio.

I generally don't have to mess with the tension too much but I have found that a drop or two of a liquid thread lubricant like "Sew Smooth" makes everything run smoothly. (It is a required supply in my thread painting classes.) A tiny drop in the last thread guide before the needle and a bead of lube along the length of the spool, especially if I am using metallic thread as a blending filament, reduces breakage and shredding and those nasty little thread snot-ups on the underside. Using two or more threads at a time if a good way to blend from one colour/value to the next when thread paint. The middle value of thread acts like a bridge between light and dark values and makes for a smoother transition. It also helps if you don't have the exact colour to be able to blend two threads to get the look you want

I have also tried using two and three threads in the bobbin and have had better success using different weights of threads if I hand wind the threads.

Angela Maves/Pembroke

re: Add Depth to Fabric Art with Double Thread Stitching

reginabdunn — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 18:40:03 GMT

I wanted to have a thicker thread showing on top of my quilt so I took 2 strands of embroidery floss and hand wound them together on a bobbin. I put that bobbin on the spool holder and threaded the machine with the 2-stranded floss. I used a rayon thread in the bobbin below. It worked great for awhile giving me a very noticeable line of stitching. But then it started to skip stitches more and more. I thought of doing bobbin work, but I needed to see the top of the quilt to know where to sew. Any ideas of why it skipped stitches?

re: Add Depth to Fabric Art with Double Thread Stitching

nickofine — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 15:55:52 GMT

Terry White told me about using 2 threads in one needle and I've used it several times. I used it with a Santa panel on his bread and cuffs and collar and it turned out great.

re: Add Depth to Fabric Art with Double Thread Stitching

Debbie King — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 15:01:42 GMT

Vivika, may I add your editorial comments dated 08/21/12 on "Double Up On Depth" for Double Thread Stitching in our guild's newsletter for Trails End Quilters' Guild of Owasso, Oklahoma. I was very interested when I read this and think its a wonderful idea to share with the quilters in our guild. If you will allow me, I will be certain to recognize you as the author for Quilting Daily, and I would be happy to email you a copy of the newsletter in which it would appear as well.

Thank you for your consideration.

Debbie King, Communications Chair, Trails End Quilters' Guild of Owasso, OK. Email: debbie.king@arlp.com.

re: Add Depth to Fabric Art with Double Thread Stitching

jmhouston — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 12:40:21 GMT

I've used double threads many times with great results. Also have a Janome, the 6600 now, but previously the 8000, and both dealt well with double threads. (Actually started using double threads with my Kenmore back when my daughters were little and wanted to decorate their clothes....they are "middle-aged now!!!! don't tell them I said that!!!!) I've mixed regular "sewing" thread and rayon embroidry thread as well as using two of the same threads. I do stop and let the needle/machine "cool down" occasionally, more necessary with the mixed threads. A large eye needle is a must, either a topstitch or metallic works for me.

janice/Houston