I had an email yesterday from Sharon, who has been following my blog more or less from the beginning. Sharon referred to herself as a "curtain twitcher" as she says she has to have a peep at my blog each times she logs on to see if I have made a new entry - (that sounds so much nicer than a blog stalker hehe!!) - well, this blog post is dedicated to you Sharon!! I enjoy adding stitchery to my quilts, and it's a great way of adding a permanent label to your work. This particular design is inspired by Leanne Beasley.....
.....Sharon has asked me for some advice about transferring stitchery designs. There are all sorts of marking pens and pencils out there for you to try - some are permanent, and some are soluble. Personally, I prefer to trace my stitchery designs onto the background fabric with a Pigma pen - these are permanent though, so you do need a really steady hand for this. Try to get the finest one you can - I like size 005. They come in a range of colours, but I normally use a brown one. Recently, I bought a Clover water soluble marker (comes in 2 sizes - fine and thick) and I was really pleased with it, and it rises out afterwards. Fade-away pens are also good, but can fade a bit too quickly if you're a slow sewer!!.....
.....a light box is really useful for tracing your stitchery designs, (although as my lightbox is so small I have been known to selotape both my pattern and my background fabric to the patio doors for larger designs - much to the disgust of Mr F as it leaves very sticky marks - masking tape is better!!) and it's a good idea to trace your design BEFORE applying your interfacing....
.....backing your fabric with an interfacing gives a bit of stability to your work, and also stops the threads from showing through to the right side of your fabric. I normally use a soft fusible interfacing, like Vliseline (make sure you lay this onto the wrong side of your background fabric, and don't press the sticky side to your iron!!) or you could use calico, or a very soft wadding, such as pellon. When chosing your background fabric, I like to use a fabric with a tone-on-tone print, or a small scale print that won't detract from the stitchery.....
.....John James embroidery needles are my favourites, and these come in a range of sizes - I use size 7 (the larger the number, the smaller the eye of the needle)......
.....this brings me nicely on to threads - there are lots of threads around - I like DMC stranded cotton - these come in a huge assortment of colours, both plain and varigated - and even metallic too!! I find the metallic threads sew through the fabric better when mixed with a strand of normal embroidery thread - otherwise it is a bit "harsh" and can pluck the fabric. I have also used some Auriel cotton thread - already stranded on a reel - this was used for a stitchery pattern on linen fabric, and worked really well.....
.....I always use an embroidery hoop, and have got an assortment of sizes, in both plastic and wood. Using a hoop keeps your fabric taut and keeps your tension even, so your stitches won't pucker up. Personally, I find a smaller hoop is easier to handle than a larger one. Also, I prefer the wooden ones - the plastic ones are a bit thicker and I found them a bit awkward to hold.....
.....so here's to lots of happy sewing Sharon!! On Saturday 26th February, I shall be teaching a stitchery class from 1.30pm - 4pm at my local quilt shop, Quilters Haven, in Wickham Market. I will share lots more of my secret stitchery tricks and tips, including my favorite tools of the trade, so come along and join me there!!
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