I really don’t care for the thread I am using on Friends Around the World and decided before I go any further I am ripping it all out and will start over again – now that really isn’t as hard as you might think it is to do and I will be happier with it in the end. By just loosening up the front rail and gently starting on a corner use the seam ripper and get a stitch loose and then you go from there! As much as I used to love King Tut variegated thread I find I just don’t love it anymore. It is so much thinner (and too dark) than what I am now used to with Aurifil #12 – I love the thicker thread and how much better it shows up on a quilt. It shouldn’t take more than a day or two to rip out the stitches and I will get back to it using the same stencil idea and with a lighter color thread I will be able to use the flower stencil in the squares and they should show up.
The thread I will use is this one – I have a full spool still besides what is on this one
Yesterday I did get the first of my two yellow blocks done for the RSC 20 quilt that I am making called Country Charmer – here is the block before I got busy sewing.
And what I have up on the wall now – colors can be moved around still as I will not have the two yellow blocks next to each other of course. Linking to Wednesday Wait Loss — Midweek Makers —
The fabric for the next block is somewhat picked out – I changed some of the colors in the one I did yesterday as I was cutting
A little more binding stitched on Alaska – about 1/2 done on one side now.
I have been continuing with the book series that I started last week by Evelyn Anthony – I read that she died a couple years ago – I know I hadn’t seen anything new by her for some time but it looks like she continued writing for years after I stopped getting her books, which I’m not sure why I stopped. I finished two of the books in the series and the next one is called Albatross.
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Connecting Threads – anniversary sale – use the code to get $15.00 off of $50 or more – – the code is 15OFF50
Thank you everyone that has ordered through my links for the sales – I appreciate it! It cost you nothing extra and gives me a little extra income for my quilting supplies.
Karen, That is 12 wt Aurifil you are using… LOVE the color and glad you decided to change… this is a great color and I love the texture I get from 12 wt Aurifil… If you recall Connie’s 30’s quilt I did of the swoon blocks in queen most of all that was 12 wt Aurifil in different colors 🙂 Enjoy!
So glad you got started stitchin down the binding on Alaska too! And I love the yellows of the block you finished and esp that darker yellow batik that will go into the next quilt 🙂 You are sooo creative! Happy stitching on each project and enjoy reading when you need a rest from that!
Kathi
Wow! Not crazy, but particular. You want the quilt to look good once done. And it is a labor of love! At least you are close to the beginning. A locally famous quilter called me once to ask if I could help her take machine quilting out of a quilt she was submitting to a show. Luckily, I was on vacation in Colorado and couldn’t help.
I got my mojo back yesterday and made a little scrappy quilt. Not sure whether I’ll add to it or not – it’s 36″ square now. I love the way your Country Charmer looks!
The Country Charmer blocks are going to make a beautiful quilt. RSC projects are some of my most favorite on the web. If I could ever figure out how to set the blocks, I’d have more of mine finished! Stay warm and dry. The freezing rain hasn’t been fun here.
Sorry you are having to rip. But if it means you will be happier and excited about quilting this one it is certainly the way to go. You’ll soon be speeding right along!
I have to admit, I don’t know a huge amount about the different weights of thread! I just took a look at some Aurifil I have sitting here that use for hand-piecing and it is 50. Does the thread get thicker as the number goes down? 🙂 Meanwhile, the new thread you chose looks very pretty for your Friends quilt! The Country Charmer block looks wonderful in yellow, and is just the right final color to add to your group of blocks. I had to look up Evelyn Anthony and her books, and think I must have read some of hers years ago – they are historical fiction or spy thrillers – just what I love! I’m reading Michael Connelly’s latest – Fair Warning.
You are so brave! Good for you…. You’re quilt will be gorgeous no matter what, but you will be happier with a thread you like.
Dear Karen,
I agree with you, when it does not flow, it is easier to unpick and start fresh. Alaska and your RSC 20 blocks look great. The yellow is a happy colour, reminds us of sunshine.
I’m glad you decided to change out and go with something else that makes you happy. No point in stitching in a color that doesn’t sit right (or thread). Your Country Charmer blocks are so nice; it will be a pretty quilt!
I think you are doing the right thing by ripping out the quilting. You would regret it if you didn’t. I’m so glad to see all your blocks together on the wall! It’s going to be a stunner when you are finised!
Oh, I hate ripping out! Good for you to do it and be happier with the new quilting though!
Sometime you just gotta fix it even though its a lot of work. You’d never be happy with it otherwise. Ooooohhhhh I love that yellow batik! I’d be tempted to make off with that one if I were close by. Stay dry and safe.
Not crazy! I totally understand. I’ve been doing the same with a couple of jewelry pieces this week. Country Charmer looks so good!
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
The yellow gives a lovely loft to the country charmer quilt. Might be a bit crazy but it would have become a real chore if you had carried n using the other thread!
Removing your stitching is a pain, but if you are not liking the look in the beginning you never will. Must be easier removing hand stitching rather than machine stitching.
I thought by your blog post title you were telling us that you were jumping in with a new project!
I still have to finish my yellow RSC cat block for the month, lagging a bit behind on that. Too many outings, I think.
There’s something soothing about unsewing…I do like your alternative quilting thread. I love King Tut, but I think I only use it for machine quilting. And I’m not usually drawn to the variegated colors of it. But I wonder, have you ever tried Superior Treasure for hand quilting? It’s my favorite. I used to use something called Suisse Glacé, I think, by the American Thread Company which is no longer in existence, and the Treasure comes closest to it.
I guess I just “woke up” and noticed your layout sheet on the Country Charmers. Did you make that yourself? Very nice! Where did you get the pattern for the block? I really like it!
Been there before and I agree you’re not crazy to rip out what you dislike so much and start over. With all that fabulous hand quilting you want it to show! Love your RSC blocks. Thanks for sharing on Wednesday Wait Loss.