An FM quilting idea

[Leslie& The Furbabies in MO.]

I was watching Sewing with Martha (I think that's the name of the
program???) and her guest was FM quilting using a double/twin needle. She
said you don't have to do anything special other than read your owner's
manual on how to thread your machine for two spools/threads. And she warned
the back side of double needle stitching looks like a zig-zag and that
should be taken into consideration- but it could be somewhat hidden with a
busy print for the backing. But it opens the door for some new and
interesting possibilities!

I can see using a double needle with a wide space between the needles and
then threading a strand of yarn between the two rows of stitching and
between the quilt top and batting for a trapunto effect. In Celtic quilting
patterns it could be stunning. Or taking a step out of echo quilting since
you could stitch two parallel rows at once. Or outlining a feather quilting
motif with a double row of stitches that are perfectly spaced. Or even
quilt the feather with two rows of stitches. Or rather than stitch in the
ditch you could straddle the seam and have perfectly parallel rows on each
side of the seam line. Or stitching down raw edged appliqu� with the double
row of stitching Lots of good stuff when you start thinking...

Just an idea I thought somebody might like to grab and run with it.

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

[Dr. Zachary Smith]

Hi Leslie,

I read about that technique (it's not couching, but similar) within
the last month or so with regard to my PCQ; I agree there are some
nifty possibilities. There was also mention of using double needles
with ribbon or seam tape in creating stain & art glass quilts, Asian
panels (my vocabulary is gone fishing tonite... :-( etc.

Doc

On Nov 29, 2:36 pm, "Leslie& The Furbabies in MO."

<quilteac...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> I was watching Sewing with Martha (I think that's the name of the
> program???) and her guest was FM quilting using a double/twin needle.  She
> said you don't have to do anything special other than read your owner's
> manual on how to thread your machine for two spools/threads.  And she warned
> the back side of double needle stitching looks like a zig-zag and that
> should be taken into consideration- but it could be somewhat hidden with a
> busy print for the backing.  But it opens the door for some new and
> interesting possibilities!
>
> I can see using a double needle with a wide space between the needles and
> then threading a strand of yarn between the two rows of stitching and
> between the quilt top and batting for a trapunto effect.  In Celtic quilting
> patterns it could be stunning.  Or taking a step out of echo quilting since
> you could stitch two parallel rows at once. Or outlining a feather quilting
> motif with a double row of stitches that are perfectly spaced.  Or even
> quilt the feather with two rows of stitches.  Or rather than stitch in the
> ditch you could straddle the seam and have perfectly parallel rows on each

> side of the seam line.  Or stitching down raw edged appliqué with the double

[Polly Esther]

I don't know about that, Leslie. Twin-needle stitching is an acquired taste
sort of like 20 year-old Scotch. There's just all kinds of things that can
cause little loopies; all kinds of tricks such as turning one spool of
thread upside down (or not, depends on the moon). Only the very brave can
do a pivot with a twin needle.
If the weight of a quilt were to yank suddenly, for sure you could pop a
twin needle and they are pricey - plus, you'd have to clean up the mess of
re-starting.
Twin-needle stitching on fine batiste, lace and ribbon is truly lovely,
but would take a whole lot of practice and tenacity on a quilt. IMHO, of
course. I miss Martha. Our stations only do hawg raising and woodworking.
Polly

"Leslie& The Furbabies in MO." <wrote>I was watching Sewing with Martha (I

[Patti]

I really like double-needle quilting (I never care much what the back
looks like! (slap wrist >g<); but I would never have thought it possible
for FM? At least not the kind of designs usually thought of as being
used? It would be very difficult to turn a tight curve (such as a
feather?) and, as Polly said, pivoting would be a nightmare?
But it's certainly worth an experiment or two. Also remember the
varying gaps between the needles - different effects there, too.
.
In message <7ng0qaF...@mid.individual.net>, Leslie& The Furbabies
in MO. <quilt...@yahoo.com> writes

--
Best Regards
pat on the hill

[Leslie& The Furbabies in MO.]

I haven't tried it, but the lady demonstrating on Martha's program was doing
small loop-de-loops with the twin needles and made it seem like No Big Deal
. My brain can't wrap around it, but she certainly whizzed right thru it.
Amazing.

Leslie & The Furbabies in MO.

"Polly Esther" <Poll...@cableone.net> wrote in message
news:7ngu5rF...@mid.individual.net...

[Sartorresartus]

The choice I finally made for my Overlocker was influenced by the
quarter-inch seam it made. I've used it for string piecing and it
does a lovely job of bindings. The corners are a bit fiddly, but
perfectly possible. It is a five-reel machine.

It also does some doody stuff using the twin needles and replacements
are one at a time! Pin tucks and entre-deux and butting edges.

Personally, I agree that twin needle stuff is an acquired taste, but
I've seen some fabulous stuf using embroidery thread in the top and
then embellishing fabric before it is cut up and sewn. Also think
crazy quilting embellishments, where the back won't show? Need to
experiment, I think.

Nel

[Tia Mary]

Twin needles are great when working on stuff like t-shirt knits. You
get the straight stitch on the top and the zig-zag on the bottom and
that gives just enough stretch that you don't pop the stitching.
Another thing to consider when doing fancy stuff are the specialty feet
available. I have the ones that make it easy to sew on strings of
pearls, piping, cording, ribbon, elastic, etc.
My "funniest" and most unusual foot is one that has a wide opening
so that you can do a zig-zag stitch. The upper face of the foot --
right in front of the needle hole is sort of tall and has FIVE little
holes in it. You thread different threads through the holes and the
foot keeps them in line and then you can do a multiple stitch zig-zag (I
use good quality nylon thread) over top to hold them in place!!! I have
a blouse that I made with a scrappy front and all the seams were top
stitched this way using rayon and metallic threads. This one would be
great for use on a crazy quilt or any quilted project where you wanted
to add a bit of metallic to front but don't want to actually stitch with
the metallic thread. I'll have to take a photo and post it to Webshots
so that you can see what I am talking about. CiaoMeow >^;;^<

PAX, Tia Mary >^;;^< (RCTQ Queen of Kitties)
Angels can't show their wings on earth but nothing was ever said about
their whiskers!
Visit my Photo albums at http://community.webshots.com/user/tiamary

[Kate XXXXXX]

I have more feet than a centipede! I have a 7 hole one of those for my
Lily. It makes great effects if you stitch the threads down with fancy
leaf, star, or flower patterns...
--
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.katedicey.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!