I have this love/hate thing with free motion stitching. In my quest for the perfect stitch, I have spent countless hours and lots of bobbins on trying to find that special thread or thread combination so that I could have finish some pieces.
So even after those projects above were done, I continued my search. They were done with Guttermann gray and yellow threads and I liked them, but I wanted to use some of my other threads.
I decided to do several tests with different battings and different threads to give me a better feel on which threads I liked best and made the best stitches on my Juki.
From left to right battings are wool felt, Quilters’ Dream Green and Hobbs Fusible. I tried a variety of threads including Superior threads: Sew Fine 30, Nature Colors, Fantastico, Living Colors, and Art Studio Colors. I also tried Guttermann and Isacord 40. In the bobbin I used either the same thread or Coats and Clark Bobbin 70 thread.
Here are some of my findings:
- For most of the threads, the C & C bobbin thread worked great.
- The batting didn’t make much difference in the look of the stitches.
- Black thread looks awful on all three. But as I looked at others’ stitches on web posts, I see that a lot of those who use black have the same looking stitches. What is awful about them is they look like straight lines instead of individual stitches.
- The gray and white Guttermann thread look great using the same thread in the bobbin. However, the black made a line, just like the Sew Fine 30.
- My favorite of all of the threads and I believe make the best looking stitches on my machine is the Fantastico using the bobbin thread in the bobbin. Even though one of the online free motion classes said not to use varigated, I found they produced the best looking stitches.
What works with your machine may be different than what works with mine. Just experiment. Also, some of the bad stitches were due to operator error. I find I can’t free motion cold. I have to warm up before I sew much.
I’ve decided that I am way too obsessed with the “perfect” stitch. If I really wanted to make sure every stitch was perfect I’d need to spend more money and buy a sewing machine with a stitch regulator. The salesman where I bought my Juki wanted me to try the one on the Bernina he had on the showroom. It was wonderful, but I don’t need or want that machine. So I will lower my expectations and just sew!
If you are wondering what I used to color the completed pieces, I used Inktense Blocks with GAC 900. You can also use just water.
Here is how it looks after painted, but before I zigzaged the edges.
And the finished piece.
I’m linking up with Off The Wall Fridays. Check out the link for some inspiration. Thanks for dropping by.
Interesting information. Sometimes we just want everything to go as planned, lol. I think that black thread looks like a continuous line instead of stitches because our brains fill in the gap. Just a thought. I really must try painting with Gac and Inktense pencils. Have a great weekend,
Luann, Really?? Maybe. I’ve had a couple people said that the pigment in the black. I don’t know. I love the Inktense Blocks and how they look on the fabric. I think you’d really like the results. You too! Looks like we are going to have storms. Thanks for dropping by.
Wait… What!???!! Someone in a FMQ class said not to use variegated thread??! Surely it must have been for a particularly reason? Not a blanket “dont use it”! Because if so I call BS on that!!! Your FMQ is looking great and I love the coloring in after!!
Hey Candy, It was not someone in the online class. It was the teacher. She said something about the weight of the different colors on the threads. And it was a blanket – don’t use it!! Thank you for weighing in and your kind words.
Inktense with aloe vera gel works great. Let dry and then heat set.
Ive found that free motion is most successful when i dont worry about it and can relax. Always a warm up practice to make sure the tension is working. You’re right about each machine being unique. Practice and play
Janet, Thanks. I’ve seen where others use that.
Ohhhh Lynda! I quite like your finished piece with the sunshine a LOT! Great design (a loose Art Deco’ish style?) plus the Inktense added ever so much. BTW if I stayed stuck seeking the perfect FMQ stitching . . . I wouldn’t get a thing created! Happy creating . . . and maybe consider sharing a photo of this beauty in our PFA group (link here in case anyone is interested: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PostcardFabricArt/ ) and include a link back to this post of yours so our members can have a look-see for themselves, eh? ***smiles***
Ann, Thank you! Yes, after years of struggling over the perfect stitch, I have finally decided that perfect is overrated!! I will sure share this one with the group. Thanks again for all of your kind words and support.