Yet Another Learning Curve-Part 2

Based on the hits over the last few days from my blog post of my latest debacle, I would guess that you enjoy seeing me struggle-ah, I see how it is…

As I begin working the border, I am totally surprised at what the fabric is doing to the thread-it’s just engulfing it! The fabric is silk noil, so it’s nubby and bumpy. Plus, it’s set upon 2 layers of batt: Orient on the bottom for stability and wool on the top for puff. That combination just seems to swallow any thread I put upon it.

I haven’t documented all SEVEN threads that I tried, just two. They either disappeared or went all ghosty-it was weird. I ended up figuring out that I needed to go with the gold I had already used in the central motif as well as in  the border swags.

I figure I have been ripping out for a total of five hours. My “weapons of choice” for ripping are important to the process:
–Kai curve-tip 4″ scissors. Kai scissors absolutely rock-they are the best I have found. When you’re ripping like this or cutting off your quilting threads right at the surface, you need high quality curve-tip scissors.
-These Clover tweezers. They are only like $4 and they are mean! You want mean tweezers that grip easily and are wicked strong-these guys fit the bill.
-Trusty standard Clover seam ripper.Because I take tiny, tiny stitches, it takes a lot of time to rip-my “weapons” have to be on target to get those little stitches out. On my first pass I break the thread wherever there is a stitch big enough to slip my seam ripper under. Then I go on the other side and pull the threads as much as I can with the tweezers. I continue to flip back and forth. The reason I like those specific tweezers is not only are they very strong, but there is a long flat portion that can snug right up to the fabric surface to pull threads without damaging it.Here you see me at my Ripping Throne. The magnifying light is another important part of this process. I love that light! I pull it right under my chin and the light is strong on those tiny stitches and the magnifier is critical to the process. The hardest part was getting the DH to take the picture!On a completely unrelated topic, I wanted to show off the purchases I made last weekend at the Pioneer Quilting Guild Show: this fabulous Christmas wall hanging by Lana LaPlante. Isn’t it gorgeous? I was thrilled to find it before anyone else did.Come to think of it, I made quite a haul-got these fun hot pads and 4 totes (the blue one by Margo Wilson and the rest by Valerie Price). Aren’t they super cute?

I should be done with the Lilly of the Valley soon but I have a few classes to prepare for and teach so it may be a bit before I’m done. I’ll keep you posted.