Saw Tooth Star Progress
Just when I thought I had my design decisions made and I was ready for that delightful phase of feathering up the surface of the quilt, I decided I didn’t like my thread choice after all. Look:
I love Aurifil 28 wt cotton thread, but I think in this case it gives the motif a “ghosty” look from afar, an almost spider webby look. I know some people like that look because I see it all the time on competition quilts that have ribboned. It’s just not my particular style.
Also, it became a strong design element which competed with the blocks. You may recall I have already been through this once before on my sampler that used similar blocks. In that case the quilting clearly overshadowed the blocks and made for a bit of a messy competition for the viewer’s eye.
Here you see the YLI “Sparkle” thread, a mix of silk and metallic thread. Oh it’s luscious and not difficult to quilt with if you use a size 80 Superior Topstitch Titanium needle-seriously, the needle is important. I like the Sparkle thread much better: less value contrast so it’s not as showy, yet the “sparkle” of it catches your eye in a delightful way. I think it gives a fairly subtle “twinkle in your eye” kind of look. So with a little bit of ripping, I’ll be on my way.
Once most design decisions are made and I get to quilt, I love that phase of quilting. It’s time to just quilt-yahoo! I get to romp across the surface of the quilt with my needle and thread. This is what causes me to become the “Quilt Skipper” and start skipping around the house-it’s just so much fun to do the freemotion quilting! 
I like the overall look of the quilt. If you look carefully you will see the Sparkle in the top row of feathers and the Aurifil towards the bottom. I think the Sparkle is going to highlight and enhance the blocks once it’s all quilted up. I can’t wait to get to the quilting.
It’s been a very lazy and restful Christmas for us as a family. We got to have both sons here and girlfriends are coming over the next few days. There has been a lot of “horizontal time” at the Lyon house as you can see below! Of course it’s not just the men that have been horizontal-I did have to get up to take the photo… 
Because I’m in awe of your quilting- the heavier first thread looked good to me. But I can see your point about the look versus the new sparkle thread. I love to hear your through processes on these decisions.
I’m enjoying watching the progress on this quilt. Love this feathers in the sashing.
Sparkle is soooo much better! More subtle and worthy of the quilt.
Thank you all! I have so much to learn and this simple quilt is teaching me a lot.
yes, i see your horizontal impression in the empty seat cushion! lol. subtle, but still there, just like the sparkle thread.
btw, i definitely see the difference, and I agree that the aurifil stitching (though beautiful on its own) was competing against the strong simple geometric lines of your piecing.
welcome back to piecing, btw! i’m loving your use of stripes in these blocks.
I agree your new direction is better. Bummer that you have to do some un-stitching.
FUnny you should comment-it all blew up as soon as I put up that post. I have been shredding thread for 3 days now! My next post-hopefully-will detail my resolution of my shredding issues.