Monday 10 December 2012

Cutting and Sewing

Despite not having a lot of time for sewing recently, I did finally get my courage up to cut into the Valori Wells and have managed to make the top and back and get them basted. The whole process is SOOO much quicker than a quilt, it probably took me 5 minutes to pin baste, if that.



I did consider spray basting but thought of my lungs and, only having done it once before years ago, did wonder how much give there is if the layers stick down too soon?...Can you lift it up and re-place it? Would it work with such a long piece? (It measures 205cm or 80 3/4") I've been a faithful pin baster to date, but would love to know how you find spray basting, if you do and the hows, whys and wherefores.



I've decided to straight-line quilt it across the width, but I must say it's tedious to do...There's a lot left to go... I'm using a light gray Aurifil. I've read a lot about this thread- seems good so far. I let you know how I get on. I'm hoping to finish it this week and meanwhile debating about a binding, and if so what colour? I'm a bit of a sucker for green; or alternatively doing a facing like this. Let me know what you think.




Also I thought I'd show you what my friend Liz has been doing. She made me the lovely black needle case for my birthday and lately she's been busy making one for my daughter and finally, one for herself.
Nice use for her vintage button collection too, though she may just have enough to make a few hundred more! The process of making these is very exacting in terms of getting everything straight.



Aren't they beautiful!




8 comments:

  1. I like the facing idea, I think it will suit the table runner ?? much better.

    Spray basting - I'm a big fan and use it almost exclusively. I only spray very lightly, I can peel back the fabric, batting and move it and smooth it easily. I do use a few safety pins for added security until I have stitched a few quilting lines. I have never had problems with needles gumming up, I do all my spray basting outside (under cover) that way the fumes don't build up, but it is no good on a windy day as the fabric moves too much.

    Personally I think a lot of the problems that people have with spray basting is they use too much spray baste and then you get a bit of a build up on your needle.

    Love Aurifil thread too, lovely to sew with, both hand and machine piecing and quilting.

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  2. Looks lovely! I reckon green binding would frame it nicely and tie everything together.

    I am an exclusive pin baster, because it works for me, and if it ain't broke, I don't fix it. Also, I do worry about the effect of spraying a whole bunch of glue around on my lungs, and because I live in Wellington, there are about 2 days a year where I could even possibly spray baste outside.

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  3. The Wrenly runner looks beautiful - I am a pin baster too so have no experience with sprays!

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  4. The facing is a lovely idea. If you were to use binding I'd go for a deep wine red to frame it and draw out some of the other colours. juliex

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  5. oh great minds...
    I have been making a sort of needle roll as the Christmas gift for all my sewing friends.
    Can't post it until I give them so I hope they don't see this.
    I am modelling them on the "housewife" my Dad has in the Airforce during the War.

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  6. It looks lovely! I am a convert to facing as I think it looks really smart, and also to spray basting. In my very limited experience spraybaste worked really well and I could unpeel and reposition where necessary. I first did it for a quilt and taped the first layer flat to the laminate floor in my kitchen and then sprayed it. I didn't notice fumes from 505, and really it just made it so much easier to quilt. You can roll the quilt up and put it aside in between work without it shifting too!

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  7. I'm a fan of spray basting, it takes alot less time then pinning. It takes a couple of tries to get the hang of it though. I use 505 but I don't know if it's available on this side of the world. The table runner looks awesome!!!

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  8. I just left a comment and it vanished.. Grrrrr. I spray bast and love it. It takes a bit of getting the hand of. It's reposition able. I use 505 basting spray but not sure if it's available in NZ

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