Friday, July 25, 2014

Back to our originally scheduled program...

 Now that the big stitch quilting obsession has passed, I am working on my block of the week blocks again.  Above is my simplified cotton version of Lisa Bongean's wool version, which is below.
 This block need lots of stuff still added to it, but it is coming along.
While I was in the hand quilting frame of mind, I hand quilted this one too.  I am doing something wrong with the blanket stitching...it is pulling away from the edge of the circles to the center, after rinsing the quilt.  Tell me how to do it right??  Is my tension not tight enough??  I do this by hand...Thanks!!!  Remember to sign up, if you like, for my giveaway last post...


Julie
Ok, here is a close up...I am muffing it up somehow...it looks great at first, but then it pulls like this...now you experts, what in the tarnation am I doing wrong??

Julie

16 comments:

Unknown said...

Could you post a close up pic of the problem? Then we can see if we can figure it out. :-)

Loris said...

Sweet progress on the blocks.
All I can think of with your stitches in that your tension is too tight or that you aren't catching the thread that holds it on the edge.
I'm 'dead in the water' with my bright plaid quilt. My longarm machine has a sensor failing and I've got to do some machine repair to get it going again!

Pam said...

Hi Julie - You should check out YouTube. I find lots of helpful tutorials there! Good luck!!

Rebecca in AK said...

I love you BOM blocks! So pretty! I am not an expert an blanket stitch. I would hazard a guess that you stitches are too tight?

Linda O said...

Julie, your blocks look great! Sorry I'm no help with blanket stitch...just trying to learn it myself!

Unknown said...

I sometimes have this problem when I am going around circles, even if my tension is correct. I've been buttonhole stitching for years. To help keep this from happening I will take a tiny stitch over the start of the bite part if the stitch - hopefully this makes sense. You can't see the stitch, but it helps stabilize corners and tight areas. Other than that, you might want to try tightening your stitches just a bit. Another thing you might want to try is using a heaver thread, or more plies, with the larger stitches (which look lovely, they are nice and even!) the heavier thread tends to stabilize a bit more. Hope something helps! I know how frustrating it is to spend so much time on something, then something happens that needs to be fixed or is a puzzle!

Joyce Carter said...

Hi Julie. I have had this happen to me also. I think your stitching is a little too tight. Sometimes I will take a backstitch at the corner of where the stitch goes into the fabric. This will hold the thread down so it doesn't roll onto the fabric. I know this isn't explained very well, but it is always easier for me to show someone something than explain it. Since you have already finished this, I would take one strand of thread and just tack it down in several places.Just roll the thread stitches back over to the side of the circle. I have done this and it doesn't show. Good luck. Your work is always beautiful to me.

Monica said...

I would definitely say this is a problem with thread tension. I think it is too loose on the back. Give the thread a firm but not tight pull as you finish each stitch. Also, make sure you are stitching right through the back, not just the applique, and that the needle is coming up through the backing at the edge of the applique. You could be coming up too soon, or at an angle. In general, embroidery is best when the needle goes straight up and straight down through the fabric, which requires a lot of bending. Same as quilting! Good luck. :)

Chantal said...

Your blocks are lovely. Sorry for your buttonhole stitches problem and I have no idea how to fix that. Hope you find the solution soon. Good luck.

Brenda said...

I love the blocks of the week. Someday I hope to be able to afford to do them. Looking forward to seeing your finished quilt.

Missy Shay said...

That is something I need to learn to do, I learned it on my machine this week, but have no idea how to do it by hand.

Quilter Kathy said...

I think the thread might be a bit tight and pulls in on itself? Love your block progress :) Have a great weekend!

Me and My Stitches said...

One tip that Lisa gave us in class was to always be holding your thread down with your left thumb (close to your stitching - and assuming you are right handed). You only let go of it for a second, as you are pulling the stitch tight. That keeps the thread always headed in the right direction, instead of rolling in. Does that make sense?

Barb said...

love your simplified block - what cute bird an sunflowers!

beth said...

Are you using blanket stitch to quilt it? Lovely appliqué!

Anonymous said...

When you make the blanket stitch always pull your stitch through by pulling your thread away from the circle instead of toward the center of the circle. Only pull the stitch until it lays down on the fabric. I don't think it is your tension because the fabric is not crumpled. I think it is the direction you are pulling the stitch. Also your stitches could be a little closer together for the small size of the circle. Most of the stitches on the red circle are correct so that is why I think it is the direction you are pulling the stitch. I so enjoy reading your blog and seeing your quilts. Love the nurses' notes also.

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