I’ll post some of these thread painted quilts to my blog here soon, but I wanted to get the word out that Freestyle Machine Embroidery is a great reference book for thread painting quilt artists!

You can purchase Freestyle Machine Embroidery on Amazon for less than the cover price.

I start with a high quality digital camera (at least 10 mega pixels) so that I can get large high definition (HD) quality images. I take my photos at the highest setting to get the largest image possible. I prefer a camera that is small enough to carry with me in my purse. You never know when you’re going to find something that is a perfect theme for an art quilt!

I then digitally manipulate the photo. Because I’m already a highly technical computer savvy person, I have a lot of training in this area. However, even a person with limited computer skills can use tools like Photoshop Elements to digitally manipulate their photos. My goal in using this software and in creating my art quilts is NOT to simply print the photo large-scale and as-is. I spend a considerable amount of time manipulating each photo into a work of art. I probably spend as much time making the photo into a an art quilt as most other fiber artists spend piecing their quilt top.

I then send my photos out to be printed onto 6oz cotton (slightly heavier than the normal quilter’s cotton). I print all my work at FabricOnDemand.com. If you want a lighter weight cotton (4.2oz) you can print your art quilt at Spoonflower.com. Prices are comparable.

I then proceed to sandwich the art quilt in a normal manner and then thread paint the quilt. I am happy to say this process produces the art quilts that I love, and I plan to continue using this process going forward. I am happy to have found a method that blends my experience with computer technology with my love for art.

When you are sewing a dark and a light fabric together, do you ever get that overlap of the dark fabric that shows through the light one? Never fear, a serger will create create a perfect cast seam that captures that dark with the light fabric and won’t let it show through.

Many people believe that the bulk of the thread from a serger will cause bulk within their seams. This is not the case. Serged seams lay very flat and don’t add any unnecessary bulk.

Sewing a perfect binding onto the quilt is also very easy. With the differential feed on the serger, the top, batting and backing go together perfecting with your binding and encase them all within a clean crisp edge. Finishing your binding around this crisp edge makes for a perfect finish to your quilt.

Learning to use a serger can be daunting since there are so many moving parts and threads. However the serger manufacturers offer many videos online these days that show you how to thread and use the machine. Always check the website of the manufacturer for new how-to information.

If you are also going to be using your serger for sewing clothing, you might want to invest in a 5-thread serger. A 5-thread serger will give you the nice finished overlock seems that you see on t-shirts. A 4-thread serger doesn’t provide this capability.

If you aren’t sure you want to invest a lot of money into a serger since it will be your second machine, consider the Quantumlock Serger by Singer® (14T967DC). This 5-thread machine has all the bells and whistles needed to sew wonderful quilts and garments. It also comes at a price much lower than other brands. It’s a great machine from a good manufacturer and will give you many hours of wonderful sewing joy!

To get this illusion of movement and depth, I almost always use variegated threads. Variegated threads allow me to use the variations in the thread to trick the eye. A painter achieves this same look by not mixing his paint colors together completely.

One of my favorite threads to use are the Sulky Blendables Thread (30 wt). I like them because the transitions in color are a lot more natural than many other variegated threads. I have only been able to find them in specialty stores, and even those stores don’t carry all the variations. I now order them directly from the Create for Less or Joann Fabrics websites online.

These threads come in two weights.

• 30 Weight: this thread is slightly thicker than your normal sewing thread. For art quilting, this weight is great for overall thread work on your piece. The thread will create texture and look beautiful.
• 
  12 Weight: this thread is very thick and requires a needle with a slightly larger hole. I use this thread to create a “pop” when I want to emphasize an area.

Joann.com often offers a discount if you buy several spools and their price is often lower than the local specialty stores. Give this thread a try, you will love it!

My preferred fusible web is
Wonder Under Fusible Web which I purchase from
Joann.com online. It’s 18″ wide and I purchase it by the 35 yard bolt. Joann’s usually offers free shipping and discount coupons so I can usually get a good deal!

First I iron my quilt top completely flat to get out all the bumps. Then I iron the fusible web to the back side of the quilt top. I’m very careful to ensure that that the fusible web pieces are carefully aligned to cover the entire quilt top. I prefer to not place the fusible web edges straight down the center. I then iron the fusible to the quilt top.

I then carefully remove the paper from the fusible and lay the fusible side of the quilt top against a flat piece of batting. I iron the quilt top to the batting starting in the center and working my way out to the edges. I usually work on a large table to ensure I don’t fuse gaps and buckles into the top!

I then follow the same process for the quilt backing. First I iron the fusible to the backing fabric, then iron the backing to the other side of the batting. Since the fusible web is lightweight, you will barely notice it in the final piece. Your piece will lay flat against the wall and hang beautifully!

This process holds the entire piece together and allows me to go crazy with thread work all over the piece without fear that I will have ripples and buckles of fabric on the back or front. I’ve also saved all that time where I don’t have to baste everything together!