To get my art quilts to look “alive”, I need to create the illusion of movement and depth. Think about it, when you look at a flower, the flower isn’t a flat single color. Instead, the flower is made up of subtle tones and shades of the color with small splashes of other colors.

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 Threads. 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 Joann.com online.

These threads come in two weights.

• Sulky Blendables Thread 30 wt. : 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 beautifu.
• Sulky Blendables Thread 12 wt.: 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!

Because I use heavy thread work on my quilt tops, it’s very easy for the quilt top or backing to shift and buckle under the needle. For years I would rip out my thread to correct this issues. Then I was introduced to the use of lightweight fusible web to stabilize the back and the top to the batting. I use this technique for all art quilts that will be hung on the wall.

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!