Happy Tuesday!
Was it me or did today fly by? I am out of steam. I can tell Winter is almost here. It's cold and dark and I really want to be a bear and hibernate.
But, it's Tuesday, so it is Tool Time!
Today's tool is...
wait for it...
Thread.
I love thread. I've been called a Thread Snob. I don't care. I really feel thread is an important part of our quilt making. Right up there with fabric.
My LQS carries Mettler thread, some 50 weight Aurifil and Sulky Blendables. For piecing I prefer Aurifil or Masterpiece by Superior Threads. If you do a side by side comparison, the Mettler 50 weight is thicker. I love how the finer thread (even if they are both 50 weight) feels against the seams when I press them to the side or to the dark side. I recently read an article in Machine Quilting about thread with up close photos of this and how it effects your block's finished size. Amazing.
So, to test this out, if you have Mettler 50 weight, and Aurifil 50 weight, pull a bit out and compare. I really like the 50 weight Aurifil and the Masterpiece. Both are great. Super low lint (really don't want that in my machine). I highly prefer the Masterpiece black (Raven) to any other black thread. No slubs, smooth long staple cotton. I could go on, but I'm sure you are ready for the giveaway/Q&A portion of Tool Time.
Q&A:
For more in depth info on thread, Dr. Bob Purcell (he has a PhD in Threadology) has made some videos. If you have never had the opportunity to be in his class, here you go.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVzflcfEuSY&feature=related
So, I'll be doing a give away of Masterpiece thread, your choice of Raven (black) or a neutral (white or ecru) spool of thread. But, you have to tell me your favorite and why. Spread the word, if I get a lot of responses, instead of one prize, there will be three! Or, four. Just sayin'. I love Superior Threads. (Legal mumbo jumbo--they did not sponsor this, I love this company!) Please visit their website. There are several free thread reference sheets. http://www.superiorthreads.com/page/330/
By the way, how many thread companies have a tab just for education?
http://www.superiorthreads.com/education/
PS, this post is early, I know. Go pop some popcorn and watch the videos. Let me know what you think.
You are the second blog that I am saying this on tonight. I am in the process of wanting to switch over threads. I have a new machine and I've always used cheap C&C, then I found out how it is so bad for my machine. So I am really wanting to buy a bunch of superior. I have a huge wish list hanging above my computer...all for Superior. I keep trying to come up with ideas for their newsletters (to try to get some free thread!)...this would be a nice start :)
ReplyDeleteJust FYI...my list is King Tut for quilting, Masterpiece for piecing, and Silk for hand applique. Am I on the right track? Have you tried any Superior instead of Aurifil?