Contents
Preface 4
Introduction 5
The Basics 6
THREADS 7
Mercerized Cotton 7
Decorative Cotton 7
Quilting 7
Rayon 7
Acrylic 8
Si/k 8
Metallic 8
Bobbin/Lingerie 8
Mono filament 8
Tinsel 9
Topst itching 9
Polyester 9
Decorative 9
Trims and Ribbons 9
FABRICS 10
Commercial Cottons ... 10
Hand-Dyed Cottons ... 10
Cotton-Polyester Blends 10
Sheers 10
ORGANIZATION AND STORAGE 11
Fabric 11
Thread 11
Notions 11
SEWING MACHINES 12
Machines 12
Accessory Feet 12
MACHINE NEEDLES 14
Sizes 14
Points 15
• Special-Purpose Needles 15
Multiple Needles 15
Needles for Nontraditional
Fabrics 16
Needle Selection 16
MACHINE PREPARATION 17
Cleaning and Oiling
the Machine 17
Machine Setup 19
Tools 20
Scissors 20
Sewing Problem Solvers 20
Basting Accessories . . . 20
Thread Holders 21
STABILIZERS 22
Embroidery Hoops .... 22
Removable Stabilizers . . 23
Iron-on Stabilizers 24
Water-Soluble Stabilizers 24
Iron-Away Stabilizers .. 25
Adhesive Stabilizers . . . 25
QUILT To~ CONSTRUCTION ... 26
Chain Piecing Squares 26
Crazy Piecing 28
Fhreadplay Techniques .... 30
RIBBON ILLUSIONS 31
Drawing the Ribbon ... 31
Transferring the Design . 33
Stitching the Ribbon ... 34
Highlighting 35
SHEER STITCHING 38
Transferring the Design . 38
Stitching the Design ... 39
APPLIQUÉ 42
Direct Appliqué 43
Fusible Appliqué 44
Potluck Appliqué 48
EMBROIDERY 56
Satin Stitching 56
Thread Painting 64
Bobbin Drawing 66
Couching 71
Finishing 73
BACKING 74
BATTING 75
Cotton 75
Polyester 75
Wool 75
SIlk 75
BASTING 76
Basting Guns 76
Safety-Pin Basting 77
Thread Basting 77
Fabric-Adhesive Sprays 78
MACHINE QUILTING 79
Straight-line Quilting . . 80
Free-Motion Quilting 81
TYING 84
Utilitarian Tying 84
Decorative Programmed
Tying 85
Free-Motion Tying 86
BINDING 87
Front-Edge Binding .... 88
Back-Edge Binding .... 91
SIGNING YOUR QUILT 92
LABELING YOUR QUILT 93
MAKING A SLEEVE 93
Utilitarian Sleeve 93
Exhibition Sleeve 94
BLOCKING A QUILT 95
About the Author 96
Resource List 96