Invisible Thread.....First Attempt

[kjh9835]

I attempted to use invisible (monofiliment) thread for putting a binding on a baby quilt for dd19's friend. It's been waiting quite awhile.

Not much luck. I found that it continued to break when I used it for the needle thread regardless of what tension I used. I then decided to use it only in the bobbin which worked fine but I keep getting puckers in the binding. Not sure if it's the invisible thread or not but that's the only thing different that I've not done before.

I took the binding off but not all the way since I used regular thread when I first put the binding on the quilt. I just took out the finished edge and left the original stitching/corners in place and tried again. Still have puckers. Now I'm sure I've stretched the cotton more than usual by handling it so much so I clipped all the threads I could see (hard to do with invisible thread) and put it in the washer. I'll keep it and use it to practice free motion quilting when I take that class but it's not near good enough for a gift. I don't have anymore of those fabrics either so I'll have to go back to JoAnn's or call and order over the phone if they take phone orders. If not, I'll go to town whenever I can or send dd22 (on break this week).

I used the 201 machine which does binding better than my 401A and let me tell you that threading invisible thread sideways is a task for someone with better eyes and better lighting!!! What a pain in the you know what, another reason to use it only in the bobbin!

Kathy

[bridesmom]

Question for you about your binding, actually 2

1 - do you cut your binding on the bias, across the fabric or on the grain? If you can cut it on the grain it won't stretch as much as the other two ways, cutting on the bias is good for curves.

2 - do you do a double fold binding or a single fold? The double fold also doesn't stretch as much I find.

I find invisible thread needs a slow speed to not break. Another thing you can try is a basting glue to hold your binding in place, before you sew it, just let it dry so it doesn't gum up the needle. I also find machine sewing my bindings down for the final step does tend to want to stretch more, the other option is handsewing them down.

[kjh9835]

1 - do you cut your binding on the bias, across the fabric or on the grain? If you can cut it on the grain it won't stretch as much as the other two ways, cutting on the bias is good for curves.

I cut the binding strips across the width of the fabric, usually need 4 strips to do a baby quilt.
What do you mean by "on the grain?" I always thought you could cut three ways: across (selvage to selvage), bias or down the length of the fabric (not selvage to selvage).

2 - do you do a double fold binding or a single fold? The double fold also doesn't stretch as much I find.

Yes I do a double fold. I usually cut my binding 2 1/2 inches instead of 2 1/4 inches b/c I need the extra to cover the thickness of the batting. BUT, now that I think of it, I have been using poly batting and last time I bought cotton batting as it was recommended here. Ut's not as thick so maybe I just have too much binding?

Kathy

[Mom of Six]

What do you mean by "on the grain?"

If you cut across the fabric or the length you are cuting with the grain (way the threads run naturaly) if you cut on the diagonal then it is bias. I am sure someone else can explain it better but that is my simple explanation

[HeyJudee]

I am just wondering about any safety issues using invisible thread on a baby quilt??? Personally I wouldn't cause there was one time my sister was looking after her grandson who was about 6 mths old and he was crying and crying while in bed. Finally she went to take him out and his big toe was dk blue...almost black. There was a piece of invisible thread wrapped around his toe. Since this happened, I am leary of anything with invisible thread for babies. Just my two cents worth.

[carman]

our guild won't use it on baby quilts either nor will i. the hospitals that take baby charity quilts ask the quilts not to have that thread as well.

carman

[kjh9835]

Hmm, never thought about that. Good thing the quilt didn't turn out then but I will still use it for free motion practice if/when I take that class. I already bought the foot I will need (just in case) but will wait/see how the first beginner class goes before I decide if I want to take any others.

Kathy

[bridesmom]

Kathy, I meant the length of the fabric, and I thought it was called along the grain, but I could be totally out to lunch. The polyester batting may be your issue cause it does make a thicker quilt. I tend to stay away from the polyester, though I would like to try the recycled poly batting I found the other day while surfing on line.

[Mom of Six]

All woven fabrics have a lengthwise grain & a crosswise grain. Usually you can use either in clothing but should use all one or the other most of the time. I am not sure what the rules are in quilting since I am not a darksider!

[kjh9835]

I knew there were two grains, lengthwise and crosswise and bias, diagonally.

Mom has talked about "rail-roaded" fabric, if I remember correctly, it is printed down the lengthwise grain so the print actually runs "sideways" compared to how fabric is normally printed...selvage to selvage but I cannot remember why they do this?

I've had to snip and pull threads across both grains to actually get a square piece of fabric. Pain in the you know what. And you wouldn't believe (or you prob. would since you all sew) how many pieces I've bought and gotten home only to realize the design was printed so crookedly that you cannot use it and keep the pieces on the grain-lines when making garments!

Kathy