Cabana Blooms paired with Essex linen in grey
I was perusing my thread stash, looking for just the right colour to topstitch the dresden centre when I had a brainwave to try a variegated thread and decorative stitch. After all, my poor Pfaff QE 4.0 rarely has the opportunity to strut her stuff and show off her killer 9mm decorative stitches because I typically stick to straight, zigzag, blanket or triple stitch.
KAPOW!
I had a partial spool of Aurilux polyester thread leftover from quilting a bright batik quilt years ago and it was perfect. I mean, once you've got all that colour and pattern, why not add more, right? For enquiring minds, I used a regular 40wt cotton thread in the bobbin and a 90/14 Inspira quilting needle to sew this stitch through two layers of fabric and fusible Pellon polyester batting.
Oooooo-aaaaaah, shiny!
Here's a tip for those of you wondering how to choose a variegated thread: you'll get a better idea of the distribution of colours if you look at the end of the spool, not the wrapped threads.
Aurilux, the details
I have two charm packs of Cabana Blooms leftover and would love to share them, along with a copy of my (hopefully soon to be released) Dresden Pillow pattern with one of you. Leave one comment here for your chance to win and please make sure I can contact you via linked email, or email address in your comment!
I'll choose a winner on Wednesday evening, April 25 with the help of the RNG. Good luck!
ETA: Comments are now closed. Winner announced soon. Thanks for visiting!
ETA: Comments are now closed. Winner announced soon. Thanks for visiting!
Oh thanks for that tip about looking at the end of the spool! I tend to just unroll a length of the thread, eyeball it and hope for the best.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing. That is a great way to use decorative stitches. I will be trying that with a spool of my variegated thread.
ReplyDeleteWould love it, my dear!!
ReplyDeleteCrazy how we have these machines that do umpteen fancy stitches and we NEVER use them! A shame, really. Lovely use of it on your dresden. :)
Sou seguidora e adoro seus trabalhos,fiquei surpresa com olhar final de carretel.Sempre olhei errado...Obrigada pelo presente.Um abraço.tiacarminhapezzuto@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteGorgeous Krista! And great tip about the variegated thread! Kerrie (kerrie_serben@hotmail.com)
ReplyDeleteThe decorative stitch with the variegated thread POPS! Lovely choice for this Dresden.
ReplyDeleteWow I love how the color pops around the center with that thread! We are in desperate need of some new pillows, I'd love to try your pattern. Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeleteReally nice; thanks for the thread tip and the chance to win! (marshudson at comcast dot net)
ReplyDeleteThat's a good level of fancy.
ReplyDeleteAnd to look at the end of the spool: so much easier!
fancy!
ReplyDeleteI love that pillow.
I might have to buy your pattern. :)
The pillow looks great-can't wait to see the whole thing. And love the decorative stitch on it
ReplyDeleteThat decorative stitching is so beautiful with the fabrics! I would never have gotten it so neat and perfectly round. :) Lovely job!
ReplyDeleteOooh, fun! Your new pattern AND some fabric treats! Count me in, please. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteNow did you just hope that you would be able to get the decorative stitch to line up at the end or did were you able to figure out how to do so before holding your breath and going for it?
ReplyDeleteyour dresden pillow is great with those fun prints and that decorative stitch. thanks for the chance to win!
ReplyDeleteGreat tip about looking at the end of the spool of thread! I love how it looks with your decorative stitches, too!
ReplyDeleteOh my! So very colorful! I would love to win your charm packs. Thanks for the thread tip, too.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip, would of never thought of looking at the end of the spool. Love your pattern.
ReplyDeleteSWEET GIVEAWAY!
ReplyDeleteTHANKS FOR SHARING!
HAPPY STICHING!
msstitcher1214@yahoo.com
I'd love to have these charm packs and pattern. Thanks for the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful!! And definitely a different look from your original dresden plate pillow. Your machine does some amazing stitching (and you too of course!!)
ReplyDeleteOh that looks so pretty! I never thought to use a decorative stitch (nor variegated thread) for Dresden plates.
ReplyDeleteI went to hook up my sewing machine to my computer a few weeks ago to upload some new stitches and discovered that the cord doesn't fit. I've had my machine for 11 years or so and haven't changed the decorative stitches since the first year I got it. Shocking! I guess I need to use these stitches more (and find a cord that works).
Your topstitching is perfect and gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteAnd yay for your pattern! Thanks for the chance.
Love the way you did the decorative stitching! Great idea!!
ReplyDeleteGreat looking Dresden, and you used the dreaded variegated thread - I do dread the concept.
ReplyDeleteOh Krista! your pretty variegated stitches are the perfect finishing touch for your dresden! I like the new shape it gives the black centre. Hugs, L
ReplyDeleteStunning! Loved what that decorative stitch did!
ReplyDeleteI have a Dresden pillow on THE top of my 'to-do' list! This would be perfect! Thanks for a great giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip on the variegated thread. It's so hard sometimes to really see how it will turn out. Thanks for the giveaway!. Would love one of those packs of Cabana Blooms!
ReplyDeleteWoo hoo! Gorgeous!!,
ReplyDeleteLovely stitching! I love variegated threads too - thanks for the tip about looking at the end of the spool.
ReplyDeleteI don't use my decorative stitches enough! what a great idea and I love the look of the thread! what a great giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThe decorative stitching really does add some KAPOW! It looks good! Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeleteGood tip about looking at the end of the spool!
ReplyDeleteBeautful..
Lise-Lotte
The stitching looks fantastic and I adore the variegated thread.
ReplyDeleteDresden plate is near and dear to my heart; my love of quilts started with a Dresden plate quilt my grandmother owned. It was quilted by her mother. I spent many evenings at Nana's wrapped in that quilt watching tv with her and eating those orange marshmallow peanuts (her favorite).
Thanks for the chance.
shel704 at aol dot com
I never thought of looking at the end of the cone for the color. That's a great idea and your Plate is gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great use for variegated thread! And look how perfect your circle is! You go girl! (yes, I did just say that.)
ReplyDeleteSuper exciting that you'll be selling a pattern for your pillow! I look forward to seeing it.
(Oh, and please don't count me in the giveaway-- trying to reduce my stash, not grow it!)
Thanks for having another giveaway. I don't use my decorative stitches much either but they do come in handy once in awhile.
ReplyDeleteOooh pretty! x
ReplyDeleteI love how you've used varigated thread with a decorative stitch. It looks great.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant idea! And I really love the pattern x
ReplyDeleteGreat Giveaway. Love the Dresden plate cushion pattern too.
ReplyDeleteLinda on travjonuk@yahoo.com
Wow, I lovel the colorful version very much! Looks great. Thanks for the give away!
ReplyDeletei have been humming an aaahing for agest about attemting to do a Dresden, but i find them quite intimidating! think i will have to give it a bash!!
ReplyDeletethanks
cleo
cleo (AT) techgear.co.za
I have to admit at first I was unsure if I liked all the color and pattern but once you put that stitching around the grey piece it brought it all together. I love it.
ReplyDeleteFantastic, never thought of looking at thread that way before, would love to have a go at dresdens!
ReplyDeleteha! my technique with variegated thread is pretty much the same as Felicity's!
ReplyDeletethanks for the giveaway, i love the colours of Cabana Blooms!
and i can't wait to see the finished pillow, i have a feeling it'll be much more my style than the (lovely, but not me) French General version!
Ooh, love the decorative stitch on the dresden centre! Looking forward to the big reveal.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the lovely giveaway :)
Lovely fabric and lovely threads thanks for a chance to win - great tip about varigated threads as I have always laid a strand along the fabric to see the contrasts. Thanks for that
ReplyDeleteGreat tip. Your decorative stitches look beautiful. Thanks for the chance to win.
ReplyDeleteYour Dresden is wonderful! Thanks for the tip. The decorative stitch looks gorgeous.
ReplyDeleteNever mind the fabrics, I want to win the pillow! woot woot woot love love love
ReplyDeletegurteens@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteOh, PLEASE! Me, me, me! I´d like soooooooooo much to give it a try...
Dedicated follower:
Deborah
Well, aren't you the clever one? Great tip about looking at the end of the thread! Gotta try that! LOVE your decorative stitch with that thread!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip. Your stitching is beautiful. Thanks for the chance to win.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for this giveaway! Dresden plate is the next project I'd like to try for the first time in my life. It would be great to win the pattern and even the fabrics! :)
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing difference the thread made! It looks great!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway!
I love the pillow!
ReplyDeleteTe ha quedado muy bien la combinación de telas tan modernas con el hilo jaspeado. Gracias por el consejo sobre como apreciar los colores en las bobinas de hilo.
ReplyDeletePor supuesto, me apunto al sorteo. Hasta pronto.
http://sticheando.blogspot.com.es/
Thanks for the tip!
ReplyDeleteI'd never thought of looking at the spool end to see all the colours!
Great giveaway!
Love the hints and the pillow. here's hoping...
ReplyDeleteWow that is awesome and I love the variegated thread- it compliments it perfectly!! Thanks for the chance to win! :D
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pillow! I hope I can win ^^
ReplyDeleteFun!!
ReplyDeleteWOw, I love how that variegated thread complemented the fabrics!! Thanks for the giveaway :)
ReplyDeleteIt's wild, I love it! Just finished my Dresden pillow,can't wait for you to see it.
ReplyDeleteSandi
sahill@telus.net
Great choice of thread to go with that vibrant fabric Krista! I'm with Amy, how did you get the stitch pattern to fit so perfectly?
ReplyDeleteFor anyone reading who is thinking of doing a Dresden pillow I can tell you from first hand experience that Krisa's pattern makes it a breeze!! If you don't win it buy it you won't be sorry!
Love the decorative stitch paired with the variegated thread!! Did you practice making it meet perfectly ?!
ReplyDeletethanks for the giveway chance!
sue
legato1958@aol.com
Ooh I'd love to win! That stitching is awesome!!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a difference! Great tip about the thread too :)
ReplyDeleteI've never made a dresden but would love to... wouldn't a pattern be handy?! ;)
Ooo! That is so bright and cheery. Makes me want to make a fruit pie. Better get on that :)
ReplyDeleteIt is gorgeous and the decorative stitch puts a nice finishing touch on the pillow. Lovely fabrics I would love them in my stash and your pattern is a bonus. Thank you !
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! I think the thread is PERFECT for that fabric, and the decorative stitch really adds to it. :)
ReplyDeletegirottih@yahoo.com
That quilting is beautiful in the multicolors. It finishes the dresden nicely!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the wonderful hint about varigated thread. I wouldn't have thought of that. Have a great day!
ReplyDeletethat is amazing!! love the detail of the decorative stitch to the dresden!!
ReplyDeleteI love the decorative stitch you used for your pillow. It looks beautiful with the thread. I would love a chance to win.
ReplyDeleteKapow, indeed! Great tip on looking at the end of the spool of variegated thread.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the tip about the variegated thread!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to win the charm pack! pinkdaisyjane@hotmail.com
Thanks for the tip about looking at the end of the spool for the colors - good to keep in mind when I'm shopping. The decorative stitches are wonderful that you added to the dresden. alternate email mlwright29(at)hotmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteI never would have thought to use variegated thread in that way.
ReplyDeleteI would absolutely love to win this.
ReplyDeleteKathy
I've never tried variegated thread. I love how it looks. Now I've added it to my "must try" list.
ReplyDeleteLove how you used the variegated thread - very pretty!
ReplyDeleteWell fist let me say I love your dresden and your thread choice. Being number 86 will probably not get me to be the winner but this is an awesome pattern and good luck with publication....I have also become a follower you have a wonderful blog.
ReplyDeleteWow! Gorgeous colours. Love Dresden plates and this one looks fab. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteJust love those colros. And a tip that I hadn't heard before.Clever Girl!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely dresden pillow! Thank you for the tips and offering the giveaway.
ReplyDeleteI have just started "putzing" with my decorative stitches and variegated thread and you have inspired me to keep at it! Thanks for this giveaway! Good luck everyone!!
ReplyDeleteI have been wanting to try a dresden plate. This would be ideal. Thanks for the chance to win the copy and for the tip about the varigated thread. I love your pillow.
ReplyDeleteI would love to win the fabric but, if I'm not the luckiest, that thread tip was a gift in itself. Thank you that!
ReplyDeleteI've never tried a dresden plate ... here would be the perfect opportunity. In addition to just loving the fabric, I now want to go home and play with all the varigated thread. I don't know why I always forget about it. Thank you for the give-away!
ReplyDeleteAs always Krista, it's beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great tip about looking at the end of the variegated spool of thread.
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to seeing this Dresden finished! Thank you for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI love the varigated threads. Looks fun.
ReplyDeleteI really like how the variegated thread looks on the Dresden Plate. I have some plates made and I am going to try this.Thanks so much for the tip about the thread and thank you for the great giveaway.
ReplyDeleteLove the tip of looking at the bottom for the varigation pattern than the side. Great tip!
ReplyDeletethose fabrics, and the thread, make me incredibly happy; isn't it amazing how that works? thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteLooks great! And thanks for the tip about looking at the top of the spool - I never would have thought of that! Thanks for the chance to win.
ReplyDelete