Sunday, April 22, 2012

Aurilux Kapow! and a Giveaway

Windham Fabrics kindly shared some charm packs of Melissa Ybarra's new fabric line Cabana Blooms with me recently and I thought it would be fun to make up my Dresden Pillow pattern with these vibrant prints. I paired the Cabana Blooms with a DS for JoAnn Fabrics bright orange hounds tooth print. You'll see the whole thing once it's quilted, but for now I can tell you it's quite a different look from the French General version!

Aurifil Thread Kapow
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.  

Aurifil Thread Kapow
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.

Aurifil Thread Kapow - after
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.

Aurifil Thread Kapow

Aurifil Thread Kapow
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!

101 comments:

felicity said...

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.

drmithome said...

Thanks for sharing. That is a great way to use decorative stitches. I will be trying that with a spool of my variegated thread.

Heather D. said...

Would love it, my dear!!

Crazy 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. :)

tubilinha tiacarminha said...

Sou seguidora e adoro seus trabalhos,fiquei surpresa com olhar final de carretel.Sempre olhei errado...Obrigada pelo presente.Um abraço.tiacarminhapezzuto@gmail.com

Anonymous said...

Gorgeous Krista! And great tip about the variegated thread! Kerrie (kerrie_serben@hotmail.com)

Donna said...

The decorative stitch with the variegated thread POPS! Lovely choice for this Dresden.

Patti said...

Love how the thread colours pop out on the pillow! Fantastic. Would love to try out your pattern!

Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts said...

Wow 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!

RSHudson said...

Really nice; thanks for the thread tip and the chance to win! (marshudson at comcast dot net)

Taisia @ Piecing Light said...

That's a good level of fancy.
And to look at the end of the spool: so much easier!

Tracey Jacobsen said...

fancy!
I love that pillow.
I might have to buy your pattern. :)

DianeY said...

The pillow looks great-can't wait to see the whole thing. And love the decorative stitch on it

Jenelle said...

That decorative stitching is so beautiful with the fabrics! I would never have gotten it so neat and perfectly round. :) Lovely job!

Aliceart said...

Oooh, fun! Your new pattern AND some fabric treats! Count me in, please. Thank you.

Amy Friend said...

Now 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?

Brenda said...

your dresden pillow is great with those fun prints and that decorative stitch. thanks for the chance to win!

Lesly said...

Great tip about looking at the end of the spool of thread! I love how it looks with your decorative stitches, too!

Deb said...

Oh my! So very colorful! I would love to win your charm packs. Thanks for the thread tip, too.

marie said...

Thanks for the tip, would of never thought of looking at the end of the spool. Love your pattern.

Anonymous said...

SWEET GIVEAWAY!
THANKS FOR SHARING!
HAPPY STICHING!

msstitcher1214@yahoo.com

Tamie said...

I'd love to have these charm packs and pattern. Thanks for the giveaway.

Anya said...

Beautiful!! And definitely a different look from your original dresden plate pillow. Your machine does some amazing stitching (and you too of course!!)

Rachel said...

Oh that looks so pretty! I never thought to use a decorative stitch (nor variegated thread) for Dresden plates.

I 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).

CitricSugar said...

Your topstitching is perfect and gorgeous!

And yay for your pattern! Thanks for the chance.

Lynn said...

Love the way you did the decorative stitching! Great idea!!

stitchinpenny said...

Great looking Dresden, and you used the dreaded variegated thread - I do dread the concept.

PatchworkPottery said...

Oh 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

Sonia B said...

Stunning! Loved what that decorative stitch did!

Susan said...

I have a Dresden pillow on THE top of my 'to-do' list! This would be perfect! Thanks for a great giveaway!

Tammy said...

Thanks 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!

Cathy said...

Woo hoo! Gorgeous!!,

Kirsten said...

Lovely stitching! I love variegated threads too - thanks for the tip about looking at the end of the spool.

nanotchka said...

I don't use my decorative stitches enough! what a great idea and I love the look of the thread! what a great giveaway!

robin said...

The decorative stitching really does add some KAPOW! It looks good! Thanks for the chance!

Lise-Lotte said...

Good tip about looking at the end of the spool!
Beautful..
Lise-Lotte

Unknown said...

The stitching looks fantastic and I adore the variegated thread.

Dresden 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

Needled Mom said...

I never thought of looking at the end of the cone for the color. That's a great idea and your Plate is gorgeous.

Krista said...

That's a great use for variegated thread! And look how perfect your circle is! You go girl! (yes, I did just say that.)

Super 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!)

Arita said...

Thanks for having another giveaway. I don't use my decorative stitches much either but they do come in handy once in awhile.

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

Oooh pretty! x

Christine M said...

I love how you've used varigated thread with a decorative stitch. It looks great.

Michala said...

Brilliant idea! And I really love the pattern x

Linda said...

Great Giveaway. Love the Dresden plate cushion pattern too.
Linda on travjonuk@yahoo.com

Martina said...

Wow, I lovel the colorful version very much! Looks great. Thanks for the give away!

Cleo said...

i 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!!

thanks

cleo
cleo (AT) techgear.co.za

Nexxxus Ramblings said...

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.

Karen said...

Fantastic, never thought of looking at thread that way before, would love to have a go at dresdens!

amy dame said...

ha! my technique with variegated thread is pretty much the same as Felicity's!

thanks 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!

WandaFish said...

Ooh, love the decorative stitch on the dresden centre! Looking forward to the big reveal.
Thanks for the lovely giveaway :)

Nay from Nays Place said...

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

JoyceLM said...

Great tip. Your decorative stitches look beautiful. Thanks for the chance to win.

Teresa F. said...

Your Dresden is wonderful! Thanks for the tip. The decorative stitch looks gorgeous.

Lynne (Lily's Quilts) said...

Never mind the fabrics, I want to win the pillow! woot woot woot love love love

Anonymous said...

gurteens@gmail.com

Oh, PLEASE! Me, me, me! I´d like soooooooooo much to give it a try...

Dedicated follower:
Deborah

carol said...

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!

Leslie said...

Thanks for the tip. Your stitching is beautiful. Thanks for the chance to win.

Katarina said...

Thank 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! :)

Elsa said...

What an amazing difference the thread made! It looks great!
Thanks for the giveaway!

Leanne said...

I love the pillow!

Stitch said...

Te 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.
Por supuesto, me apunto al sorteo. Hasta pronto.

http://sticheando.blogspot.com.es/

Gill said...

Thanks for the tip!
I'd never thought of looking at the spool end to see all the colours!
Great giveaway!

Bonnie58 said...

Love the hints and the pillow. here's hoping...

Cynthia F said...

Wow that is awesome and I love the variegated thread- it compliments it perfectly!! Thanks for the chance to win! :D

hueisei said...

Beautiful pillow! I hope I can win ^^

Andrea C said...

Fun!!

Paskiaq said...

WOw, I love how that variegated thread complemented the fabrics!! Thanks for the giveaway :)

Sandi said...

It's wild, I love it! Just finished my Dresden pillow,can't wait for you to see it.
Sandi
sahill@telus.net

Dianne said...

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?
For 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!

legato1958 said...

Love the decorative stitch paired with the variegated thread!! Did you practice making it meet perfectly ?!

thanks for the giveway chance!
sue
legato1958@aol.com

Kelsey said...

Ooh I'd love to win! That stitching is awesome!!!

Lucy | Charm About You said...

What a difference! Great tip about the thread too :)
I've never made a dresden but would love to... wouldn't a pattern be handy?! ;)

pinksuedeshoe said...

Ooo! That is so bright and cheery. Makes me want to make a fruit pie. Better get on that :)

Potpourri said...

It 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 !

Sarah said...

Beautiful! I think the thread is PERFECT for that fabric, and the decorative stitch really adds to it. :)

girottih@yahoo.com

Kristy said...

That quilting is beautiful in the multicolors. It finishes the dresden nicely!

Becky said...

Thanks for the wonderful hint about varigated thread. I wouldn't have thought of that. Have a great day!

Kerri said...

that is amazing!! love the detail of the decorative stitch to the dresden!!

Michelle G said...

I love the decorative stitch you used for your pillow. It looks beautiful with the thread. I would love a chance to win.

Live a Colorful Life said...

Kapow, indeed! Great tip on looking at the end of the spool of variegated thread.

pinkdaisyjane said...

Thank you for the tip about the variegated thread!

I'd love to win the charm pack! pinkdaisyjane@hotmail.com

Marcia W. said...

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

Diann said...

I never would have thought to use variegated thread in that way.

kathy said...

I would absolutely love to win this.

Kathy

Margaret said...

I've never tried variegated thread. I love how it looks. Now I've added it to my "must try" list.

Janet said...

Love how you used the variegated thread - very pretty!

Unknown said...

Well 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.

Elisabeth said...

Wow! Gorgeous colours. Love Dresden plates and this one looks fab. Thank you.

patricia said...

Just love those colros. And a tip that I hadn't heard before.Clever Girl!

Darla said...

What a lovely dresden pillow! Thank you for the tips and offering the giveaway.

Dawn said...

I 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!!

Cecilia said...

I 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.

Anonymous said...

I would love to win the fabric but, if I'm not the luckiest, that thread tip was a gift in itself. Thank you that!

Char said...

I'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!

Lysa said...

As always Krista, it's beautiful!

Cheryl said...

Thanks for the great tip about looking at the end of the variegated spool of thread.

trudys_person said...

I'm looking forward to seeing this Dresden finished! Thank you for the giveaway!

kathy said...

I love the varigated threads. Looks fun.

Joyce Carter said...

I 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.

Nancy Sue said...

Love the tip of looking at the bottom for the varigation pattern than the side. Great tip!

Jill said...

those fabrics, and the thread, make me incredibly happy; isn't it amazing how that works? thanks for sharing!

Kathy P said...

Looks 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.