Putting together a gift box for the fabric artist? Here are several items that anyone working with fabric keeps on hand and never has enough.
All Fabric Stabilizers are Not Equal
With more attention to free-motion quilting and thread painting, fabric stabilizer has become a necessity. You can’t go wrong with Steam a Seam 2, a 12-inch wide double stick fusible web. The temporary adhesive allows for repositioning items until fused in place with an iron. It will stick to a variety of surfaces, not just fabric.
Misty-Fuse, a sheer stabilizer that bonds firmly once cooled works with all weights of fabric from velvets and cottons to tulles and organzas. Both products are great for free motion or thread painting because they don’t gum up the needle. There are several other popular brands of fusibles, but these seem to be first preferences.
A World of Needles and Pins to Delight and Confuse
There is a whole world of needles to choose from, but most stitchers will be quite content with a package of Schmetz brand needles. The manufacturer offers every size imaginable. But for quilters and fabric artists, they’ll always be able to use Schmetz Quilting Needles size 14/90. This brand works beautifully with good threads and any brand of sewing machine from Bernina down to the lowliest featherweight.
While thinking of pins and needles – add a box of super fine silk pins to the gift box. It’s a product they might not indulge in for themselves but will thank you for in years to come. Longer needles are better.
Fabric in Fat Quarters and Gradient Colors
Karen Combs makes fantastic quilts and now offers a variety of fabrics. Her fabric line, Shade Cascade, is on every wish list. Each fabric gradates from light to dark across the bolt; each stripe is 11-inches. It is useful in piecing as well as appliqué and in creating the illusions Combs is most noted for. It also solves the problem of finding a light, medium and dark fabric within a color family.
What is a Needle without Thread?
The Superior Thread company has risen to the top of must-haves in the sewing community. And one of its favorite must-haves is bottom line thread designed by Libby Lehman for quilting, embroidery, bobbin, binding and appliqué. It comes in 50 original colors and five new colors all in 60 weight lint-free polyester.
Add a couple spools of MonoPoly in light and smoke and fabric lovers will jump with joy.
Gift items for the fabric lover are available at just about any fabric or quilt or hobby shop. Many fabric artists recommend Joggles, an online store that carries all of their favorite items at reasonable prices.
Source:
- Quilting Arts Online Survey, Superior Threads, Joggles, and Karen Combs
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- Tips and Techniques of Fusible Applique: Many have discovered that time doesn't permit labor-intensive handwork when there are many quck and easy techniques and products that produce similar results.
- Stack n Whack Quilts: Optimize the beauty of these fun Stack-n-Whack, easy-to-create kaleidoscope designed blocks with a few pointers on fabric choice.
Dawn Goldsmith - Dawn Goldsmith is a freelance writer and former news reporter with Freedom Communications and Gannett. Her work has been published in a ...
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