Last year, when I stitched the hexagon quilt, I wasn’t concerned about the thread used for hand piecing the hexagons together; I had many colors of a cotton thread and I tried to piece the hexagons with matching thread.
But for our group quilt, we want the stitching be invisible. This is not easy to achieve if you don’t have the proper thread.
One of my friends told me about the silk thread; so I ordered a few spools and I am more than happy with it (thank you M.!).
I have now 3 spools of YLY #100 silk – white, medium grey and tan. There are other neutral colors and I think these are all you need to stitch a colorful quilt.
These patches were stitched with grey – you can see there is stitching there but the color is almost invisible.
I tried it on different colors.
I am like a child who just discovered a new toy! I can’t say I am happy that I need more money for thread, but it is so true that there is “thread” and “THREAD”.
There are many brands of silk thread and I am sure they are very good too.
I have only white and it is not the best to work on red fabric, but I am sure other neutrals work better.
For these neutral hexagons the white was perfect!
Superior Threads has prewound bobbins with many colors of Bottom Line – perfect for English paper piecing lovers.
Happy Stitching to You too,
Geta
In Denmark we have a long tradition for doing English paperpiece. When I do it, I change thread all the time. I allways use a thread that matches my darkest fabric. And while stitching I have the darkest part closest to myself. And my stitches is hardly visible. I use Superior Threads Donuts and love it! https://www.superiorthreads.com/product/brand/frostings-frosted-donut/
As always, your work is meticulous and beautiful! I can't wait to see this as it is unveiled bit by bit. I no longer work EPP by hand, but I do admire all the beauty of those who do!
I use Bottom Line prewound bobbins, an assortment available in the bobbin saver holder for hand applique.
I've also used silk thread, but find it slips off the needle to easily. Bottom Line can be difficult to keep threaded too, but not as bad as silk. I love silk for very fine freemotion quilting.
I like the Bottom Line too for paper piecing – much easier to hide the stitches! Lovely work – as always.
Hey Geta
I just found your blog and I love it ? You do such beautiful work. I will definitely be following your blog.
Best regards
Edda from Iceland
Beautiful work Geta!
I'm not using silk on my hexagons, but I am using a thinner than usual embroidery thread in neutral colors. The lighter colors were literally invisible with the lighter thread. I moved into a darker neutral – a grey – when I could see the stitching. Using beige and grey threads really does work.
Oh Geta, first your stitching is perfect and to think you have hundreds more to do oh my lol
Your work is absolutely beautiful! I use Bottom Line in my bobbin and also to sew the binding down on my quilts as well as applique. I love the pre-wound bobbins for my hand work – they're easy to carry around with me. I love all the colors that are available too! I look forward to following your blog!
Deb in Massachusetts
Hi Geta, do you find that using silk thread helps with tangling? I've been using Gutterman hand quilting thread, and even with Thread Heaven I find my thread is still kinking up and giving me tangling issues
thanks for share..
Hi Geta! Your stitching is perfect! I’m trying to EPP pieces of interfaced silk and I’m struggling with my knot slipping right through my fabric. I even wrapped 12 times to no avail. Would you please share how you start your seam so the beginning knot doesn’t pop out? I’ve searched the internet over and I can’t find this problem addressed anywhere. Thank you, Jennifer
I am trying to use YLI 100 wt Silk.