May 2019

There were 20 members at the meeting today. Show & Tell included Lili T telling about her visit to the Texas Quilt Museum in LaGrange, TX. The TAGY Heart Mountain exhibit is being shown there until June 23. Barabra P shared that she has been working on items for the YQF Boutique to be held Sep 12-14. Jan H is the proud owner of a new Bernina 570 machine with the embroidery component.
Ellen B models the backpack she made.

Ellen B's backpack

Sue S made a floral mini quilt.

Sue's mini quilt

Marie Shirley J collected doilies with fabric centers for many years, and dyed them bright colors.

Marie's doilies

Judy showed a piece she pieced and quilted.

Colleen spent her winter in Hawaii. While there she sorted and organized her stash and made kits. She also found a forgotten collection of Hmong needlecrafts and reverse applique pieces she purchased years ago.

Jan W showed quilts she pieced and Jeanne K free-motion quilted.

Thread-Painting
The thread painting program was presented by Jeanne K.  Her method uses muslin with Form-Flex or other lightweight stabilizer ironed on the back. Much of her work is original art or photos from Public Domain on the internet. She stressed that any art/photography used must have permission from the originator if it is not Public Domain.

She begins by drawing on paper then transferring to the stabilized muslin using an enlarger. Ginger D shared that she uses a window as a "light box" for her work. Jeanne uses pre-wound bobbins & any top thread that works for the colors she wants for her piece. She prefers variegated thread, where possible, because it lends to the overall effect.

A home sewing machine is used with feed dogs down and an open-toe presser foot. Needle type and size may be top stitch 80/12, but any size works just fine. She puts part of the piece to be thread painted in an embroidery hoop with an indentation on one side so it will fit under the presser foot. Mistakes aren't an issue and anything can be covered up or changed by going back over it with more stitches!
When the piece is completed Jeanne uses Misty Fuse or Steam-A-Seam to place it on background fabric. More thread painting may be added to embellish the main subject.
After her demonstration of the technique and showing various finished pieces Jeanne let anyone who wished try thread-painting a cat she had drawn on muslin. Jan H will finish it at home. No pressure!

Photos from Jeanne's demonstration and practice time.