Anne from Guam Posted August 3, 2011 Report Share Posted August 3, 2011 OK, so it takes less than a minute to stitch the spine of a feather across the top of a queen size quilt, and then it takes maybe 5 more minutes to go back and stitch the feathers. The feathers didn't really turn out great and so now I'm ripping and IT TAKES SO DANG LONG!!! I wish there was a stitch evaporator button! I'm just using my seam ripper and ripping out almost stitch by stitch. Is there any faster way? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Linda S Posted August 3, 2011 Report Share Posted August 3, 2011 Anne - there is. You have to have strong fingers and not be timid. Rip one of the stitches. Pick out a couple stitches next to it. Move down the line of stitching a couple of inches and do the same thing. What you're looking for is to create just enough loose bobbin thread that when you've broken the line of stitching in several places, you reach under and grab those little places of bobbin thread with your fingers and RIIIIPPPPPP! You can then just pick up the top thread. Don't be shy - the likelihood that you'll harm the quilt is very slim. I learned this technique years ago watching Renae Haddadin quilt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne from Guam Posted August 3, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2011 Thanks Linda! I'll go give it a try! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LindaB Posted August 3, 2011 Report Share Posted August 3, 2011 My technique is PATIENCE ..... and all the time saying outloud "THE SEAM RIPPER IS MY FRIEND....THE SEAM RIPPER IS MY FRIEND" .... LOL!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stagecl Posted August 3, 2011 Report Share Posted August 3, 2011 I like to avoid ripping, but when it needs to be done my DD will help me:D:D She is so sweet to help and I thank her often:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne from Guam Posted August 3, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2011 Linda!!! Thanks again, I tried your technique and it is about 10 times faster! I am encouraged to try more feathers now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quiltsinmotion Posted August 4, 2011 Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 I do ribbit stitch the same way as Linda , I spent over 2 1/2 hrs today froggen :( I feel your pain , 2o minutes to stitch 12 hrs to unstitch a row gotta love our jobs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne from Guam Posted August 4, 2011 Author Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 Carol, 12 hours! You are a froggin' warrior! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Linda S Posted August 4, 2011 Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 Anne - I'm glad it worked well for you. I'm much to impatient to rip one stitch at a time! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiltmonkey Posted August 4, 2011 Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 When I must frog (and I do from time to time) I use a dental pick. This is a "must have" in every quilter's tool box. I grab ahold of every 3-4 stiches and yank away and that pulls the top thread out. Also, the "snip" the bobbin thread with embroidery snips and then yanking the top thread (repeat repeat repeat) works wonders, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fabric007 Posted August 4, 2011 Report Share Posted August 4, 2011 I learned that after using the same seam ripper, my favorite brand clover, for years and years that they do get dull and need to be replaced.. it was so dull that it hardly would cut the thread... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nanbrug Posted August 5, 2011 Report Share Posted August 5, 2011 Anne I'm with you on the ripping. I got a quilt that was more than like a flag flying in the wind. I called the customer and told her how wavy it was and she said please it's for an auction could you please quilt it a few pleats won't matter. Well half way thru it got much worse as I figured and I took it off and yes 11 hours later it is back in the owners hands!!!! I never thought I would be done. I've heard you guys say stop right away well the customer didn't want me to stop and finally I told her my name's not going on something that looks like this. When she came she thanked me I quess this isn't the first one that was wonky. She said she will bring it back fixed right. RIPRIPRIPRIPRIPRIPRIP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little House Creations Posted August 5, 2011 Report Share Posted August 5, 2011 Anne - I feel your pain! I have been practising my feathers, and took a leap onto a real quilt . . . should have practised more! Oh well, lesson learned. It's my own quilt, so it's not so bad, but still, many stitches to get rid of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kathyd Posted August 6, 2011 Report Share Posted August 6, 2011 I just ripped out an entire pass on a small baby quilt because of a tension issue I never noticed. I was able to finish it and it came out nice. I've been wanting to try feathers but I'm so afraid to ruin a quilt so I bought a quilt top on ebay for $25. It is nothing heirloom but It's going to get feathers....good bad or indifferent! KathyD;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nancy v Posted August 6, 2011 Report Share Posted August 6, 2011 Kathy, When I was practicing my feathers, in order to save on fabric, I made my practice piece out of muslin for the backing and top (and pieces of extra batting in the middle), and used a contrasting thread. When that top was filled, I put another piece of muslin on the top and practiced some more. You would not have to change thread unless you wanted to. You could change the bobbin thread if you wanted a clear look at any bobbin issues. I was able to do this with several top layers without any problems. Although I still need to practice, I finally took the plunge and started on "real" quilts, even using contrasting thread - how brave can one be? We often tend to be our own worst critics and see every little fault! Happy feathering. Nancy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kathyd Posted August 7, 2011 Report Share Posted August 7, 2011 Nancy, I do agree with you on how we can be our own worst critic. I took an online course and they suggested polar fleece for practice and it works well because the thread sinks in enough that you don't notice some of the baubles. The problem is where do you go when it is all the same piece. I need a block and sashing, etc. to help me focus on staying in the lines. My mom's friend takes all my practice pieces and makes tote bags with them. She is looking for some new pieces....she may get my ebay quilt!! Thanx for the ideas, KathyD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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