whitepinesquilter Posted November 16, 2011 Report Share Posted November 16, 2011 Hi ya all, I had a local crafter ask me tonight if I could "quilt" two layers of silk for her to be used to make some specialty items for a Christmas show. Is this possible? If so, what type/fineness of thread do you suggest? She has suggested the colors she wants used and they are typically available colors so that wouldn't be an issue. It's just the stitching through the fineness of silk I wonder about. And would I need to change the height of the foot to compensate for such thin layers going through the machine? I would assume I would want to go to a smaller needle as well. I've really enjoyed the forum here and appreciate all the knowledge you all share. Any suggestions are appreciated! Thanks, Marci Ulti I "Mizz Mona" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lindasewsit Posted November 16, 2011 Report Share Posted November 16, 2011 I really don't know, but I would be afraid to do that without ANY batting! Maybe just a thin one at least? I'll be interested what others will suggest! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
witha'K'quilting Posted November 16, 2011 Report Share Posted November 16, 2011 I would think it is doable. I would use bottomline thread. It is fine. Or better yet...try the silk threads that Superior makes. Please let us know what you learn when you do this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neher-in-law5 Posted November 16, 2011 Report Share Posted November 16, 2011 You could also try the Invisifil thread. It is 100 wt, goes through my George with no problem. I have used it as top and bottom at the same time, of course, I did have some batting in there too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs.A Posted November 16, 2011 Report Share Posted November 16, 2011 What's she using it for? Could she tolerate one layer of flannel as a batting? Which kind of silk is it? Slippery? I'd use the 100 weight silk from YLI or Superior but would expect a better result with a thin middle layer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deb2bie Posted November 16, 2011 Report Share Posted November 16, 2011 It is doable but without problems???? I imagine you will have some serious adjusing to your tension to account for nothing in between the layers. Could you talk her into at least flannel? Be sure it is prewashed flannel or it will shrink!!! I love a challenge so I'd go for it. But I'd charge a PITA fee for sure!!! As for thread, I think one of the shiny ones would be best because they are finer. The silk thread of course would be really wonderful. Is she wanting both sides to be "serviceable"? If not, you could make the top side look really nice tension wise and just get it OK on the back side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting Heidi Posted November 16, 2011 Report Share Posted November 16, 2011 I wonder if it will pucker without any batting in it. I would guess you can play with your tension and try to get a nice stitch. Just an odd thing to have 2 pieces with no batting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katydids Posted November 16, 2011 Report Share Posted November 16, 2011 I was thinking the same as Heidi. You will probably get some serious puckering without having any kind of "stabilizer" (thin layer of batting). You would probably need to run almost no tension. I don't think I would want that headache unless she agrees to a thin batt or flannel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rlhdesigns Posted November 16, 2011 Report Share Posted November 16, 2011 You could use a layer of muslin that would stablelize it and shouldn't have any problems. I would work up a trail piece first to make sure your tension is right with the thread that you will use. I would use 100# silk ...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadyLake Posted November 16, 2011 Report Share Posted November 16, 2011 I think it would work. If it doesn't, you could use a water-soluable stabilizer in the center. This is a technique done to the 'thread clothing' on the longarm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiltfarm Posted November 16, 2011 Report Share Posted November 16, 2011 My first thought was there might be problems trying to get the tension right. There will be more experienced minds than mine, but in my experience on a longarm you sort of need a little room between the layers for the threads to meet. But why not try it. I would use the same thread and thread colour top and bottom, probably Superiors #100 silk, which is my favourite quilting thread, and give it a go, letting your cutomer know its an experiment. Good luck. Please let us know how you get on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffq-lar Posted November 16, 2011 Report Share Posted November 16, 2011 As others have shared, two pieces of silk without a stabilizing layer between will be very prone to puckers and lumps with any curvy quilting. No matter what is decided, the two pieces should be loaded--no floating the top--so there is tension on both pieces. I have quilted silk fabric with silk batting, cotton batting, and bamboo, with wonderful results. Without something in between there is nothing on top but stitches. The depth you get with batting will be surprising. See if you can work up a sample for her to see the difference. Otherwise, simple straight stitching on two silk pieces would be easier on your DSM with a walking foot so both layers feed evenly. Just a thought... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitepinesquilter Posted November 17, 2011 Author Report Share Posted November 17, 2011 Thanks, all - I do appreciate it. The lady that asked me about this will not tell me what she is contemplating. (She is a well known textile artist in our area who makes up the most delicious things from recycled textiles as well as new fabrics.) I called her and passed on what you all suggested, and she likes the idea of using silk thread but not batting or flannel. I suggested muslin and she then thought maybe the flannel would work better due to its smoother surface. Once I get the stitch regulation put on Friday (YAAAY!!) I am going to experiment. I love a challenge! I agree that, IF it works, (and I told her also) one side may have a lesser degree of good looking tension and she said she'll wait to see what I come up with. So she seems to understand it may not be do-able, but we'll see! Thanks, again, you all are experienced and I learn a lot from all your posts. I'll let you know what I figure out, and if it works I hope I am able to figure out how to post a picture of whatever it is she has in mind. Marci Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quiltmonkey Posted November 17, 2011 Report Share Posted November 17, 2011 I think you should just go for it and see how it works. Do a few test samples and let her look at it. If she's the textile artist you say she is, then she is already a risk taker and wants to try different things. So go for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammi357 Posted November 17, 2011 Report Share Posted November 17, 2011 quilted a king regular cotton/no batting recently, and what I noticed that I didn't particularly like is that the 'bump' of the seams show. The batting helps 'smooth' the top out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sewjul Posted November 17, 2011 Report Share Posted November 17, 2011 Jenny Haskins has a product that she calls Sheer Magic. She does and lot of embroidery on silks. She backs all her embroidery with this stabilier. It is an iron on and eliminates all the puckering that can be associated with embroidery. It i The product also adds body to the silk. I have seen her demos and could not believe what she could do on silk. Our local quilt shop carries it because they sell sewing/embroidery machines, but others might too. http://www.jennyhaskins.com/products.phpk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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