LauraJ Posted December 6, 2011 Report Share Posted December 6, 2011 The quilt I'm working on - the customer has purple backing and the top is below. She did NOT want me to use cream in the bobbin when doing the cream areas. I did email her letting her know that either the cream might show in spots on the back or the purple thread for the backing will show on the top. No matter what I do to even out the tension - it just isn't going to be "perfect". I haven't done a quilt like this as I've always changed the thread color to match the top thread. What would you have done? I finished it and she said if there were any little purple spots in the cream areas on the front - she was ok with it. Can't see 'em when looking at the full quilt but they're there. The two motifs in the butterflies are Anne Bright designs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Primitive1 Posted December 6, 2011 Report Share Posted December 6, 2011 Laura, I think you did the right thing, I would have done the same only I would have asked her to use thicker batting because of the two thread colors... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffq-lar Posted December 6, 2011 Report Share Posted December 6, 2011 You were correct in sending her a heads-up about the potential non-matching thread problems. I am very accommodating to my customers but have found that I can verbally stress where I see problem areas and usually turn them away from a potential disaster. YOU are the professional and have extensive experience and training with your machine so all warnings need to be listened to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meg_marsh Posted December 6, 2011 Report Share Posted December 6, 2011 Hi Laura - heads up to the customer is the best you can do - if she isn't willing to hear what you are saying (& get it in writing) then you must go with the customer. Thicker (double) batting does help but then again, customer would have to be willing to pay. Maybe take a close up picture of the front & back of what you have done so far and send it off to her showing her what you are facing - with pictures in hand, she just might change her mind. The other option is to use a lighter purple for the bobbin in the white areas - the light purple might not be as glaring on the back and the little bit of thread poking may not be as noticeable. Just a thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LauraJ Posted December 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2011 Thanks Meg - did send her a picture and framed the little areas that showed a few little purple dots. I'm finding that the tension, of course, changes depending on the direction of moving the sewing head. She wanted the back to have all one color - so changing to a lighter purple in some areas wouldn't have worked either. Using Hobbs 80/20. Not thick enough for sure. I hope she doesn't change her mind 'cause I'll have to tell her there will be an extra hourly charge for any time I spend on frogging. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrisquilter Posted December 6, 2011 Report Share Posted December 6, 2011 Laura, this probably won't help you now, but I fluff my batting in the dryer before loading and that seems to give it some extra loft to hide those top and bottom thread issues. I "fluffed" a Thermore bat and I could not believe the loft that showed in the quilting. Usually that batting is flat, flat, flat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anniemueller Posted December 6, 2011 Report Share Posted December 6, 2011 I push hard to match thread top and bottom. The stitches just look better. That said, I also want to please the customer, so I think you did the right thing. I've had a customer or two tell me they liked the look when one thread showed on the other side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DL Semmens Posted December 6, 2011 Report Share Posted December 6, 2011 I had this problem once, and I did what the customer wanted. I hated it, she was okay with it. But right after that I made a small little project to use as a shop sample. Now when someone comes in wanting a different thread on top and bottom....I pull out that sample so they have a visual. Note to audience (DON'T Tell) I did mess with the tension just a little to exagerate the effect on the sample....... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting Heidi Posted December 6, 2011 Report Share Posted December 6, 2011 All you can do is be honest with your customer. On a side note I find that I have the best luck with the magna bobbins. Rarely get pokies when using white with another color. Down side is there aren't lots of color options for the thinner threads. If you can use white you're good. They have recently added new colors but most of those aren't colors I'd use. White and Cream are and mabye the Navy for a few. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibbyG Posted December 6, 2011 Report Share Posted December 6, 2011 You've had the best advice. I can't wait until you post finishing pictures because I like what you've done so far. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lisae Posted December 6, 2011 Report Share Posted December 6, 2011 Laura, Heidi is right, Magna Glide bobbins will solve this issue. The original Magna Glide Classiscs are available in limited colors. I prefer the Magna Glide Delights. Delights are available in many colors. I use them almost exclusively now and never have tension issues. Good luck! http://www.bobbincentral.com/delights.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LauraJ Posted December 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted December 6, 2011 Thanks for all the advice. I haven't heard back from her so am quilting on. I'll try my white sample Magna Glide after this quilt is done. Can't do it now. Also like the idea of having a small sample to show them what's what with the tension - great idea! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadyLake Posted December 6, 2011 Report Share Posted December 6, 2011 I would have done the same thing you did, Laura. Quilts with extremes in dark and white are my most challenging quilts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
connieb Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 Beautiful quilting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cmoore1223 Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 It turned out very very nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting Heidi Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 Beautiful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffq-lar Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 So pretty!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadyLake Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 Your quilting designs were really effective on those butterfly blocks, Laura, nice job! Actually, your quilting MADE the quilt! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anniemueller Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 That's gorgeous! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pennyquilts Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 Very pretty, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anne from Guam Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 Those butterflies are so cute! I love your quilting! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marsha Nichols Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 Your quilting is just fantastic. Her quilt woultn't have POP without your creativity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bekah Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 Oh Laura, when I saw this I just went oHHHH. I love it. It is absolutely the perfect quilting job for this quilt. It must have been a treat to quilt and bring to life. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustSewSimple Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 Looks like the wings are flapping!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarieBrewer Posted December 8, 2011 Report Share Posted December 8, 2011 Great job!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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