Blanket/Buttonhole Stitch

In my "neck of the woods," this stitch is called a buttonhole stitch, but elsewhere I have heard it called a blanket stitch. Whatever you call it, this stitch can be used to make a lot of designs. I'll be calling it a buttonhole stitch (just because that is what I'm used to). I often use it to outline fusible appliqué pieces. In this picture, I've used it to attach a nut to my piece.

The buttonhole stitch is in the looped stitch family. Looped stitches are made by looping the thread over or under the needle. In the case of the buttonhole stitch, bring the needle up and hold the thread closest to the needle with your (non-dominant) thumb. Take a stitch (perpendicular to the thread) bringing the needle up close to the thread your thumb is anchoring. Continue on in this manner.

There are many variations of this stitch at Blanket Stitch the Variations. (Sarah has given me permission to link to her blog.)

Embellishments on quilts can be simple or extreme. Over the last week, you have gotten an introduction to some very simple embellishing techniques; there is just SO much more. My hope is that this month you will try some embellishing using beading and embroidery. Go as simple or extreme as you would like. Leave a comment and let us know what you are doing. We'd love to see some of your work. 

My last giveaway is made possible by Nancy Eha, AKA The Beading Queen. She is donating a copy of her book Bead Creative Art Quilts.  She teaches and writes books on new fabric beading techniques she has developed where bead configurations are primary focal points. In fact she decides what beading techniques she will use and then constructs the fabric back drop. You can learn more about her and her beading, and look inside the book at her website BeadCreative.com. 

THANK YOU NANCY! To be eligible to win this book, you need to leave a comment on this post. (Of course, I would LOVE for you to become a Fire blog follower. All you need to do is click on "Join this site" under "Followers" on the right-hand side of this page.) I'll draw the winner on January 29. Good luck.

Nancy's YouTube video will debut on this site tomorrow. You won't want to miss it! 

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French Knots

I just love French knots, because there are so many different ways you can use them. You can bunch them together, scatter them across the background, use them as a filler, etc. A French knot is an embroidery technique in which the thread is knotted around itself. Here are a few examples...

Here, I have used French knots as a filler (totally bunched together) to make a heart and spaced a bit further apart to represent flowers on one of my more primitive pieces.

Here is a close up of the heart. I love the textural look (and feel) the French knots give to this heart.

Here, I have used French knots to fill in the background of a part of this design. When people view it, they can't believe how many French knots are in this piece. (As a matter of fact, all of the design elements in this part of my piece (except the checkerboard on the far right, the yoyos, and the black circle on which the yoyos sit) are made from simple embroidery stitches--French knots, stem stitch, blanket/buttonhole stitch, and satin stitch.)

French knots are pretty easy to make. Bring the needle up where you want the French knot to be and wrap the thread once or twice around the needle. (The number of times you wrap the thread around the needle depends on how big you want the knot to be.) While keeping some tension on the thread, take the needle back down into the fabric very close to where you first brought the thread up. (Don't go back down in the same hole. Your knot will most likely pull through the hole if you do.) Hold the knot in place as you take the needle back down into the fabric. With just a little practice, you should have a really nice knot.

Here is as close as I can get to drawing an illustration of the making of a French knot.

I know, I know...this is a sad rendition of a French knot illustration, SO...here is a great visual. Sarah Whittle has given me permission to link to her post "The Perfect French Knot." She does a really good job of explaining how to do it and photographing the steps. Check it out at The Perfect French Knot.

Tomorrow, I'll show you how I use the buttonhole stitch to embellish my quilts. 

I have yet another giveaway to announce. I contacted Larkin Van Horn about giving a copy of her book to our blog readers, and she graciously said, "I'd be happy to donate a book for your giveaway." (If you remember, I mentioned Larkin's book as being one of my favorites in my first post this month.) I also asked for a little information about her. She said, "As for information about me, I suppose you could say I have been beading since 1972 (wedding dress - not the way I'd recommend anyone start beading). I also add beads to wearable art, fabric vessels, beaded dolls, and nearly anything that will sit still long enough to get beaded. My purpose in writing my book was to present, as well as I could, stitches and techniques that would keep the beads on the fabric as securely as possible, having had a disaster in that area (which I included in the introduction of the book)."

SO...the process is the same as before...add a comment to this blog post (and, again, I'd love for you to become an official "Follower" of this blog (if you are not already)--just click on "Join this site" right under "Followers" to the right of this post). I will draw a winner on January 27. Good luck!

Stay tuned...I have another great giveaway tomorrow and a special treat (in the form of a YouTube video debut) later this month.

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Adding a Stack of Beads

I just LOVE stacked beads; they make me smile. They look like little spiky animals to me. They are really easy to add to a quilt, and they make a big impact--people will notice them.

I added stacks to the little "puffs" on this quilt.

Maybe you can find the stacks a little easier in this next picture; I have them circled. (I'm not sure why, but my drawing program made the picture smaller and rotated it. I could not, for the life of me, figure out how to change that.)

To make a bead stack, bring the needle up where you'd like the stack to be. Add the beads comprising the stack making sure the top bead is large enough it can't be pulled through the hole in the bead beneath it. (There is no set number of beads you should use in a stack. It all depends on the size of the beads you are using and what you'd like your stack to look like.) Now, take the needle back down through all but the top bead and back into the fabric. Give the thread a little tug to tighten the tension and make the stack stand up.

Think about the different combination of beads you could use to make a stack. You don't just have to use seed beads; you can use bugle beads too. If you do decide to use bugle beads, remember to add one or more seed beads on either side of each bugle bead.

Now try making your own stacks. I really think you'll like them. Be sure to check back tomorrow when I'll be showing you how I couch threads to a quilt.

Now, for the giveaway...I contacted Lyric Kinard and asked her if she would like to donate a copy of her great beading DVD Bead It Like You Mean It (The Basics).

She said, "I'd be happy to give a copy away. I'll mail it straight to the winner (US only)." I say, "THANK YOU LYRIC!" You will LOVE this DVD. If you'd like a chance to win this DVD, leave a comment on this post. I'd also LOVE for you to become an "official" blog follower (if you're not already). All you have to do is click on "Join this site" under "Followers" on the right-hand side of this page. I'll be choosing a winner on January 26. Good luck and stay tuned for the next giveaway.

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Adding Bugle Beads

Bugle beads are long, slender, tubular beads. The ends of bugle beads are sharp and can cut your thread, so it is always a good idea to add a seed bead onto either side of the bugle bead. Here is how they look on a quilt.

Bring your needle up where you want the seed-bugle-seed bead combination to begin. Add a seed bead, then a bugle bead, and then another seed bead to your needle. Go back down into fabric at the end of the line of beads keeping your needle vertical to the fabric. Leave only enough room for the beads; you want enough tension on the thread for the beads to lay flat.

It is a good idea to take some securing stitches every few beads (if you are working on a top and batting) or to knot your thread every few beads and bury the knot in the batting of the quilt (if you are working on a completed quilt).

Now, go and give this a try on your practice piece or on your quilt. I'll show you how I add sequins to my quilts tomorrow. Now on to information about the first giveaway...

The first giveaway is from Betsy of Red Panda Beads.

If you remember my post on January 1, you will recall that I mentioned Red Panda Beads as a source for the FireLine beading thread that I like to use. Red Panda Beads also has a GREAT selection of beads, and I have found the customer service to be exemplary.  

I'd like to share a bit about Red Panda Beads with you--Betsy says, "I started this website in November 2009. Two years ago I gave up my day job to do this full time. My philosophy is simple, treat others as you would like to be treated. When I order online, I like for items to be shipped quickly, so my policy is to ship all packages as quickly as possible. Usually all orders are processed and on their way to their new homes within 24 hours. I also know that I have a valuable resource that most beaders do not. I can see, touch and compare beads side by side before choosing beads for any project. So if you need any assistance or color recommendations, please do not hesitate to ask! That's what I'm here for. You may chat live with me, phone me or email me. I only sell items that I consider quality and would be proud to own myself. And lastly, my return policy is one that I am most proud of. If for any reason, you are not completely satisfied with your Red Panda Beads purchase, you may return any items for a full refund. Red Panda Beads will also pay any postage expenses you may incur while sending back any returns. You have 14 days from the day you receive your package to contact us to arrange a merchandise return."

Betsy has kindly agreed to give a $25 Shopping Spree to one of our blog readers. She has asked that these two requirements be kept in mind--the prize is only valid on the Red Panda Beads website, and the winner must register on the Red Panda Beads website to collect their prize. Once the winner registers, she will apply the credit to their account. All US orders over $25 qualify for FREE USPS First Class shipping.

To win Betsy's prize you will need to leave a comment on this post. I'd also LOVE for you to become a "Follower" of this site. (To become a member/follower of this site, all you need to do is click on "Join this site" under "Followers" on the right-hand side of this page.) I'll be choosing a winner on January 21. Good luck, and be sure to check back to find out when the next giveaway will be.

Simple Embellishment--Beading (Supplies/Seed Stitch)

This month I’d like to concentrate on simple embellishments. I love hand embroidery, beading, buttons—anything that adds texture and interest to a piece.  During the month, I’ll be showing you a few simple embellishments I like to use. I’ll begin with beading. If you'd like to try some of these embellishments, you may want to make a small quilted sandwich to practice on OR you may want to get out a quilted piece that is just calling for some beading and embroidery.

I also have some EXCITING news. I will be announcing giveaways during the first week of January--yes, I said "giveaways" plural! You will have to come back to check out subsequent posts during the week to see what great giveaways will be available, though, so...stay tuned. 

Embellishment can REALLY change how a piece looks. This is what my "extreme texture" piece (that I did following Judith's November tutorial) looked like before embellishing.

This is what it looks like after I finished embellishing it.

 Beading Tools/Supplies

I’m listing supplies that I like to use. These are my OWN personal preferences. You will need to find the tools and supplies that work for you.

Thread--I like to use “Crystal Fine 6lb/Size D 0.008” avg. dia.” Beadsmith Berkley FireLine® braided bead thread for most beading jobs. For really dark beads, I use a smoke colored FireLine®. I get my FireLine® thread from Red Panda Beads (really good on-line store; not affiliated, just a happy customer), but you can also get it from Amazon and EBay. (FYI...Red Panda Beads has great beads too. It is my "go-to" on-line bead store.)

Scissors—You don’t want to cut FireLine® with your good scissors. It will dull the scissors and can cause some serious damage. I use a pair of Fiskars 5" Blunt Tip Softgrip Student Scissors (which are very reasonably priced and which are easy to get), but you can get scissors from Berkley made specifically for this purpose. (http://www.anglersworldonline.com/servlet/the-87/Berkley-Fireline-Scissors/Detail)

Needles--Since I’m generally using beads on fabric (and sewing through a stabilizer or batting of some sort), I like to use a needle that isn’t quite as thin and long as a usual beading needle. I usually use Beadsmith Sharps, Size 10 needles. The size needle you use really depends on whether the needle will fit through the hole in the beads you are using and whether it is strong enough not to bend when you sew through your quilt. The Size 10 Sharp fits most of the beads I use, and I haven’t had trouble with it bending when adding beading to a quilt. I also use the John James beading needles and these #9 Patchwork Clover needles for some pieces.

Other tools—One of my favorite tools is this triangular bead tray. I got mine from Etsy. They are VERY inexpensive and are FABULOUS for scooping up beads and pouring them back into their container.

I use Post-It Notes to corral my beads while I’m working. I got this ingenious idea from Tom Russell who was featured in Episode 1101 – Dress Your Quilts with Buttons and Beads on The Quilt Show. The beads stick to the sticky part of the Post-It Note and aren't as likely to roll off your work space.

I use a piece of Vellux (the red background in the pictures is Vellux) that I cut from an old Vellux blanket to pour my beads onto when I first start to bead. (It keeps them from rolling all over the place.) I also put my Post-It Note of beads on the Vellux when I'm beading just in case a bead comes loose from the Post-It. If you don't have an old blanket to cut a piece of Vellux from, you can buy Vellux beading mats. Here is one place you can find them. http://schoolofbeadwork.com/beadingmatvellux11x14.aspx

I like to have a piece of shelf liner on hand to help me pull the needle through the quilt if that becomes difficult. I’m sure there are fancier things to use, but this works for me.

I got these tweezers as a gift. (They are pretty cool, huh!) I use them to place beads onto the fabric when I'm deciding where to actually sew them down. (I usually audition bead placement before sewing.)

Now I have to give you a warning here…beads ARE ADDICTIVE! If you have a fabric stash, you know the concept. It is really hard to resist beautiful beads. It is also really nice to have the beads you might need on hand. I don’t have a bead store close by, so it is important for me to have a stash on hand. (At least that’s what I tell myself!)

Beads—As I’ve said, I collect beads. I use all types of beads, but the most common beads I use are seed beads and bugle beads. Seed beads come in various sizes, but I ogenerally use size 10, 11, 12, and 14. (the higher the number, the smaller the bead) Size 11 is the most commonly used seed bead for me. 

Bugle beads are long tubular beads. They come in different lengths. I ALWAYS use a seed bead on either end of a bugle bead, because the edges of the bugle bead are sharp and can easily cut the beading thread. 

Sequins—There are all kinds and sizes of sequins that may be used to embellish quilts (and other things). I like to use sequins in combination with beads.

Beading books—I have a couple of beading books that I refer to all the time. I like Beading on Fabric by Larkin Jean Van Horn and Bead Creative Art Quilts by Nancy Eha. I really like the layout of both books and appreciate the clear instructions and pictures. I would recommend these books, because I think it is important to find a beading book to use as a source of information. I’ll only be showing you a few beading applications. I’m thinking you will want to do more of it and will need a reference.

Beading video—It is easier for me to learn to do something if I actually see it done. For that, I ordered the DVD Bead It Like You Mean It by Lyric Kinard. Lyric does a great job of demonstrating most everything you’d need to know about beading on fabric.

Beading

I bead my fiber pieces AFTER they are quilted. I have layered a quilt top with the batting and have done the beading on that adding a fused back later. I have also TOTALLY finished a quilt (top, batting, backing, and facing/binding) and have done beading on that.  I do it this way because IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO QUILT AROUND BEADS. (Ask me how I know!) Again, I’m just letting you know what works best for me. You will need to experiment to find out what works best for you.

Seed Stitch/Single Bead Stitch/Running Stitch

The seed stitch is a "scattering" of beads across a portion of the fabric. It can be used to add texture and is nice to use as a filler that leaves some of the background visible.

I used the seed stitch on the two quilts I will have in the exhibit “The View from Here: Quilts of the Ohio River Valley. SAQA members from Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Ohio” which will be displayed during the International Quilt Festival in Cincinnati April 12-14, 2013. The seed stitch on these quilts gave just enough shine to represent sparkling snow.

(If you click on the pictures you can get a little closer look. The beads on these two quilts are white, so they are a bit hard to see.)

I also used it on the piece I did for the Fire blog when Judith presented Extreme Texture. The seed beads are the red/pink designs you see. The green design is made using embroidery floss and making a French knot (which I’ll cover later).

When you are adding seed beads using the seed stitch/single bead stitch/running stitch, it is important to keep your needle vertical to the fabric—not at an angle—when making these stitches (and all beading stitches I can think of). Tie a knot in the end of your thread.  Depending on how you choose to bead (top and batting only or finished quilt) either start from the back with the knot lying against the batting or start by burying the knot in between the layers of your finished quilt. Bring your needle to the top of the quilt where you have decided to place your first bead. Add a seed bead to your needle, and go back down into the fabric leaving enough space for the bead between where you brought the needle up and put the needle back down. Do not take the needle back down in the same hole you came out. Your goal, here, is for there to be enough room for the tension to be enough for the seed bead to stand up straight.

Continue this process until you have covered the desired area with seed beads. Do not “travel” more than an inch from one bead to the next without knotting the thread and starting anew. That can cause the fabric to pucker. When knotting the thread on a finished quilt, you must bury the knot between the layers of the quilt. If I am working with a quilt top and batting only (not a finished quilt), I like to take a few securing stitches (I just stitch in place four or five times into the batting making sure not to go through to the top of the quilt.) every one or two seed beads to secure the beads. That way, if one should come off, they ALL won’t come off.

Tomorrow, I’ll show you how to add bugle beads.