Thread preference for sewing hexagons
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Palm Desert, CA
Posts: 113
Thread preference for sewing hexagons
I am doing EPP (large hexagons - 4-inch sides) for the first time and so far, my stitches are showing a little (on the front after it's done) and it just doesn't look very nice. I have been using 60 wt. thread (Bottom Line) and doing a whip stitch. What do you think about using Invisifill 100 wt. thread for this process? Is it just that I need more practice so the stitches won't look so wonky. Have any of you used the Ladder Stitch method? I am loving the project and really want to be pleased with it when it is done. Any help would be appreciated.
#2
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 363
I am experimenting too! I think the old adage about "kissing a lot of frogs to find your prince" applies. You can read blogs and it seems everyone recommends all kinds of things - I think it is a case of finding what makes you happy by trying a variety of things. You have picked a fun project for sure!
#3
If you are stitching together by hand (?) try using a whip stitch on the diagonal, it will show less on the other side. I also use a thread that will blend in with the background of the color hexie I'm sewing.
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 401
I always use a ladder stitch and much prefer it to a whip stitch, which was the way I originally learned. You rarely ever see any of your stitches. My grown daughter even brought me a well-loved huge teddy bear she's had since she was a baby that had lost about half the stitches around the neck and used a ladder stitch for that and you couldn't see them at all. I even use a ladder stitch for binding my quilts because it's so neat.
#6
Power Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Southern California
Posts: 19,127
I do the ladder stitch too but I have over the years used the vinyl hexagons and you can sort of stitch more toward the back side edge. But your stitch will always show some what, even if you use the really fine silk thread. I know some who uses thread that matches. Sometimes I am able to color the white thread using Pigma markers to get a close match so the thread doesn't show as much. Just have to try various techniques and see what works best for you. Good Luck !
#7
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Illinois
Posts: 9,018
I use silamide type A thread...so far the best, in my case anyway, and I open the hexies...the one I am attaching to the the one I am attaching to and then whip together.....I think, in my case anyway, when I have then face to face, whip together, then open up there is that nano amount of thread that shows from the fold over, but then I sew side to side stitches are in the back of that hexie....saw it in web somewhere.....tried it...and my preferred way of doing it. But, each has to find what works for them.....
#8
I've not done EPP but for applique I use 100 wt silk thread in matching colors, it's very strong.
__________________
http://www.etsy.com/shop/kathykwilts?ref=ss_profile
http://www.etsy.com/shop/kathykwilts?ref=ss_profile
#9
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Sonoma County, CA
Posts: 4,299
A question for those of you who have actually FINISHED a hexie quilt...after quilting and washing, do some of the original stitches sort of sink in and hide themselves? I'm really hoping the answer is "yes", lol. I'm slowly improving but some of my first hexie flowers show pretty much every stitch.
#10
A question for those of you who have actually FINISHED a hexie quilt...after quilting and washing, do some of the original stitches sort of sink in and hide themselves? I'm really hoping the answer is "yes", lol. I'm slowly improving but some of my first hexie flowers show pretty much every stitch.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post