Good Morning to everyone. I know that I will get an answer pretty quick here and that is why I am asking here and besides, I have to leave for my weekly sewing "get together" in less then 2 hours and want to work on this while I am there today.
I am doing a Beach Ball Quilt. The beach ball is is ironed onto fabric using that wonder under stuff. I don't want to leave it as it is, I want to try to use the sewing machine and go around each section of the ball.
Should I use a zig zag stitch? Or a regular stitch. And what color thread should I use.
I do not have a blanket stitch on my sewing machine and when I get a new one, that will be one of the requirements besides a drop in bobbin and automatic threader so that is not an option. I don't have the patience to do it by hand...oh not even...I salute anyone that has that kind of patience.

On the picture, that little round circle that goes in the middle is not put on yet. Doing that today. :)

I would use a zigzag stitch matching the color of each section.

There is nothing wrong with what you are wanting to do. I would stitch in the ditch the from inside to outside each colored panel, then use a varigated thread and zig-zag around the ball. Cute pattern and idea.

a straight stitch will work.. or a zig zag.. maybe match the color of the fabric.. or invisable.. possibly white or black.. no quilt police here it will look wonderful what ever you choose

If a zig zag is all that's available, then that's what I would use. I would pick a medium gery thread or maybe a good time to use some varigated?

If I do matching each section, do I need to use the same color thread in the bobbin? I have 13 of these to do. And I have never sewn like that. But I am more then excited to try it AT LEAST once!!

I agree with the zig zag stitch, but I think I would use a loud fun color. Maybe a bright orange all over the ball. Be then again, I like bright loud colors. I think they are cheerful.

I vote variegated thread- have fun!

Test on a scrap over a scrap background. Sometimes the bobbin shows on the top, but if you adjust your tension, you should be able to get a nice look. It might help to have some stabilizer on the back while you are stitching. Plan paper works for this.

I would use zig zag stitch with invisible thread

It all depends if you want the stitching to pop or blend in ? If you want it to pop go with a contrasting color- blend in match the thread to the fabric. Bobbin thread should not matter as it will be underneath and no one will see it :wink:

What a fun block - how creative :thumbup:

Zig-zaq would look good.

Depends on the look you want. I would use SID and gray thread if you don't want to see stitches or as suggested above, use one bright color thread and zigzag. Either way, you are going to have a fun quilt. Enjoy.

I would do a close to the edge straight stitch in red. I think that would be called raw edge applique.

i think zig zag and would be fun to match the thread color

I must be the oddball because I vote for a black satin stitch (tight zig zag) on the overlap of each piece and a looser zig zag just catching the round outside in white or off-white to match the background fabric. I think that will make the ball look more 3 dimensional.

I agree!

Also, If I were making 13 of these, I would pick one color and use it for both top and bobbin. Or, a different color could be used on each beach ball.

I'd probably stitch the seams in black. Just my opinion here but I like black when I want to emphasize a design element.

My sewing machine doesn't seem to like invisible thread, but if yours does, that would be easiest. I like the idea of variegated myself!

If your machine has a zig zag, it probably has the blind stitch too, check it out. Very similar to the blanket stitch but has the same results. Just try it first on something else so you have the stitches all going in the same direction. If you use matching thread in each section, the stitching will barely be visable. Try different lengths and widths; alot depends on the size of each section of color and where you place the stitching.
I like the idea for the ball.

Carol J.

I agree. Stitching in the ditch will add dimension to the ball and not detract from the design like a top of the seam would. Great idea.

I think I would use varigated thread in primary colors for all of it.

I know this is too late but I would use black to really make the colors stand out. I was thinking zig zag in the same color but you would have to use 2 rows for each seam of zigzag to do that. And I like black with all of those bright colors. Maybe look a bit like stained glass I am hoping for.
JeanneZ

If your machine has decorative stitches this would be a fun place to try them out. Like the verigated thread but if you use monofiliment be sure to loosen your top tension.

I would use a bright rainbow varigated thread and use a tight zig-zag stich. You can use either a off white or a light grey for the bobbin. I would also recommend a top stich needle to do the satin stich with.

I would also do this.

I love this quilt. Did you design it yourself, or did you have a pattern? I would love to make one. I am not very exact when creating on my own, so any suggestions would be appreciated. Also, will there be a binding, and what is the back like?

Zig-zag with varigated thread on top and in bobbin.

This is going to turn out neat, no matter what color you use. I like the idea of black SID for the ball.

Wow, I didn't think this would as interesting a post as it has been - look at all the different suggestions! LOL* I never would have considered what some the other posters mentioned, how neat! Now I'm inspired. ;)

If it were me I would probaby go with a zig zag but with invisible thread. I don't care for the wide zig zag on my machine, I usually drop it down in size a little bit, it seems to look neater that way, at least with my machine. I love the idea of going in the ditch down the lines with a straight stitch for each of the colors. You could be sure then it would be nice and secure, and it would add a little dimension to your beach ball too.

Since you are using basic colors for your balls I would use a different basic color for the thread.

zigzag with varigated thread is my vote

Zig zag and match thread with fabric. It will look good.

This is just what we need to get us out of working on winter stuff. I think any color that you would like to do will be fine. As for me I would do a very tight zig zag in black or white. Marvel

Varigated thread in primary colors for all of it, in a satin stitch.

Love your bright colors. ZigZag sounds good to me also.
Good luck, Kutnso

I would use a zigzag and invisible thread also.

I vote variegated and zigzag. Have fun.

I have started using a small zigzag (.75 x .75) for my applique. I have had a lot of fellow quilters really like it as you don't even notice the stitching! Take some scraps and do some test stitches.
Diane/Wyoming

I would do a zigzag stitch and match thread for each color.