Piece #1 - zigzag stitch with changes in the width of the stitch - the length remains static (2) in a middle range
Fabric – bridal satin – painted with transfer paints using Sample #2 - started out with a 5” by 5 “ and finished with a piece was width 4 ½ by length 4 ¾ inches.
Stabilizer - piece of white kunin felt and a piece of medium weight pillow (Vilene)
Threads - (#1) WonderFil 100 % rayon embroidery 120d/2 Art# 3142 – Colour # 4134 – dark green (bobbin thread – black polyester)
(#2) WonderFil 100% rayon embroidery 120d/2 Art# 3142 – Colour # 1149 – dark wine red (bobbin thread – black polyester)
(#3) 100% rayon embroidery 120d/2 - Colour – dark pink - # not noted on spool (bobbin thread – pink)
(#4) 100% rayon embroidery 120d/2 - Colour – light pink - # not noted on spool (bobbin thread - pink)
I varied the width of the stitch from a straight line to the maximum width of 5. In several instances, I varied the width from the top to the bottom of the piece and vice versa. I did have problems with the tension, however, I decreased the top tension to 3 and this seemed to work well.
Piece #2 - zigzag stitch with changes in the length of the stitch – the width (5) remains static
Fabric - black felt – started out with a width of 5” by 5” and finished with a piece width 4 ¼ by length 5 inches.
Stabilizer – black felt
Threads - (#1) Korean Marathon thread – 100 % rayon - colour # 2081 - medium violet
(#2) Korean Marathon Thread – 100% rayon – colour # 2022 – orange yellow
(#3) Korean Marathon Thread – 100% rayon – colour # 2002 – yellow green
Bobbin thread for all - polyester medium grey
I kept the tension at 3. I kept the length of the stitch the same for each row. I have no idea why I did that!!!!
Piece # 3 – Zigzag stitch with changes in the width and length of stitches
Fabric – Bridal satin – painted with transfer paints using Sample # 3 - started out with a piece 5” by 5” and ended up with a piece 4 ¾ by 4 7/8 inches.
Stabilizer – white Kunin felt with a piece of medium weight pellon (Vilene) in the centre
Threads – (#1) – 100% rayon AJ 8158 – Colour # 1155 - dark red wine
(#2) – 100% rayon - same as #1 but has lost its label - Colour - Royal Blue
(#3) - 100% rayon embroidery 120d/2 – Colour – light yellow orange (lost colour label)
Bobbin threads - used polyester threads to match the top threads
I varied the lengths and widths. I did have trouble with the tension when the length was below 1.0 when the stitches were close together and the bobbin threads were coming to the top. I again loosened the tension which did help somewhat. I was in extreme trouble with one of the centre yellow rows with the tension ….. in this case, the thread was wrapped around the spindle. I really liked the narrow rows of zigzag when changing the width of the stitch. I chose to leave the “windows" of the background fabric.
Piece # 4 – Automatic stitches with no changes in length or width.
Fabric – a piece of hand painted (fabric paints) duponi silk from my own stash - started out with a piece 5” by 5” and ended up with a piece 4 ½ by 4 3/8 inches.
Stabilizer – white Kunin felt
Threads – (#1) - variegated 100 % Rayon 1200/2 from the Thread Studio – Colour – Carnivale
(#2) - Bobbin thread – white polyester
I chose to make a picture frame using the various automatic stitches. In several cases I did mirror images of stitches. I also decided to use the lengths and widths programmed into the machine. Had fun with the centre flowers. I left bits out on purpose!!
Piece # 5 - Automatic stitches with changes in length and width.
Fabric – hand painted piece of cotton using fabric paints – started out with a piece 5 “ by 5 “ and ended up with the measurements being 4 ¾ by 4 7/8 inches.
Stabilizer – white Kunin felt
Threads – (#1) - cotton polyester variegated thread – colour yellow to yellow orange. Thread is from my stash and there was no label.
(#2) - bobbin thread – white polyester thread
The leaf stitch was used on the four outside edges varying the stitch length for each side. As I worked the piece, I also changed the length throughout the row. I did change the width whenever the programme allowed me to do so!!! I also used the mirror image programme. I liked the picture frame concept with each window image a different size!!!! Also the stitching could be curtains with fancy ruffles!!! I felt the two zigzag lines across the center were somewhat overwhelming.
Piece # 6 - Automatic stitches with changes in length and width.
Fabric / Stabilizer – This time I used a water soluble stabilizer – Ultra Solvy Weight – Heavy: Colour – Translucent. The original size was 4“ by 5” and the final piece was 3 ¼ by 4 ½ inches.
Threads – (#1) - 100% Rayon 1200/2 - Colour - variegated royal blue to turquoise - Barrier Reef from Thread Studio
(#1A) - Bobbin thread - 100% polyester Gutermann CA02776 – Colour # 260 – Royal Blue
(#2) - 100% Polyester – variegated red to red orange (tones) – thread from my stash and there is no label
(#2A) - Bobbin thread – 100% polyester – Mettler Metrosene Plus - Colour 601 - Red
(#3) – 100% Rayon Marathon Korean Thread – FF 1200/2 KA 65565 – Colour # 2022 – yellow orange
(#3A) - Same as (#2A) – Red
Started with rows of automatic stitches using the blue threads (#1) and programmed stitches for length and width. Using the red threads (#2), I stitched automatic programmes diagonally covering approximately two thirds of the piece leaving two corners free. Here the lengths of the stitches were varied. I have just realized that I was increasing the stitch widths only where I could and I should have decreased them as well ….. which I did not!!! Using the yellow/orange (#3) thread, I stitched three bands across the piece perpendicular to the one large red band. To hold the outside edges together I used a narrow zigzag stitch in the blue (#1) thread to attempt to keep the piece together once I dissolved the stabilizer. I did not block the final piece. I like the lacy look and even the places where the stitches didn’t overlap and there are definite gaps!!