Tuesday, November 6, 2012

Beyond the Cherry Tree and More...

I'm actually starting the quilting on my 11th block of Beyond the Cherry Tree. That's 2/3 (not counting the border or the cross hatch)Woo-Hoo!!
I made stencils and marked it with my Frixion pen, then I will outline quilt the applique.
Love this stencil. What I'm using is what was on the original quilt. Very quirky and it is making it much more interesting to quilt.
Here's one I just finished.
I love these needles, but am having a harder time of threading them these days. Anybody have any suggestions for a long thin straw needle with a big eye? I'm thinking of purchasing a threader like this. Any thoughts on that?
My Irish Chain quilt made it to the finals in the Bloggers Quilt Festival for the two color quilt category. If you have a moment will you please go here and vote for my quilt?

And please, exercise your American right to vote!

42 comments:

  1. I have one of those needle threaders but don't use it much. It works well....sometimes. I don't think it works well on smaller size needles.

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  2. congrats on your red and white and well deserved!
    Your BTCT looks fabulous Lori!!

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  3. Available in Australia we have some great needle threaders and the best one I have used for this type of needle is a Sewline product which looks like a lipstick and then the top slides down and it is a super needle threader. Check it out here http://www.sewline.com.au/products/sl018-quick-thru-needle-threader/ I don't know if it is available in the US but I use this type of needle often and this is super. Take care.

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  4. I voted for you yesterday and I'm off to vote in the election this afternon, Great quilting.

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  5. I have two of those needle threaders and find they don’t work very well. I do like the one made by Bohin. You should check it out.Your Cherry Tree quilt is looking wonderful.

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    1. I second that recommendation for the Bohin threader.

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  6. Your BTCT quilt is amazing! And the quilting is wonderful! I love my John James needles, too! And I have that threader, and yeah, it only works about 50% of the time. If the needle has any bend to it at all, it doesn't catch it......it seems each time you click the lever down, if it doesn't catch, you have to reposition the thread, as well. It's a bit of a pain, but when it catches, you are thrilled! lol That said, I've often hit the lever 3 or 4 times, then just put on my glasses, and threaded it myself! There's just so much frustration I'm willing to put up with! And......I voted on our quilt yesterday! Woohoo! Good luck!

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  7. Another great red and white quilt! Voted and it was an easy vote. Love the work you do, Lori. Keep it coming.

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  8. your BTCT is really awesome - love the quilting. I have one of the Clover needle threaders - don't use it too much, but have been very happy with it when I have used it. Congrats on the red and white - I'm off to vote!

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  9. Look at all that fabulous hand quilting - gorgeous! Love the quirky little designs. My "maturing" eyes need the assistance of a needle threader more and more, but I haven't tried the Clover. Just voted for your lovely red/white. Good Luck!

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  10. Your quilting is something else. So intense too. A shopkeeper here told me that it's used for sharps. Not sure if straw needles are okay. Good job on your red & white nomination. I've voted! :)

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  11. Lovely quilting! I have the Clover needle threader and it doesn't always make it easier. To tell you the truth, I usually don't even bother with it. I heard the Bohin is better but haven't tried it. Good luck at the Festival.

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  12. good luck with the blogger quilt festival..you have my vote.. i love your quilt

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  13. I've had good luck with the threader, but the needle has to be big enough eye and it doesn't always work the first time, sometimes I have to rotate the needle. I try to thread several at a time so I can just keep working and not have to fight the dreaded threading process to often when I'd rather be stitching.
    Oh the quilting looks fabulous, what a terrific quilt.

    Happy Sewing

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  14. Hi Lori - the Cherry Tree quilting is looking good! I also vote for the Sewline Threader - Janet over at Quiltsalott recommended it and it works more smoothly than the Clover threader (I have two of those and they work sporadically)
    We had our fall retreat this past weekend and I actually got some quilting done on my own Cherry Tree - getting back to it renewed my enthusiasm for handquilting. And it is snowing today which always puts me in the mood to quilt by the fire...

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  15. Heading over to vote for your quilt. Already voted by mail in ballot! The clover threader is wonderful at first, and then it seems to just stop working. I use the old wire threaders...clover makes a two sided one. They break after awhile too, but are cheaper to replace. Of course, having a magnifier with a lite is the best solution...then I can see the wire threader too...LOL!

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  16. I have one of those needle threaders and agree that it only works about half the time. However, I bought one that looks similar and was recommended by Becky Goldsmith of Piece O Cake Designs when she spoke at my guild last year. It says "ESCORT -II " on one side of it and KAWAGUCHI CO. LTD. on the other side. It's available in some quilt shops or you could probably find it online. It works every time and I love it. It works for big or tiny eyed needles. I appliqué, too so I use straw needles. Hope this helps.

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  17. The quilting looks amazing. I just voted for your quilt. In a few minutes I will walk over the school and cast my vote.
    On the threader... I agree with what has been said about the clocer threader. I am pretty sure that yor brand of needles has a big eye needle for quilting. I will check at work. Also Sewline threaders are available here. I have not used one, but the needle threading is getting harder. LOL

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  18. I love to see your progress on your Cherry Tree quilt. I also love the varied motifs you are quilting in. I voted for your quilt - hope you win :0)

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  19. I have the Clover needle threader, and was told that it isn't made for quilting needles or thread. I use YLI hand quilting thread and a "between" quilting needle that has a large eye. Between the incredible stiffness of the YLI thread and the size of the eye, threading is much easier. When I do have a problem, I use one of those old-fashioned wire threaders, but one made specifically for quilting needles. They do break after you use them a lot, but they really work and aren't hard to use.
    Are you using straw needles for quilting? I thought a straw needle is a "sharp" and is really used for applique.
    I love how your quilt is coming out!

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  20. Voted for you AND with you! I have the best threader, its from sewline. It's the best, it holds needles, has a little magnet so if you drop it with the needle in it, the needle stays in it, I love it and I also do have the one you posted, I like this one better.

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  21. One more vote added for your quilt. Good luck. I love that threader, but it's not made for straw needles. I'd try the Sewline like others have recommended.

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  22. Your quilt is absolutely beautiful. I have both of the threaders being mentioned here. The Clover is great for larger needles but then I can still see to thread those most of the time. The Sewline is designed for finer needles and thread and works wonderfully. Just a heads up, if you put too large of a needle in it you risk bending the little finger. They sell replacements, probably because it is fine and bends easily. I learned the hard way when I handed my threader to a fellow classmate.

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  23. Great question about threaders! I am reading all the responses. I finally started using the one you show in the picture. On the package it reads that it is only for oval eye needles. I concur with the previous statements...only works part of the time and sometimes takes several tries. I think I will try one of the other brands or stock up on the inexpensive wire ones.
    Your quilt is really coming along! Lovely!
    Just realized I hadn't 'sent' this...I played with a couple threaders I had purchased and then found a youtube video of Becky Goldsmith demonstrating the Bohin version http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XZpRd5xGpyc
    This one looks like worth trying and I found it at Amazon. It's this or the cheap wire ones for me :-)

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  24. I leve the Irish Chain it is just beautiful and the applique on the other quilt is wonderful. Cann't wait to see the finished quilt.

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  25. I haven't read the other comments so this may be redundant. I LOVE that threader. I always keep a spare because 1) they don't last forever, and 2) I somehow seem to misplace them on occasion. I think it's the best notion ever invented. Well, one of them, anyway. An LQS owner sold me my first one and I was a bit skeptical because of the price but it's been completely worth it. I watch the Micheal's coupons and get them there now. I've tried the Sewline threader but don't like it nearly as well. I think I've tried most of them out there and this is still my favorite. I've been using the Clover for over three years and haven't changed my mind. Review on my blog in June 2009.

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  26. So exciting seeing the quilting come to life. My first thought when seeing your pics, was, "what have I been doing?" It seems like you get so much accomplished!
    Voting is taken care of, so I'll pop over and vote on quilts now! Congratulations on being a finalist with your lovely red and white classic!

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  27. OMG, Lori! That is going to be one BEAUTIFULLY GORGEOUS quilt!!! Wow!

    I have one of those needle threaders and what I found is that they work really well until you change either the weight of the thread or a different needle. That for some reason throws them off. BUt when they work, they are super! I need all the help I can get with these old eyes.

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  28. Great progress on your hand quilting! Love what you're doing with that. I already voted on your 2-color quilt at the quilt festival--far and away my fave.:)

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  29. Quilt will be absolutey stunning when its all done. I will go vote your quilt now......

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  30. Your quilting is beautiful Lori. I've used that threaded and found it to be good and also like the sew line threader http://www.sewline-product.com/Sewline_Quickthru_Needle_Threader. x

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  31. I already voted for it!! :o) Your BTCTQ is STUNNING!!
    P

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  32. Love love love your hand quilting photos! I have that needle threader and find that some of the hand quilting threads are a bit thick for it...it depends on the needle eye too.

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  33. So glad you are hand quilting this...it will be very special.

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  34. You have my vote! Nice to see the close up pics of your hand quilting on Cherry Tree. It's beautiful!

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  35. Love, love, love the clover threader. I bought mine at a quilt show and the vendor attached the threader to a small wooden base to give it a bit more stability.

    Melissa

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  36. don't know about the needle threader although i should probably consider getting one too.
    your red and white quilt is gorgeous and definately got my vote.

    :-)
    libbyQ

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  37. I like that threader and find it works for most needles except the #12 betweens. Seriously, can anyone actually thread those? Anyway, you can practically thread a needle with your eyes closed if you use that threader.

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    1. Hi, nice site you have here! Keep up the excellent work! estetik

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  38. Your cherry quilt is so wonderful! Love the fabrics you chose and the closeup pics of your quilting are great! Looks like you are getting close to a finish, and so glad you chose to hand quilt this beauty!

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  39. Brilliant stitching! Your BTCT is going to be utterly gorgeous when finished ...

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