April 2012

Superior Threads – So Fine Review

(Full Disclosure: Superior Threads provided me with samples of their threads and needles – the thoughts and opinions presented are my own)

When Superior Threads asked me back in November what threads I was interested in testing out, So Fine was one of my top three – you have already seen reviews for King Tut and Bottom Line – and now it is time for So Fine.  I can’t begin to tell you how much I loved quilting with this particular line of thread. It comes in three different weights 30, 40, and 50.

As always when I prepare to do any type of review I gave my machine a thorough cleaning and checked the Home Machines Thread Reference Guide to make sure that I had the correct needle and tension settings on my machine. I was using So Fine #50 which recommended a 80/12 needle and 4.0 – 5.0 tension setting.  Remember that when trying out any new product you should always make sure that you have checked the recommended settings for your machine – this will help you avoid frustration caused by tension problems!

I tested it out on the Mystery Quilt for my hubs.

I did straight line quilting in the ditch here is a look at the back – I used So Fine as my top thread and I also used it as my bobbin thread.

Throughout all the quilting I didn’t have a single break. It is also the first quilt that I have done in one sitting. I was only going to do the large diamonds, but then I read the packaging on the batting that I used and realized that I had to quilt at least every 6-8 inches. That led me to quilt squares inside the diamonds. In the end I really love how it turned out with the additional quilting.

I also decided to use the So Fine to sew down the binding. In order to add a little extra pizzazz (not that my hubs actually noticed) I did a decorative stitch

The decorative stitch that I selected is one of the most complicated as far as needle movement is concerned on my machine. Throughout the entire quilting and machine sewing of the binding I did not have a single thread break. Any time that I don’t have to rethread my machine does so much for my frame of mind. Sewing/quilting is supposed to be relaxing and any time I have to deal with a break it does nothing but raise my blood pressure. My blood pressure stayed nice and low with this quilt!

Things I Liked:

  • My number 1 favorite feature of this thread is that there were no thread breaks.
  • I used it as a bobbin thread and a top thread – it worked seamlessly
  • My machine was clean when I started and clean when I finished quilting – ZERO LINT. Any time I don’t have to clean my machine I am a happy happy camper.
  • So Fine comes in three different weights with over 200 color choices. Talk about selection!
  • So Fine comes in cones, spools AND pre-wound bobbins.
  • As always – I am a fan of the Superior Threads Education portion of their website – I have yet to come across a thread manufacturer with this much information available on their products.  Including two videos focusing solely on So Fine.

Recommendations:

  • Start with the Home Machines Thread Reference Guide and a clean machine. You will get your best results when following the recommendations of the experts.
  • If you want to try out the thread but are not really sure if you will like it – try out the “Try Me Specials” that Superior offers – it is a great way to try out a new thread and see if it is something that you will want to use in the future.

I have no improvements to offer Superior Threads at this time on So Fine. It is a fabulous product. The only thing I did not try was piecing with it, this is on my list, but after quilting and sewing down the binding on this quilt I was virtually out of thread!

Have you used So Fine? If so which version of it do you like best and why?

PS: I have a great giveaway this week from Sondra over at Contemporary Clothgo enter!

Contemporary Cloth Highlight & Giveaway

Are you familiar Contemporary Cloth? Contemporary Cloth, open since 2001, specializes in bringing fabric connoisseurs contemporary/modern and retro textiles for home, office, and every day sewing. With amazing customer support, quick shipping and a fabulous Pinterest site for inspiration, Sondra has an eye for art and for fabrics that I have never seen anywhere else!

Here are a few examples of the textiles that Contemporary Cloth carries:

Contemporary Cloth donates 1% of all sales to Dress for Success in Cleveland, Ohio. Another wonderful example of this amazing community of ours giving back to those in need.

Here are some of my favorite quilting fabrics that are currently in stock over at Contemporary Cloth:

Alexander Henry Villette Black/Brite

 

Fly Away Sunset by Amy Schimler
Daisy Jane – Shade of Gray Rag Tag Collection

Sondra has some wonderful specials going on this week:

::: 50% off vicki paynety pennington home dec fabrics,

::: clearance fabrics – up to 70% off, robyn pandolph fabrics reduced to $4.40/yard, 50% off thirties reproduction fabrics,

::: Free mixed media fabric pack with each copper tjap stamp ordered!

And…just for Sew BitterSweet Designs readers – 25% off your order with code ThanksMelissa.  Thank you Sondra!!!

In addition to 25% off for all my readers, Sondra is also giving away THREE $15.00 Gift Certificates to Contemporary Cloth for 3 lucky winners!

Lots of chances to enter this week (please make sure you are a follower of this blog before entering!):

  1. Go like Contemporary Cloth on Facebook, please be sure to thank Sondra for the wonderful giveaway! (1 entry)
  2. Follow Contemporary Cloth on Twitter (1 entry)
  3. Sign up for Contemporary Cloth’s Newsletter – be the first to learn about new fabric arrivals and sales! (1 entry)
  4. Go like Sew BitterSweet Designs on Facebook or Twitter (1 entry)
  5. Alert the media – blog, facebook, or tweet this giveaway – make sure to leave me the link (1 entry)

***And for everyone who not only quilts but also sews dresses…I have a bonus entry and giveaway for just you! My friend Kristy from Hopeful Threads is collecting dresses for Dress A Girl Around the World this month. Due to the fact that there is so much going on in my personal life right now and I am also not a very accomplished seamstress I wanted to find a way to donate. I am giving away enough fabric and bias tape to make a dress to donate over on Hopeful Threads. If you sign up for this giveaway (you must commit to donate the dress to Dress a Girl Around the World) you can come back here tell me you did so for an additional entry!***

Good luck everyone! This giveaway will be open from April 9th until April 15th. I will announce the winner on April 16th.

Saturday Winner

I would like to take a few moments to thank Lori from Stitches N’ Giggles for the wonderful giveaway she sponsored this week!  Lori’s fabric store carries many of the latest and greatest Moda lines and she offers stellar customer service!  Make sure you check out her site often, she has daily deals and a great clearance section.

And without further ado, the winner of the $25.00 gift certificate is…

Author: mo
I like Stitches n’ giggles on FB (mo magoo).

Congratulations Mo! I will be sending you an email later today to get your information!

Make sure you check back on Monday for more Spring fun!

PS. I finished quilting the secret project – and I almost like the back as much as the front now…and the cool part is I used a solid piece of white fabric for the back! It is amazing the difference quilting can make!!!

Happy Easter

Yesterday we went to see the Easter Bunny and I am happy to report that Anne is still completely and totally enamored with him!  This is fabulous news because at not quite 2.5 years old, Santa is still NOT a good guy in her mind.  So at least once per year we can get a super cute holiday pic, and this year we got 4!

(this one is our Easter Card that I mailed out at the last second yesterday!)

I know this week has been heavy on the family stuff and light on the sewing and quilting front, I hope you all don’t mind – I’m trying to lead with my heart these days. Sewing and quilting did happen this week though, I made 2 bee blocks, I will show them to you next week, and yesterday I started doing some FMQ on my secret project. I will show you the back of that next week too! I’m hoping to get one more quilt quilted before heading up to Victoria British Columbia with my hubs on our first vacation just the two of us since Anne was born. My parents are being kind enough to come stay with Anne for the few days we will be gone.

Don’t forget, today is the last day to enter the great giveaway from Stitches N’ Giggles! I will be picking a winner at 9:00 pm tonight.

Have a happy and safe holiday weekend!

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