I wonder. What she has to say about being organized this week.
Do not use Kona Cotton for applique.... Bonnie commented on my last post about how it is difficult to work with for applique and should not be used. She is right. It was pretty much impossible to do the sharp points that some of the pieces had even with needle turn applique. I am no expert, but the fabric did not want to cooperate at the point.
So I decided rather than have really crappy points to just make them not as sharp. I was able to turn under the edges including the adjusted point. So why did I use the Kona black cotton? I needed the really dark black that it offered. I did not even think or know that it is not good for applique. Other than the points I thought it was easy to work with.
How do you think it looks?
I will have my sewing closet soon. The horizontal bar and the vertical supports are mounted. Now we just need the shelf brackets and the wire shelves and I will be finally able to organize my sewing room!!!! I have been waiting for this since mid August last year. I am thrilled.
Thanks for reading.
Chris
I think the piece is going to be very effective. The more-squared-off edges have give a really graphic 'look' to the overall piece. I've never used Kona for applique -- mainly because I don't do much hand applique -- but having used some bright yellow recently in pieced quilts, I can see why it would be a challenge. It provides good, strong colour because of its rather dense weave, and it's a bit heavier than other cottons...so the density and weight would make it a challenge for hand applique. Ah yes...those pins! Ya gotta love 'em! :-)
ReplyDeleteHa! I had the same thought when I enlarged the photo & spotted the pins. That background is arranged very effectively. I couldn't see that without the overlay. Are you still tweaking? There's something about the left section that gives it a different feel from the other two. I think it's the lack of curves like in the other sections. All of its linear features are quite subtly bent.I'm catching myself doing the balance thing I'm prone to, wondering if it would work better with that section between the other two which are more similar to each other, or wanting to see one very curved arc piece worked into the left section. But you may have your own ideas and want that tension at the left.
ReplyDeleteOh, yes, as for the Kona, it is not considered a tight weave & a tightly woven fabric like a batik or the majority of "quilting" cottons is what is recommended for ease of turning under edges and the least amount of raveling when appliqueing. Of course, who actually heads this advice? We are more apt to be focusing on other necessary attributes like you were!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the input. I have made some changes and will post on Monday.
ReplyDeleteI have only used Kona for piecing and it frays, frays, frays so I can see why it would be difficult for appliqué. I like your piece, very dramatic!
ReplyDeleteCoincidentally, I was at my LQS last week shopping for black solids, and noticed that along with Kona solids, they had ColorWorks solids by Northcott. The Colorworks was slightly cheaper. I asked the store clerks which was better, and they said the Colorworks by far- it has a higher thread count. You can see the difference. So you might want to give the Colorworks a shot with applique (I haven't tried that yet.) No financial affiliation!
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