Summer Projects and Tip For Stack-wound Thread

I have been enjoying my summer so much – to the point of feeling a little guilty. Not that I’ve gone on any extravagant vacations or that I’ve been sitting by the pool day after day. No, this is the kind of “take each day as it comes” in a luxuriously lazy way. No big projects, no big plans. Just a few good books, some good company and good food, and lots of World Cup Soccer (go Norway!). It’s the wonderful feeling of having an open calendar and no big commitments. It’s been a long time since I’ve given myself that kind of leisure.

Putting the joy back into quilting

This leisurely pace is a complete change in mindset from just a month ago, when I had a book proposal accepted and deadlines for the next year-and-a-half mapped out. I was waiting for the book contract and feeling anxious about the whole thing. After talking it over with Mr. Crafty Quilter and a few friends, I decided to pull the plug, and I felt immediate relief. Maybe there’s a book in my future, but for now, I’m happy to go with the flow.

I don’t have any Christmas in July projects in the works (although that’s not a bad idea), and I don’t have a list of projects I’m determined to finish (also not a bad idea). It’s the middle of summer, and I’m simply giving myself permission to work on whatever catches my fancy – whether that’s trying a new recipe, making a tote bag, or playing with a fat quarter bundle. That sense of freedom is putting the joy back into my creative life.

Summer Projects

I recently finished a bag from a Bag Of The Month Class that I’ve been taking. The pattern is the Oxbow Tote by Noodlhead. I made the smaller size and it has inside pockets, an outside pocket with magnetic closure, a crossbody strap and a main zipper closure. Tote bags can be exhausting to make, but I had some great tips from the instructor and the pattern instructions are great. The trick to bag-making is to take it one step at a time – and breathe!

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I finished the quilting and binding of my Star Spangled Heart Wall Hanging. Although it wasn’t finished in time for the 4th of July or for my updated pattern release, it will still be something to appreciate for the summer. The PDF pattern is available in my Etsy Shop and it includes instructions for a table runner and the wall hanging. It’s really two patterns in one!

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Tip For Using Stack-wound Thread

The quilting was done with a serpentine stitch spaced about 1″+ apart. It was fast and easy – my favorite kind! I learned something about using King Tut thread – or any thread that is wound stacked rather than cross-wound. Stacked (aka parallel) wound thread should be placed on a vertical spool holder so it comes off the spool from the side rather than the top. This avoids adding a twist to the thread after every rotation.

The problem with using a vertical spool pin is the spool can be heavy and it increases the top tension to the point that it can’t be adjusted into balance. My solution is to wind the thread onto a bobbin and use the bobbin (which is much lighter) for the top thread. This evens out the tension and makes for beautiful balanced stitches.

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Another option is to use a thread stand that is compatible with stacked threads. Superior Threads offers a thread stand with a spool pin that can be moved to a horizontal or vertical position. If you want to dive deeper into spool pins, We All Sew has a great blog post on machine set up for both cross wound and stack wound thread.

I hope you’re all enjoying your summer (or perhaps winter depending on your location). I’m looking forward to more playful creativity – the type of activities that spark joy and give rise to new possibilities.