QUILTsocial Issue 5 | Page 13

the stabilizer pieces. Take long strands of a few yarns and place in between layers beside the vertical stitch line. There are a few ways you can continue the vertical channels. You can pre-mark the stitching lines on the stabilizer the desired distance apart or you can use a flat trim foot which can be adjusted like a guide at the front of the foot. Use the foot as a channel guide for each row by matching each stitched chain line to the right or left edge of the foot front. This will allow wider channels for thicker yarns. This foot gives more flexibility than the standard serger foot. TIP It's always great to discover new uses for the sewing and serger feet. Normally this foot would be used to add flat trim to the edge of a fabric and it can finish the fabric edge with a cover stitch at the same time. Experiment and discover new uses. 5. When the yarn is placed between the layers, repeat another line of chain stitching to encase it within the channel. Repeat with the yarn between and the layers, and stitch chain stitching rows repeatedly until all of the yarn has been channeled in vertical positions. 6. When this is complete you will then serge the same chain stitch across the width of the stabilizer row after row. This will hold all the yarn strips in position. Use this technique for making scarves, table runners with a weave look, artistic pieces. 7. When all of the rows have been stitched and all of the yarn pieces are encased, soak and then rinse the water soluble stabilizer away. Hang to dry. 8. You will need to create two artistic serger embellishments. One for the waterfall and one for the vase. It’s better to make them longer than needed as they can be cut to size. Once they are complete, set them aside. Piecing the blocks Use Sulky Blendable thread 30wt to stitch each of the blocks together using the piecing foot. Press all seams. Batting 1. Cut the batting piece a bit larger than the banner, and place it behind the banner. 2. Baste it into position and prepare any decorative stitches that you would like to use on the banner, to include an assortment of free motion stitching on the batik floral piece. 3. Using quilting gloves and the sew slip sheet will allow easier movement of the piece when stitching around the flowers and pattern on the batik. A metallic thread was used which creates a nice sheen on the surface of the cotton print. 4. Select a decorative stitch for any vertical seams for topstitching. A topstitching needle is always preferable along with a topstitching foot. Husqvarna Viking® provided the following sewing machine and products to make the sample: Designer Diamond Royale sewing/embroidery, machine/extension table Husqvarna Viking® S25 Serger 6D Embroidery Software INSPIRA® Stabilizers INSPIRA® Machine Needles INSPIRA® Scissors Robison Anton Threads Sulky™ Threads Hoops TIP It's always important to use stabilizer behind all of the decorative stitches. Channel quilting lines on the background pieces 1. 30wt Sulky Blendable thread can be used for the channel quilting using the multi-line decorative foot, or by pre-marking the lines on the fabric. Stitch the channel quilted pieces, in this case the waterfall background piece and the vase and flower background piece. 2. Audition all of the embellishments to include the waterfall, the embroidered wool flowers, the felted leaves and pumpkins. Once you have placed them in the desired locations they can be stitched down using straight stitches, or free motion stitches, or of course some of the pieces may be glu ed with fabric glue depending on the complexity of the pieces. Any excess batting will be trimmed away when you square up the banner. 3. Place the backing fabric behind the banner, and press and fold the edges into position onto the front of the banner, choose any assorted widths of borders. Find your source of inspiration and have fun with this! 4. Place any additional embellishments like buttons on the banner, and stitch into place. Tie the vase with a piece of yarn near the upper part of the vase. 5. Pin, stitch and press the edges into position. Stitch using straight or decorative stitch and free motion any additional areas desired. Cheryl Stranges Product & Event Specialist, Husqvarna Viking husqvarnaviking.com seecherylsew.blogspot.com QUILTsocial .com | issue 5 13