All whites are not created equal. I discovered that this weekend. But let me make this clear that this is not a criticism of the white fabrics used in my Stitch Tease quilt top. It is to do with how different whites make hand stitching a completely different experience.
I am not sure if you can see the difference in the weave in the two white cottons above. The one on the right is similar to the quilting cottons. The one on the left is more like a high thread count sheet. I have some white like this in my stash and I have used it in projects successfully and happily.
What I discovered over the weekend is that it is very difficult to hand quilt with perle cotton with this fabric. The weave is so tight that it is a real struggle to pull the thread through, especially where there are several layers around the seams. It took me about three times as long to stitch the three stars in this white than it did the other stars.
I have learned, if I use some of this white in my future projects, that I do not plan on hand stitching with it. I already know that it machine stitches beautifully. I'll stick to that in the future for such fine weaves.
Meanwhile, Helen went through a bag of hand-me-down clothes and found a summer dress that had a small hole in it so she asked if she could make something with it. I said yes. Before I knew it she had used the lining to make a top for Emily, and the dress fabric to make a top for herself. I was very impressed as she just did it by trial and error - though very little error by the looks of things.
Finally, if you are looking for a new muffin recipe to try then I highly recommend this one I baked at the end of last week. These lemon raspberry muffins are super tasty, stay nice and moist for a number of days, have a yummy crumble top and replace half the butter with apple sauce so you can feel vaguely virtuous when you eat them. Oh, and they use frozen raspberries which are easier to have on hand and cheaper. Win/win!
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| The recipe can be found here. |
Susan
The muffins look excellent. I think Helen is a creative woman, and they are both looking so lovely. Interesting about the fabrics, I expect the same may happen if one used a nice sheet as the backing.
ReplyDeleteInteresting about the whites. I was noticing the differences in my quilt too but I am not hand quilting. That Helen is one talented young lady. The girls look very fashion forward in their new tops.
ReplyDeleteNow those muffins...consider the recipe pinned!
Your daughter is amazing! Very clever. (might test out the muffin recipe) thanks.
ReplyDeleteInteresting re the whites. I wouldn't have thought about that. How great are your girls? Just incredible.
ReplyDeleteDidn't Helen do a marvellous job? I think she has a future in design/another creative industry if she so wishes! I can't wait to see your ST quilt...off to look at the muffin recipe - thank you!
ReplyDeleteI continue to be impressed by your children
ReplyDeleteWhat a talented little girl! Your muffins look delish, may have to try those this weekend...
ReplyDeleteGreat job Helen! If they ever hold a Junior Great British Sewing Bee, i hope to see her on it! :o)
ReplyDeleteI've not baked muffins for years. Mmmmmm. ......muuuuffins. How clever is your girl, though! I definitely couldn't have done that!
ReplyDeleteI love using the denser fabrics in my quilts. It makes me feel like I am in a posh hotel when I sleep under them. I have never tried to hand quilt it before...but I can see what you mean. Batiks probably have the same issue.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant girl! Lucky sister.
Have to try those muffins.
Way to go Helen! I am so impressed. There's an excellent blog called Miss P which often does quick and easy refashions from charity shop stuff, should let Helen have a read before you take her out shopping again!
ReplyDeleteHelen has done an amazing job!!
ReplyDeleteWell sewed Helen! I think I might be a dodgy white-er as I use Klona, partly because it's cheaper than Kona, but also because I like the amount of sizing in it to start with which means I don't need to start it. Sorry about that!
ReplyDeleteHelen is a wizard with needle and thread! Cute X 2
ReplyDeleteWell What a girl! well done you Helen!
ReplyDeleteAnd those muffins make me peckish!Off to view the recipe now...
Great up-cycling from Helen. And great muffins from mother!
ReplyDeleteWow I'm really impressed with Helen's up-cycling, you'd better keep a close eye on your wardrobe in case it gets raided for more projects. Love the look of those muffins I need to try making some very soon.
ReplyDeleteGreat weekend up cycling!
ReplyDeleteThread-count police!
ReplyDeleteGreat going Helen; and freeze some of those muffins for me please x
We are never too old to learn something. The muffins look delicious!!!!
ReplyDeleteWow, serious kudos to Helen! And those muffins look fab :-)
ReplyDeleteThis is the argument some people use for not backing quilts with sheets (the thread count thing) . I can see how that would be a PITA to hand sew through though.
ReplyDeleteMy goodness - I'll have to get Helen over to re-vamp some of my old clothes ! Great job!
I can't remember what you said about whites in your quilt - I expect I used Kona. The girls looks lovely and how cute that H made E a top! I am absolutely useless at muffins - I still can't work out how you don't over work the mix, and I think I'm quite a good baker. I put it down to a N.American/Canadian thing.
ReplyDeleteMmmm they look goooood! As do your uber lovely girlies! Jxo
ReplyDeleteGreat work Helen, she's a clever girl, just like her Mum!! Sounds like you got those big girl knickers in a bit of a twist over the thread count Mrs ;o)
ReplyDeleteWow, Helen has amazing skills! I like both the tops she's created. I'd get into a pickle and throw it aside in a tantrum and never finish.
ReplyDeleteIgnoring the muffins!
ReplyDeleteRe whites: I generally buy cheap white for experimenting, but it pays to keep them separate incase of mix ups. I used white Kona for my friends quilt until I ran out...thinking I could mix in some basic white was a no go..the cheaper cotton was really blue. I dont think my friend would have noticed, but I would have!!!
Thanks for the heads up on the hand quilting.
You have me thinking about the whites I am using to make a quilt top right now. I am going to check and see if they are the same, very interesting.
ReplyDeleteYour girls are so talented and creative, that is a wonderful thing. Those muffins look divine, I love raspberries and I have not had my breakfast yet and would really, really love to have one of them, please.
Is there nothing the women in your house can't tackle with amazing success!! Perhaps you have a Stella McCartney in the making?
ReplyDeleteInteresting observation on the high thread count white.
Helen is almost (if not already) at that age to start her own blog. Or maybe you should consider letting her do an occasional blog post here. She is incredibly talented and needs to get a few followers!!!
ReplyDeleteoooh clever Helen!
ReplyDeleteI love Rhonda's suggestions of letting her write a post every now and then. That would be fascinating :)