Fabric’s not the only thing to have in your stash as
a quilter... Check out our guide to batting, interfacing
and other ‘soft supplies’ you might need along the waySoft
supplies
Aside from the quilting stitches
themselves, the other thing your
quilting projects will need is the
batting that lies between a quilt top
and its backing. A quilt just wouldn’t be
a quilt without that lovely warm padding!
As with the fabric you choose for your top
layer, you need to give some thought to
Cotton thread is widely available and is
suitable for piecing and quilting. Most
cotton thread is ideal for machine and hand
quilting, but you shouldn’t use thread that’s
specifically intended for hand quilting on
a sewing machine (it’s coated in a glaze to
protect it against the wear of being passed
through the fabric, and this can cause a
build-up of residue on a sewing machine).
Where possible, if you’re using 100%
cotton fabric you should aim to use
100% cotton thread too.
Polyester thread is stronger than cotton
and doesn’t wear with washing and use, but
because of this you might find that it cuts
into less robust fabrics. Polyester threads
are colourfast, so you won’t need to worry
about them fading.
Nylon and rayon threads are ideal for
appliqué and decorative stitching: nylon
because it’s very fine so the stitches don’t
show around the edge of an appliquéd
shape, rayon because it has a slight sheen.which batting you choose, as there are
several sorts. Besides batting, you’ll also
need to invest in threads for quilting,
patchworking and perhaps embroidery.
And then there are extras such as fusible
web and interfacing that will prove
invaluable if you want to try appliqué or
more structured projects.THREADS
Lightweight silk thread is also good for
appliqué as it blends into the shapes being
sewn on, but thicker silks will make
embroidery stitches look really beautiful.
Stranded silks and cottons (shown below)
are the best choice for hand embroidering
your quilt top.It’s a good idea to keep other
haberdashery odds and ends to
hand, as you never know what you
might need – or want – when it
comes to adding the finishing
touches to a particular project.
Buttons can be decorative, but of
course are also essential for
certain items (cushion covers,
cases, purses and the like). Wide
ribbon can be used to make a
decorative border for a baby’s
quilt, or simply sewn on
as an embellishment. Ric-rac adds
plenty of interest however you
use it – it’s also great with
appliqué! Fancy edgings such as
pom-pom trim are lots of fun- why not use them to add an
extra element to your cushions?
RIBBONS &
TRIMMINGS