Jessica Grady joined us on Thursday 5th November to talk to us about her work, and the fascinating journey she had taken to evolve  into the renowned textile artist that she is today, exhibiting across the world.
We were therefore very excited to be joining her the following Saturday for our first ever Zoom workshop.
What a huge success! 
We all had such a lovely time learning how to recycle everyday items and waste, into beautiful embellishments that were arranged and stitched to create beautiful floral explosions of colour.

Jessica has a website where you can purchase online pdf workbooks and kits, you can also keep in touch with exhibitions and events that she is taking part in. Jessica also offers Zoom workshops and has an online shop where you can buy her work.
www.jessicagrady.co.uk

MACHINE STITCHING WITH METALLIC THREADS

RULE NO. 1- ALWAYS USE A TOPSTITCH NEEDLE

USE a Topstitch 80/12 needle for fine metal threads and
Topstitch 90/14 or 100/16 for thicker threads.

Metallic thread is a decorative thread and so needs to be seen on the surface of the fabric. It is more fragile than normal sewing threads and so needs to be used with care.

Always use a Topstitch needle – a Topstitch needle has a much larger eye than a Universal needle and so is kinder to the thread as it goes through the larger ‘space’.

Loosen the top thread tension a little and use a fine (cotton or polyester) thread in the bobbin (No. 50 or 60). Thicker threads (e.g. YLI Candlelight) should be wound onto the
bobbin by hand.

With a thicker thread in the bobbin, stitch from the back of fabric/quilt and loosen the top thread tension.

Stitching with metal thread on soluble fabrics – you will need metal thread in the bobbin as well and the bobbin tension should also be loosened a little.

Don't stitch too quickly - treat it gently!

If the thread wants to coil and knot itself put a few of Pauline’s Patent Threadholders at strategic places on your machine and thread the metallic thread through them to help straighten it. (Blutak & very small picture ring)

Pauline Barnes
www.paulinebarnesquilts.co.uk
2020