This week on QUILTsocial I’m going to be experimenting with the different longarm quilting threads that WonderFil has to offer. My Gammill is a little particular when it comes to threads, so I usually try to use the same type of thread and needle for everything that I quilt. I LOVE variegated quilting thread, so most of the time I use different colors of the same thread, but even then I have issues with threads breaking or skipping. So I’m excited but nervous about trying all of these new threads on my machine!

Unboxing the longarm threads from WonderFil
Attacking my pile of UFOs
Last year I challenged myself to finish 52 UFOs (unfinished objects) that I found in my sewing room when I was tidying up after Christmas. I chronicled my journey on my Fairfield Road Designs Blog and I ended up finishing a whopping 44 projects which ranged in size from pincushions to bed quilts. BUT, in the process of the year, I accumulated a few more UFOs. So, last month I sent Calista at WonderFil pictures of six of them and asked her to send threads that would match.

My UFOs all stacked and ready to quilt
The threads
In September 2014 and October of 2014 on QUILTsocial, I used both Tutti and DecoBob threads to do some awesome thread painting and quilting, and I’ve used the pre-wound bobbins of DecoBob in my home sewing machine ever since, but the size “M” bobbins that will fit in my longarm quilting machine are very cool!! I also LOVE the look of the Fabulux thread so that’s the one I’m going to try first.

The five different cones of thread and “M” size pre-wound bobbins filled with DecoBob
Fabulux is fabulous!!
This Fabulux thread matches my blue tablerunner perfectly!! Look at the sheen on that thread! Fabulux is a 40wt, 3-ply trilobal polyester thread which is designed for longarm as well as midarm and domestic machines. It’s available in 35 variegated colors and 5 solid neon colors to stand out and show off beautifully on all your quilts and projects.

The sheen on the Fabulux threads is FABULOUS!!
Great resources
WonderFil’s website has a ton of great resources for using their threads and since Fabulux was new to me, I looked up the “Hints & Tips” sheet to find out what I needed to know before I loaded it onto my longarm quilting machine.
Testing the tension
Before I quilt ANYTHING on my longarm quilting machine, I test the tension of my threads on a scrap piece of fabric that I lay on top of the batting and backing that’s going to be used for my quilt. This way I can make any adjustments BEFORE I get quilting.

Testing the tension on a scrap piece of fabric at the side of the tablerunner
A quick peak at the back shows that the tension between the Fabulux on the top and the DecoBob in the bobbin is just right!

A quick peak at the back to check the tension
On the outside border of my tablerunner, I decided to use a scroll design – one that I use quite often. Here’s a video in which I demonstrate how to machine quilt this design.
Machine quilting a scroll design – Christine Baker – Fairfield Road Designs – YouTube
The inner border is a fairly narrow one, so I decided to do a little “loop-de-loop” design. This design is really handy as you can change up the size to fit any sized border.
Machine quilting a loop-de-loop design with Christine Baker Fairfield Road Designs – YouTube
Every once in a while I like to practice using my quilting rulers, and since this is a small project, I decided to use both straight and curved rulers to machine quilt the three blocks in the center of the tablerunner. Check out this video to see how I used a meander design along with the rulers.
Machine quilting with rulers Christine Baker Fairfield Road Designs – YouTube
Here’s a close up of the quilting on my tablerunner. I just loved using the Fabulux thread and can’t believe how lovely it looks with the Artisan Spirit Sandscapes fabrics from Northcott!

A closeup of the stitching on the tablerunner – notice how lovely the Fabulux thread looks
So there you have it – 3 versatile designs to machine quilt with WonderFil Fabulux thread!! Tomorrow I’m going to pick out another one of my UFOs, using another variety of machine quilting thread and get quilting!!
This is part 1 of 5 in this series.
Go to part 2: Machine quilting hearts with WonderFil’s Tutti thread
11 comments
Thank you for such info!
I like the variegated thread.
Variegated thread is my absolute favorite!!
Thanks for the great videos.
Hi Cathie – I’m glad you liked them!! They were fun to do!
Thanks for the tips
You’re welcome!
It’s a great feeling taking a UFO and putting the finishing touches on it, isn’t it? I have not heard of Wonderfil Fabulux thread, but would love to try it with my Viking machines!
Hi Kathy – this was my first time using Fabulux and I really love it! There are lots of great colors too!
I love using variegated thread, too! If you find the right color combination to go with your quilt top, it can really make the quilting pop!
You are so right Sandy!!