How to make the most of WonderFil’s Fabulux quilting thread

This week I’m focusing on quilting on a domestic sewing machine using Konfetti, Tutti and Fabulux threads from WonderFil Specialty Threads. Yesterday I shared some tips for trouble-free quilting with Fabulux.

Today, I’m taking a closer look at free motion quilting projects using Fabulux thread. Fabulux is WonderFil’s 40wt polyester thread that’s available in lovely bright colors.

When I was first given this assignment I wanted to quilt lots of great samples to show. At the time of writing, I’m getting over a rotten summer cold. Needless to say, all my plans for lovely new samples didn’t materialize. BUT wait, I’ve been quilting with these threads for some time now. I’m sure I can find a few samples to show you without having to quilt too many new ones!

Let’s see what I have in my sample quilt stack using Fabulux.

The last two pictures above show the finished quilt and a close up of Fabulux #06. The colorway used is called Fruit Salad.

There are 35 variegated thread colors in the Fabulux line as well as 5 solid neon colors. WonderFil worked closely with Debby Brown, an internationally known quilting teacher, to select the colors.

Debby tells me that there are tropical, primary, pastel, neutral and holiday colorways. She picked 6 colors and then blended them in 5 separate spools for each line. Debby also tells me that she then chose 5 fun thread colors that she always wished were available. In each of the colorways, there’s a color that is repeated. The pink is the same color through all 5 spools in the pastel colorway. In the tropical line, green is the same and the blue is the same for all primary spools.

“The fun (and challenging!) part was naming all of the threads. I thought naming my children was difficult, but this was much harder!” – Debby

The only obvious problem with WonderFil’s Fabulux thread is that there are so many choices. Choosing the best colors for the quilt can be the most difficult part of the entire quilting process.

Stitch out a sample using a satin stitch to see what the colors are in each of the threads. Remember to look at the top of the spool rather than the sides to see the individual colors.

Before quilting any quilt, stitching the threads you plan to use to see the effect on a practice quilt sandwich, is a great habit to get into. Make several samples using other similar colored thread and then decide on your favorite.

Sometimes it’s hard at the store to pick and choose. Oh well, let’s get one of everything! As the thread is available in 2 sizes of spools, it is easy to pick up a few for smaller projects to find your favorite colors before you jump in with both feet and get the big one!

It’s an even better idea to keep your sample sandwiches as a reference tool for future projects. While you stitch out the thread colorway sample, use different free motion stitches which will also be used for future reference.

Some of the variegation in the threads are a combination of shades from dark to light.

Some are a combination of 3 or more different colors. Fabulux #38, Cuddle has purple, green and blue.

Use thread colors with high contrast to the fabric when you want the thread to show.

This simple whole cloth quilt was quilted with Fabulux #17, Royal Robes.

The above close up shows the detail of the stitching, but also the variegation of the thread colors.

In addition to the 35 variegated threads in the Fabulux line, there are 5 neon colors. These really do reflect a lot of light.

The key to making the most of these the inspiring WonderFil’s Fabulux threads, is to start slowly and small. I like to try a small sample like a bag or a pillow top to see how I like the thread I plan to use. Don’t forget to use the practice sandwiches, they are valuable tryouts!

Join me tomorrow as I explore more of my quilting with Konfetti and Tutti threads.