Piecing with WonderFil DecoBob 80wt thread

This week I’m using WonderFil’s wide variety of threads to stitch up some inspiring and encouraging wallhangings for Christmas gifts. These wallhangings are to usher in the new year and include words of encouragement and inspiration to give as gifts.

The three quilted banners are called: Persevere, Relentless, and Be Curious.

Last year I printed up the word “FINISH” in really large print and posted it on my fridge. I found it to be a motivating word to encouragement and challenge me to finish projects this year. My hope is that the wallhangings in these next 5 posts will inspire and challenge the recipients in 2018.

Note: I’m working on 3 wall hangings for this week’s posts. I apologize in advance. I got so excited on some of the projects that I forgot to take pictures of each step. The pictures will be jumping back and forth between the projects. I really hope you don’t get too confused!

I’m using a selection of WonderFil’s threads for each of the steps for these quilts. I’m breaking down each step in this week’s posts. Today I’m focusing on piecing and then will look at quilting, borders and applique.

For this wall hanging I’ve collect a selection of threads in various weights and types to see which I like and plan to use.

All three of my little quilts contain a center pieced section and a good sized border for quilting. Two of my quilts have flying geese units and I’m using WonderFil’s DecoBob thread for piecing. It is an 80wt cottonized polyester thread. The fine thread is perfect for piecing. The pressed seams are much flatter than when I work with a heavier thread, even a 50wt or 60wt cotton.

I like to use the pre-wound bobbins as they hold a lot of thread. I’m using DecoBob in the bobbin  for the entire project.

This first quilt uses Flying Geese Units. I found a new-to-me technique that I just love! Follow the link to my instructions on how to make these Flying Geese Units, since I had already written them out there.

For this project I’m making 2″ x 1½” units.

Cut 2 squares of fabric. The background is 5″ x 5″ and the geese units are 3½” x 3½”. Each pair of fabrics will make 4 flying geese blocks.

Place the geese square centered on the background square with the right sides of the fabrics facing.

Draw a diagonal line from one corner of the geese fabric to the other.

Sew ¼” stitching line on either side of the drawn line.

Cut the units apart on the drawn line.

Press the seam allowances to the background, larger square.

Place the 2 units right sides together and draw a diagonal line from one un-sewn corner to the other. Note that the center seams do not match.

Sew ¼” stitching line on either side of the drawn line.

Cut the units apart on the drawn line.

Clip within the seam allowance between the seam lines. Press the seam allowances to the background fabric. By clipping in the seam allowances, it makes pressing to the background easier.

Use a rotary cutting ruler with a 45° line that intersects at the ¼” line mark.

Line the 45° lines on the seams between the geese and background fabrics.

Trim along the edge of the ruler.

Rotate the geese unit and trim the bottom edge the cut measurement. For the geese for this project the measurement will be 1½”.

Rotate the unit and line up the ruler with the 45° line right at the edge of the geese unit. Trim off the extra fabric.

Rotate again and trim the last corner.

Your flying geese unit should now measure 1½” x 2½”.

Each pair of squares (background and geese) will make 4 flying geese units.

There are a number of ways to sew these units together. Sewing 2 units together will make a 2½” x 2½” block.

Sewing with an accurate ¼” seam allowance will give you perfect points.

I like to sew with the point of the geese unit on top so I can see where the ¼” seam intersection is.

Arrange the blocks and sew them together into rows.

Sew the rows together. The rule is to press seam allowances to the dark side, but in this case, press the best way you can.

Rotating the seam allowances as I’ve shown above is a good way to reduce the bulk of these seams.

Today I pieced my blocks with WonderFil’s DecoBob 80wt polyester thread. I find that the very thin thread is perfect for all my piecing, not just the little pieces. When I press the seams I get a nice flat seam and my finished pieces measure as they are supposed to measure.

Next up, I’m going to focus on sewing the border and quilting the blocks. I’ll be piecing the border on with DecoBob again, but I’ll be quilting with WonderFil’s Invisafil 100wt polyester thread.

Join me tomorrow as I work on the next steps of my inspirational wallhangings.