February 13, 2013

Experiment


Objective: To quantify frustrations encountered with using a commercially available, sticky backed wash away stabilizer.


Background: The author's previous experience with a similar sticky backed product resulted in skipped stitches and grumbling. The author hypothesized that all sticky backed stabilizers were a terrible idea for free motion stitching and were for those people with embroidery machines.


Methods: Using a home printer, leaves were photocopied onto one sheet of the stabilizer. Leaf shapes were cut out and removed from the paper backing, then affixed to a quilt sandwich. The author stitched along the outlines and veins of the leaves, going over each line twice or more in a loose, sketchy manner. Skipped stitches and grumbling events were recorded.



Outcomes: Much to the author's surprise, no skipped stitches were encountered. The only grumbling happened when the author's child began her own experiment involving a paper bag and some water. The author's child eventually enjoyed matching the stitched versions of the leaves with their originals.


Discussion: This Wash Away Stitch Stabilizer* can be used without skipped stitches. The author sincerely recommends this product to sewists who like to finish things in a good mood. This study should be repeated using better fabric now that the author knows it won't be a disaster.


*C&T sent me the sample, but they didn't ask me to review it. I just wanted to share my good experience because who knows when you'll need something like this?

15 comments:

Gene Black said...

That is an interesting way to transfer a pattern to the quilt.

wish2stitch said...

That method would make for some interesting finishes on quilts. It looks so effective.

SeeingStars said...

Are you also taking a chemistry lab right now? LOL! Your blog post reminds me of those write-ups. Anyway, I'm glad you found some success and a general lack of frustration.
Have you even seen a Cherokee Leaf Pounding quilt? It's another way to transfer the leaf design to the top of the quilt with beautiful results.

Elsa said...

An experiment gone brilliant ~ love the outcome!

Margaret said...

Conclusion: Sampling is always a good idea. :-) Now to try it with the brand of same I have in my stash...!

Becky said...

Thanks! I've been wanting to try out some soluble "paper" like this for a while now.

Kathleen said...

Your approach to this post made me laugh today because I just got done editing chapter 5 of a thesis, which was written in a similar manner. Your post is less boring though, no offense to the writer of chapter 5 . . .

Fiber Babble said...

Thank you for sharing your experiment. It's always nice to hear about a product from someone who's put it through it's paces. :-)

Unknown said...

That's awesome. Thank you!

Mama Pea said...

Thanks for the info. It's good to see you in the blogosphere....and I love the format of your review. Very fun.

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Kay Lynne said...

I really like the way your project turned out. Wash away stabilizer isn't just for fancy embroidery :)

McIrish Annie said...

Just found your blog and found your review enlightening and hilarious!

Anonymous said...

I'm new to your blog and to stitching (just learned to quilt this past summer). I loved this post, what a great way to stitch! I have a question, are you using embroidery thread and an embroidery needle on your machine to do this? Are there any special settings I need to use or can I just use a regular straight stitch? My machine has embroidery stitches pre-programmed but they are fancy and I just want a straight stitch. thanks!

Suzanne said...

I had no idea this existed but I'm storing away your comments like a squirrel with nuts. I never know when I'll need it.

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