Argyle Bag Tutorial, part 4

Here's where we left off last week:



The diamonds are filled with contrasting color, but they don't quite pop. We're going to fix that this week.

Details:

Top Thread: Spagetti from WonderFil (12 weight Egyptian cotton)
Bobbin Thread: InvisiFil from WonderFil
Needle size: 20, since I'm using a very thick thread
Stitches per inch: 11

I will be using a ruler again this week, so my Ruler Base is on for safety!

Using Turquoise thread (Tiffanys!), I retraced the lines I stitched in the first step.



The thicker thread makes the line stand out and separates the diamonds:



Tune in next Wednesday when we will finish the Argyle Bag!

Argyle Bag Tutorial, part 3

Are you ready to add more color to our Argyle bag?

Here's how we left it last week:




It's time to fill in the rest of the diamonds, half-diamonds, and quarter-diamonds.

Details:

Top Thread: Konfetti from WonderFil (50 weight cotton)
Bobbin Thread: InvisiFil from WonderFil
Needle size: 16
Stitches per inch: 20, since I'm going to make tiny curves

I put on my micro-handles to make the tiny stitching easier:



I also put on my Ruler Base. I like to drag my fingers while I quilt. I feel like I have more control that way.



I chose white thread for top and bobbin, tested my tension, and then quilted little pebbles to fill in the unquilted areas:



Pebbling is a slow process, and it uses a lot of thread. I sit down at my machine when I pebble, and I set an alarm so I will stop every ten minutes to stretch and rest my eyes.

This is really starting to look like something!



Check back next Wednesday for the next step.

Argyle Bag Quilting Tutorial, part 2

I've waited all week to work on this bag!




Here's where we left off last week:




Now we're going to add some color.

The details:

Top Thread: Tutti from WonderFil (50 weight variegated cotton)
Bobbin Thread: InvisiFil from WonderFil
Needle Size: 16
Stitches per inch: 20, since I am going to make small curves.

After testing my tension, I was ready to add color to my bag. I chose Sea Blue because it looks like Tiffanys!

I worked a small meander in the ten diamonds:



Can you start to see how this will turn into Argyle?

Tune in next Wednesday for the next step!

Argyle -- it's not just for socks anymore!

I believe that I may have mentioned that I may be somewhat fond of thread. I have actually bought thread and then had to go find fabric that matched it! Has anyone else ever done this?

I have decided to make a quilted Argyle bag because, hey, why not? Follow along and make one of your own!

I started with a piece of black fabric for the front of the bag, approximately 10 x 12 inches. I chalked an 8 x 10-inch rectangle on the fabric with marks every one-inch on the top and bottom and every two-inches on each side:



Top thread: InvisiFil thread
Bobbin thread: InvisiFil thread
Needle: size 14 (since InvisiFil is a 100 weight polyester thread, I chose a small needle)
Stitches per inch: between 10 and 12

I layered backing, batting and velvet on my longarm machine and basted around the edges. I put my ruler base on my machine (safety first!) and stitched a few loops on the side of the fabric to make sure my top tension was correct.

Using my ruler, I stitched between the marks:



Remember that your hopping foot is 1/4" away from your needle. To compensate for this, I positioned my ruler 1/4" away from the mark. When I stitched, the line hit the point perfectly!

Stitch from point to point, following the diagrams below:


Diagram 1:

Diagram 2:


Diagram 3:



Diagram 4:











(All of the marked points will not be used during this step.)



Once I stitched all of the lines, a series of diamonds emerged:


A different way to stitch diamonds is detailed in my book, Beyond the Lines.

Next Wednesday, I'll add some color (think Tiffany's!) to this Argyle bag.