Those annoying tie-offs…
I’ve had the opportunity to meet many of you on the road and I’ve heard you express your disappointment in the backs of your machine embroidered quilts.
Specifically, the Stipple blocks. So here’s an easy way to avoid those unsightly backs. Instead of hooping a quilt sandwich, hoop a quilt cracker.
What’s a quilt cracker?
I’m sure you’re familiar with the term, quilt sandwich – the layering of quilt backing fabric, batting and quilt top fabric. But have you heard of a quilt cracker?
I coined this term two years ago (gee, has it really been that long ago?) when I wrote Machine Embroidered Quilting and Applique. I needed some lingo to describe what materials to hoop for a specific technique (scalloped edges). But lately, I had an epiphany that a quilt cracker would be the perfect solution for those of you who do not like the backs of your machine embroidered quilts.
Here’s how I did it in my newest Stipple Collection: Bridge Club. I hooped batting and quilt top fabric in Snap-Hoop. You don’t have to use Snap-Hoop, a standard embroidery hoop will work fine for this technique. I followed the color sequences for the Spades block: quilted details, outline of the appliqué area, tack down of the appliqué fabric, outline of the second layer of appliqué, tack down of the second appliqué layer and finally the decorative quilting motifs. Once the block was complete, I very carefully removed Snap-Hoop from the machine taking caution to hold the hoop by the attachment only. I wanted to make sure I didn’t move the fabric within the frame.
Then I placed the hoop upside down on the edge of a flat surface, extending the attachment off the edge. This position allows the block and frame area to lay perfectly flat on the table. I sprayed the wrong side of the quilt backing fabric with temporary adhesive and carefully positioned the fabric over the back of the hoop; fabric is right side up. Since I’m using Snap-Hoop, I gently smoothed the fabric over the block. Too much handling might cause the quilt block to move from its original position.
I picked up Snap-Hoop by the attachment and carefully slid it back onto the machine. Before stitching, I checked the position of the quilt back fabric by feeling the top, right and bottom of the hoop. If my hand landed on batting, then I knew the fabric had become dislodged. Smooth fabric meant smooth sailing!
I stitched color 1, the basting outline of the block. Now my back is firmly in position on the back of my quilt block. I can proceed as normal to piece the blocks together with my reversible piecing method. What’s normal? Trim all blocks ½” from the quilted motifs, add front and back sashing to the front and back of the block to attach to the next block. You can see a video here of the technique and of course all the detailed instructions are included on each Stipple Collection.
I am really enjoying the new Bridge Club collection. We first created the quilt in jewel tones with a black quilt top to really let the quilting shine. And of course, the addition of bling – crystals – really pops on the black background. But I like lots of different colors so I experimented with white and brights, earth tones and a favorite shade of blue with yellow and pink.
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I like the white it shows the designs better
Your quilts using black as the background color are my favorites, so that would be my choice and then I would use various bright colors for the applique fabrics. I have made a tote bag and a wall hanging using the butterfly designs on black and they are beautiful!
Quilt Cracker? What a wonderful idea! I wish I had known about that in June as I made a quilt from the Stipple Tropical Flowers collection! I would love to make a quilt with the Bridge club design in beach colors on a black background-turquoise, white, coral and perhaps another shade of green. The backing would be a gorgeous matching batik!
I think I’d have to go for the black background with jewel tone appliques. The quilt cracker is a supper idea. Eileen – what in the world will you think of next?
Eileen, I like the solution to the tie off problem, but I am not familiar with the normal reverse piecing method of finishing. Also, do you have a good solution for this problem in things that do not have a backing like free standing lace? Just wondering…
A dark color backgound with bright colors for the applique fabrics.
I love the jewel tones on the black quilt, My favoutite, but they all all great.
I love the little borders you did. I would use jewel tones for the blocks, black for the designs and instead of a quilt, use them as cute coasters. I like the cracker method and would use that for the coasters also…..you are soooo talented….my machine was not behaving itself so I had to take it to the ” machine Dr.” They said I would know in 2-3 weeks….already I miss it….( big sigh)
I would have to try some glitzy metallic threads on the black background for a Las Vegas casino look! I can’t wait to try the “cracker” technique.
I love the bright colors, blues, greens & pinks.
I really like the idea of no-show embroidery on the quilt block back! It would be especially useful for baby quilts. I love the black with brights, they’re much more exciting than the white version! Of course, I’d just have to do one with the cards the colors they are in the deck; hearts and diamonds red and spades and clubs black. For that, I’d use a gray, like Kona Ash, so the colors would show at their best. Card party coasters, anyone?
A rich shade of aqua with broght gold applique and black thread.
I think I would try it in traditional colors for a deck of cards- gold, red, black white, and maybe blue.
Great technique, will try that with stipple seashells.
What an awesome idea. You never cease to amaze me. I would do the quilt with a black background and also use jewel tones for the designs. I think they really pop on a black background
I would use tones of blue and peach, with hints of rust and light brown.
Is there a video available showing how you attach the stipple blocks to one another??
I would use black with bright jewel colors.
My favorite colors are shades of purple and green….imagine the royal queen of hearts in a purple red print!
I have found that I really like black for the background because it always makes the other colors pop!
I am committed to the traditional colors as I come from a family
of devoted bridge players. When I was in high school between
my mom and dad they belonged to 7 bridge groups. When someone was late I could sit in until they showed up. Unfortunately none of it stuck and I never learned to score. My husband and I belong to a card club but we usually end up talking the night away or playing a board game. Times have changed.
Done a black background so I would choose a bright color for the background and Jewel tones for the appliques.
I use your method of applying the backing to other quilt blocks. I also would do the stipple or decorative quilting last so it shows on the back.
I would use a white background and use the normal colors that a deck of cards is made from. Maybe some bling on the face cards.
black white and red of course
I can just see the bridge club designs in fall colors — maybe because I usually can see most things in fall colors — my favorite!! Love the cracker idea; I’m one of the ones who really dislike the tie offs, but am afraid to snip too close because I don’t want the design to unravel after washing. Thanks, as always for your tips!
Beautiful design set! I’d probably choose black, red and white, although I really like the bright colors as well. I’m also going to give your technique a try. It makes a very neat finish.
I do like white or black for my background. Then, I would do the accents in lime green, hot pink, purple, and yellow to match my granddaughter’s room – and her favorite colors.
I really love the black background with jewel tone appliques.
I would use hot pink, purple, jade green, deep blue.
I love both versions. The white is very nice but the quilting lines show up better on the black with the gold thread. I think I would have to make both!
A black background with red and white, then change to red with black and white, etc. These three colors are what I would choose.
I think I would use red black and white. The colors of playing cards. When you said bridge quilt I could only think of playing bridge with friends.
I would use brights with a royal purple background and vivid brights for the symbols. I love your use of the bling and think I would have to include that too. Thanks for all you do I am new to this and I am learning so much from your great posts.
I think I would try it as a two-toned black/white quilt, with red as a slight accent color.
I would use a dark color, green or navy as background, trying maybe some batiks, and then a lighter color, yellow or paler version of the background, maybe a red or brunt orange for accent.
I could see using the heart design by itself for Valentines day or for someone I love in red and white. Great designs and thanks for the tip.
I think I would use some vibrant batiks on a warm neutral backgroud would be really pretty.
I would use purple, blue, and turquoise and probably a zinger of pink on a black background.
I would like to use a bright perwinkle, purple and turquoise on a deep earth/leather brown. Sounds ugly, but the dark brown is the new black these days, and love brights on dark.
Thank you for your continued sharing of your expertise!
I would use a black tone on tone background then top with rich jewel toned batiks accenting with gold and silver threads.
I really liked the zebra borders on your squares. I would take that further and use brightly colored animal prints for the appliques and coordinate the background to the opposite value of the applique. If the animal print applique was a dark fabric, I would match a light background and dark thread. If the animal print was light, I would use a dark background and light thread. Instead of using glass beads for accents, I would choose wooden carved beads.
I would use a pale yellow or peach for the background of the blocks with purple thread for the background. I would also use purple fabric for the setting triangles. I would use a multicolored print with these colors for the hearts, clubs, spades and diamonds.
I would use traditional red & black for the designs on an off white background
would use colors from fall,as this is my favorite time of year.
I think I would use a purple back ground with green batik symbols. Quilt with gold metallic thread. The Cracker method is great.
purple and aqua
I would used a desert sand color and then use the bright sunset colors for the suits.
My 82 year old mother is battling cancer right now…except when she goes to play bridge 3 times a week! She always feels good enough for bridge and I think that’s why she’s still fighting so hard.
I would make her a quilt in rose and blue to match her bedroom.
I think I would like to make a card table cover, fitted , in black and use red and teal and coral accents.Will you ever do a sisters class in the Dallas area, Tyler or Shreveport anything on the I20 corridor? Sounds like such fun. your instructions are great. I am just starting the Craftsy class.Keep up your great inspirations. thanks Vici Fallin
I would use black background with red and gole
I always bury my threads in quilting or doll making…
When finished with each color, cut the thread about 4” long, make tiny knot with/over the needle close to the exit place, then thread needle and bury that knot between layers…do the same for the back. Embroidery on both sides!!!