Reviews

This thread is a wide variety of very nice colors, also good quality. I would recommend this. However as another reviewer said there are no notches for the thread to be hooked onto when not in use, I've just used a bit of tape to keep the ones i've used so far bound.

This thread sews beautifully on my Singer Futura. The colors are really vibrant, and the price is fantastic; I bought all 4 color groups. To avoid thread issues, I place a small piece of thread mesh (about 1" long) over the thread on each spool. I don't cover the whole thread area so that I can clearly see the true thread color peaking out on each end. When sewing/embroidering, I use the vertical spool pin, and when finished, I just put the loose thread end under the mesh for storage. I store my thread in a Sulky Universal Slimline Storage Box. These can be a bit expensive, especially if you need more than one (I bought 3), but since I got the thread at such a great price, I could justify the extra investment. These cases are made of durable, clear plastic and will protect your thread better than those wooden spindles.

This is a great option for you and your machine. It's hard to find thread sets at a good price. This set is VERY good quality, it doesn't snap as easy and the colors are vibrant. People who were commenting that they were having trouble (unraveling and therefore thread waste) because the spools don't have a rim where you can insert the thread after cutting. I found a possible solution that can be very helpful. Cut a diagonal slit on top with a knife to insert thread and avoid unraveling. MAKE SURE THE SLIT IS SLANTED OR DIAGONAL....IT'S BETTER THIS WAY (thank you nice lady at Beverly's, San Jose for the diagonal idea ) . amazon also sells mesh to protect your spools but this is a good way and economic way to preserve your thread. I added some pics so you can have a visual. I hope this helps.

I use a Brother SE 350. So far this thread has worked rather well on it. The main complaint is that the thread isn't wound tightly. So when you unwrap the plastic wrapper, sometimes quite significant amount of thread comes unwound from the cone. But great thread for the price, with good sheen.

I would like to give this 5 stars because the thread did well and was a good price. However, the plastic spool core is too large for the thread spindles on my Brother machines and they have jagged edges on which thread can easily catch. I am wondering if there is some kind of adapter needed for this spool and will look into that. In a test against Madeira with the same embroidery design, I thought this thread was actually a little better - a little heavier than the Madeira 40 wt, even though they are both supposed to be the same weight. I did use a thread net to control the unwinding process while stitching, and that worked well with the spool vertical (upright), but because of the large core, it wasn't that successful horizontally. I may try winding onto a bobbin and using it through the needle that way. Maybe more trouble than it's worth, but I'll see. If you can work around the spool issues, you would probably find this an excellent set of threads.

Reviews

I purchased the hoops about a month ago, and am wondering how I survived so long with out all of the sizes! A 5x7 hoop is what came with my machine and I always just made do with it. Now that I have had the 2x2, 4x4 and 5x12, I am amazed at how much easier my sewing projects have become! (Onsie's are so much easier with the 4x4!) The hoops are great! I can tell absolutely no difference between these hoops and the Babylock hoop that came with my Babylock embroidery machine. ( I have the Emore) The scissors and the thread were just bonus for me although I have to say I love the scissors because they have such a sharp point. I use them a lot for applique designs in those hard to reach area's.A nice selection of colors of thread were sent too and as far as I can tell so far, the quality is good. Over all I am super pleased with my purchase, the price was great and the hoops are awesome!

I recently purchased the Elipse 4-hoop package after purchasing the Brother PE700ii. I was hesitant, but found another website in which two people gave favorable reviews. So I took the plunge. I am very happy and satisfied with these hoops. The 5x7 hoop is fully identical to the original Brother hoop that came with the machine; in fact, it's my opinion that the Elipse hoops are a bit sturdier. The included thread is a great bonus; it's Polystar polyester thread, which is 50 wt., the size specific to my Brother machine. The included stork scissors are ok. I use Gingher embroidery scissors, and these stork scissors seem kind of cheap. But they're included and some may find them useful. I don't think you can go wrong as the price can't be beat!

Reviews

Great book! Methodical method to learning how to choose color and type of thread and correct needle for machine quilting and how to set your machine so the thread,needle and machine working together to make the quilt intended. Takes the mystery and frustration out of machine quilting.

Sarah Ann Smith's THREAD WORK UNRAVELED packs in all the detailed needed about thread and machine quilting notions. From how thread's made to what threads work for different jobs and how to enhance piecing and quilting projects, THREAD WORK UNRAVELED is for any serious quilter's collection.

Sara provides step-by-step instructions for Threadwork including tension settings, needles, threads, combinations, etc. Half the book is on set up and she leaves absolutely nothing to guesswork. It's the "BOMB" (really great!). Highly recommend this book for all types of quilters.

This is an excellent book with a good range of sewing machine/thread-related topics. A beginner will greatly benefit from the instruction it offers while a more seasoned stitcher will appreciate having solid guidance in one reference.

Threadwork Unraveled is both an excellent reference book on how to use thread to enhance pieced and appliqued quilts, and an inspiring look at how some of today's best quilt artists are using thread in their work. Best of all, Sarah's sparkling personality and sense of humor shine through on every page. (Kudos to the AQS editor who was smart enough not to edit out Sarah's unique voice.) Threadwork Unraveled provides an amazing amount of information about: thread - weights and plies, strength, how it is made, different types of thread and their advantages and disadvantages, and how to select the right type of thread for your project. needles - sizes, structure, types, when to change needles, selecting needles for different kinds of threads, and troubleshooting tips. sewing machine basics - throat plate, feet, harp, lighting, speed control, tension, thread path, using a thread stand. Note: This section would be particularly informative for those trying to determine which features they want when purchasing a new machine. workspace and ergonomics issues - the sewing surface, chairs, and proper body positioning. foundations - stabilizers (tear-away, heat-away, wash-away, cut-away/leave in; freezer paper; coffee filters and dryer sheets; machine tape; copy paper/tracing paper), hoops and batting. marking tools - pencils, chalk, pens, scoring tools, transfer paper, how to mark a quilt and how to remove markings. applique - using thread to outline machine applique, and as a design element on its own; using thread to tone down, shade and highlight; stitching options (straight stitch, blind hem, blanket stitch, zigzag stitch, satin stitch, decorative stitches); and using thread to add visual texture, contrast and value. machine quilting - quilt top, backing, batting, basting, alternatives to pin basting, starting and stopping, stitch length, speed, getting sharp points, practice tips, stitching density, blocking, quilting designs. But this is not just an excellent reference book. There's also lots of eye candy, beautiful examples by both Sarah and other accomplished fiber artists (Hollis Chatelain, Gloria Hansen, Joan Hawley, Jane Sassaman, Pamela Allen and more). In my mind, Sarah's information on tension (both in the top thread path and in the bobbin) and how to solve tension issues is well worth the entire price of the book. When I teach machine free-motion quilting, at least half of my students' problems are tension related. Sarah explains these issues in a straight-forward, step-by-step way that will be useful to quilters of all experience levels. The section of the book that inspired me most was the machine quilting section. Using lots of examples from her own work and that of other exceptional art quilters, Sarah ponders many issues quilters face when trying to decide on how to quilt a particular piece. I learned a lot from this part of the book. One of my favorite projects in Sarah's book is the Thread Tension Quilt Reference Sampler. Sarah gives instructions for marking a grid with thread and needle information and tension settings, and then sewing straight, zig zag, and free motion stitches while gradually changing the tension settings. This would be both an educational exercise, and (when completed), a practical tool and reference guide for any sewer. Check it out: There are also several beautiful projects (a table runner and three small art quilts) quilters can create to learn new techniques and then stitch them with thread.

Reviews

Very easy to use. Informative and inspiring. Would recommend to both experienced and beginning quilters. Beautiful illustrations and easy to understand.

I've been producing art and landscape quilts for years, always hoping to improve my work and expand my knowledge. I hoped to learn the meanings of some of the still unknown terms; learn new techniques for the many tools and support materials that are used in producing quality art quilts-what paint and how best to apply it, what tool to use for each effect, how to prepare the fabric for one type, versus another, what foundation fabric, which is the best stabilizer to use for one technique versus another, what is the best fusing material for what fabric, what layer or how it is best to use for various effects, etc. Always hoping for that ONE BOOK that would clearly explain the terms often used in them, with actual examples of "what it is and how it is used"- I ordered "Luminous Landscapes!" I could not put this book down! The author's insight as to the details that we might need to know in order to produce quality work is astonishing. She teaches us better, faster and easier ways to make great art/landscape quilts, even if we've been creating them for years! Gloria Loughman's book, "Luminous Landscapes: Quilted Visions in Paint and Thread" was a pleasure to read and easy to understand. She explains techniques with good details-for those of us who need the extra visuals, and she introduces many new and innovative ideas and various creative uses for the most recently introduced materials on the market. I am thrilled with this most helpful book and in the few months I have owned it, have produced my best art quilts yet! I highly recommend this book!

This book provided me with some usable ideas but I find the instructions a little hard to follow. Requires some effort to understand.

After purchasing several books on Landscape Quilting, all the books had good points, good qualities, excellence. But this book, when I opened it and looked at the photo's, the quilts, the examples ~ I just did a sigh of relief. This is what I have been looking for. I have two best friends. Both of them have been to Africa. Both separately, in different states, went to Africa for different reasons. Both of them gave me descriptions of their Africa memories. Both of them want me to make them quilts that remind them of Africa. I have never been there. So I have been searching for the right books, right ideas, for inspiration to make quilts for my friends. This book, is it. This book has all kinds of landscape ideas, and this book gives me what I have been searching for. It is written superbly, with excellent examples. Wonderful book! Definitely recommend if you need good ideas and great techniques.

This is an excellent book with clear directions and applications. This book follows a step-by-step guide with pictures and list of materials one would need for an artistic endeavor that involves not only quilting but painting. It opens the world of quilting to the world of art and adds dimension.