Monday, February 23, 2015

A Little Instagram Love!

Love Instagram? Us too! Here's a few #mettler photos from Instagram we <3!
A photo posted by wendy (@petitecouture.be) on

A photo posted by Cathy M. (@mujiedg) on


A photo posted by Erin Erickson (@dogundermydesk) on


A photo posted by Jacqueline Sava (@jacqueline_soak) on

A photo posted by Ekaterina Ermakova (@katerina_ermakova) on


A photo posted by Debs Nixon (@madbirdtextiles) on

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Mettler Transfil Invisible Thread

Transfil is a monofilament thread made of polyamide (nylon). Available in clear or smoke, this flexible thread allows you to stitch “invisibly” without fuss. 
Resistant to heat, it can be used for quilting in both the top and bobbin, and it is excellent for creating unique techniques. See the projects and videos below for ideas on using Transfil monofilament thread:

This mug rug project uses Transfil for the quilting and the invisible appliqué technique:






















This video explains the Invisible Applique Technique:



This mini-card holder uses Transfil to create a hand-look quilting stitch.















This scrappy mini-quilt uses Transfil clear thread for a unique "Stitch Over the Ditch" technique.





















In this video, Paula Reid describes how to use monofilament thread in the bobbin for free-motion quilting:

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Cranberry Crush!

We are totally crushing on this multi color - "Cranberry Crush" (#9846)  - in Mettler Silk-Finish 50 weight cotton. (The purple cone tells you it's 50 weight - how cool is that?)

















Did you know you can get Silk-Finish 50 weight cotton in large cones? Multi (variegated) colors like this one are available in 1500 yard cones, making delicious color blends like this totally affordable!

You can use the thread calculator to determine how much Cranberry Crush you'd need to quilt your next project.

Check out our Valentine Goody Bag and Valentine Mug Rug projects, both featuring this sweet multi thread.

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Valentine's Goody Bag

We love this goody bag so much, we can't stop making it! We love how it turned out in Valentine's colors! The Mettler Silk Finish Multi color "Cranberry Crush" #9846 was perfect for the heavy topstitching.




















You can find instructions for this project from our Fall Goody Bag project (Click here to find it). The only adjustment we made for the Valentine pouch was to use a lightweight batting to make a slightly softer pouch.

Monday, February 2, 2015

Valentine Mug Mat

There is still time to stitch up a cozy mug mat for your Valentine! This 5" square mug rug is the perfect landing spot for a cup of coffee or cocoa!



You will need:

Applique Patterns (Download them here).
5" square of background fabric
5" square of backing fabric
5" square tear-away stabilizer
5" square of Insul-bright batting
Scrap fabrics for applique pieces
Web Bond Temporary Adhesive Spray
Transfil clear monofilament thread
Mettler Silk Finish 60 weight cotton thread in a neutral gray
Mettler Silk Finish 50 weight multi (Sample uses Color 9846)

First, prep the fabrics for invisible appliqué. Watch the video below for step by steps on the invisible appliqué process:


Trace the patterns onto muslin or non-woven interfacing. Place the traced muslin with the marked side up onto the right side of the appliqué fabric. (The right side of the appliqué fabric and the marked side of the muslin will both be face UP).

Using Mettler Silk Finish 60 weight thread, stitch through both the muslin and the appliqué fabric, following the traced pattern.

Trim around the appliqué shape approximately 1/4 inch away from the stitched line. Clip corners and curves to prep the fabric for turning.


Cut a small slit in the muslin and turn the fabric right side out. Use a point turning tool to smooth the edges. Press well.

Spray the back of the appliqué pieces with Web Bond temporary adhesive spray.


Place the sprayed pieces onto the background fabric as desired.


Remove the top layer of appliqué and set aside. Layer a single piece of lightweight tear away stabilizer under the background fabric. 

Set up the machine with Transfil monofilament in the top and the 60 weight Silk Finish in the bobbin.

Stitch the appliqué to the background fabric using a blind-hem type stitch. The straight line part of the stitch will be in the background fabric and the zig-zag portion of the stitch should "bite" into the appliqué.



Layer the second appliqué fabric in place and stitch on with the same technique.


Use Mettler Web Bond to layer the top fabric, Insul-Bright, and backing fabric together.


Quilt the layers as desired, using Mettler Transfil thread.

Choose a 50 weight Silk Finish multi thread that coordinates with your fabrics.


Round the corners of your mat with sharp scissors.


Thread the machine with the Mettler Silk Finish Multi thread in both the needle and the bobbin. Using an overlock foot, stitch a wide satin stitch along the edge of the mat, encasing the edges in thread.


Trim any excess threads and put your new mug rug to work!