Customer Reviews

Threadwork Unraveled

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Sarah Ann Smith has had a very good year which included among other things winning an award at Houston and the publication of her book Thread Work Unraveled. Great title. But just wait until you see what's inside. Sarah has truly unraveled the mystery of thread!

I've been known to skim a book, leaf through them, stop here and there and read the tips and then put it away until time permits a more thorough reading. Not so with this book. For one thing Sarah addresses an underserved niche in the fabric arts -- thread. And lets face it whatever we plan to make using fabric -- will require thread. Lots of thread in most cases.

Sarah writes that the book is about: "Thread, which is as important as fabric and as much fun to collect; Understanding your tools and materials; Learning the skills one step at a time; Mastering th skills with practice; Doing what we love: quilting!" And she makes all of these aspects quite accessible and easy to follow -- as well as encouraging.

This book is written with authority and sound information beginning with the chapter on thread. This author knows of what she writes -- how thread is made, thread types, selecting threads, even a thread tension sampler which she warns readers not to attempt to do the whole sampler at one sitting. And then, as if learning which threads to use wasn't helpful enough, she moves on to needles beginning with the anatomy of a needle.

Her tips are new information to me. Ways to ensure the needle is inserted all of the way into the shaft, the thread industry's new standard of measurement, which needle to use for metallic, holographic and some rayon threads, and on and on. She addresses how to applique and use thread colors to tone down, shade and highlight and thread painting and machine quilting and resources and even workspace ergonomics.

If there is only one book to gift yourself, I suggest this one. It is the most informative and user friendly book I've encountered in a very long time. And the colors and photos and layout are stunning. Beautifully made book and one that I've read cover to cover. A great resource that you'll reference again and again.

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.

First of all I should mention that Sarah is a good friend of mine - but she now lives on the other side of the country from me and I have lost touch with much of the day to day creativity. Sarah is one of those women who is constantly on the go. She is a quick study and figures out better ways to do things. I love the way she and AQS put this book together. The information in the book; what threads for what use, which needle for which purpose and thread type, what needle to use, thread tension, bobbin work, examples and more examples, is presented in such a well designed manner!

This is one of those books that you will return to again and again - and fine new inspiration and information each time! Buy this book!! You will not be disappointed if you do !

I was looking forward to receiving my copy, but this book far surpassed what I was expecting. If, like me, you expect only a review of Sarah's wonderful work that will sit on your shelf, you will rethink that once you look through it and discover what a great resource it is not only for threads, needles and stitching but also marking tools, stabilizers, free motion ideas and especially troubleshooting (all well organized). There are also lots of great tips throughout the book. I think it should become part of everyone's resource library if you do machine stitching. Although Sarah is primarily an art quilter, her information is valuable for any machine quilter. I highly recommend this book.

If you are a novice at free motion quilting(fmq) and want to know where to start - start with this book! Sarah explains clearly and with humour why threads work, how they work and how to fix problems with them.

She explains about needles, stabilisers, working posture, and good work flow. She shows how changing the stitching or the thread colour can change the overall look of a piece. This part is fascinating even to more experienced fmq-ers.

There are projects to practise your no-mark fmq patterns, and some simple thread painting.

It is one of the clearest books, both text and illustrations, that I have ever come across. If you work through the guidelines to the end of the book, you will be able to graduate on to more advanced thread painting.

This book should be sitting beside every sewing machine. It contains the information we need for troubleshooting and explains the uses of all the wonderful threads on the market today. I highly recommend this book for those who would like to take their sewing/quilting to new heights. The information is explained clearly and the photos show exactly what she is talking about. This is by far one of the best technical books available to the sewer/quilter/fiber artist. Ms. Smith takes you from A to Z on how to accomplish your dream with your sewing machine and helps you arrive knowing exactly how you got there.

I just received my copy and am amazed at how much information it contains. This book is NOT going on the shelf with all my other quilting books. It will be kept handy so I can refer to it often. Sarah Ann Smith is very generous with her expertise, experience, and knowledge. This is going to become one of those "must have" books for quilters of all levels.

I just received this book and can't put it down. It is so well written and organized and the pics are fabulous. I am so inspired by it and can't wait to put what I learn to good use. Many congrats to the author on a job well done. I wish she had a whole series, I would buy them all in a flash. As a Janome owner, I am also so excited to see a writer showcasing a machine other than Bernina. If I were Janome, I would snap Ms. Smith up as a spokesperson immediately!

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.