School of Threadology Day 3

On Saturday we finished our 3rd and final day of School of Threadology.
We started the morning with a class on fusible applique taught by Annie Unrien.

Superior has created a fusible thread called "Charlotte's Fusible Web" by Charlotte Warr Andersen. This technique is so much easier than cutting applique pieces onto interfacing's.
First, draw the applique design onto fabric.
Next, stitch on the drawn line using MonoPoly on the top and Fusible Web in the bobbin.

Cut out the applique designs as close to the stitching as possible.

Place the applique pieces on the background fabric. Touch with iron for around 10 seconds. The bottom fusible will act like a glue to hold the shapes in place. Tug gently on the top Monopoly and it can be removed easily.

Now you are free to use all those wonderful specialty threads and decorative stitches around the edges.

Our final product was a Sewing Kit.

Our next class provided continued education on thread. Bob explained the process his company goes through to guarantee Superior quality.

With his high tech visual aids (yes, that's a bath towel from the Purcell's house), Bob demonstrated "Why Twist Is Important".

Each time the towel was twisted, the distance between the two ends became shorter and shorter.

The higher number of twists in a thread creates better quality.

A high quality thread requires about 20% more fiber than a low quality thread.

Like most things, you get what you pay for.

In the afternoon Heather taught a class on "Color".

Mother Superior encouraged us to not be afraid of using many different threads on the top of our quilts. Notice in this quilt Heather made she used many different colors on the front.

We were also shown the many ways of using Superior's specialty threads in garment construction.

Heather makes exquisite clothes combining use of threads and embellishments.

After the butterflies were stitched onto the fabric, the jewels were added on top.

Heather first stitched on the fabric with threads, and then cut out the pattern pieces.

Even the linings of her garments look beautiful.

We were asked which thread would we use if our fabrics of our quilt were to be combination of pinks. Heather promted our thinking about not settling for the commonly used piecing threads of grey, tan, beige or white.

There are appropriate times to use neutrals. Superior provides quite a range when needed. When someone asks for "white", Heather helps the customer figure out which white will be the right tone.

We do not have die lots for our thread colors. What you receive today is the same color you will be provided with 10 years from now.

We went back to Cracker Barrel for dinner.

Mother Superior and her students.

Our final gathering in the evening was to meet together for awards and graduation.

Anita received the Silver Needle award for being an outstanding "Superior Educator".

For those of us who just completed 3 days of training, we graduated with our Phd. in Threadology.

For those who left early, Bob made sure they were awarded their diploma's.

Cindy Needham received the special "Chief Bar Tender" award for her creation of the Thread Bar. How we loved being able to play with all the many beautiful threads Superior has on the market.

Before we had our pictures taken, Bob tried to demonstrate how to wear the graduation cap. They are not as easy to put on as one might think! One of our students jumped up and said "Here let me help you. I do this all the time with my job." When we questioned what she does for a living, she replied that she is a teacher at the prison in Las Vegas! Roars of laughter filled the room as Bob became very obedient to any instruction.

Sixty one students received diplomas to the sound of "Pomp and Circumstance" playing gently in the background.

Steve (from Oregon) was our token "gentleman" in a class full of women. He has attended 8 of Bob's seminars.

There was a lot of laughter during our ceremony. If Bob and Heather ever get tired of selling thread they could always take their comedy routine on the road.

In conclusion, we asked our students for honest feed back on the seminar. Ruth (from Colorado) said it best: "The last 3 days has far exceeded my expectations. I will be back again and again!"