What can you do with a thread? Seventeen years working at a thread factory has led me to believe you can do anything. From cross stitching to fly fishing, from plastic canvas to art quilts, from needlepoint belts to woven shoelaces, thread runs through everything. A decorative thread, like metallic, makes things even more interesting.
In this column, I’ve written about altering threads, the history of threads, how some threads are made, and how to use threads for special effects. I hope I’ve brought the detail and choice of thread to the forefront as a tool for visualizing creative thoughts. The fiber world is so full of color, texture and dimension, and thanks to the internet we can see glorious threadwork up close. Websites like www.mrxstitch.com bring images from talented needle artists right into our lives.
I just returned from International Quilt Market, a trade show for the sewing and quilting industry, where designs by incredibly talented fiber and fabric artists are on display. In the Kreinik booth, we meet some the thread-aholics of the industry: longarm quilters, machine quilters, art quilters, crazy quilters and doll artists among other creative people. We count members of the BadAss Quilters Society as friends, and indie sewing/quilting stores as partners. I am very excited to share some photos from International Quilt Market with you here, featuring beautiful fabrics, exciting thread play, and creative brilliance. You are not allowed to photograph many of the items on display at the show, so this is just a small sampling of the ones I was able to capture, plus some scenes from the Kreinik booth. Imagine a building the size of several city blocks filled with sewing, quilting, and embroidery designs. Thread, fabric, and stitch heaven!
For more information on Kreinik threads, visit www.kreinik.com