Question Thursday #40

It’s time for Question Thursday, and time to announce that this is the LAST question Thursday post. I’m just finding it a bit overwhelming to check for questions on YouTube, Facebook, Blogger, email and now Craftsy and try to make a post out of all of it.

So instead I’m going to try to answer questions when I see them here and on your linked up blogs, but I have to admit, the best possible place to ask questions and get a response within 5 hours is in my Craftsy class Free Motion Quilting a Sampler.

Why? Mostly because the learning platform is so seamlessly designed. You watch a video on the left side of your screen, and on the right is a list of all the questions other students have asked and a box for you to enter your own question.

So anytime during the video if something doesn’t make sense, you just click on the little box and write a question.

I check Craftsy first thing in the morning, then at lunch, then in the evening, so if you ask a question, you’re guaranteed a response within 5 hours during the day, or first thing the next morning.

It’s a million times easier for you because you can ask questions anytime and the questions are time stamped for that point of the video. So if something I say or do doesn’t make sense you can write “Hey, what did you mean right there?” and I can easily find that point and clarify what I was trying to teach.

It’s a million times easier for me to answer the questions because I don’t have to hunt for them and I can respond directly and even upload a photo to show you if it’s needed.

So if you’re feeling grumpy about my decision to shut down Question Thursdays, just remember there’s an awesome new place we can connect and interact so much easier right here at Craftsy.com.

And to finish off today, I did receive one question this week from Cindy at Cinder Gal Quilts:

What size needle do you use?  

 I use a Schmetz Universal 80/12 needle.

Yes, I know a lot of quilters use Top Stitch, Embroidery, or sometimes even Microtex needles, but I have always liked Universal. I got started using this type and size when I made clothing and they seemed to work best on a wide range of fabrics from knits to cottons, made a small hole, and always seemed to stitch well.

The one time I change needle types is when I use Metallic thread. For that I use the Schmetz Metallic needles in whatever size seems right. Usually an 80/12 is my standard size, but I’ll go up or down in size depending on what the thread seems to like.

The best thing to do with needles is experiment and play with a variety until you find the right fit for your machine. It’s really down to how your machine works and what it likes best, so pay attention to any changes in stitch quality whenever you change needles.

Now I’m hopping off the computer to finish marking the surface of Duchess Reigns. It’s taken 4 days and 4 pens so far and I’m hoping to finish it up today so I can start quilting tomorrow!

Let’s go quilt,

Leah Day