Painting with Thread - Tree Bits or Sea Bits

This fun technique can be used to create a wide variety of decorative elements in your creative machine stitched projects. Planned or improvised, this class is easy for beginners and experienced sewists alike. Use up your tiny scraps and play with multi-color variegated thread to create eye catching art quilts.



For questions or more information about this class, please email Rana directly at ranaquilts@gmail.com

Supply List for Tree and Sea Bits

NOTE: Rana will bring Freezer Paper, Basting Spray, Batik Scraps, Stabilizer and Tulle. Don’t make a special trip for these items unless you really want to. 

1 Fat Quarter background fabric—may be solid or tone-on-tone. A busy print is not recommended.

 If you are doing Sea Bits, this will be your sky.

1 Fat Quarter backing fabric—may be any cotton fabric or muslin

Small scraps of fabric—batiks are particularly suited to this technique, but other scraps can be included. Plan to share your scraps with class participants.

Batting 1 piece, roughly the size of a Fat Quarter

Freezer Paper 1 piece, roughly the size of a Fat Quarter

Marker or pencil to draw on freezer paper.

Tulle ¼ yard fine mesh black tulle

Tear Away Stabilizer* 1 piece, roughly the size of a Fat Quarter (Sulky Tear Easy is one brand)

Basting Spray* My preference is 505 Spray and Fix, which has a mild odor. We will be spraying indoors with ventilation. Bring a mask if you need one. 

Sewing Machine that you are familiar with power cord and foot pedal

Please be sure you know how to set your machine up for free motion or darning before class.

Darning Foot* also called a free motion quilting foot and ¼” foot or regular sewing foot

Extension Table if you have one

Quilting, Topstitch or Microtex Needles* 90/14 is a good general size.

Variegated Thread* Multicolored thread for stitching the tree or sea and thread to match your background fabric 

Bobbin thread*

Sewers Aid* to help thread feed smoother (only if you already have it)

Bobbins* you may want at least one empty bobbin in case you decide to try bobbin thread, or want to match the bobbin and top threads. 

Gloves* a pair of lightweight gloves with grippy dots or fingers will make your life much easier. Ask for quilting gloves at the fabric store.

Scissors* to cut freezer paper

Small scissors* to trim scraps/cut thread

Rotary cutter* to trim scraps

Small cutting mat* if you have one

Reading glasses if you need them

Snack/drink/water for lunch break

*These items are available for purchase at The Sewing Machine Exchange