Share Your Tips

Memory

Melissa Halpain — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 01:18:58 GMT

Hi everyone, So my memory is about as long as my pinky finger. Every time I have my quilt laid out just right on my design wall, I totally forget where I originally put them. What I figured out was to take a picture of the sections I'm working on. I can then chain sew the pieces and then put them in the correct place on my design wall. Sometimes I can take a picture of the entire quilt after I have laid it out. I will usually take a picture of the blocks in the steps I am sewing them. This idea has worked very, very well to job my memory that does not exist. I hope this helps some of you.

Pinning Tip

Mary — Wed, 22 May 2013 21:30:19 GMT

When I am quilting, or doing any sewing I use two pin cushions. One on my work area where I do my pinning and one by my machine. That way I am not having to move my pin cushion around all the time. When the one at the pinning area is empty, then I switch them around.

Re-usable "swiffer" pads

Erin — Tue, 14 May 2013 19:37:28 GMT

I recently made a baby quilt and had some left over pieces of Minky dots fabric. There wasn't enough to use in another quilt so I cut it into 11 inch by 5 inch pieces; they work great wet or dry! When finished just throw into the laundry and save money as well as the earth!

Bobbin storage

Jackie Conklin — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 20:21:12 GMT

I found a great little plastic container in the craft and jewelry dept. They come in different sizes and have a lid. They are made for separating your beads as you make jewelry but the bobbins fit in the little compartments very nicely.

Jackie

On - line classes

tidesout — Wed, 01 May 2013 20:05:24 GMT

I have been taking advantage of some of the classes offered on Craftsy. Leah Day and Angela Walters both do a terrific job teaching the classes they offer. I have learned a lot about free motion quilting com them. Anyone else taken a notable class?

Half Square Triangle block template/ruler set

Debbie-do — Fri, 03 May 2013 22:36:19 GMT

A year or so ago I saw this template set demo'd at a quilt show and I almost bought a set but didn't. Last week someone reminded me of them and with my recent experience with HSTs I've decided it's a must have. I have a feeling there are more quilts using HSTs in my future! Watch the demo here: http://www.templatetechniques.com/Video_Tutorial.html

What Dixie doesn't tell you is that the set sells for $20. You need to call or email your order or buy them at a quilt show that's she's at. She can probably send you a schedule if you ask. I'm planning on buying my set Memorial Day weekend in Kerrville, TX at the quilt show!

She retired last year and closed her quilt shop, Seventh Heaven, in San Antonio, TX.

Wobbly thread spools

Pat — Wed, 01 May 2013 16:08:38 GMT

Whenever I have a spool of thread that wobbles on the post, I use straws to help tighten up the spool. You can use more than one, in graduated sizes, too. Really helps.

"Unsewing"

Sewmimi44 — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 03:48:06 GMT

Using a mans battery powered mustache trimmer unsews so much faster than a seam ripper, especially on those long strips. The only drawback is that everyone knows you messed up when they hear the buzzing! I use the seam ripper for the first few stitches, gently pull apart and let the trimmer do the work. Keep pulling apart gently & just slide the trimmer along.

Sharps container

Patty — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:16:28 GMT

I have found that empty small spice containers make a great sharps container for used needles. They ususally have a small opening or hole to put the used needles in.

A great help for your sore shoulders when you have lots of sewing machine time.

cissiphru — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 20:24:37 GMT

I watched the tip about using erasers to give your machine a slight slant and that's okay but

I use my rubber door stops which are slanted in more degrees than the eraser and I use two of

them under the back of the machine. You can see your work perfectly and a great advantage is

that the angled light seems brighter and your shoulders can relax. We're supposed to enjoy our

sewing experience afterall!!!!

Cissy Roseberry

113 Quail Lane

Centreville, Md. 21617

New Quilters

Patty — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 15:22:22 GMT

One tip I would like to pass on to new quilters, always have a few bandaides in your sewing basket! They will come in handy!! Also the seam ripper is your new friend!! Keep him close by! Remember to have fun!

Journal for Quilts

Gailww — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 03:05:07 GMT

I keep a journal of all my projects that I make especially quilts. I enter all the information on my computer such as quilt size and measurements, fabric and costs, date started and finished, and of course pictures after the quilt is totally finished.

Thread

Anne — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 22:16:24 GMT

When I run out of a spool of thread I toss the used spool into a sandwich bag then when I go to the fabric store

When I run out of thread I toss the empty spool into a plastic bag then I just take the bag with me to the quilting and or fabric store and I know what colors to get. No more guessing. Anne

thread dating

Pat — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 02:26:07 GMT

I recently read that you shouldn't use hand quilting thread that is too old because it could break. So In order to record how old my threads are, I now put the date I buy them on the labels.

rotary cutter blades

tnmtgrl — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 15:29:47 GMT

I am curious if anyone out there has the TRUE SHARP POWER SHARPENER for rotary blades and if it really works and is it worth the $50 it costs?....I am so tired of buying blades for my rotary cutter, I have a hand sharpener but it does not work good at all. Would it be worth it to get one or should I just use my $50 to buy new blades?

inexpensive practice sandwiches for fmq

quiltcrone — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 16:52:09 GMT

I didn't want to waste any fat quarters or other fabric that might one day make it into a quilt, but I needed to make a LOT of practice sandwiches for FMQ. I'm using fat quarter size pieces of bleached muslin I found in my hoard along with leftover batting from quilts & other craft projects. Since the muslin is white, I use colored thread to practice so the stitches are clearly visible. I consider the batting free since it's all leftovers & while I already have quite a bit of the muslin (we keep it around for pattern making, crafts, etc) even if I had to buy it for this purpose it's a lot less expensive than most other fabric. (I buy it by the bolt at Joann's when it's on sale or with a 50% off coupon, so a bolt winds up being about 25.00- 30.00)

Another use for the toothbrush

Rita — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 05:26:55 GMT

After sewing a bunch of quilt blocks, I decided it was time to clean and oil my machine. The fabric I'm sewing must have an awful lot of lint as the feed dogs were packed, and even though I used the vacuum cleaner, I couldn't get them clean. So, I dug out an old toothbrush and it worked wonders removing the lint from the feed dogs. It's amazing how much better the fabric feeds through my machine now. (Should've done it sooner!!!)

Older Quilter-Get a dye cutting machine

PKT — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 03:18:37 GMT

My mom is 72, and has been ill from infections for one year. Even when she was confused from the fever and infection, she told me she wanted to make my sister of all things, a double wedding ring quilt. Before she got ill, my father had purchased for her a double wedding ring rotary cutter templet set. Unfortunately, even cutting around with scissors, this would have been impossible for her. My dad has ra so it would be difficult for him too.

I bought a dye cutting machine for her and she got all excited because she could cut the fabrics herself, or I cut the 6 layers for her in a short amount of time. The best part is that it also puts in notches that she can line up the pieces. As a matter of fact, she sewed the curved seams better than I did. Of course she has been sewing a lot longer than I have.

I am so proud of her. My dad thought after her illness she wouldn't be able to sew, and she is back in the saddle. This quilt we are making together my sister should treasurer. it is being made by both my mom and me. My sister may be getting a quilt, but I am getting the most memories.

patience

kgrammiecaz — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 22:51:58 GMT

as a new quilter, i have found the thing i need most is patience. quilting is not a rush project

it is great therapy, wrap your mind around it and take the time to enjoy what you are doing

for me it just feels great to take my time even though i could probably work faster

Speical Fabric designer name

Laurie Allen — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 08:55:31 GMT

While I Hand stich the binding on I sew the small part of the salvage with the designer's name and the fabric number. Just in case the designer or fabric become famous. You never know ~~

Speical Fabric designer name

Laurie Allen — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 08:55:29 GMT

While I Hand stich the binding on I sew the small part of the salvage with the designer's name and the fabric number. Just in case the designer or fabric become famous. You never know ~~

Tierd leg from pushing down on the sewing pedal...

Laurie Allen — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 08:37:30 GMT

Put your pedal on an angel with non-skid and sew for hours. You may also buy them, I got mine off amazon. It really made a difference with my lower back and Knee.

"Walking" foot pedal

divergranny — Sat, 02 Feb 2013 15:02:05 GMT

My foot pedal would "walk" so my foot couldn't reach it any more while I was sewing, so I took a piece of the rubber drawer liner which was bigger and set my pedal on it. Now my pedal stays where it belongs and I am not reaching anymore. Thanks to all for their great suggestions.

Using spray adhesive

Pat — Sat, 23 Mar 2013 05:37:12 GMT

Today, while using spray adhesive to 'baste' my queen size quilt, I thought of what to use to smooth the layers all out---my wooden pastry roller! It covers a large area, and smooths evenly. Just don't do it so aggressively that it will push wrinkles in. I'm not sure what taste it will add to my pie crusts, though, lol.

Pat