Tip of the Month - August 2023
Sharps Disposal
|
|
We all know the problems those rotary cutter blades and needles cause when they are no longer sharp and useful to use. Disposing them in a manner that is safe for you and others is critical. Here are a few ideas that might work for you.
1. Like many quilters, I have several rotary cutters. On the way to a class or retreat I invariably would grab the dullest one. Now I mark the date on a blade when I change it so I know at a glance if it hasn't been replaced in a while.
2. When I buy a five-pack of rotary-cutter blades, I write in marker on the small plastic case the numbers 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Each time I take out a new blade, I mark an X through the next descending number. This way I know at a glance how many blades I have left in the pack and when to think about buying more.
3. Use an old rotary blade case to store dulled blades until they can be safely thrown in the trash.
4. Have a permanent marker handy when changing blades. Before removing the blade put a couple marks on it so it's easily identified as a used blade.
5.Once I finish a tube of lip balm, I run the insert back to the bottom of the tube and stash the empty tube in my sewing room as a repository for old sewing machine needles. Replacing the cap after each needle is added keeps the needles contained for disposal.
Stay safe!
1. Like many quilters, I have several rotary cutters. On the way to a class or retreat I invariably would grab the dullest one. Now I mark the date on a blade when I change it so I know at a glance if it hasn't been replaced in a while.
2. When I buy a five-pack of rotary-cutter blades, I write in marker on the small plastic case the numbers 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Each time I take out a new blade, I mark an X through the next descending number. This way I know at a glance how many blades I have left in the pack and when to think about buying more.
3. Use an old rotary blade case to store dulled blades until they can be safely thrown in the trash.
4. Have a permanent marker handy when changing blades. Before removing the blade put a couple marks on it so it's easily identified as a used blade.
5.Once I finish a tube of lip balm, I run the insert back to the bottom of the tube and stash the empty tube in my sewing room as a repository for old sewing machine needles. Replacing the cap after each needle is added keeps the needles contained for disposal.
Stay safe!
Tip of the Month - April 2023
Extending The Life of Fabric Markers
To help fabric markers and Pigma pens last as long as possible, store them in a plastic bag in the vegetable bin of your refrigerator. The cool temperature and moisture keeps them from drying out.
Tip of the Month - March 2023
Avoiding the Dreaded V-Notch in Cut Fabric Strips
|
It happens to all of us… we meticulously measure, straighten and align our fabric before making those long cuts, yet a few strips seem to have that ‘elbow’ that ruin our efforts. It turns out there’s one more easy step you can take that keeps those pesky v-notches from occurring: iron the fold line before cutting. Manufacturer’s fold lines are factory set and heavy in nature. No amount of straightening keeps them from doing what they want. By giving them a quick press, the fabric cooperates more under your ruler. Give it a try and you’ll end up with straight, elbow-free strips.
Tip of the Month- February 2023
Auditioning Fabric for Binding
|
To get an idea of how a fabric will look as binding for your latest project, cut a 1/2” slit in a square of card stock to make a viewing window. Place the window over the fabric and take a peek.
Tip of the Month- January 2023
Stay the course!
|
We all start out ‘gun-ho’ when a new year begins, creating multiple lists in our heads with plans for UFOs, gift project ideas, and new patterns we’ve been meaning to try. By late summer, we often abandon those plans as the holidays approach, and find ourselves shifting to ‘panic mode’, sewing up a storm to get it all done.
Why not stay on track and make things easier on yourself by using a quilt planner? It doesn’t have to be fancy… a simple blank notebook from the Dollar Store will do. Use it to create lists of all the quilts you want to make (or finish), colors you plan to use, fabrics you need to pull from your stash, patterns purchased and deadline goals. Give it a try. You may find it keeps you on course the entire year.
Why not stay on track and make things easier on yourself by using a quilt planner? It doesn’t have to be fancy… a simple blank notebook from the Dollar Store will do. Use it to create lists of all the quilts you want to make (or finish), colors you plan to use, fabrics you need to pull from your stash, patterns purchased and deadline goals. Give it a try. You may find it keeps you on course the entire year.
Tip of the Month- December 2022
Take a Victory Lap
|
A ‘victory lap’, also known as an 1/8” stay-stitch, is a good way to keep pieced blocks and seams from splitting and popping open on your newly finished quilt top. This is especially important if your top has no borders, or if you plan to pass your quilt top along to a long-armer,
To do a victory lap, use a longer (basting) stitch length, and sew 1/8” in from the quilt edge. It will be hidden by your binding, so don’t worry about it showing.
To do a victory lap, use a longer (basting) stitch length, and sew 1/8” in from the quilt edge. It will be hidden by your binding, so don’t worry about it showing.
Tip of the Month - November 2022
Estimating Bolt Yardage
|
Ever find the perfect fabric but worry there’s not enough left on the bolt for your project?
Two folds of fabric on the bolt equals one yard. Count the folds on one side of the bolt, divide by two, and you have total for the amount of fabric left on the bolt. This is a *rough* estimate only, but it helps for a quick estimate of yardage on a bolt that is running low.
Two folds of fabric on the bolt equals one yard. Count the folds on one side of the bolt, divide by two, and you have total for the amount of fabric left on the bolt. This is a *rough* estimate only, but it helps for a quick estimate of yardage on a bolt that is running low.
Tip of the Month- October 2022
Guild Cookbooks
Get some great (time saving) recipes from fellow quilters!
What quilter isn’t interested in getting out of kitchen faster and back to their sewing machine?
Guild-published cookbooks are a fun place to find tested recipes that often feature easy-to-make family favorites.
Just thumbing through one might inspire you to try something new.
Check out places like eBay, thrift stores, quilt shops and local community libraries for a copy. They are affordable and fun!
Guild-published cookbooks are a fun place to find tested recipes that often feature easy-to-make family favorites.
Just thumbing through one might inspire you to try something new.
Check out places like eBay, thrift stores, quilt shops and local community libraries for a copy. They are affordable and fun!
Tip of the Month - September 2022
Reduce/Recycle/Reuse/Repurpose
|
It seems everything comes in a plastic clamshell container these days. Did you know that despite carrying the recycle symbol, most of these containers are not recyclable? Their adhesive labels and flimsy structure make them ineligible for recycling. But there’s lots you can do to give these containers extra life. They are the perfect size to store bobbins, rolled up binding, needle cases and fabric markers. Or why not fill one with a few fat quarters and a matching spool of thread as a gift for your favorite quilter? Who wouldn’t love that?
Tip of the Month - August 2022
Sewing Ergonomics
|
We’ve all been there… a couple hours of sewing and we feel stiff as a board, or even worse, experience actual pain the following day.
Paying attention to how you sit while sewing can make a big difference. The photo above gives us a few recommendations, but remember to take stretch breaks, keep supplies within reach to avoid twisting and secure your foot pedal so you’re not chasing it all over the floor.
Paying attention to how you sit while sewing can make a big difference. The photo above gives us a few recommendations, but remember to take stretch breaks, keep supplies within reach to avoid twisting and secure your foot pedal so you’re not chasing it all over the floor.
Tip of the Month - July 2022
Upside Down Is Better
|
If you’re using those useful sewing clips to hold down binding for the final stitching on your binding, try using them UPSIDE DOWN. By placing the flat side (usually clear) down on the folded edge, it holds that edge flatter and tighter, resulting in a smooth finish, (whether stitching by hand or machine).
Tip of the Month - June 2022
Let the Selvedge Do The Work
|
Have you ever purchased an awesome print only to struggle with deciding what colors will go with it? Just check the selvedge! Manufacturers place those little colored dots on the selvedge to show you each color found in that particular print.
If you’re confused about what ‘other’ colors would go ‘good’ with your piece, simply look at the line of colored dots and voilà… problem solved.
If you’re confused about what ‘other’ colors would go ‘good’ with your piece, simply look at the line of colored dots and voilà… problem solved.
Tip of the Month- May 2022
Ironing Board Snips
|
All of us find threads that need to be clipped while we are pressing on our ironing board. Why not keep a pair of scissors handy right where you need them? Attach a lanyard with an attachment clip to your scissors, then attach the lanyard to the under side of your ironing board cover (with a clip). The scissors dangle in plain sight. No more hunting or chasing down that elusive pair of snips.
Tip of the Month - April 2022
Save time: wind ahead!
When prepping for a long sewing session, wind several bobbins ahead of time with the thread you’ll be using, and store them beside your machine in a foam pedicure toe separator. This will save lots of time by not having to ‘un-do’ your machine to wind bobbins.
Foam separators are affordable gadgets (think dollar store here!)
Foam separators are affordable gadgets (think dollar store here!)
|
Tip of the Month - March 2022
Get extra crisp binding edges!
After sewing the binding to the front of your quilt, give the binding a press…
Yes, it’s an extra step, but this simple task eliminates those little rolled edges and uneven folds from occurring when turned to the back for hand tacking.
And for extra EXTRA crisp edges, perform this task on a wool pressing mat.
Yes, it’s an extra step, but this simple task eliminates those little rolled edges and uneven folds from occurring when turned to the back for hand tacking.
And for extra EXTRA crisp edges, perform this task on a wool pressing mat.
|
Tip of the Month - February 2022
Look sharp!
The needle on the left is a new needle. The needle to the far right IS THE SAME needle, after eight hours of sewing.
Needles degrade over time, and continue to wear until they are worn blunt and flat. Replace your needle with every new project.
Needles degrade over time, and continue to wear until they are worn blunt and flat. Replace your needle with every new project.
Needles have a usage life, and even if they seem to be sewing fine, eight hours is about their limit. So if you’ve pieced a couple of quilts on your current needle, it’s probably time to securely toss the old one, and change to a fresh one. Additional tips:
- Batiks are harder on needles than other quilting cottons, so if you work with batiks, you may want to change needles more often.
- If you’ve recently sewn over a pin, jammed your needle into your presser foot, accidentally hit the edge of a binding clip, or your machine’s needle plate, the needle is probably bent, bowed or dulled. Is there a hint of a clicking sound while you’re sewing after such an incident? Time to change your needle.
- If you’re using a titanium needle, you can double the amount of time (16 hours) before changing your needle.
Tip of the Month - January 2022
Shop Punch Cards
|
No more digging through your purse!
Keep your quilt shop punch cards organized with any of these tips:
a) Use a credit card wallet insert. The plastic sleeves are a great way to keep everything in one place and in order.
b) Use a gift card holder.
c) Use a small Ziploc bag.
d) Sew up a punch card organizer like the one shown here (there are video demo’s on YouTube for how to create one)
Keep your quilt shop punch cards organized with any of these tips:
a) Use a credit card wallet insert. The plastic sleeves are a great way to keep everything in one place and in order.
b) Use a gift card holder.
c) Use a small Ziploc bag.
d) Sew up a punch card organizer like the one shown here (there are video demo’s on YouTube for how to create one)