Quilting Tips

We all could use a tip now and then.

 v      To prevent thread tangles clip a small triangle of selvage from all four corners.  The strings will be easy to remove.

v      To prevent those pesky flakes from spray starch spray on the wrong side of the fabric.

v      If you do not have a quarter-inch foot, try moving your needle position to the right.  Measure ¼” from your needle.  Mark with a piece of painter’s tape.  Move your needle to the right until it aligns with the ¼” mark.

v      When your project has different size cuts of fabric, store in a Zip-Lock bag.  Jot down the size of the cut and put a small note inside the bag.  Keep the bags in a larger project bag containing your notes, pattern, fabrics, thread and other items relating to that project.

v      When organizing your fabric, measure and write the yardage on a small piece of masking tape.  It will be easy to find just the right size.

v      When cutting your fabrics, write the size and number needed on a piece of masking tape.   Stick the tapes in rows on your cutting mat.  The pieces will be easy to cut and stack.

v      When sewing blocks and rows together use a piece of masking tape to identify block and row numbers, i.e. Row 1 Block 1.

v      A three-ring binder with page protectors store patterns you’d like to make some day.

v      Keep a journal with photos of your quilts or unfinished quilt blocks.  Always put a quilt label on the back of your finished quilt.  Write the name of the quilt, date completed, who made the quilt and for what person, along with who it was given to and the special occasion.  The next generation will thank you.

v      Keep essential sewing supplies in a box or zip lock bag for your take-along projects.  Include notions such as sewing thread, needles, pins, seam ripper, a small pair of scissors, marking pencils, etc.

v      Always cut off the selvage of your fabric.  It is not the same weight and weave as the fabric and should not be used.

v      Press seams open when your seams are too bulky.  The rule is to press the seam toward the dark fabric whenever possible, but for some projects pressing seams open may solve the problem.

v      Do not cut unpieced (solid square) blocks when cutting patches.  Make a few pieced blocks to find your personal measurement.  Then square up to a common size.  Then cut your solid blocks and they should fit perfectly.

v      Always cut and make one block to test the instructions and to see if you like it.  Although designers do their best to write correct directions sometimes there are errors.  It is much better to discover an error on the first block.

v      Clean the bobbin area every time you change the bobbin.  Follow manufacturer directions for cleaning and oiling your machine.  Change your needle regularly to avoid bent or dull needles.  These simple steps will make your sewing machine purr.

v      Use Magic Sizing when pressing your fabric.  It will make the fabric easier to handle.  If you have flaky residue from spray starch, spray on the wrong side.

v      Buy a little extra fabric for the occasional change in the size of the quilt and those times of oops!

Next time we'll have tips on stain removal.