05/13/10

Do you have a tip, book report, favourite pattern, or quilting software review?

Please e-mail it to us at info@rainbowcountryquilters.ca.

Quilting Tips

To help loosen the paper backing of fusible web, score the paper with a straight pin.

Adjust the length of your machine quilting stitches based on the weight of your thread. 

For fine thread, stitch length should be shorter so the stitches don't look spidery

and strung out.  Use longer stitches for heavier threads.

When you reposition your hands when free-motion machine quilting, take a stitch or two in place before you begin quilting again to get oriented and to avoid nasty little wobbles.

When sewing a decorative stitch, set your machine to half speed and push your foot pedal

all the way down.  this will give you consistent, even stitches.

To make threading monofilament thread easier, take a felt tip pen and

colour the end of the thread.

When folding a quilt top in progress, always fold the raw edges to the inside to protect the seams and keep them from raveling.
 

When threading a needle for hand sewing, thread the needle from the spool before cutting the thread.  This way you'll have less tangling and knotting when hand sewing.

Make a design wall by covering a 4 X 8 sheet of foam insulation with a flannel sheet.

Save space by hanging an over the door shoe organizer in your sewing room to hold sewing notions and small pieces of fabric.

Serge squares or rectangles of fleece together for a cozy patchwork quilt - perfect for a quick gift.

Cut the largest or longest pieces such as borders first. You will be less likely to find yourself short of fabric.

The ideal way to store an antique quilt is flat on the bed, out of direct sunlight. Rolling or hanging are good options too, but don't hang a quilt for more than six months at a time. Light, heat and humidity are enemies. And no plastic trash bags.

To stop your fabric from fraying, use a rotary cutter with a pinking blade to cut the edge of the fabric before you wash it.

To find the right side of solid fabric check the selvage for the little holes. The smooth side is the wrong side and the side with the hole "bumps" is the right side.

Tie a ribbon to a pair of small sewing scissors and safety pin them to your ironing board. When you press your quilt blocks and find threads that need cutting, you can clip them easily.

When working with flannel, shrink the fabric first, treat with spray starch and use larger seam allowances.

Save your practice or unused blocks of all sizes. When you have enough of them, put them together in a collage lap quilt and donate to your favourite charity!