Folded Fabric Tip
Cleaning Your Machine
Why not do that today! It will make your next project go much smoother.
Quilt Piecing Tip
If you are piecing to the edge of your quilt top (not adding solid borders), sew a lap around the outer edge all the way around to lock in your stitches and add stability.
Also, needles are cheap. Change them often!
Glue Stick to the rescue!
When sewing half square triangle together tap each end you are sewing with a washable glue stick instead of pinning keeps then in place while sewing.
Keep your tools on the table!
Use old earrings or wine charm to keep stylist from rolling away, makes flat items easier to pick-up.....and can hang so you always can find them.
Easy way to create appliqué pieces
Trace appliqué pieces onto freezer paper and iron onto your fabric. No marking pens needed. Cut around the freezer paper and peel it off.
Sewing Tips for working with Minky!
- Use sharp scissors and\or 60mm rotary cutter
- 90/14 or 100/16 needles and Walking foot
- Wonder clips and flat head flower pins
- Lengthen your stitch length to 8 stitches per inch
- Batting is recommended to give structure,weight and gives quilting more dimension.
- Toss cut pieces in dryer with damp cloth and no heat…all the fuzz goes away and no mess!!
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Sewing 2 pieces of Minky together can be a bit of
a pain because of its tendency to stretch. When possible, place your 2
pieces together, with one piece running with the straight of the grain and
the other against the straight of the grain. You will be amazed how much
more stable it is!
How often should you change your sewing machine needle?
Although a lot of us tend to forget, the best practice is to always start a new project with a fresh new needle!
Frixion Pens
Know your Needles!
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The first number is the European number, the second number is the
American Number 70/10
80/12 90/14 100/16 -
The higher the number the thicker the
needle. For light weight fabric use a thinner needle 70/10
Midweights use a 80/13. Thicker fabrics 90/14 or 100/16 -
Also if using thicker thread
like a 12 weight thread you will need larger needle like 100/16
New Sewing Machine?
The most important thing you can do is:
READ THE MANUAL!
Having a hard time grabbing your needle?
If you have trouble gripping your needle when doind hand work, and don't have any needle grippers, you can use a small piece of a balloon. It works great!
Flannel for Batting?
Flannel makes a great substitute for batting, but remember that anytime you use flannel for a quilt, you should wash and dry the flannel 6 times.
Many flannels will continue to shrink a bit for several washings, depending on the manufacturer.