OfflineAt one of the retreats I went to, we went around the room and showed our favorite technique that made our quilting easier to do or more accurate. I learned a great deal with some of the simplest things and still use them. This maybe hard to do with writing instead of seeing it, but I thought I would give it a try. If I'm not clear, please comment so everyone can understand.
1. I was always told to wash my material. I tried a couple of times not doing this. and it only took once that the color ran on to another fabric. So once again, I prewash all my material, and put a small piece of white material in the load. If any material runs, I use a product called " Retayne", it Stops the Bleed , and rewash the material until I know it is safe. My favorite quilt shop told me about it. It did work for me. I have not had a problem since.
2. Ironing, we all dislike this more than anything. But with quilting it is the most important thing you need to do. When I first started I wanted to see the block finished, so I didn't take the time to iron each piece as I went along. It's hard for me to stop and do this when I'm piecing. When I press 2 pieces together I first do it without opening it up. This seems to set the seams. Then I carefully open up the pieces and press trying not to have it get out of shape.
3. Sewing 2 pieces together. Mostly triange shapes give me the most trouble, because the machine sometimes drags them to one side or another the last second. Then the triangle ends up not in the right shape, so I don't get good points when they are sewn together. Now I use a very small crochet hook.. It is cheap and has a nice round pointer that is not sharp and I love the way it fits in my hand.
4. My sewing machine position. I have very bad arthritis in my back and hands. So I had to think of ways to do my favorite hobby. The most important is a chair that is soft and you can adjust and is comfortable. This does not have to be expensive. I find the small secretary chairs with no arms is the best, because I can get very close to the sewing table. The sewing table or cabinet needs to have a big whole for your legs. I need my machine, so the needle is closer to my right hand, some cabinets you can not do that. Having your right arm extended all the time makes your body twist even if you don't know it. I also use both my right and left foot on the peddle. Keeping the peddle close to me, so my leg is not stretch out to reach it. Even using the foot peddle close you are still twisting. I get up to iron, so I don't sit to long. Even with that, I still have to stop at least every half hour and do something else, but I can still quilt. having several projects at different stages helps, so I can go from the sewing machine, to hand quilting, to planning or cutting a new quilt. I have about 8 projects going all the time. That way if I did bored with one, or having trouble I can go on to another.
You're right, I think for me, washing the fabric first, and constantly ironing after doing any sewing is really important. If you're sewing blocks together with stars , for example, where the points have to be perfect, it's so important to stick in a pin through first right where the point meets the seam line to make sure it meets correctly, and then pin on each side to stabilize it (I'm not sure if I'm explaining that right!). Also, not pressing seams flat open on the back, but pressing them flat down in opposite ways so the corners match up against each other when you're stitching blocks together. I'm visualizing it, but probably not explaining it well!
Well i have learned quite a few tips and tricks from the ladies on quiltchat
my fav is using door stops (you know the ones that are triangles that go under your door to hold them open)
you place them under the sewing machine in the back so it tilts toward ya it helps with not humped over
also i had a terrible time with 1/4 inch seams in the beginning. someone suggested getting weather stripping the small stuff
what i bought was like 1/2 inch wide and 1/2 inch tall. i bought a roll of it at dollar store and i take a peice off stick it where the 1/4 inch mark for fab wouod be and
it keeps the constant 1/4 by running the fab next to it
is just a cheap way of insuring a 1/4 inch but it does work
i have gotten good enugh now i just have a peice of tape where it is 1/4 inch
hope this helps someone they did me
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Qltyangel
Those are fabulous but simple and easy to accomplish tips. I'm going to try the doorstops. I saw an ad in a magazine somewhere the other day that was the same idea of slanting the machine. I don't now if it was just a platform or the machine itself that had the slant built in. However, the doorstop idea is much simplier, not to mention far less expensive.
I have a problem with my 1/4" seams. I usually measure carefully where the 1/4" is in relation to my pressure foot. I'm going to try the weather stripping. I do have some little gadget that has a magnet that you stitck there to guide your fabric, but you have to measure it carefully to place it at the right spot, it shifts, and also gets in the way.
I was told not to use anything magnetic on my machine because it has a computer system in it. Does anyone know if this is true?
I don't think I would put a magnetic on my machine, with my luck it would do something to it. It is the same with a computer. If I think of it I will ask hubby, he may know.
These ideas are great. I will have to get some door stoppers, this would really help my neck and then I could sew longer.
Pinning the points on a block, you did explain it very well. I don't always stop to do this because I want tso much o see what the quilt is going to look like. But then I pay later, because I have it fix the points.
Keep up with the ideas, I'm learning more all the time.
Last night I was working on a quilt, when I was afraid I ran out of 1 material for it. I had cut the salvage off earlier that day, so I went and found that in hopes that I could find the material on the web. The salage did have the name, designer name, and the number of the material. I brought it not that long ago, so I was hoping I could find it again. Of course, I did not remember what store I had gotten it from. After all that, I thought maybe I put a few pieces aside somewhere else, I did and it was enough. Hooray! But after thinking about all this, when I cut off the salage, I'm going to keep the part that has the name, etc with my remaining fabric. That way I have a hope of finding more if needed. Also, sometimes people will ask you where did you get that material, now you will have all the information.
That's a good idea. If you save the name of the fabric and need some more later, you might be able to find it on the Internet if the store doesn't have any more. I like the way fabric companies are putting boxes on the salvage that show the different colors used in the fabric--makes it easier to take with you and find coordinating fabric for your quilt. I've heard of people who are very organized who take pictures of their completed quilts and keep the pictures and swatches of the fabric in a notebook. I've given away most of the quilts I've made and don't have pictures of some of them, so I've been trying to remember to take pictures of them before I give them away, but I haven't kept swatches. In a perfect quilty and crafty world, I'd have pictures and swatches and pieces of yarn and floss from each project--maybe I'll have time for that when I retire--??
I am now making a fan quilt out of a jelly roll (how did they ever come up with that name) of 30"s material. There are some small pieces left from cutting out the fan pieces. I was looking at them and was going to throw them out. I was sewing with friends and they said save them you could use them in paper piecing. Then I thought what about doing postcards with it and put some lace, etc. on it. So now, I have a bag of these pieces, and my hope is today to make those postcards. The material is so pretty, that it would make a great card. Thank you to my sisterhood of quilters, your the best. Now, I also have everyone here to get ideas from.
I would love to see the postcards when you make them.
Another way ot use scraps is to make crazy quilt blocks. I am a big fan of crazy quilts.
Not only are there jelly rolls, but charms and layer cakes.
I have posted some postcards in my profile. As I make them I will put them up. Our quilt guild this year is have a postcard exchange with a food theme. I'm not sure what I will do with that.
How do they come up with these names? Layer cake, I have not heard that one before.
Lynnielee
I really enjoy appliqueing. Everyone has such beautiful quilts here. I'm enjoying this very much.Lynnielee
Have you ever done hand embroidery around the edges. I like to study unique ideas like beading around the edges or fancy embroidery stitching to enhance the design. The possibilities are fascinating to me.
I have done machine embroidery on my quilts, but never hand. Adding items like beads, etc I have added to wall hangings and that always adds allot to a quilt. I guess I wouldn't even know how to start to hand embroidery on a quilt. This sounds like something that I would like to learn. How would I get starting in learning more? I have a quilt now that would look good with something alittle special on it. We are all learning new things here and this sounds wonderful.
Lynnielee
What kind of stitch do you use? For theRose of Sharon I do the turkey tracks, I think is the name of it, around each piece.
When laying out a quilt, the smaller ones especially, I take it to the RSVP office and put two tables together. Then I tape the backing down tight. (along the edges). then I smooth out the batting and then the top. I pull tight but not stretching the fabric. Pin every where and then hand stitch basting every where. After that I am ready to take it to quilt at home or tie it. This keeps me close to the other ladies, to help, chatter or just get out of the house. If I have a queen or King, I take it to a quilter and she stuffs and quilts it for me.
Nora
Happy Quilting Hugs!
I recently picked up the new Fons and Porter fall magazine. It had a really cleaver idea when it comes to the lint rollers. You all know the ones that you peal off and use again. Peal and use, etc, etc. To store it you put it into a plastic tea carton. The round ones that hold the little instant cups of tea that makes a quart? This way not everything around it sticks to it. Cleaver huh! Idea #2.......trim off all the selvages but keep them! Someone suggested that you use a J or K hook and make hot pads or rugs out of them. Lots of color! Now how cute is that idea??? I love that magazine and it is a buck cheaper than the others!
Happy Quilting Hugs!
Lynnielee
My mother, who is an avid quilter at 80-something, washes all her material straight from the store. I have only had 1 quilt colors run and that was the first quilt I did. It's is a magenta and black Rose of Sharon. I'm really enjoying all these great ideas. Thanks everyone.
I wash my material as soon as I get home, too. That way I am not confused as to which ones are washed and which ones are not. I do it mainly because some fabrics shrink more than others. I have heard that the more expensive fabrcs are less likely to shrink and run than the cheaper fabrics.