3-8-2013
I am excited to be participating in the Blog Hop Party with Give-Aways that starts today. I do hope you have a great time visiting my blog as well as those of the other bloggers participating in the Give-Aways.
I decided that each day of the blog hop (March 8 - 14) I would share a helpful quilting/sewing tip that I have used in my 30+ years of sewing and quilting.
I hope you will find one or more of the tips helpful to you as well.
TIP 1
When sewing two fabrics, right sides together, and turning right sides out with no plan for binding the project (a pillow or a tote bag), I use this simple tip to make it easy to sew the opening closed with no hassles!
 |
| After placing the two fabrics right sides together, mark the opening's start and stop sewing points. |
Begin sewing from the cut edge into the seam allowance (whether 1/4" or 5/8").
Put the needle down and pivot. Sew the seam allowance as you normally do.
When you are ready to stop (the opening for turning the fabrics right side out) put your needle down into the fabric, pivot and sew out to the cut edge of the fabrics.
Then pull the top and bobbin threads out from the machine the length of the opening plus 6". DO NOT cut the threads near the project piece. These will become your threads for sewing the opening closed!
Because of the short stitching you did into and out from the seam allowance, your seam allowance will naturally fold where it needs to. Give a little tug at both starting and stopping points of the seam and the fabrics will fold--just finger press the seams. No struggling on your part with where to, or how to, line the two layers up. This even works when a batting is included.
See TIP 2 by clicking here
See Tip 3 by clicking here
See Tip 4 by clicking here
GIVE-AWAY
I have a give-away. Leave a comment telling about a quilting or sewing tip or tool you have discovered. Share it with us. On March 15, one random comment will be chosen and that lucky winner will receive 2 of my patterns via email--so make sure you leave an email address for me to send your patterns. To leave a comment, click on the words: "links to this page" or the word: "comments" below and a pop-up comment box will appear.
What are the patterns, you wonder? Here are photos of the projects I made and then developed into patterns:
 |
| Wavy Panel Banner |
 |
| Love You wall hanging |
The banner is able to be modified into a table runner or placemats for a different use. You can use panels you have purchased, make your own, or use a fancy fabric for the top section. The pattern is able to be modified for various size panels as well. It is quite versatile. I am binding the table runner I made for Valentine's Day and plan to put a photo of the finished table runner on the blog this weekend.
These patterns are available for purchase at PatternSpot.com under Patchwork Breeze.
I look forward to your return each day to read my other tips during this blog hop. Until tomorrow, happy sewing!
Thank you for the tip. i think I am going to be checking your blog out more. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting. Please, do check back. Nancy
DeleteHi, I am a fellow Michigander. My favorite tip is a 4"x6" ruler that is always next to my machine. Your patterns are beautiful. Hugs
ReplyDeleteCathy, Thank you for the tip. Nancy
DeleteLove my scissors from Fiskars!
ReplyDeleteesthersipatchandquilt@yahoo.com
ipatchandquilt.wordpress.com
Thank you Esther. Nancy
DeleteGreat tip! It made a follower out of me.
ReplyDeleteNina, Hope you are able to use the tip many times. Glad to have you follow my blog. Nancy
DeleteThat is a fabulous tip! Just yesterday I was thinking that if I were to be asked about what I would tell a new quilter that I never was told, it would be to use steam when you have a ton of seams together! I was always hearing don't steam, but boy does it help to get a flat surface when piecing lots of bits...
ReplyDeleteThere are definitely times when steam is needed. And pressing the iron on the fabric is the key--rather than moving it back and forth. Thank you. Nancy
DeleteGreat tip! Thanks! My sewing tip for today is - relax. It only has to be perfect if you're entering it in a competition. :) (I'm sewing with my granddaughter right now so this advice is really for me.)
ReplyDeleteThat is a great tip and when we relax we have fun sewing. So glad to hear your granddaughter is sewing with you. Nancy
DeleteAwesome tip! I am going to try that for sure.
ReplyDeleteI am sure you will find it very useful.
DeleteNancy
I love your tip! I have a page on FB where I give quilters a "tip of the day" and this would be a lovely one to share. A favorite tip? That's a hard one to answer so I'll give you yesterday's tip: To avoid a slippery ruler when cutting fabric, lightly spray the underside of your ruler with temporary basting spray. Spraying will make it tacky enough not to slip and the small amount used dissipates. You're welcome to visit my page for more (Log Home Quilting). Thanks sew much for this chance to win your giveaway!
ReplyDeleteback2loghome@yahoo.com
I will definitely visit your page for tips I may not have known about. I would never had thought of using basting spray on my ruler! Gotta' think out of the box sometimes.
DeleteNancy
Great tip on closing stitches. I always have trouble getting it turned back under correctly to sew it closed. I use a chalk marker, the kind with the little wheel on the end, when I'm marking the backs of squares to sew HSTs. Marks easier than a pencil.
ReplyDeleteI am going to try the chalk marker. When I use a pencil it sometimes moves the fabric and the wheels on the chalk marker won't do that. Thank you.
DeleteNancy
What great tip! My favorite tip is use starch! It makes such a difference in piecing.
ReplyDeleteFabric pieces with a bit of crispness sure do go together more easily than, shall I call them "floppy" pieces. Thank you.
DeleteNancy
Wonderful tip, I hope to remember it when I need it. I always try to have enough bobbins wound at the beginning of a project so I don't have to stop to wind more.
ReplyDeleteBobbins always seem to run out at the most inopportune time. I try to have enough wound for a project. Thank you.
DeleteNancy
That's a great tip, thank you.
ReplyDeleteI've learned that if I turn my ruler so that the logo is facing right side up, I have less of a chance to mis-cut my patches. Too many squares turned out to be rectangles because I had the ruler in the wrong orientation.
Thanks for the chance to win.
Thank you Joyce for the tip. I have cut inaccurately for the same reason. I will make sure I am reading the ruler logo right side up.
DeleteNancy
Thanks for sharing the wonderful tips!
ReplyDeleteI am happy to share with others.
DeleteThanks for the tips. I find that using a metal seam hemmer when doing paper piecing works great too.
ReplyDeleteThank you--a new use for a common sewing tool!
DeleteNancy
The Hera Marker is one of the tools I like and just learned about!
ReplyDeleteGun, Sweden
gun@lapp.se
Thank you, I have heard of these markers but have not tried one yet.
DeleteNancy
used to turn my points using a pencil or a pin, but once I tried a bamboo turner, I was sold. It is so much better. I have bought several for family and friends. Use the proper tool, that's why it exisits.
ReplyDeleteheatherdpear at hotmail dot com
I remember using pencils, oh what holes I made in points! Bamboo is such a nice wood, soft and smooth, just the thing for fabrics. Thank you.
DeleteNancy
i love clover clips thanks for the chance
ReplyDeleteClover clips look like a good tool for bindings. A friend uses them but I have not tried them yet. Thank you. Nancy
DeleteThanks for being part of the fun blog hop. Lovely giveaway. Thanks for the chance to win.
ReplyDeleteI really don't have any tips. But I enjoy learning by see what people have for tips. I did get an accuquilt cutter and that seems to help me a lot.
The Accuquilt is a great tool for quilters, especially those who find rotary cutting difficult. Thank you and enjoy your Accuquilt cutter.
DeleteWhat a great first tip, I didn't know that. I will have t try that now. My tip is have a few "mindless" projects to go back too so you don't always have to concentrate all the time and wear your self out. At least I do sometimes!
ReplyDelete"Mindless" projects do help. Thank you for reminding us.
DeletePining is important. Learn to pin and remove them before you sew over them. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reminding us, especially to not sew over pins, the consequences can range from frustration to dangerous or costly.
DeleteNancy
Great tip do not sew your fingers together.
ReplyDeleteRichard and Tanya Quilts
Good tip, hope you don't speak from experience.
DeleteI really like this tip about using the machine threads to sew up those closures!
ReplyDeleteYes, that was the time saver for me.
DeleteGreat tip. I needed that. Come by and see us at Prairie Cottage Corner when you have a minute or two. Thanks for letting us visit.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Will stop by soon.
DeleteWhen pinning a quilt, I use my large ruler to smooth out the layers. Works much better than using your hands, just keep smoothing until you get it as flat as you like.
ReplyDeleteGreat tip I will have to try it. Thank you.
DeleteI am gonna be a new follower of your blog. I love to use blue painters tape to help hold zippers in place as I sew them in. I also use a lint roller to clean up my cutting tabel inbetween projects to get rid of all the fibers and threads and such so they do not get stuck on the next project.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the two tips and becoming a follower.
DeleteI'm a new follower. Thanks for the tutorial, and the chance to win your patterns.
ReplyDeleteGlad to have you following the blog and entering for a chance to win.
DeleteIch bin noch Anfänger und freue mich über jeden Tipp ... Dankeschön !
ReplyDeleteGrüsse aus Deutschland
Marion
As you continue your journey in learning to quilt, I hope the tips from other quilters makes it enjoyable.
DeleteNancy
Thank you for all the quilting tips you are sharing with us. Great way to learn. My mom has bought me a thread cutter and is the most useful tool. Every quilter needs one in her life. Thank you for your giveaway. I love both of your patterns and this is a very gift to be offered by you. This would sure help chase away the winter blues.
ReplyDeleteSandi Timmons
sandit1@sbcglobal.net
Sonora, CA
Thank you for telling us about your thread cutter. I don't mind sharing tips or learning new ones. That is how we learn, I have no trade secrets to keep. I am glad you like the patterns.
DeleteMy most valuable sewing/quilting tool is my cloth measuring tape. I seem to have misplaced it yesterday and I can't believe how lost I am without it!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the tip and I hope you find it soon.
DeleteThe best tool I've bought in ages it the Frixion pen. I LOVE it. I know some don't like to use them on customer quilts but my creations are all gift so I don't mind using them. I am definitely going to use today's tip. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing with us.
Deletemy fav tool is the sizzix big shot, its helped my quilt piecing so much
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear the sizzix helps. Scrapbooking friends have them wasn't sure how they worked with fabric. Thank you.
DeleteThank you for the tips! I love my 4x6 ruler and always measure twice - cut once ! thanks!
ReplyDeleteAlways measure twice and cut once--correctly. You are the second person who likes the 4 x 6 ruler.
DeleteI too love the Frixon pen. Thanks for the great giveaway!
ReplyDeleteI will have to get one of the Frixion pens and try it. Good luck in the giveaway.
DeleteFun giveaway and great photos with your tip! I keep my paper piecing needles separate from my other needles so I can sew with them only when sewing paper piecing patterns.
ReplyDeleteGlad you like the giveaway and photos. I am working on better photos with my little old digital camera and Photoshop Elements.
DeleteThank you for the tip--paper is a tougher fiber than fabric and can wear out needles and rotary cutter blades quite quickly.
I Loved Your Tip. My Tip would be to change your needle with each project!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this Great Giveaway!
Thank you for reminding us! I change my needle after about 6 hrs. of sewing. This is a very good tip. I confess that I should dust my machine more often--I see in the water soluble basting tape photo my needle and parts are linted!
DeleteI'm a new quilter, so I really don't have any great tips. I do have a great scissors that I love. It is a Fiskars razor point, and I would have to say once you find a notion that you love, buy another because you will want to have them in more than one place. I want them in every room in my house!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the two great tips. Buying another helps if the one you really like is misplaced,too.
DeleteClear vinyl for testing quilting designs. Thanks for the giveaway1
ReplyDeleteClear vinyl is a great way to see how a quilt design will look on the quilt. Do you use a dry erase marker to draw on the vinyl? Good luck in the giveaway.
DeleteI really like my Fons and Porter binding tool. Works well. Thank you for the chance to win.
ReplyDeleteThank you for telling us about this tool. I had to look it up on the internet because I have not heard of it. Looks like a very handy tool.
Deletethank you for sharing. I am new follower from Italy. hugs
ReplyDeleteWelcome Alessandra. Thank you for becoming a follower.
DeleteMy tip is to read over all your instructions before you start a project. This has helped me many times to think ahead before cutting into fabric and ruining what I was supposed to do.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great tip. Each pattern I publish has that as one of the first sentences. I want quilters to know what they will encounter so they can properly prepare.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
My tip is to prefold the paper pattern on all the sewing lines before paper piecing. It really helps.
ReplyDeleteYou are correct. I have tried it both ways--not folding and pre-folding. Pre-folding wins in my book!
DeleteThank you for the tip.
Nancy
If you are threading a needle, lick the needle, not the thread!
ReplyDeleteKarrie, Your tip is exactly on. I heard years ago that if the thread is moistened, the fibers expand and do not go through the needle. By licking the needle, the eye fills with a little liquid and the thread is pulled through it.
DeleteThanks so much for the tip.
love my rotary cutter
ReplyDeleteABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
Yes, the rotary cutter for quilting was a wonderful invention. Thank you
DeleteWhat great tips! I'm a new follower, finding you from the hop.
ReplyDeleteThank you for a neat giveaway and a chance to win.
usairdoll(at)gmail(dot)com
Glad to have you as a follower. Good luck in the giveaway.
Delete