feffertim

I read a tip here about sewing two small squares together when using a starter piece instead of using a scrap piece, and eventually you have a whole lot of 2 1/2" squares already sewn together. I spent some time cutting some of my stash into 2 1/2 inches and started using them as starter pieces, but I discovered that I needed a starter to use the starters. Hope that makes sense. LOL

zozee

I need starters for starters, too. That needle has to bite into something or else it chews up the "good" piece. I don't like to spend all that time cutting squares only to have it go to "the dogs" .

Jingle

I have two straight stitch only machines. They do not chew up the Fabric. Might be because they are straight stitch only? I don't need leaders nor enders.

Pagzz

The trick is to always leave one in the machine. That in your next starter

KwiltyKahy

The trick is to have an ender too. That way you always have one in the machine.

Maggiemay

I thought you started in the middle of your leader block so it doesn't get eaten by the machine then those half sewn blocks become "Enders".

QuiltnNan

that makes good sense

dunster

And this is why Bonnie Hunter wrote a whole book called Leaders and Enders. http://quiltville.com/leadersenders.shtml

CAS49OR

I guess you have to sacrifice one.

Dingle

Same with me. The straight stitch only machines are the bomb!