Pass On The Best Idea You've Had While Quilting
02-27-2011, 04:03 AM
#211
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Somewhere in Time
Posts: 2,697
Originally Posted by Earleen
I have thread catchers but never seem to get the thread into them. Wondering how you get yours into them. I seem to miss all the time. Ha
02-27-2011, 04:06 AM
#212
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Flemington, NJ
Posts: 1,167
I take light colored scraps of fabric and write the size of needles on it. When working on a project and I need to change to use a different size needle (such as a top stitch needle or a smaller size for batiks) I just pin the needle I just removed from the machine on to this little scrap of fabric. This way I know what needle is in the machine and don't have to worry if I'm using another new needle.
02-27-2011, 04:13 AM
#213
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Flemington, NJ
Posts: 1,167
Originally Posted by dhanke
I don't have a light box for tracing patterns etc., but I do have a plexiglass extension table on legs that came with my machine. I flip my ott-lite on it's back and slide it under the extension table, works perfectly.
My second tip is about rotary cutting multiple strips from a single piece of fabric. For example, if I need six strips 2" wide, I first cut a 12" strip with my square ruler, then I slide it over to the 10" mark, cut again, slide it to 8", cut again and so on until I have all 6 strips. It's alot faster and more accurate. If I'm working with a strip width that's not so easy to mentally calculate, such as 1 3/4 inches, I use a calculator to determine the maximum width I can use for the first cut, in the case of a 12 inch ruler it would 10.5 inches. Then I use the calulator to subtract 1 3/4 inches for the second cut and move the ruler to the 8 3/4 inch mark. I continue to use the calculator for each cut because I don't trust myself to figure it correctly in my pea brain!
Probably sounds complicated, but it really saves time when cutting lots of strips.
My second tip is about rotary cutting multiple strips from a single piece of fabric. For example, if I need six strips 2" wide, I first cut a 12" strip with my square ruler, then I slide it over to the 10" mark, cut again, slide it to 8", cut again and so on until I have all 6 strips. It's alot faster and more accurate. If I'm working with a strip width that's not so easy to mentally calculate, such as 1 3/4 inches, I use a calculator to determine the maximum width I can use for the first cut, in the case of a 12 inch ruler it would 10.5 inches. Then I use the calulator to subtract 1 3/4 inches for the second cut and move the ruler to the 8 3/4 inch mark. I continue to use the calculator for each cut because I don't trust myself to figure it correctly in my pea brain!
Probably sounds complicated, but it really saves time when cutting lots of strips.
02-27-2011, 04:31 AM
#214
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Iowa
Posts: 288
Originally Posted by Aurora
I washed an empty juice jug and cut off the top, then inserted it into my thread catcher. I just remove the jug to empty my threads at the end of the day. No more picking loose threads out of the bottomand off the sides of the thread catcher.
Also, I use a tool box for quilt guild and UFO days. Here are photos of my best idea for transporting my quilting gear.
Also, I use a tool box for quilt guild and UFO days. Here are photos of my best idea for transporting my quilting gear.
02-27-2011, 04:32 AM
#215
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Flemington, NJ
Posts: 1,167
Originally Posted by fayzer
I buy the bright colored pencil erasers from the Dollar Tree. I snip off the part of the erasers that fits over the Pencil. I use the part that is left (kinda-sorta pyramid shaped) when pinning layers together. Stick your long pins through the layers and into the flat part of the eraser. Keeps me from sticking myself with the pins as I work. I am on blood thinners and one stick from a pin results in blood on my fabric.
02-27-2011, 05:27 AM
#216
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Oro Valley, AZ (n of Tucson)
Posts: 193
[quote=AngieS]1st: Finding this board. =)
2nd: I use those mole strips that you buy that are sticky on the underside for my 1/4" seam. I just cut a strip and stick it down. Works great!
3rd: I cut my blocks while watching t.v. with dh and safety pin together so when I am ready to sew I just take a stack and lay them all out and sew. This way I can have several ready to go and just sew them up all at once.
4th: I have extra bobbins all ready to go when I get ready to sew. This keeps you going for quite a while without having to stop, wind the bobbin and rethread.
Best thing I ever did.... Bought a Side Winder -- it's a little box, about 3" X 4" -- sits next to my machine. When you need a new bobbin, no need to unthread or re-thread your machine -- just pop a new bobbin and your thread into this little dream, and bam! you're done! I thought maybe $20 seemed a little steep for such a simple thing, but I LOVE it!
2nd: I use those mole strips that you buy that are sticky on the underside for my 1/4" seam. I just cut a strip and stick it down. Works great!
3rd: I cut my blocks while watching t.v. with dh and safety pin together so when I am ready to sew I just take a stack and lay them all out and sew. This way I can have several ready to go and just sew them up all at once.
4th: I have extra bobbins all ready to go when I get ready to sew. This keeps you going for quite a while without having to stop, wind the bobbin and rethread.
Best thing I ever did.... Bought a Side Winder -- it's a little box, about 3" X 4" -- sits next to my machine. When you need a new bobbin, no need to unthread or re-thread your machine -- just pop a new bobbin and your thread into this little dream, and bam! you're done! I thought maybe $20 seemed a little steep for such a simple thing, but I LOVE it!
02-27-2011, 05:40 AM
#217
Junior Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Iowa
Posts: 288
Originally Posted by anicra
Originally Posted by fayzer
I buy the bright colored pencil erasers from the Dollar Tree. I snip off the part of the erasers that fits over the Pencil. I use the part that is left (kinda-sorta pyramid shaped) when pinning layers together. Stick your long pins through the layers and into the flat part of the eraser. Keeps me from sticking myself with the pins as I work. I am on blood thinners and one stick from a pin results in blood on my fabric.
02-27-2011, 05:58 AM
#218
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: North Oxford MA
Posts: 943
Originally Posted by lisalisa
Another good one I picked up was: keeping band aids next to your sewing machine so when you cut or prick yourself you can bandage it up and be on your way without a hiccup.
it's a little pricey, but dh puts 2 bottles in my stocking every christmas..and i have never run out...
02-27-2011, 06:53 AM
#219
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Sullivan Ilinois
Posts: 151
A friend of mine uses a empty tissue box for thread and tiny scraps then when full just throws it away. We have found out about another person that uses all of the tiny scraps( trimmings from square up etc) as filling in projects so will give her the tissue box when full. I have taped a bag to my cutting table and am putting these into it for her.
02-27-2011, 06:56 AM
#220
Junior Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Sullivan Ilinois
Posts: 151
If I was going to do this and I ue pip cleaner for many things. I would put the tiny pony tail holders on the bobins so they wouldn't come unraveld and make a mess. you can get them in big bag at the Dollar Tree store.
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