I have just recently come across this newsletter and have to admit it is a bit intimidating to see all the incredible quilts you ladies are making! I've recently retired and trying to get back into quilting. My, how many new ideas and products! I know that I will depend on you to walk me through some of those new techniques.
Some questions: 1)why use spray starch?
2) Any tips for working with flannel (my next project), and
3) I'm having some trouble with my thread (these new narrow spools) twisting and kinking. Any ideas how to remedy that?

Hi, Carol! Welcome! I live down in Whitewater, but my Dads family is from N. Wis....the Glidden area, are you near there?
My tip for flannel is for sure prewash it, in hot water, because it usually shrinks a bit. Oh, and buy alittle more than ya think ya need.

Hello & Welcome from Washington State.... :-D

Hello and welcome from Ontario.

Hi and welcome from the sunny state of Florida!!

Hi CarrieAnne,
Thanks for the tip - I usually don't wash my fabric, but am learning lots of interesting opinions on that subject too.

I know exactly where Glidden is - I've taught at the tech. college in Ashland and several students were from that town. I actually live in South Range which is just south of Superior - probably as far north one can get in WI:)

Welcome, waving from Indiana, USA

Carol, thats so cool. Havent been there in years.....just remember endless rows of HUGE pine trees....was so beautiful! My Dads family were all loggers.......
So nice to meet ya!

Welcome from Ireland

Hello and welcome from an Iowa girl!
Spray starch stiffens the fabric and prevents stretching, especially when working with smaller pieces like I use in my minis.
Flannel--yes prewash as advised; use simple block patterns as it likes to stretch, too.
Twisting threads--have you tried putting spool on the other way on the thread holder? may help.

Hi Carol,

Have you every heard of Willard, WI? I am about 50 miles from Eau Claire. Send me a pm if you ever need any help.

welcome

Welcome to the board from southern California!!!

Hello and welcome from SW Iowa. Glad to have you here. I don't starch so I'm no help there. Always buy extra flannel and wash before using. It can shrink a lot.

Welcome from Port Washington, WI.

Hello and Welcome!!! Glad that you decided to join us :D:D:D

Prewash and dry the flannel twice, to make sure it has shrunk completely.

Starch keeps bias's from stretching, keeps your seams where you want them, flannel handles nicer, and it can overall become your new best friend :D:D:D

Some threads are meant to come off the machine vertical, and others horizontal... sometimes using the mesh screens can help to keep the thread from twisting and kinking too...

Welcome.