Pass On The Best Idea You've Had While Quilting
#381
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: N. Florida
Posts: 4,568
#382
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Northern California mountains
Posts: 12,538
My DH made several (for me and friends) when I had a Bernina that did not play well with cones. He took a 5" round of a lovely hardwood scrap and drilled a hole partly into the center into which he put a 3" of 1/2" dowel, which he pounded and glued into place, then ran a screw into it from the bottom. At one side of the flat base, he drilled a tiny hole and inserted copper welding rod, about 12" long, with the end twisted at right angles ending in a pig tail shape through which the thread goes from the spool. Since this was from shop scraps, the cost was only a bit of glue and 1 screw.
#383
I don't have room to keep all of my machines out at one time. When I have to put my serger away, instead of unthreading it, I pull about a foot of extra thread off each cone before I cut it. I then gather the extra length of threads and put them in a loose coil on top of the serger and secure it with a small piece of blue painters tape. When I need to use the serger the next time I have long enough thread tails to tie on a new color without having to rethread the entire machine. I stick the piece of painters tape tape on the side of my serger below the hand wheel wheel until I need it.
#384
Here's one - save your scraps (the ones you know you won't use, even for crumb quilts) in a plastic grocery bag. When the bag is filled, make a quick pillow form out of muslin and stuff it with your scraps. This way you have pillow forms whenever you need one.
#385
Good thought! But, some of us are still using sewing machines that have no computer. Works great for us!
I would be very careful about this. I was told when I bought my machine that anything magnetic can screw up your machine. Just like the computer you are using now, there are computer parts in the new machines. Even the pin holders you can buy to have you pins out in you should keep a distance from your machine. You may want to check with your dealer before you attach the magnetic strip to your machine. JMHO
#386
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: North Dakota
Posts: 258
When making T-shirt quilts I needed a 15" X 18" template to cut squares, I used one of my cardboard boxes from my toddler's diaper box and cut a side of it 15x18 it worked perfectly asside from the fact I couldn't see through it...but it got the job done at no added expense!
#388
This sounds like a break in the electrical "flow" to the machine motor. Most likely it's because your motor brushes are worn down and need to be changed. That's an inexpensive fix. Also check your cords and plugs. If the machine is older the cords or foot pedal could need replacing.
#389
Power Poster
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Northern California mountains
Posts: 12,538
Everyone is gaining on me. This thread is growing faster than I can read!!!
1.Someone mentioned a magnetic dish. Mine are "mechanic's parts dishes" from Harbor freight. The come in a number of sizes. I keep them on the window sill behind my computer. I throw pins in their direction and they attach nicely. I also use one for my metal bobbins.
2. magnet on a telescopiong stick. My current on is from Jhittle.
3. I also cut scraps to standard sizes and use them as leaders and followers for string piecing as Janet Leigh suggested then I have premade 4 patches for scrappy quilts
4. I cut a slit in a plastic corn starch container. I put 'dead' sharp objects into it as I go, then put tape over it when I toss it.
5. binder climps are great. I use a row of them on a molding strip over my closet door to hang up quilts for picture taking.
6. I keep getting magnetic ads (bus cards). I put one into an altoids box for a portable pin/needle container for take alongs.
7. I had that stopping problems and was sure my foot control had gone bad. It was actually just lint. I did not know you need to clean out the foot pedal when you do a major machine cleaning.
8. change rotary cutters and needles regularly. I went to a retreat with my guild. The cutter I borrowed (out of laziness) was super dull. When I went back to my stuff to get a new blade for it, I found it was RUSTY inside. I changed blades and oiled it. I find that my guild sisters are really bad about getting rid of dull stuff. Those really slow you down and mess up your work.
1.Someone mentioned a magnetic dish. Mine are "mechanic's parts dishes" from Harbor freight. The come in a number of sizes. I keep them on the window sill behind my computer. I throw pins in their direction and they attach nicely. I also use one for my metal bobbins.
2. magnet on a telescopiong stick. My current on is from Jhittle.
3. I also cut scraps to standard sizes and use them as leaders and followers for string piecing as Janet Leigh suggested then I have premade 4 patches for scrappy quilts
4. I cut a slit in a plastic corn starch container. I put 'dead' sharp objects into it as I go, then put tape over it when I toss it.
5. binder climps are great. I use a row of them on a molding strip over my closet door to hang up quilts for picture taking.
6. I keep getting magnetic ads (bus cards). I put one into an altoids box for a portable pin/needle container for take alongs.
7. I had that stopping problems and was sure my foot control had gone bad. It was actually just lint. I did not know you need to clean out the foot pedal when you do a major machine cleaning.
8. change rotary cutters and needles regularly. I went to a retreat with my guild. The cutter I borrowed (out of laziness) was super dull. When I went back to my stuff to get a new blade for it, I found it was RUSTY inside. I changed blades and oiled it. I find that my guild sisters are really bad about getting rid of dull stuff. Those really slow you down and mess up your work.
Last edited by QM; 12-03-2012 at 03:18 AM.
#390
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Posts: 2,061
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.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
EllieGirl
General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
12
10-24-2013 04:45 PM
AngelinaMaria
Main
10
03-11-2012 11:57 AM
ChildoftheUniverse
General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
12
11-22-2011 05:04 PM
DonnaB
General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
22
09-14-2011 06:17 PM