What is your favorite tip? Mine is using a pipe cleaner to get the lint out of my sewing machine

Share yours!

For machine applique, I like to heavily starch the backgrounds so I don't need to use a stabilizer underneath. Starching also helps me make more accurate cuts.

Instead of spray starch, I use Sta-Flo (liquid available in stores with laundry supplies) diluted 1:1 with water. I "paint" on the starch using a medium-sized house painting brush, toss the yardage in the dryer, and then iron with steam. This makes quite a stiff and stable yardage.

When cutting the background pieces for applique, I cut an inch or two larger than needed. After the applique is done, I trim the block to exact size. (Learned this the hard way, after four pieces ended up with less than 1/8th of an inch available for seaming!)

Mary

I took an inexpensive "tomato" pincushion and divided it into sections with a marker. In each section I wrote the size of a sewing machine needle. I put used, but not used enough to throw out yet, needles by size in their sections. In the section that is the size I have in my sewing machine I put a flowered flat head pin. So, at a glance I know what size needle I have in my machine. Since I like to use a different size needle for cotton and flannel and machine quilting needles for machine quilting or sewing on binding I need to change my needle fairly often. Using the pin cushion for needles has really helped keep me organized.

Good tip. I'll be using this tip. Thanks.

Quilter101 Thanks for starting this thread.

I bought a flat tackle box and store my thread in it. I can re-arrange the section sizes and put only one colour of thread in a section along with the bobbin that still has that thread on it. I'm curious how other people store their bobbins and thread. I like to keep them together because I've had trouble with shades, even black and dark blue.

I hand quilt, and sometimes have trouble pulling the needle through the fabric and batting. I use a section of a "jar opener" to pull the needle. I bought the "jar opener" at a dollar tree, got 4 for $1. They look like a circular cut of rubber cabinet liner, a little bigger than a jar lid. I cut it into 4 pieces, and put it next to my quilting. This really saves my hands when pulling a stubborn needle.

Using a can of spray air (like a can of hairpsray or such but all that is in it is clean air) http://www.clp.co.uk/Product.asp?Prd=924634 to blast dust and lint out of my sewing machine

Some of my favorite tips either from others or something I figured out...

-Using sewing tape to mark my 1/4" on my machine plate till I bought my 1/4" foot
-Using an index card to put a block on to get an exact 1/4" in hand sewing...bigger block, just tape the cards together and use a ruler to match up the lines.
-Use post its to mark mags and catalogs for quick and easy find of project or notion
-Use a dryer sheet to clean my rotary cutter's lint and cutting board
-Use an acrylic paint brush, (for watercolors) to keep the lint cleaned out of the sewing machine...it clings to it like magic! And, you can easily pull it out. Here's just a few of many great hints of great help! Skeat

I made myself a "quilter's apron". Made a short bib apron with a row of different sized pockets along the bottom. I use those pockets to keep all the tools I use while I'm machine quilting - extra bobbins, seam ripper (yes, I make mistakes), tweezers, small artist's paintbrush (every time I change the bobbin I use this to clean the bobbin case area and the feed dog area), marking pencil, etc. Hang my small scissors around my neck, pin a piece of batting to the bib to stick pins in and I am set. It saves me a lot of frustration looking for my tools all the time.

Here's a couple more hints for good "needle pullers" when you hand quilt.

Take a tourniquette or however you spell it from a first aid kit or docs office. Cut into 1 inch sections. Works great for pulling out those stubborn needles.

Also, you can go to Dollar Tree and buy a package of balloons for a buck. Balloons conform really well to your fingers and they are thick enough you won't prick yourself through the balloon....just be careful if you are allergic to latex.

I like using Fons and Porters glue stick to hold the binding to the back instead of pins.
Hasnt gummed up my machine at all.
I bought plastic baskets that you can see thru and have a handle at Dollartree. These are perfect to hold fat q.
They come in different colors so my greens go in green etc.

Pretty kitty I read on one of the sewing machine repair sites that you never use canned air on your machine . It can blow lint and thread into the back of your machine , that can cause problems . lol

I use dryer sheets on my thread . Take a small piece fold in half , place thread and needle in fold , pull through several times , no knotting of your thread . Slides right through fabric !

Annie

Measure twice, cut once. This should be tattooed on both my hands.

Thanks all for these tips.
I am trying to think if I have any, but nah, I have not been doing things long time to find my own way yet, I still copy! So mega thanks all!

I'll have to try this one. I was just wrestling with the tangled thread problem the other night.

No hints from me but I'm learning lots from reading this thread.

.
:lol: :lol: :lol: Ain't it the truth!!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

If I'm sewing on triangles where I'm starting at a pointy corner, I use a small scrap of fabric for a "leader" - I sew across it & then a couple more stitches, leave the needle down, then line my triangles up & sew away. My machine eats way less corners when I do this. :D

Rose Marie...I'd love to see a pic of those baskets!:))Even if it is just one if possible..thanks Skeat

I bought a pair of rubber gloves (the kind you get to wear when you are doing dishes ) and use them as thimbles. I cut off one finger and slip it over my finger. It is thick enough the needle doesn't go through it but is flexible and will grip the needle. Also every pair of gloves I buy gives me 10 thimbles. What a buy.

Ripper tip - I glued the soft side of Velcro to my ripper, the stiff side to my machine. My ripper is always within easy reach.

What a great idea! I tend to have 3 or 4 rippers out cause I'm always misplacing one while I work. Velcroed to the sewing machine.....great idea I'll have to try it.

You can also buy those inexpensive boxes of thin rubber gloves like the nurses use and just cut the fingertips off of them, put one on your pulling finger and leave it on, you won't have to keep stopping to pick up that piece of rubber jar lid opener.

Try "Thread Heaven" bought in most LQS's. All appliquer's use it to make the thread glide through the fabric easier and not tangle.

I just got a digital camera for Christmas and it is complicated so havnt figured out how to load them into the board. I tried once but couldnt get it to find my pictures in my pictures.

To keep machines and foot pedals from "scooting" put drawer liner (the rubbery kind that looks like a waffle weave) under them. You can get it at the dollar store 12" X 5 ft. for $1.

Oh one of my tips would be make or buy four of everything and put one in each corner....like snippers,scissors,pin,pencil oh and don't forget that flower pin and scrap bag holder......:-)

Love some of these tips, and definitely will be using them! Thanks!

I bought a stacking small parts organizer at the local hardware store. They're usually used for nuts and bolts and such, but I use them for all my "little" stuff, like extra feet, new needles, marking chalk, and anything else that would get lost in a drawer or basket. I put labels on each "drawer" so I know what's inside.

I use little girl's pony-tail holders (the fat squishy kind) to put around my bobbins to keep the thread from wandering all over the place. They come in different colors, so I can match the color family to the thread. And, yep, I store the threaded bobbins in one of the little parts drawers, and empties in another drawer. :lol:

Bernice

I have a closet shelf bars that my DH put up.....now I have a shelf and a closet rod that I have shower curtain hooks on with clippers from the dollar store to pinch on to my quilts to take a photo of and display easy....so nice I love it....

another thing was to mark my row or pieces with little white sale adhesive tags...makes a lot less reverse sewing for me...:-)

I use little girl's pony-tail holders (the fat squishy kind) to put around my bobbins //That is a great idea! I did find out that for all you that 'use' to have a fish tank and have that clear tube for air, etc....you can cut it bobbin width...make a slit in it and it fits right over those bobbins to keep them from unraveling...forgot about that too:))I figured that out after using that hose system taped to my vacuum to suck out the dust:))LOL Skeat

Save all of your old needles. They are great for tacking things on your design board and to hang pictures! GiGi :D :D :D :D

You can also use beeswax, or maybe you can try a white (or thread color) candle to run the thread through. I would try it on a scrap first. You could also try running it through a small bar of soap.

Make sure when joining rows or blocks. seams go opposite directions...this way the seams line up perfectly.
A perfect 1/4" seam is a must...
Square up all blocks before putting all together.
Most of all have fun. Quilting is an adventure and a continual learning experiance.
K

I tug my bobbin thread a little and it burrys itself no need for anything....

I also use a soft clear squeeze bottle like a kectup bottle for the water to put in my iron....works great...no more spilled water....finally

gcathie I like the ketchup bottle idea. That way I wouldn't have the cat drinking out of my measuring cup and spilling it everywhere. Good idea.

BTW I am loving lots of ideas here. Thanks

Mary: I was looking for the product Sta-Flo for free standing embroidery.I made angels on my emb machine and wanted more stability. I looked everywhere. Where have you found it?

My favorite tip is one that has made the world of difference in matching seams, making points match etc... is to tuck the seam allowances in different directions and snug the two seams together as tightly as possible. Makes my sewing very accurate. An excellent tip for new quilters... wish someone had showed me what to do!!!

I love Sta-Flo I use a 1:1 water/starch ration when I'm piecing. I love its stability.

I get my Sta-Flo at Walmart. It's in the same aisle at laundry detergent, stain removers, and fabric softener. In my Walmart it is on the top shelf, next to the sizing. It comes in a blue jug that kinda looks like a half-gallon jug of milk.

I have some vision problems so threading a needle can be hard. If I put a spool of bright red or pink I can easily see the eye on the machine or even a hand held needle.

I was taught that when trying to match seams, cradle them against each other and face the open seam toward the needle because it will force the fabric to nestle into the other seam on the bottom side of what you are sewing. I tried it and it works great for me.

What a great idea. I am going to steal it!

AMEN!