Helpful Tips and Tricks
 

I am a new member who has been reading a lot of your posts, and you are all so talented and such a wealth of information. I am sure that many of you have learned a thing or two in your years of sewing experience. I thought that it would be beneficial to start a thread where you can offer up some of your most helpful tips, tricks, or favorite products. And remember that, even if your idea seems elementary, it might be helpful to a beginner.

I will start by listing a few ideas:

1.) If you are using a serger, and you are missing your cone thread nets, try using knee-high nylons and cutting them into tubes.

2.) To sharpen your dull seam rippers, purchase a fine needle file set, like the ones that jewelers use. Amazon Carries them for less than $10.

3.) When I worked as a seamstress many moons ago, we used single-edge razor blades instead of seam rippers. They are easy to use once you get in the zone, and they are inexpensive.

4.) When hemming pants, and to remove stubborn wrinkles and creases, wet a flour sack type kitchen cloth, wring the water out, and use it as a pressing cloth. I know some people prefer white vinegar, but in the Tailor Shop we just used water.

5.) Instead of cotton batting, use your old towels to make pot holders.

6.) When sewing by hand, run your thread through beeswax to keep it from tangling.

And I read recently that if you fold a piece of aluminum foil into many layers and run your rotary blade through it, your blade will be sharper. I don't know if this works, but I thought I'd mention it.

good tips thank you

I tried that with the aluminum foil but didn't get it to work for one of my scissors. But it worked on another set it. I save my old needles and use them to hang pictures on the wall. I also use elmers glue to baste my quilts now. If I can figure out what makes my house messy when all I do is sew I'll be happy.

thanks for starting a new/good thread. I use a lint roller to get cat fur and threads off of things it shouldn't be on.

Beeswax for needles is great, but your head is closer--rub the tip of your needle GENTLY against your scalp.

When hiding a thread knot, hold the knot under your thumb fingernail while pulling with the opposite hand. The knot will pop into the fabric like magic.

If a tool/notion gives you frustration, toss it and buy a new or better one.

Read instructions for cutting twice, measure cutting line twice then cut once.

Don't do complicated math or cutting when you're tired!

Also, very much don't measure how much backing fabric you need in inches, and then have the lady in the store cut it in centimetres. You get less than half of what you need that way!!!!! :mad:

I tried that trick and it did not work for me. But I have read where others had success. Maybe just my scissors.

I have found that using a dedicated brand of bobbin thread (Bottom Line or Gutterman) has made a noticeable difference in my piecing accuracy. It is my best tip to myself.

GREAT thread! Thanks for starting it!

Me too Lynnie!!

http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...d-t220591.html

Here are more from a thread I remembered from a while back.

This is what Harriet Hargrave taught me in a class: "Use the best fabrics and batting that you can afford".

I try to clean my machine after every second bobbin. Now I only ever fill two bobbins. Helps me keep on track.

Use a toilet brush (new of course) to pick up threads on a carpeted surface. It works!

Press seams so they will nest. Makes sewing any intersection much easier and neater.
Make backing a little bigger than quilt top.
Make sure backing is flat, then the batting, then the top.
Start pinning sandwich together in the center, and work out to the edges.
All I can think of right now.

I used cloth diapers and diaper pins on my children. I always ran the pin through my hair before pinning it in the diaper and it easily ran through the cloth of the diaper. The oils in your hair work wonders on needles and pins.

Re: Helpful Hints
 

Back in the day.........before disposable diapers, we used to run the diaper pins through our hair to make them easy to get through the diaper. Brings back memories!
Phyllis

I used a bar of soap for diaper pins. Haven't tried that for needles and pins. I wonder if it would work. I do use a sliver of soap as a marking tool.

I use a bar of soap and it does work. I also keep a pair it tweezers in my list of tools. When quilting if needle hard to pull threw I use the tweezers to grap the needle and pull.

Instead try cutting fine grit sand paper. Works like a charm.

Using cotton thread in your bobbin.be sure to clean out the casing every few changes..it helps the bobbin move better..
When quilting on a DSM make sure none of your quilt is hanging down..this cause tension on the quilt.which stops it from moving well..
Never cut..sew..measure when u are in a hurry..upset..or wore out..just causes more problems..that list goes on and on.lol

I don't remember who said this but it's helped me.....

Watch where your fabric is going at all times. Forget about that needle. The needle is going to go up and down so don't even look at it

Yep, this is an old trick for those of us who used diaper pins....and for pins and needles when sewing, too.

My favorite is to tear fabric for borders and sashings. This way you are guaranteed that it is on grain and your quilt will hang straight. Don't forget to measure through the center for borders then divide and pin so your quilt will come out square.

Also, for thread nets you can go to your local florist and ask for their discarded bloom nets. Most all their flowers come with these nets over them and they just throw them away. I got tons of them from my local grocery store as it had a florist shop inside. They're also long enough that you can cut them in half for your embroidery thread spools. They last longer than the ones made for this purpose as they are some sort of plastic and the ready made ones are thread made.

I use disposable rubber gloves as a needle puller, i attach it to a pretty piece of ribbon and because use i am a hand quilter and use a hoop i attach the other end of the ribbon to my hoop so it is always handy when needed.

I really like the tip to use old towels in pot holders.

Thanks great tips.

I use a balloon. I poke holes in it so the little ones don't want them.

I love all these tips - never thought of using the grease in my hair! My tip - clean your bobbin area often! Seems like most "tension" problems are really problems with threads caught up in the bobbin area!

If you only have so much money for tools: 1) use bamboo skewers for stiletto, turning tools, holding down an edge or small piece of material you're pressing 2) go to Harbor Freight or similar store and pick up round magnet dishes for pins. They're under $2 - I have one by each machine, on my cutting table & ironing board. The round screw on lids from Glad, Ziplock or generic storage containers will fit over them-easy transport for your pins to classes or retreats. 3) Also get a telescoping magnet wand with a light to pick pins up from floors - much less than the ones marketed for this purpose. 4) pick up different widths and colors of painters tape: temporary line marking, labels for strips or pieces, temp marking for rulers & mats, or on your machine to keep that 1/4 inch accurate. 5) good place to get long handled tweezers, long blade scissors for cutting batting, little flashlights to see down into your machine, small headlamp for handwork, and plastic coated gloves for safer cutting and hand not slipping on your ruler when cutting.

Citrus, I forgot about this hint! I did the same thing!

For a quick and cheap present, I make pin cushions out of bars of soap. You can buy the cheapest soap on the shelf, or find one with a fragrance you (or your recipients) like. I had one friend who loved sandalwood (can't stand the smell myself) and I found individual bars in a Chinese market, along with rose and jasmine. Cut a piece of batting the width of the bar and length that will wrap around the bar with just a small overlap. Cut a strip of fabric (WOF) the width of the bar and place the bar in the center of the wrong side strip. Bring the ends up and twist, then turn the bar over. then bring the ends up again. Do this several times, spacing the twists so that they lay by the side of the previous twist. Finish off with a pretty bow, or tie a knot and tuck the edges under the fabric. You can decorate the top with ribbons, buttons, fabric flowers, etc. Then, I gently hit the pincushion with the side of a hammer to break up the soap slightly. If you try to put pins into a solid bar of soap, you get bent pins. The batting keeps the soap from leaking out. Every time you put a pin or needle into the soap, it releases a little more of the fragrance. Eventually, the soap will loose its fragrance and will break down completely.

When I'm doing any kind of hand sewing, I use a finger cot on my index finger. You can get them at any pharmacy. My DH calls them my sewing condoms, because they look like minatures. They keep the needle from slipping in my hand and give me extra grip to pull needles out.

Never use WD40 on your sewing machine. It has a solvent in it. Never use anything other than sewing machine oil. Sewing machine oil is lighter in viscosity than many other oils. If you use a different oil, it could gum up your machine.

If you are sewing by hand and your needle gets dull, try running the tip of it across an emery board (fingernail file) several times to sharpen it. For those of you who don't know, the strawberry found hanging off traditional pincushions is filled with emery, and sharpening your pins and needles is what it is intended for.

There are a lot of good tips on this thread. I especially like the one about cutting through sandpaper to sharpen scissors.

I think getting to know your sewing machine and the specialty feet are the best tools in my arsenal. It really makes my sewing and quilting an easier job. I know this sounds simplistic, but, you would be surprised how many ladies struggle with a project they don't have to. Also, using the right thread and needles are what keeps the troubles away, for the most part anyway.

Last but not least is to have a good organized work space. So important.

As far as tools go ... I love my specialty and square up rulers! And of course a great iron. Oh, remember that a ruler is also a marking tool for quilting lines. I have a 10 inch round one I use for marking the all over orange peel design. Or how about a scalloped one for a line of circles? Just flip it over for the completed line of circles.

One sewing tip that was given to me in the tailor shop at a boys school where I worked has helped me over the years: When ready to sew on a button by hand, put multiple threads thru the needle, and then take only one or two stitches thru the button. Makes everything go so fast - and presto you're done.

Can't wait to try this... what a great idea for a gift.