cathy

Hey ladies/gent

Got to thinking now that I'm trying to get back into the swapping mood if me and maybe a few other of us wouldn't benefit from a back to basics tips and tricks thread. Realized that when I sew for my family and myself that I sometimes use short cuts or just look the other way if something isn't exactly as it should be.. In other words I've gotten lazy and forgotten some of the basic rules we learned when first starting out.

Anyway long story short it would be great if we could share what works best for us , not with the fancy blocks , but with something as simple as "pressing " when doing a 9-patch , how to find the perfect 1/4 in seam , how to know which way to press seams.
I know its not specific questions but with all the quilters we have on this MB its a shame not to share our secrets with each other.

Just a thought , if you've found something you do that really works for you , I'm sure we would all love to hear about it.

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One of life's little secrets is to make today's stumbling blocks into tomorrow's stepping stones.

lynnb

Cathy,

That is a great idea.I am learning so much from others, and am glad to share any tips I've learned. I have a tip for those who like to appliqué. A prescription pill bottle makes a great dispenser for threads. Drill four holes in the cover to pull the thread end thru. If you fill or partially fill bobbins with your various colors the container will keep them from tangling, and you can carry them anywhere. All you have are the thread ends sticking out the top. It really does work well, even for people like me who do not appliqué, but may need different thread colors for hand sewing
lynnb

QuilterBarb

This is a great idea for a "thread" and can be helpful to all of us! Thank you Cathy for thinking of it, "swapping ideas" I like it!

Another use for a "pill bottle" = I use a pill bottle with a small hole drilled in the center of the lid to hold dull or broken needles and straight pins as I replace them. The reason for the hole in the center...no reason to pop off the lid, just insert the needle/pin thru the hole . With the hole only in the center the chances of the needle finding its way back out of the bottle are very slim. When the "pill bottle" is filled I use a strip of masking tape over the top and down the sides and dispose of the *bottle and needles/pins* without fear of anyone having a "jab" from the tossed away items! One pill bottle can last quite a long time. This has worked great for me for years!

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Barb

lynnb

Barb,

Thanks for that one. i will get another bottle ready later tonight
lynnb

quilt garden

Empty film canisters (35mm) work just as well as the pill bottles. For the threads on bobbins stick one of those felt chair pads or a piece of magnetic tape on the lid and you have a spot for your needle.

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Agnes

djduckee

I think this is a fantastic idea Cathy!

So OK...how does everyone measure the 1/4" seam? When do you do what to make that 1/4" Do you measure or do you guess?

The foot plate on my machine has markings...I use the markings all of the time, but when I first started out I measured 1/4" from the needle to the right of the foot plate and I put a piece of tape there to guide me.

When I do paper pieceing, after each piece I add I bend the paper and clip the two pieces of fabric to a 1/4"...sometimes a little less. It gives the consistency needed throughout your pieces.

Likewise at the end of your block you need to make sure that you have met the qualifications of a "finished" or an "unfinished" block. When it says "unfinished" it means that the block has to have the added 1/2". Example...you need a finished block 10"...it must be 10 1/2" unfinished. You need to measure after you are finished or it could through the whole quilt off...unless you like the challenge of trying to fit pieces in that are not the required sizing. Measuring should be done on a cutting mat that has inches/meters and with a ruler. And become familar with both of these tools...they should both have marking...and you can see you 1/4" and 1/2" markings clearly.

We all have a tendency to get complacent...so sometimes checking and extra checking is important.

Donna

Black sheep

OK, I am in the 'scant' 1/4 inch boat, about 1 or 2 threads short of a 1/4, because of what you lose in the pressing. And I make sure my block comes out the finished measurement. I have a piecing foot with the little wall and know where to set it now. And sometimes the fabric creeps away from it and I use a seam ripper or a very long pin to hold the seam next to the wall.
Will have to think of my favorite tricks...
Oh i do have my machine sitting on 2 pink erasers on the back side, tilting the machine towards me. Helps me not to lean over the machine quite so much, easier on my back. And My OTT light over the top also helps cause I can see better from a distance.

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Rhonda

cathy

Glad you brought up the 1/4in or actually the finished size. No matter what I do my block is rarely the correct "finished size" I now cut an extra/8 in to each measurement to give me some jiggle room . I know this is not the thing to do but no matter what I try I'm always short the finished size.

And yes I have even tried measuring after each seam is pieced, it has to be the pressing but even then I've seen it miss by an eighth of an inch which in our world is too much. OHHH the horrible truth is out. I did need this post for me too. You probably thought I was kidding , then again if you've been in a swap with me you know better. One nice thing I can say is it is obviously a common problem cause I find it in other swap blocks too. Am I lazy or missing a step somewhere.

Thanks Cathy
And Rhonda digging for erasers when done here. BE GONE little burning pain in neck.

__________________
One of life's little secrets is to make today's stumbling blocks into tomorrow's stepping stones.

djduckee

WOW Rhonda...the erasers really work? I have to find a couple...I thought I had carpal tunnel in my neck!!! I'm always leaning over my work!

Cathy, I don't think any one of us is always perfect...there are some blocks that just don't seem to finish what they are supposed to and I also think it is in the pressing...I don't think I'm very good at the pressing stage...when I take classes I surreptiously watch others press to see what I do wrong...they all seem to do it the same way I do!!!

And then again I wonder...are all of these quilts we make supposed to be perfect perfection? I have seem expert teachers have shoddy work and I've also heard them say...OK...we'll fix this one that way!

I think in the long run we have to do the best we can with what we have to work with, our own individual skills, the fabrics, the patterns, the iron, steam or not, the everything!!!

But, if we don't try...then we only have ourselves to blame...that's how we all grow...yea gads...got to get down from this soap box...don't even know why I'm here! Must be REALLY tired!!!

Donna