Somehow it's Tuesday already! I didn't mean to disappear here but I've had family back in town again and I've been spending a lot of time with them. My dear niece and nephew of course! How can I not spend all the time I can with them? :)
So with out further ado, today's tips come from Audrey! I've been a fan of Audrey and her blog for some time now. A while back her blog name caught my eye in the suggestions of blogs to read., and I've been hooked ever since! Pickles & Bacon. Cute, huh? :)
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1. ) Starch for ANY edge not cut on the grain. Doesn't matter if it's 45*, ANYTHING cut off the grain, it will help immensely to keep the shape of the piece. Also, you don't need best press, the Faultless 97 cent stuff from Wal-mart works just as well.
2.) Americana quilting thread works GREAT for doing bindings. I'd always get ticked because when I'd go to hand stitch it to the back I'd always get at least 1 knot and this is glazed cotton but for 99 cents, you really can't go wrong, even if you try it and don't like it you're only out a buck and change after tax.
3.) If I have a bunch of scraps from a particular line I'll stick them all in a Ziplock bag and put that in my scrap bin.
4.) Quilt pattern bags are great for the patterns that don't come in a bag. Amy Butler patterns come to mind on this one, they don't come in a bag but it's hard to keep all the pieces together once you use them, her patterns fit in the 6x9 bags and you can find small quantities on etsy and ebay for cheap.
5.) Keep a small rotary mat and smaller ruler in arms reach at all times. I've found when doing some star blocks you need to trim after stitching one seam, makes it easy to turn my machine out of the way trim, press and move on.
6.) Sterilite containers from Wal-Mart are great for keeping projects in order, go grab some horizontal badge holders from the office section and you can very easily cut card stock to make inserts, to identify projects, also keeps all materials in one place. I have 3 shoebox size and 3 12 qt size.
7.) The 12x12 iris cases that are made for scrapbooking papers are great when working on quilt blocks. For my star sampler quilt along I'm keeping my layer cake and finished blocks in there. Again, I'm a fan of all in one place.
8.) Another scrapbooking intended thing is the 3 drawer 12x12 Sterilite drawers, they're stack-able and great for storing layer cakes and charm packs that have no intended immediate use. Having animals it's really important for me to keep them out of their reach and such.
2.) Americana quilting thread works GREAT for doing bindings. I'd always get ticked because when I'd go to hand stitch it to the back I'd always get at least 1 knot and this is glazed cotton but for 99 cents, you really can't go wrong, even if you try it and don't like it you're only out a buck and change after tax.
3.) If I have a bunch of scraps from a particular line I'll stick them all in a Ziplock bag and put that in my scrap bin.
4.) Quilt pattern bags are great for the patterns that don't come in a bag. Amy Butler patterns come to mind on this one, they don't come in a bag but it's hard to keep all the pieces together once you use them, her patterns fit in the 6x9 bags and you can find small quantities on etsy and ebay for cheap.
5.) Keep a small rotary mat and smaller ruler in arms reach at all times. I've found when doing some star blocks you need to trim after stitching one seam, makes it easy to turn my machine out of the way trim, press and move on.
6.) Sterilite containers from Wal-Mart are great for keeping projects in order, go grab some horizontal badge holders from the office section and you can very easily cut card stock to make inserts, to identify projects, also keeps all materials in one place. I have 3 shoebox size and 3 12 qt size.
7.) The 12x12 iris cases that are made for scrapbooking papers are great when working on quilt blocks. For my star sampler quilt along I'm keeping my layer cake and finished blocks in there. Again, I'm a fan of all in one place.
8.) Another scrapbooking intended thing is the 3 drawer 12x12 Sterilite drawers, they're stack-able and great for storing layer cakes and charm packs that have no intended immediate use. Having animals it's really important for me to keep them out of their reach and such.
Wow!! Thanks Audrey for all your tips!!
Have a tip or five you'd like to share? Email me and I'll feature them here! :)
Much Love!!!
All good tips! Thanks, Karrie and Audrey!
ReplyDeleteAll are wonderful ideas. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThese are some great tips. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteAwesome ideas. Thanks so much!
ReplyDeletegreat tips...
ReplyDeleteI have one shelf in my cupboard for new projects. Each pile is the fabric/pattern and any notions...when I am ready to sew...it's all there..
You could have used that for a month worth of tidbit Tuesdays!
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I was thanking you again tonight as I picked out the stitching on sixteen (yes, 16!) HSTs that I sewed together with the right side of one fabric against the wrong side of the other (chain piecing is great, but can really mess you up sometimes!). I got them all picked out and ready to resew in about 10 minutes, using a tip from one of your early Tidbit Tuesdays!!! You rock!!!!
ReplyDeleteWow thanks for the great tips... I will have to see if i can source some Americana thread over her in OZ :)
ReplyDelete