Tidbit Tuesday #46 - Binding Thread

Gasp! Another tidbit!

This one comes from an issue I was having while binding and I was getting so frustrated!! Let me explain...

When I bind, I like to use Aurifil 40 weight thread (the green spool).  I cut off a long piece, thread it through the needle, match ends, and tie a knot.  This way my needle doesn't fall off (those hurt to sit on, by the way) and I have secure binding.

What kept happening is after a few stitches, my threads would somehow become uneven and I'd get loops where my stitches were.  I'd have to go back and fix them.

Does this happen to you?

What I did to fix it is simple.  After  you thread your needle, match the ends and tie the knot. At this point the thread by the needle is loose. This allows the needle to slide wherever it wants to.

Now, hold the knot in one hand and the needle in another. Stretch it so that the needle is exactly in the middle.  Pinch the threads at the needle and tie a knot right below your needle.  This way the needle stay right in place!!

No more loops!!

Hope this helps someone else too!

Much Love!!!

Tidbit Tuesday #45 - Starching

Good Tuesday to you my friends! 

I have another tidbit for you today! Two weeks in a row even! 

This is a tip that I have grown to love and use all the time.  At first I groaned because I thought it took too long but after giving it a fair chance, I can't imagine not doing it.  

Starching.  Is. Amazing. 

I don't know about you, but I use a lot of Fat Quarters and Fat Eights.  Upon opening these, they always have folds that are not always so easy to get out. If you are anything like me, you want to give those pretties a quick iron and get to cutting so you can delve right into your project, right? That was me.  Inpatient and quick to cut.  This almost always resulted in inaccurate cutting which doesn't bode well when it comes to putting the quilt together.

Fabric is Ansonia by Denyse Schmidt for Freespirit!

Here is what I do with all my fabric before I cut it. 

First open up the fabric and lay it wrong side up. Using your favorite starch spray the wrong side of the fabric.  I like to use Faultless Heavy Starch as I can just starch one side and be good.  If you use a lighter starch, you may have to repeat the process on both sides, and perhaps more than once.  You will have to test to see what works for you. 

Note:  When I am pressing my blocks (using the same method) I use a lighter starch like Flatter! Love that stuff!! It smells sooooooo good! 

Love my Oliso Iron and Flatter by Soak!!

After you lightly sprayed the starch, let it sit for a minute or two.  I usually work in pairs.  I will starch two fat quarters, or whatever, wait two minutes, press one and before I start the second one, have a third sprayed.  This way one is always ready to go after I am done pressing. 

BEFORE you press, flip your fabric so the right side is now up.  Now press your fabric.  Go kind of slow.  You want the starch to raise up through the fabric as you press and you don't want the fabric to be wet so give it a good pressing. If you still have stubborn wrinkles in your fabric, after pressing the right side of the fabric, now spray the right side of the fabric with the starch, let sit, and then flip it to the wrong side and press.  Just remember you always want to draw the starch up through the fabric to your iron.  Never iron directly on the starch you just sprayed.  

Once you do this, your fabric will be wrinkle free and crisper.  Starching also stabilizes the fabric which is extra good when you are working with the bias edges!! It also helps  your fabric from fraying.  Who doesn't love that when you have to trim all those frayed edges from the back of a pieced top before getting it quilted??!! 

Another thing I have noticed with starching is that my cutting has been much easier and more accurate.  Nice crisp clean cuts! 

Oh and don't worry.  Your quilts won't be super stiff from starching (unless you go reallllyy overboard..lol)  and all of it will wash out!!! 

The morale of this story is that if you take your time in prepping the fabric, your quilts will go together easier and will come our more accurate.  Who doesn't want that? :)

These are all my personal thoughts on this subject matter.  What are your thoughts on starching?? 

Much Love!!!!

Tidbit Tuesday #44 - Seam Allowance

Hello Friends!! 

So if you have been a follower of mine for a while, you know I used to do a Tidbit Tuesday every Tuesday, or close to every one anyway. :)  After taking a blogging hiatus and then coming back, I haven't done one for a while.  

On that note, I thought I would bring back my tidbits! Yay!  Granted, these probably will not be every Tuesday but you will see them every now and again.  

Just like before, if you have your own tidbit you'd like to share, please send me an email at karrielyne at gmail dot com and I will try and post your tip on my blog.  Be sure that if you have your own blog, link to it in the email so I can link the tip back to you! 

Today my tip is about accurate seam allowances.  If you are a veteran sewist, you already know how important this seam accuracy is and you still may find this tip helpful so don't turn the page just yet. *wink*  If you are new to sewing then if you haven't perfected this 1/4" seam allowance, this may be just what you need!! 

I've tried a lot of methods but this is my favorite by far.  It does utilize a tool that you have to purchase but after the results I've had, I'd buy it 20 times over again.  Oh, this entire post is my personal opinion.  I was not asked to do this post, nor was I paid to do it.  I purchased the tool with my very own money! Yah! 

By chance I saw a post in Instagram by someone I follow.   Her name is Nydia and she blogs  at The ADD Crafter. She was using a tool called Ideal Seam Gauge.  It immediately caught my attention and that day I ordered it.   You can find them at Sew Very Smooth. 

Let me tell you a bit about it... 

This tool is made of a hard plastic so it is durable.  It's not a flimsy piece of plastic or paper that can be ruined over time. Huge plus for me.  Also you will notice that it has multiple sizes so it's great for other sewing needs besides quilting! How cool is that? 

The best part, it not only has a 1/4" seam guide, but it has the SCANT 1/4" seam guide! This is the one I use with my machine.  I most always use cotton quilting fabric and I use Aurifil thread so when I sew my seams, my seams come out "ideal".

Once you choose the allowance you want, or want to test out, lift your presser foot and slide the tool underneath.  Using the hand crank on  your machine, slowly lower your needed so that the needle drops into the hole for the seam width you are aiming for.  Once you have the needled dropped in the hole, lower your presser foot so it stabilizes the tool. Use lines on your machine or on your presser foot to ensure the tool is squared up (use a ruler if necessary) and then add your seam guide. 

Here is a close up of how I lined up my presser foot with the purple markings on the tool to ensure it was square. 

Once you are all square up, add your seam guide.  I used a magnetic one from Dritz.  

WARNING:: Do NOT use a magnetic seam guide if you have computerized mechanisms below the needle plate!! This will ruin the computer.  For most machines this is safe to use because the computerized parts are not under the needle plate, but if you are not sure, contact your machines customer service to see if it is safe to use.  

I have a Juki 2010Q, so if you have one of those, you are safe! 

Don't wan't to use a magnetic seam guide?  No problem!! You can use other marking tools like washi tape (pretty tape that resembles masking tape, only prettier) or post it notes.  Some machines also have seam guides you can screw into your machine.  

Now you are ready to sew a test piece.  I will usually take 2 pieces that are 2.5" square and sew the seam and press it open.  Measure the piece.  Does it measure 4.5"? Yes? Bingo! 

Once you have your seam all set, sew to your hearts content!! 

As you can see below, one of the biggest reasons I prefer the magnetic seam guide, or the kind you can screw in, is because it is a surface I can run my fabric against with out worry of it sliding past it too much.  However, use what works for you. 

I hope you enjoyed this tidbit Tuesday!! Don't forget to send me your tips!

Much Love!!!