patch work can be much easier if you follow some of these recommendations:
- Whenever piecing quilts, use a “safety cover” (a smaller little bit of discarded cloth fabric) to start your chain piecing therefore the material and threads don’t jam up when commencing to chain sew.
Having trouble sewing with metallic thread and having a lot of thread breaks? Test decreasing the thread tension.
Affix your tape-measure to the side to your sewing table with self stick velcro for fast and simple access
Keep a little magnet inside your stitching basket. Use it to get any pins that fall on the floor.
If stitching needles get rusty or dull, rub them lightly with fine steel wool to bring them back to life.
Always leave some thread in the needle before placing it in a pin cushion. You will be able to find it speedier.
Use thoroughly clean, dry plastic-type egg cartons to keep thread.
Store pattern pieces and their envelopes in self sealing bags to help you see the pattern.
When patch work creations are finished, run doubled length of thread through a pile of patches, departing the twisted end in the thread at the end of the stack. They’ll stay collectively and you will display each one when needed.
Before you stitch on buttons, coat the thread with wax. Basically run it around a candle a few times. This will make the thread more powerful and helps getting it through the holes.
For thoroughly clean, razor-sharp and handy pins and needles, make use of a covered steel wool pad as a pin cushion.
Keep a chopstick in your sewing basket for all poking and stuffing needs.
If you’re not certain that the seam is lying when you are quilt-making in the ditch, place a lamp or torch underneath the quilt and the seam allowances can be seen.
When using pinking shears also have textile involving the blades. Never open and shut the cutting blades with out textile together, this will dull the blades.
Use a low melting temp. glue gun when working with net, tulle or sheer synthetic cloth fabric. A hot glue gun will burn you and melt the cloth fabric.
Keep soap slivers in the freezer to use as markers for quilts. This keeps soap hard and easier to use. It also washes out immediately
Steer clear of the disappointment of threading frayed edges by folding thread in half, and yanking the smooth edge from the needle
To Open that caught Zip: Rub the teeth with a bar of soap or apply with shaving creme.
Soap makes an great Pin Cushion: Use a bar of soap to make stitching easier and the needle just glides through hard fabric and materials.
Photo film storage containers are wonderful and safe way to store bent needles and pins.
To examine a quilt pattern far away, place the portions on a backed table cloth, and hang it up anywhere to see what the quilt will look like completed.
Save your time and prevent eye strain by threading several needles onto your quilting thread without cutting it off the reel.
Safety first! Never run holding sharp scissors or pins .
If you happen to cut yourself, be sure you do not bleed on the cloth
When ironing a bias strip turn off the steam on the iron so that you don’t burn your hands and fingers.
Never make use of a sewing scissers for chopping paper; it blunts them.
For more patchwork tips, fabrics and accessories visit www.patchwork-online.com.au