Tips and Tricks

I'm still a novice at sewing, quilting and cutting, so I've asked some friends with far more experience for their personal tips and tricks....

Sewing Machines

• Purchase your machine from a reputable, local sewing machine dealer.

  • Tell the salespeople your "must haves" and "like to haves".  They can help make sure you get the machine that fits your needs

  • Test drive machines to find the one you like that's in your price range

  • Ask about used machines- many times you can get a bargain on a good pre-owned machine with a warranty

• The "right" machine is the reliable one that you're comfortable using.  

• Change your needle on a scheduled basis- monthly, bi-weekly, etc.  

• A clean bobbin is a happy bobbin- Clean your bobbin area often.

• A cosmetic or electronics brush, even a small paintbrush work great.  Canned air, compressors do not.

• Set the tension in your bobbin first.  It's easier to adjust the top tension than the bobbin tension.

• If the problem is on the bottom, set the top tension higher..  If the problem's on the top, set the top tension lower.

• Start and end a project on the same machine.  Not all 1/4 inch presser feet are the same.

• Electronic machines are often cheaper to replace than to repair.

• Use sewing machine oil only.  NOTE: 3-in-1 oil is NOT sewing machine oil.

• If your thread breaks, rethread both the spool and the bobbin.

• LISTEN to your machine.  If it suddenly starts sounding different, stop and investigate.

• Never let your sewing machine know you're in a hurry.

• Get your sewing machine serviced annually- more often if you use it frequently.

  • Service is ALWAYS cheaper than repair!

Sewing

• Make friends with the experts in your sewing or quilting guild...and keep them on speed dial.

• Keep your trimming scissors close, and your seam ripper closer.

• Attach trimming scissors to your machine, put them in a pocket on your sewing mat, or put them on a string around your neck.

• If your seam ripper is dull, buy a new one.

• Never use furniture polish on your sewing table.

• Stay out of the sewing room when you're tired.

• Want a quarter inch seam?  Get a quarter inch foot.

• For straighter seams, sit directly in front of the needle.

• If you're sewing in straight lines, alternate top-to-bottom with bottom-to-top.  You want to make a rectangle-not a parallelogram.

• If you don't have the right color thread, darker is better than lighter.

Ergonomics

• Have a good chair and good lighting.

• A cutting table at the correct height saves your back.  So does a back brace.

• Bed frame risers can help you raise your cutting table to the correct height.

• Change your body position frequently. and take frequent breaks.

• If you're frustrated, step away and do something else for awhile.

Fabric

• If your fabric is ugly, cut it into smaller pieces.

• Don't trust the measurements on jelly rolls, layer cakes, or charm packs.  They are very seldom exactly 2.5, 5 or 10 inches.

• Use a glue stick for curved pieces.

• If you buy fabric for a specific project (especially a future project) keep the fabric and the project pattern together.

• Washable markers aren't always washable.  Try a marker on a scrap piece of fabric first to make sure its okay.

• If your fabric is still ugly, cut it into even smaller pieces.

• Deep colors bleed deeply.  You may need to wash multiple times with color catchers.

• Spray the batting- not the fabric.

• Keep your stash organized and inventory frequently.  You probably don't remember half of what's in there.

• Wash your hands with soap before handling fabric.  Ensure tables and other surfaces are clean.

• Color matters.

• Check your scrap bin before you empty it.  You may find your scissors or rotary cutter in there.

• Remember- He who dies with the most fabric, has the best estate sales.

Cutting

• Self-healing mats make great straight edges.

• Square up your blocks as you go.

• Rotary cutters are Gods gift to quilters.

• Change your rotary cutter blade as soon as you find you're having to press harder to keep it from skipping. 

• Replacement blades are cheaper than replacement fabric.

• Close the guard on your rotary cutter when not in use.

• If you gesture when you talk, put down your rotary cutter before you start a conversation.

• Do not trust the measurements on cutting mats.  Some are not accurate.

• Even the best machine can't correct a bad cut.

• Keep your drinks off your cutting table.

• Use separate scissors for nylon zipper tape and very thick materials.

Ironing

• Press, don't iron.  

• Press to the darker side of the two fabrics (else you might see the darker fabric behind the lighter).

• Use a spray bottle for ironing.  It saves wear and tear on expensive irons and you don't need to use distilled water

• Keep your iron close at hand and use it frequently.

• If possible, have your iron on the same circuit as the light switch.  This way, if you forget to turn your iron off, it will automatically shut down when you leave the room and turn the lights out.

• If at first you don't succeed, iron it into submission

Longarm Quilting

• Put a dressing mirror under your longarm, so you can see the stitches underneath

• If you know your project is going to require more than one bobbin, fill them all at the same time.

• Oil your race everytime you replace your bobbin.

• If you're using quilting software, save your workspace before you start quilting, and use a quality surge suppressor.

• "Red Snappers" or other snap-on fasteners help you quickly load/unload your longarm and save your headers from excessive wear and tear.

Enjoy

• No matter how hard you work, the finished project will not be perfect; finished is better than perfect.

• The road to Hell is paved with unfinished projects.

• It's a quilt, not a race.  Relax and enjoy the journey

• Celebrate your progress.

• If you can't see your mistake from the back of a galloping horse, it's not a mistake.  

• There are NO quilt police...though there was this one lady in Vancouver.

• Quilt juice comes in handy...sometimes it comes in wine, sometimes it comes in whiskey. 

• Don't try to force yourself to love a project you're not enjoying

• Find your style and stick with it, but don't be afraid to try new things.

• Don't be afraid to ask someone with more experience than you.  You'll generally find they're happy to help.

• Have wonderful friends to share the joy of quilting with and build lots of laughs and memories together.