Hints & Tips
New in 2008!
Thread does age. If its old—throw it out. Good quality thread will make your stitches smooth & even.
For bobbin organizing: you can organize your bobbins by thread type or by machine using Bobbin Savers. They come in red, blue, or lavendar.
Natural fiber threads include cotton, silk, linen, wool, and rayon.
Synthetic fiber threads include polyester, metallic, and nylon.
Using the right threads for the right purpose and using the best quality threads will give you smooth, even stitches; straight, even seams; a quality durable finished product; and an enjoyable sewing experience.
Some needle info:
Universal needles have a slightly rounded point and come in a varity of sizes for general sewing in a variety of fabric types and weights.
Topstitch needles have an extra sharp point and an extra large eye with a large groove to accomodate bulky or heavy threads. Use for topstitching.
A Wing needle has wide wings on the side of the needle to poke holes in the fabric when sewing entredeux and other hemstitches.
A Twin needle has two needles coming down from one shaft. It is used for pin-tucks or more interesting decorative stitches. Using a different color thread in each needle will also produce interesting results!
From Valerie M. of East Longmeadow: I store my fabric in 10 gallon totes sorted by color or type of fabric. Lay the tote on its side, fold fabric to fit, and place in tote. When tote is upright, you can see all your fabric like looking through a file drawer! No more guessing what's on the bottom. Label the outside of the tote so when they are stacked you can find fabrics faster. Plus the 10 gallon size is more manageable to lift and if necessary, transport to a quilting event!
From Cyndy R. of Palmer: When storing longer lengths of fabric, fold to fit shelf or bin; store with fold to outside. Write yardage (length) on a half sheet of plain white paper tucked in fold so you can select proper length without unfolding.
From Cyndy R. of Palmer: The tall rectangular holders for extra toilet paper rolls also store quite a few fat quarters folded "squarely." Try checking discount stores for inexpensive, attractive holders.
From Katie T. of Longmeadow: Use 1-inch gingham for blocking cloth. Pin it to the carpet (straight pins work, but t-pins are better), squaring it up with a large ruler or carpenter's square. Then, you have a nice grid to square up your quilt, and protect it from those hidden things in the floor. Pin the quilt edges through the cloth to the carpet every couply of inches, squaring it up. Use your steam iron or steamer right over the quilt top and let dry. If your quilt top is wider than the gingham, sew two or three widths together, matching the stripses. It is less buly than a blocking board, and can be thrown in the laundry for the next time.
From Victor A. of Enfield: Did you know a "Quilts & Treasures" gift certificate makes a great Birthday present?
New! From Bobby S. of Longmeadow: Many of us store our fabrics, threads, and yarns in clear plastic boxes or covered tubs in order to better see them and find the fabric for which we are searching. I offer one word of caution - do not store these boxes where sunlight can affect the color of the fabrics. Fabrics, as well as threads and yarns fade with even a little exposure to the sun.
New! From Linda F. of Springfield: Cutting Mat Health Tips 1.) Do not rotary cut fleece on your good mat. Use the old one. 2.) To remove fleece fuzz from your good mat (!), a pencil eraser works well. Just rub it along the fuzz lines.
New! From Jan T. of Springfield: Small plastic bull clips with numbers work well to keep strips organized.
New! From Nancy P. of Springfield: When UN-sewing a long seam, use the sewing machine as a third hand. Start unpicking seam and when enough (a couple of inches) is undone, place one end of fabric under the presser foot, lower it to hold fabric, and continue to un-sew with the seam ripper.
New! From Beth N. of Westfield: For all those who would like to attempt machine appliqueing, be sure to iron on your applique fabric to fusible web BEFORE cutting your pieces out! If you cut your pieces out first and then iron them on to fusible web....you will have a mess on your hands unless.....You use two non-stick sheets - one under your project and one on the top of your project - then iron away. Any goop that will be around your project will stick to the non-stick sheets until you easily peal it off. Taking it off these sheets is very easy!
New! From Beth N. of Westfield: A great notion to have is the hand pressing/corner turning bone presser. There will be times when you can't bring your iron. This bone presser is ideal for the iron substitute.
Pfaff is doing a monthly webex event with lots of information on a variety of sewing subjects. Click here for a list of 2008 events and instructions for joining the event. They're free!