Did you know . . . .???












January 6, 2013

Did you know . . . . a great way to keep binding strips from tangling up under your chair (!) while you are sewing them on your quilt, is to place the entire length of binding in an empty kleenex box.  After you sew all you binding strips together, put all the binding in the box, leaving one end out to attach to the quilt - the rest just follows along as you sew.



January 17, 2012

Did you know . . . Fat quarters are the best fabric cuts to keep in your stash. Why? Each fat quarter can be cut into 12 5 x 5-inch charms. Six fat quarters will produce 72 charms--that's enough to piece the top of a 36 x 40-inch baby quilt! Or, double the fat quarters to create 144 charms--enough to piece the top of a 54 x 54-inch finished throw!

 

 (Source:  http://www.creativequiltersfabricclub.com/ )


December 5, 2011

To prevent your ruler from slipping while cutting your fabric, squirt hot-glue dots onto the bottom of the ruler to secure in place. If needed, the glue dots can be easily removed later on.



October 13, 2011

Did you know ...  that one of the factors in choosing the right quilting design is utility or function  . . . what is the quilt going to be used for?  For example, if you were looking at a quilt that would be dragged behind a little one as a security blanket, and anticipating numerous washings - you would make sure that the quilting would stand up to that.  So, I always ask the question - what is the quilt going to be used for??? 

Another consideration is the size of the blocks, or pieces.  If I remember anything from ManQuilter (and I do remember a lot - thanks, Matt!), it is that in order to hold that quilt together, each seam should be "hit" at least twice - that's something to think about if you want a large design, on a quilt with many small pieces . . . maybe time to re-think, actually.

This quilt is going to an orphanage in Guatemala -----




- and I may be going out on a limb here, but I think that it will not likely be washed on "gentle" cycle in a new-fangled washing machine - so, I tried to hit every one of those seams at least twice - that quilt needs to be able to stand up to the wear and tear it's going to receive so that it lasts a long time.

So before we talk about YOUR quilt, think about the design, utility (function) and over all look of the quilt top.  It can really make a difference in the life and look of your quilt.






September 20, 2011

Did you know . . . that you can use scraps of batting for "Swiffer" replacements . . . it's all about repurposing!


Floor Swiffer - just cut and attach to holder


Swiffer Duster - sew two pockets for the handle, and away you go . . . dancing around the house while you dust!











Sorry, Proctor and Gamble,. . . . .



September 18, 2011

Did you know . . . that  just two metres of 44" wide fabric can be used for backing for up to 5 table runners**  - at the same time?  If I can use the backing as a single piece of fabric, and quilt the 5 table runners, the charge for quilting the table runners would only be the minimum charge of $50 - that's just $10 each - 

..... and, you would only need to purchase one metre of 96" wide batting!



** Length of each table runner must be less than 42", width 14" or less

Who's on YOUR Christmas list???
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