Tips For Quilters and Stitchers
This page is just for the tips that we receive from other quilters and stitchers, or tips that we have learned on our quilting journey.I have always encouraged people to thnik outside of the box, and many times when we do that we come up with new ways to do things or new tools to use.Sometimes one thing might work for one person but not for another. So the tips that you learn here may not work for you, but if they are new tips, try them. Maybe some of them may be big time savers; something we can all use these days. The more time we have, the more we can quilt. Tips will be saved here for some time before we move them to a file.
Tip #5
Quilting Snowladies Throw:
Here are the instructions for the throw and also fabric requirements.
Fabric Requirements:
Backing:
3 yards of fabirc for the backing. If you get a 3yard piece and cut it directly in half, so you have two 1 1/2 yard pieces. Then sew these two together to make a piece big enough for the back. This should give you a piece that is 54' x 72'
Batting:
You need a piece of batting as big as the backing.
First Border:
1/2 yard of fabric for the first border.
1. Trim up each Snowlady block after doing the embroidery to 7 1/2" x 9 1/2"
2. Cut (24) pieces 1 1/2" x 8 " and sew to the sides of each block. Trim off excess.
3. Cut (24) pieces 1 1/2" x 10" and sew to the top and bottom of each block. Trim off excess.
4. Press all seams toward the outside of blocks.
Second Border:
1 yard of fabric for the second border.
1. Cut (8) pieces 3" x 9 1/2" and attach between the three blocks in each row. See diagram below. Do this after the first border is attached. Make four rows like this.
2. Cut (3 pieces 3" x 35" and attach that between the rows you have just formed.
3. Cut (2) pieces 3" x 54" and attach to the sides. You will need to piece two strips together
4. Cut (2) pieces 3" x 42" and attach to the top and bottom. You will need to piece two strips together.
Outside Border:
You can make this border as wide as you want. You will need a yard and a half.
1. Cut strips any width you wish. Sample was made with 5 1/2" borders.
Tip #4
April 2006
"Making Nice Shaped Pillows"
Most people kind of cringe at the thought of making a pillow. I have discovered a way to make pillows that makes a nice shaped pillow without using a form. The problem I have with using pillow forms is that your pillow needs to be exactly the size of the form. Well, maybe I want to make a pillow that is 13" or 15" instead of 14"or 16. " After you have completed your pillow top, line the top with a layer of Warm-N-Natural batting or some other batting similar to that and do that also to the backing for your pillow. Then sew the pillow together and stuff it. The Warm-N-Natural helps the pillow to hold it's shape and also when you stuff it, stuff the corners first, and the stuffing will stay in place with the batting as a liner. This works so good, and you can make your pillow any size that you want.
Tip #3
March 2006
"Making Lazy Daisy Stitches"
Recently, I discovered something when making these little lazy daisy stitches. Normally when doing some of the finer embroidery when I use only one strand of embroidery floss, I needed to make a couple of lazy daisy stitches in the area where I was working. I usually use two strands for making the lazy daisy stitches. Well because I was too lazy to change to two threads , I decided that I would try to make them with one strand but to do two stitches on top of each other. I got a pleasant surprise. They look nicer , they hold their shape better and they stand up very nicely. I guess I will be using this method from now on!
Tip #2
March 2006
"Embroidery Needles"
Though typical embroidery as we learned it as a child was done with large eyed needles and sometimes two and three strands of embroidery floss, I have found that I like using different needles. First of all, I like the finer look of embroidery for some of my images that I desgin, so I use a single strand of embroidery floss for most of my work and never more than two. So for me, it is not necessary to use a large eyed needle. I have found that I like the "S.Thomas & Sons" (Size #9 Betweens) These are really fine nickel plated needles that are made in England, but are available in most quilt shops. There is something about the point on these needles that I just love. They just grab the fabric so well, that I use them for many things. Try them, you might like them. Happy Stitching!!!
Tip #1
February 2006
"Making Miniature Yoyo's"
So many people have asked me how I make those tiny yoyo's seen on one of my miniature kit patterns called, "Blooming Trails."(See inserted picture.) I have no little secret, but you will need to practice a little. If you have not made yoyo's before, it would be best for you to practice on a bigger yoyo first until you get the feel for making a yoyo. After you feel you have mastered that, cut your tiny circle for this size,I think these are made from 1-3/8" circles. (The rule for yoyo's is to decide which size finished yoyo you want and then make your circle twice this big.) For example, if you want a two inch yoyo, then you would cut your circle four inches. Obviously you can't fold over the raw edge a ¼" like most instructions say on such a small yoyo. so I just barely fold it over about 3/16" of an inch. Gather the edges all the way around being careful to take evenly spaced stitches about 3/16" of an inch apart. Don't take your stitches too close together. The closer together they are, the bigger the opening will be in the center of your yoyo. The more they have to be gathered, the more the opening will stand open. I hope that makes sense. When you have made it all the way around, tack your yoyo in about three places, carefully going down where you have stopped through the folded edge and through the back side of the yoyo. Tie it off and knot it. Do this three times spaced around the yoyo. When you tack your yoyo down onto the block or border, first put your needle and thread into the border fabric and pull your knot through the fabric so it is buried between the layers and then come up from the back side of the yoyo kind of lifting the yoyo up slightly to give it a raised look. Continue on around the yoyo ubtil you have gone all the way around and then knot and bury the thread again. I hope this is helpful. A little practice on this goes a long ways; they make such great embellishments that it is worth the time. Happy Quilting!!!!
"Blooming Trails"
