DreamWeaver's Quilts Quilt Epiphany Blog » The Daily Stitch

Stash Smarts

Nadine — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 07:00:56 +0000

Don’t worry so much about how much fabric your stash contains (whether it’s large or small), worry more about whether you’re using it well. Do you keep your fabric folded neatly and organized by color, style and/or size? Do you clean up after you’ve completed a project so that you can start fresh on the next? Is your stash stored in a well-lit and easy to access area? A well maintained stash of fabric will be easier to use wisely and well.

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Fabric Printing Smarts

Nadine — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 07:00:20 +0000

If you like to use your printer for photo transfer, you prepare your fabric and iron it to freezer paper, cut it to size and insert in the printer. Sometimes the paper curls or separates from the fabric and nasty things happen. Your fabric gets ruined and you have to start over.

To avoid this I use a wide zigzag stitch and sew just the leading edge of the prepared fabric/freezer paper to a piece of card stock. No curling…no separation…a great print every time. Just be absolutely sure you have cut your threads close, you don’t want any threads getting caught in the printer.

This tip submitted by Jill@TheQuiltRat. Thanks Jill!

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Double or Nothing

Nadine — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 07:00:11 +0000

Use a specially made nylon beading thread to attach beads to quilts and other fabric art. Some nylon threads, like C-Lon or Nymo, will stretch so pre-stretch the thread as you pull it off the bobbin, and then use it doubled when sewing beads. This way, if a sharp edge on a bead cuts through one thread, the other will keep the bead in place until you can make repairs.

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Lets Face it!

Nadine — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 07:00:19 +0000

Facebook isn’t just for kids anymore. Quilters tend to be social animals by nature, so its no surprise quilters are all over this popular social networking tool. Most of the quilting publishers have “fan” sites, and many popular designers, authors, teachers, and other quilting professionals maintain an active presence on facebook. Whatever your area of interest, there’s probably a facebook group out there waiting for you to join and become a part of that sharing community!

This tip submitted by Dorothy H. Thanks Dorothy!

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Open up to Learning

Nadine — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:00:09 +0000

When you take a class to learn a new technique, be sure to make yourself ready to learn. Bring all of the recommended supplies with you and prepare any materials ahead of time according to the instructor’s directions. Remember that you are there to try something new, and don’t be too hard on yourself (or the instructor!) if your first efforts aren’t prefect. Pay close attention, ask questions and take notes, and be ready to practice the techniques at home after the class until you’re happy with the results!

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Not Just for Food

Nadine — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:00:53 +0000

An inexpensive organizational tool to take to a class/workshop, is a stack of paper plates. When you cut your fabrics into little pieces you can stack like pieces on one paper plate. You can then stack paper plates, with their respective pieces. Makes for a neat pile of all your cut fabrics. Definitely a useful tip when working with small pieces.

This tip submitted by SewCalGal. Thanks!

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Macon County Quilt Trail

Nadine — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 07:00:44 +0000

Painted quilt blocks will be going up on buildings in Macon County, North Carolina, as part of the Quilt Trails of Western North Carolina program. The first block, a red, green and gold “Farmer’s Star” adorns the Franklin Area Chamber of Commerce building. By January a total of eight blocks will adorn county businesses and a “Quilt Trail guide will be published to lead block hunters from one destination to another in search of colorful and artful displays that each have a story to tell.” More information on Macon County’s Quilt Trail can be found here, and visiting the Quilt Trails of Western North Carolina website gives an overview of the quilt trails in nearby counties and details of special events. Grab a Quilt Trail map and go!

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Bead Containment

Nadine — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 07:00:08 +0000

When you are working with beads, especially really tiny seed beads, cover your work area with a beading cloth to keep tiny beads and findings from rolling away and perhaps falling off the edge of the table. You can buy special cloths just for the purpose, or make your own with a large scrap of Velux® blanket or polar fleece. 9″ x 12″ is a good travel size, but if you’re cutting your own, consider a larger piece for more work area.

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Long Yardage Storage

Nadine — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 07:00:36 +0000

If you buy large amounts of fabric, or if you buy the bolt, ask to keep the cardboard bolt insert. Then once you get home and wash and iron your fabric, just roll it back up!

This tip submitted by @endlessprattle. Thanks!

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The New Sidewalk Art

Nadine — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 07:00:45 +0000

The Downtown Revitalization Program in Kolona, Iowa calls for 38 quilt blocks constructed of colored cement to be installed in downtown area sidewalks. The “quilt blocks will be historical, provide education on the quilts and prove an exercise as people tour the downtown to view the quilts and visit the various stores.” See more about this unique project here!

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