Snuggles Quilts

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I Never Thought of That…. and Other Quilting Hacks

So if you are like me, you didn’t know anything about sewing machine needles and maintenance when you started quilting. I thought I just had to worry about whether the machine turned on when I pressed the “on” button….. and remember to make sure it was plugged in! As the years passed, I have picked up information on good habits to get into to make sure everything goes smoothly when I want to sew.

Needles. I use the universal 80/12 needle because it’s got a point that works best with the 100% cottons we use in quilting.

But, when I am machine quilting, I change my needle to a quilting needle:

Looking closely, you can see the difference. The quilting needle is sharper and more tapered to go through more layers and through seams.

Besides using the correct needle, we tend to not think of it until it breaks. In fact, that’s the only time I used to change the needle. Oops! The wear and tear on a needle is usually microscopic so you think it’s alright, but it’s not if you have sewn an entire large project or over 10 hours on it.

Under a microscope, a used needle will look bent, have a nicks, and will be dull on the end. How can you tell without a microscope? Does your top thread break often for no reason as you are stitching (and you’ve checked all other reasons)? Can you hear a “popping” sound as the needle passes through the fabric? That means your needle is ready to be changed!

Here’s a threading “hack” if you do not have an automatic threader on your machine. Put a piece of paper behind the needle, I use a neon sticky note, so you can see the hole better.

I also cut the thread at a 45 degree angle and wet the tip of the thread a bit and it slides right in! 

Cleaning. Yes, that lint is not part of the machine! I have a rule of thumb…. I clean the bobbin race and case and under the throat place before I start a day of sewing. 

I use the little brush that comes with the machine to clean it all out:

All clean!

I also follow the manufacturers instructions and oil the machine. Be sure to follow your machine instructions carefully when oiling since over oiling can result in residue on your fabric.

Be sure to bring your machine into the shop for maintenance periodically for servicing. They will deep clean it and check that everything is functioning properly. This will extend the life of your machine, especially if you use it a lot.

More Random Hacks:

  • Check with your local Humane Society. They may take donations of pet beds made from stuffing small bits of fabric and batting into old pillow cases and stitching them up!

  • I think I’ve shared this before, but this is a good step before starting a project you have never done: Stitch a “test block” using scrap fabric so you can test out color choice, threads, tension settings, etc. This also helps you become familiar with the instructions. Then you can use the test block to make a mini pillow or candle mat by adding a few borders and quilting!
  • If your spray starch is too strong for your liking, get an empty spray bottle from the hardware store, pour or spray a small amount of starch in it and mix with a little warm water (small amount at a time), test on a scrap piece of fabric until you get the right combination.

Good rule of thumb for all of us: as with anything, quilting techniques take practice. Don’t be too hard on yourself if you tackle a new technique and it doesn’t come out exactly as you think it should. There are no “quilt police”! Enjoy your finished project. I am sure what ever family member or friend receives the quilt from you will love it whether you think it’s perfect or not!

If you have any quilting hacks, share them here! We can always keep learning!

Happy Quilting!
Deanne

Applique Stitching – Up Close

Over the last few weeks I have shared 5 mini tutorial videos demonstrating steps for hand applique, from preparing templates to making stems to stitching points and inside corners. To see these videos, you can go to my last blog post: Applique Mini Video Tutorial – Part 5 
There you will find the final video as well as links to parts 1-4.

So now on to some up close views of stitching. To get started, you will want to come up from under the project with your needle catching the edge of the seam allowance of the applique piece:

Next, this is a photo of how I use the tip of the needle to sweep the clipped seam allowance under the applique piece before continuing to stitch…. this is where the term “needle-turn” hand applique comes from. 

Now, insert your needle right next to where you came up but in the background fabric only:

Next, come back up with your needle once again catching the edge of the seam allowance:

By stitching this way, as you can see by this close up photo, the stitches show as small “dots” on the top of your project!

Using threads that match the color of your applique piece, or neutral threads that match closely, you can achieve almost invisible stitches. My favorite threads to use are 100% 50wt cotton threads with a silk finish. I like Mettler brand the best.

And my favorite needles are John James Gold ‘n Glide. I use size 9 which is the correct length for me. Try different size needles to see which is the best for you. Remember, the larger the number the shorter the needle.

 

So that’s it for my “up close” stitching! If you have some tips, questions or comments, feel free to post below. I will be holding a drawing for a free applique pattern from those of you who comment! Here’s the pattern you can win:

Summer Serendipity

The drawing will be held on Tuesday, June 11th. ***We have a winner! Congrats, June!***

Until next time…. Happy stitching!
Deanne

Applique Mini Video Tutorial – Part 5

To wrap up my series, this video covers stitching points and inside corners when doing needle-turn hand applique. This is one of the things I get asked to demonstrate the most. Hopefully this video will help!

And if you missed the other installments in this series, here are the links to the previous posts:

Applique Mini Video Tutorial – Part 1

Applique Mini Video Tutorial – Part 2

Applique Mini Video Tutorial – Part 3

Applique Mini Video Tutorial – Part 4

Watch all the videos and hopefully you are on your way to start appliqueing! As always post your questions and comments below.

Happy Stitching!
Deanne

Applique Mini Video Tutorial – Part 3

Hi! I’m back with part 3 of my tutorial! In this installment I talk about laying out the design on the background now that you have all your pieces cut out and stems made. Lay out is important in many ways, specifically since some pieces need to be appliqued to the background before others.

As always…. leave me questions and comments!

Enjoy!
Deanne

Applique Mini Video Tutorial – Part 1

I am beginning an applique video tutorial series. Here is part 1 where I talk about templates and using them to trace out applique pieces for your project.

In the comments, feel free to suggest things you would like me to cover related to fabric needle-turn applique and I will try to fit them into future applique videos.

Here’s the video:

Keep watch for Part 2 coming soon!

Don’t Forget the Label!

Once the binding is done on the quilt…. you’re done, right? Wrong! You need to label that quilt. You don’t want one of your creations to turn up years later “maker unknown, do you? Also, labels are a great way to personalize the quilt, especially if you are giving it away as a gift. Think of it as your signature!

So, there are different ways to label. The first way is to write on the back of the quilt with fabric safe, permanent pens. This works best of course is you have a quilt back that is not dark.

I like to put the name of the piece, year it was completed and my contact information. If you won’t be showing your quilt in a show, you may not need the contact information, of course.

The next type of label will work best for any quilt. A scrap piece of fabric stitched onto the back of the quilt. You can either stitch it on after the binding or you can tuck two sides of the label under the binding for even more security like I did in the photo below.

Here’s another photo showing how I tucked the label into the binding while stitching it down:

Next, you can make a personalized label by printing it directly onto fabric meant to go through your ink jet printer. Many of those they make today and sell in the quilt shops do not need any special preparation either. They can go straight from your printer to the back of the quilt! Here’s a few I’ve used: EQ Printables and Avery Printable Fabric.

Many of my personalized labels are on quilts that I have given away to friends and family, so I don’t have many examples to share. But, here are a few labels from the back of my daughter’s graduation quilt to give you an idea of what I did. I created a document in Word and then printed it onto the fabric. Here, I have listed things like her graduation date among other things.

I also put a piece of fabric on the greeting table for her friends to sign. This is a really fun way to personalize it!

So now that I’ve shown you some examples, you have no excuse!

I like the idea of using labels to tell a story, whether it’s for a member of your family or just for yourself. You can talk about what inspired you to make the quilt, what fabrics you used, the date it was made, etc. The possibilities are endless! I have even written a poem for the back of the quilt when I made one for one of my nieces.

How do you label your quilts? I’d like to hear what you do and what you like to put on your labels. Tell me in the comments below and win a free pattern! My new one: Follow the Stars.

The drawing will be on Monday, May 13th. **We have a winner! Congrats, Linda!**

Happy Quilting!
Deanne

Piecing Techniques: Half-Square Triangle Squares

Half-square triangle squares, also known as HST squares, are a versatile design in quilting. They are used to create blocks and borders. I use them for both in many of my quilt pattern designs. Here’s a pattern where I used HSTs to make the blocks:

Open Windows

Lots of HSTs in this quilt!

I’ve also created many, many borders for my quilts using HST squares. They are often used to make what quilters call a “sawtooth” border. You can find sawtooth borders as far back as the early 19th century when medallion quilts began to emerge as a quilting style of that time.

Here are a few of my designs where I incorporate HST borders:

Here’s a project where I used HSTs to make the blocks and the border!

Posey Patch

The method I use normally that makes 2 HSTs at once. If I need them to measure 2″ finished when I’m done (2 1/2″ with seam allowance), I start with 2 different color squares each 2  7/8″ x 2  7/8″. If you don’t mind wasting a tiny bit of fabric, you can start with squares that measure 3″ x 3″ so you don’t have to deal with fractions when cutting. Most of you are familiar with this method.

Here are the steps in diagrams: First draw a diagonal line on the wrong side of one of the squares, then lay the two squares on top of each other rights sides together.

Once the squares are stacked one on top of the other, you stitch a scant 1/4″ on each side of the drawn line, cut the unit apart on the drawn line and press each piece open for 2 half-square triangle squares.

Well, you can imagine that if you only make two at a time and you have a lot of HSTs to make…. it could take you a long time to get done!

So, Here is a method to make 8 HSTs at once. You use 2 squares like above, however they need to be twice the size as your finished square + 1 3/4″. For example, if you want 2″ finished HSTs, your starting squares need to be 5 3/4″ ( 2 x 2 = 4″ plus 1 3/4″).

Draw a diagonal line both ways on the wrong side of one of the squares and then lay your squares right sides together one on top of each other just like in the method above. Then stitch a scant 1/4″ on each side of those drawn lines.

Once the stitching is done, cut the square apart as shown.

Next cut the smaller squares apart on the diagonal line:

Next, I like to measure and trim up each HST while they are still closed with the Quilt in a Day Triangle Square-up Ruler. Place the line that shows the size of your HST (with seam allowance) and then trim off the excess.

Now, press open the HSTs and there you go…. 8 HSTs at once!

So give it a try and make lots of HSTs at once!

Let me know if you found this technique tutorial helpful. If you have any ideas for future tutorials you would like me to tackle, let me know in the comments.

Happy Quilting!
Deanne

Tips for Storing Quilting Supplies – You can use that?

Have you ever heard the phrase “you learn something new everyday”? I often learn new quilt supply and tool storage tips from my quilting friends and students, so I thought I’d share those here with you. Some of these may be familiar to you, but some may not. I guarantee there will be a few you think are just brilliant. I did! A lot of these ideas use items from around your house. You don’t have to buy lots of fancy gadgets!

First up is one of the things quilters seem to have the hardest time storing: bobbins. I do have one of those rubber “wheels” that stores bobbins:

But I have heard other storage solutions from quilters who have not been able to find one of these. And they’ve come up with some pretty ingenious ideas!

Idea #1: Grab some golf tees. Yes, you heard me right! Golf tees! When my son was on the golf team in high school, I was swimming in golf tees. I found them all over the house, in the washing machine, in his car, etc. You would think I would have thought of this myself. So here’s what you do. Match the bobbin with the thread and secure them together with a golf tee. It’s that simple!

Now you have the thread and the bobbin matched up together for storage. You can line them up in a drawer like this or still store them on a spool rack. This works great if you want to keep the thread and it’s matching bobbin together. You can also use pipe cleaners or long twist ties to secure threads and bobbins together.

Idea #2: Toe Separators. You know those funny foam things that you put between toes while you’re painting them?

Bobbins actually fit quite nicely into those toes slots! And these are stack-able so they will fit very well into a small drawer near your sewing machine.

Looks like Addie approves of these bobbin storage options!

Idea #3: You can store bobbins in an old prescription bottle. Good way to recycle!

Next up, rulers. These can be challenging to store even if you have a dedicated sewing space. My solution for my sewing room is a peg board I found in the garage. These are not expensive at the local hardware store. Pick up one of these with some peg hooks, hang it on the wall, and problem solved!

You can even use some of those handy rings you find at the office supply store to help hang them.

Now, if you do not have a dedicated sewing space, you can store your rulers in the closet clipped by pants hangers.

You can also store cutting mats this way too!

Finally, here’s some random things I do for storage to make things go more smoothly while I quilt and stitch.

  • I use an old paper towel tube to keep my fusible web under control. Paper clips on the ends of the roll can tear it and rubber bands wrapped around the middle can wrinkle it, but the paper towel tube keeps it nice and neat!
  • I store my perle cotton threads for a project in a small pencil box. The 8 x 4″ box works great. You can also pull thread through the space between the box and the cover if you are working in a confined space …. or have a cat that likes to play with your thread!
  • Finally, I use an old mug tree that I found at a garage sale to store my scissors and rotary cutter by my sewing table.

So there you go! There is no limit when it comes to thinking up ways for using everyday household items in the sewing room. I bet you have some. Share some of your quilting “hacks” in the comments below. You will be entered into a drawing to win a free pattern!

The drawing will be on Monday, April 29th. Good luck! **We have a winner! Congrats, Carla!**

Happy Quilting & Stitching!
Deanne