Sometimes, just demonstrating quilting tips with drawings or diagrams isn’t enough. Seeing the quilting tip demonstrated in a video helps clarify questions that often arise. Because of this, I have created some mini tutorial videos on some quilting tips I have previously covered in written posts. Hopefully, seeing me in action will help demonstrate the tip better! Since it’s the beginning of a new year, I thought a review of some of these tips might inspire you to quilt some more. So lets get started! Share some quilting tips you’d like me to demonstrate in a future mini tutorial in the comments and be entered in a drawing for one of my patterns!
Video Tip #1 – Ironing vs Pressing
Some people think when they are quilting they should be ironing the seams. That is actually a “no-no”. Pressing is the way to go. Open the seam with your fingers, a wood pressing tool or the tip of your iron (without touching the seam itself) them place the iron on top to literally press the seam in place. Here’s a link to that video:
I like to press my seams open. As I said in the video, this works for seams pressed to one side also. The key is to not distort your seam by running an iron back and forth across it.
Video Tip #2 – Flip & Sew Corners
It’s important to follow these tips because this type of unit can end up distorted in size if you are not careful. I like to fold back my piece I just stitched on and measure the unit to make sure it still measures the correct size before trimming off the excess fabric in the seam allowance. Here’s that video:
Video Tip #3 – Aligning Seams and Matching Points
A key to creating a striking design with your quilt pattern is aligning seams, matching points and not cutting off points. Like other techniques, with more practice you will get better and better at doing this. It will become second nature. Here’s the mini video I did on this:
I highly recommend using pins when joining pieces for a block or joining blocks. Pins help to keep the units from shifting after you have worked so hard to line everything up.
Video Tip #4 – Squaring Up Fabric
You hear this all the time… you need to square up a piece of fabric before you cut your pieces. If you are new to quilting, you’re probably saying to yourself … “what is squaring up fabric?”. It’s actually easy to do and something you should do. Here’s my mini video on squaring up:
I recommend doing this anytime you are getting ready to cut from a new piece of fabric, even if it’s a fat quarter or fat eighth. I also recommend you check and re-square a large piece of fabric after cutting several strips. The fabric can shift if you are cutting a lot of strips and lead to distorted strips even if you started with squared fabric.
So, that’s it for now. In the comments, share with me some quilting techniques that you would like to see demonstrated and I will make a mini video tutorial in the future. If you leave a comment, you will be entered in a drawing for my new pattern Wildflower Lane!
The drawing for this pattern will be on Monday, January 18th. Until next time, **We have a winner! Congrats, Laurel DeWolf!**
Happy Quilting!
Deanne
It was good to see how you pin your blocks together but do you sew over the pins or how do you keep the blocks from shifting?
Also, could you share some tips for selecting colors or color combinations for your quilts.
Hi Mary,
I avoid sewing over the pins as it can damage the machine needle and even throw off the timing of your machine. I stop right before the pin, remove it and continue sewing.
Great videos. Would like see a video on how you machine quilt your finished items. Thread, needle, technique and patterns. Thanks.
Carol L
Thanks so much for these video tips! I would love to see a video on how to square up a block.
Great tutorials . . .short but to the point. I would like to see a video on how to square up a quilt.
Also, what is the “lip” on your ruler? Is it a ruler that comes with that safety feature or is it an “add on?”
Hi Donna,
The lip on the ruler is called a rotary cutter safety shield that attaches to the ruler. I had an unfortunate cutting accident about 4 years ago and now I take cutting safety very seriously! Here’s a link to the item:
https://amzn.to/3qaettQ
I’m a beginner so honestly any tips and tricks will help. I love piecing tops – getting those points nested in!
Thank you for the helpful videos. Even if you feel comfortable with something, it never hurts to refresh a technique. I continue to struggle with the square in a square unit.
Love the videos. I would like to see one on hand binding, especially for creating mitered corners.
Do you have a certain amount of extra fabric you buy to make sure there’s enough fabric leftover for your project after you’ve squared up? Thanks for the tutorials.
Hi Donna, I like to buy about an extra 1/8 yard when I am buying fabric. This ensures that I have enough fabric after squaring up. Of course if you are squaring fat quarters or fat eighths you have to be very careful since those are pre-cut.