BOUTIQUE
Sharlene's Quilting Tips
1. Use Woolite to wash the baby quilts.
2. Baby quilts should be sized so that the backing does not have to be pieced (no larger than 35 x 45 ")
3. Do not use fabric softener. It decreases absorbency.
4. Pre-wash and machine dry all fabrics before sewing.
5. Do not use embellishments, such as ribbons, buttons, string, etc. on baby blankets.
6. I use a hard surface to iron my blocks instead of a regular ironing board pad. Start with a piece of plywood cut to desired size. Use a staple gun to attach a layer of cotton batting topped witha layer of material. Your seams will be a lot crisper and flatter. You can make an instant surface with a couple of yards of fabric folded and then iron on freezer paper.
7. However long you think it will take . . . double it.
8. I recommend dividing your stash by color. It is much easier to find that color you are looking for later on.
9. Sometimes you are creating blocks with a lot of bias and they are a bit out of shape. Cut freezer paper in the measurement of the unfinished block and use a sharpie to put a little color on the edges. The color makes it easy to see the outline of the freezer paper if your board cover is light. Iron the shiny side down on your ironing board. Pin your out-of-shape block to the ironing board using the freezer paper as a guide. Use your steam setting to "block" the quilt block back into shape.
10. Use a natural wool pin cushion so that the pins resist rusting in hot humid weather.
11. Tape the cap from a ball point pen to the side of your sewing machine. Use it to store your seam ripper ( not that you will ever need it!!)
12. When piecing blocks nestle the seams into each other for perfect intersections. If the seam was ironed in the "wrong" direction, then flip it so it can nestle into theother seam.
13. Use a pipe cleaner around the tiny place in my bobbin case. Be sure to fold he pipe cleaner at least one inch so that the metal center doesn't do any damage.
14. Practice, Practice, Practice
15. Quilt with your friends.
16. Don't quilt when you are tired.
Check out these videos for hand quilting ideas:
Following these basic beginning steps of hand quilting, such as how to thread and knot your needle, and how to tie, hide and secure the end knot. These simple yet important concepts will improve your quilting projects.
| < | This is a simple and neat way to tie a small knot used for hand quilting. You want your knot to be small so that it easily pops through the top and middle layers and is hidden between these layers and no longer visible.. |
| <> | Hand quilting starts by tying a knot at the end of the thread, leaving a tail about 1/4 inch long. Insert the needle into the top fabric and the batting, about 1/2" away from where you want to start stitching. Do not go through to the back. Pull the needle up through the top where you want your first stitch to begin. Pull thread through gently but firmly until you see, feel, or hear the knot pop through the top and into the batting. Rock your needle back and forth gently making your stitches as small and as even as possible. This is shown in the video with the right hand. The left hand is under the quilt, palm up. The fingers on that hand push up against the quilt. The bottom of the hoop rests on the ribcage and the left edge of the hoop sits in the crook of the left arm. The left hand is not grasping the hoop. It is under to help with the stitching. |
| <> | Tie a strong knot to secure thread in the needle, doubling if desired. Learn secure a knot and tie off thread to hand sew stitches from a fashion designer in this free sewing video. |
| How to make a baby quilt, including tips on fabric, design, binding and backing; get expert tips and advice on making a quilt in this free instructional video. |
| << | This demonstration video is perfect to show how to tie off your thread or come to the end of the space where you are hand quilting. |
