OCTOBER LEAF-INGS

I cannot believe that October is half over and we're anticipating Christmas in a little over two months!  Where did 2009 go? 

My goal of having seasonal wall-hangings to display on my family room wall is about half-way completed!  At least the Autumn quilt that I finished last year is able to be displayed for the entire season!  Not sure if my Christmas quilt will get finished this year or not.  But it's a goal!

MY TOP TEN TIPS FOR BETTER QUILTING!

I am putting together a slide presentation complete with samples on my Top Ten Tips for Better Quilting.  You are getting a preview here. 

1.  ACCURATE QUARTER-INCH SEAM ALLOWANCES

• Cut several strips of fabric 1-1/4" wide and about 10" long.  Stitch a quarter-inch seam allowance.  Press and then measure.  Your strip should measure 2" from edge to edge and each strip should measure 1".  If it doesn't, measure your seam allowance.  Make whatever adjustments you need and then record exactly what you did - what presser foot did you use, etc. - so that the next time you can get back to that quarter-inch more quickly. 
• Always stitch a test strip before beginning any project and each time you turn on your machine to continue that project.  I can't tell you how many times I've made the proper adjustments - then turned off the machine for the day and forgot to re-set my adjustments when I turned the machine back on!
• Always use the same machine and presser foot.  Check with your sewing machine dealer to see if they make a special quarter-inch foot.

2.  NEVER USE YOUR SELVAGES

• Selvage edges are more tightly woven than the rest of the fabric.  Resist the urge to use them in any seam allowance - especially the seams in your baking.  They will not "give" and will draw up which will not allow your quilt to lie flat.
• You can use those throw-away selvages to to up your tomato plants or other plants or to tie around a stack of fat quarters you are giving to a friend.  They're very strong!

3.  INVEST IN THE BEST TOOLS YOU CAN AFFORD

• You have invested a lot in your sewing machine and in the fabric and your time, so invest in the best tools you can afford.
• This includes scissors, rotary cutter, pins, needles and rulers.

4.  SERVICE YOUR SEWING MACHINE REGULARLY

• If you have an older sewing machine that requires regular cleaning and oiling, consult your owner's manual and perform this service at least once a year.
• The newer machines need to be serviced by your dealer.  Set up a schedule and take your machine in at least every 2 years, more often if you use it quite often.
• If you have several machines, alternate years to cut down on the expense all at once.

5.  BUY QUALITY THREAD

• Just as with your tools, you should invest in good quality thread.  Resist the urge to buy your thread in the bargain bins.  If you look at it closely, it has a lot of lint that will clog your tension discs and will break more easily.
• Stock up on thread and other notions when your local fabric store has a 50% off sale.

6.  APPLY BORDERS CORRECTLY

• Don't just sew on a length of border and whack it off where it ends.  If your quilt is off by even a little, your borders will only exaggerate that fact.
• Measure vertically carefully and cut your side borders the same length.
• After your side borders are on, measure again horizontally and cut your top and bottom borders the same length.
• If your quilt is off by just a little, putting borders on in this way will square up your quilt. 

7.  PRESS AS YOU GO

• Every time you stitch a seam, press it to one side.  You can finger press, but nothing beats a good shot of steam!  Set up a little side table next to your machine with a pressing surface and a small little travel iron to make this easier so you don't have to keep getting up and down.
• Press for construction.  Pressing to the dark side is a good rule of thumb, but it doesn't always make for easy construction.  Sometimes, this is a rule that needs to be broken.
• Occasionally, you may even need to press your seams open.

8.  PAY ATTENTION TO YOUR BACK

• Choose one of the new wide-width fabrics to use for your back.
• If you need to piece, measure carefully and stitch your seams with a slightly longer stitch length. 
• You can press seams open or to one side - whichever you prefer.  I personally like to press mine open to keep the bulk down.
• Don't serge your backing seams.  This actually creates a selvage-effect (see above).
• If you are handing your quilt top to a longarm quilter, be sure that the backing measures AT LEAST 4-5" larger all around than your top.  For example:  a top measuring 60" x 80" should have a back that measures 68" x 88".  And make sure that the back is squared up!  If it isn't, your longarmer will have a difficult, if not impossible, time trying not to have tucks on either the front or the back.

9.  CHOOSE THE CORRECT BATTING

• Be sure to read the label on the batting to know whether you are getting 100% cotton, a cotton/poly blend or 100% polyester. 
• Experiment with some of the newer battings:  wool, silk, bamboo.
• Pay attention to the manufacturer's recommendations about how far apart you can quilt.  Some require quilting every 3-1/2" while others are made so you can quilt 8-10" apart (good for T-shirt quilts).
• Consider the intended use of the quilt when choosing a batting.  Will it be displayed and never washed?  Or is it a baby quilt that will need frequent laundering?

10.  LABELS & HANGING SLEEVES

• Always label your quilts.  This can consist of a formal label which you stitch onto the back.  Or it can be as simple as signing the back (or even the front) with a permanent pigma pen.  At the very least, sign your name and the date the quilt was finished.  Other information to include would be the intended recipient, occasion for which the quilt was made, area of the country you live in, etc.
• If you intend to hang your quilt, be sure to put a hanging sleeve on the back.  Be sure to allow for a rod to pass through by giving some slack.
• If it will be exhibited in a show, there are specific requirements as to size - but you will most likely be safe if you make the sleeve 4-5" wide and give at least 1/2" worth of slack.

I hope that these tips will make your future quilting projects more successful!

HAPPY QUILTING!

PAM