SEWING TIPS

1. Increase your fabric choices by using the wrong side of some of your fabrics.
    
2. Use a piece of bonded polyester batting to pick up loose threads on your clothes, ironing board or carpet.

   

3. To prevent stretching  of bias strips or bias edges, spray fabric with a little spray starch before cutting out.
    
4. To avoid disappointment when choosing colours - choose a multi print that you really like. From this print select other fabrics in the colours that you see in the multi print. You already know you will like the combination of colours - no need to use the multi print if you don’t want to.
    
5. Always plan the cutting of a piece of fabric before you begin. It is usually wise to cut your largest and longest pieces first.
    
6. To expand your Fabric Value Collection quickly - invite Six Quilting Friends for coffee.  Get each one to bring six four inch squares of twelve colours (4 light, 4 med., 4 dark). Each should divide their squares into 6 groups. When you get together trade your groups.  You will each go home with 72 new Value pieces.
    
7. To match up a selection of fabric with light backgrounds that don’t quite work together - tea dye all the fabrics in the same dye bath and presto - they all match. Try this with some of your old stash fabrics.
    
8. Use a medium size print for a backing and machine quilt all around the print from the back forming a beautiful pattern on the front.
    
9. Try going grey - if you use a medium grey 100% cotton thread it will work for almost any colour. Saves time and money.
    
10. If a fabric continues to loose colour after washing - add 1 cup of vinegar to a gallon of water and soak overnight or add Retayne to the wash water. If it continues to bleed then only use it in a dark quilt or don’t use.