What Are Quilters Blogging About Today?

PROBLEM:   Traditional spray bottles tend to dispense either too much, or non-uniform spray patterns.  When using them to starch or spray fabric, it can leave wet spots, and require more spray than would have been necessary.

Over the last couple of years,  a spray bottle made by a company called Flairosol has become popular in the quilting community.  I think that the bottle was originally popular in beauty salons.  The spray nozzle is remarkable, delivering a finer mist than any nozzles I have used in the past.  It also requires less pump action, as it is a continuous spray.  This ...

PROBLEM:  How do you keep you marking tools, mini scissors, and stylus close without rolling round on your sewing table?

The “it’s sew emma”, Stash ‘n Store tool does the trick.  I had seen the longer ones in my local quilting shop, but recently came across the mini version and decided that would fit the bill.  It is stable enough to hold most of my tools upright.  However,  if you have a tendency to knock things off (or have a cat that help you!),  some Velcro attachment on the bottom might do the trick.

“Mischief Managed”
I hope you ...

PROBLEM:   When making half square and quarter square triangles from layered squares, it is critical to mark two lines 1/4 seam allowance away from center and sew accurately.   How can we mark the lines?

Ruler, of course, work fine for this.  However,  remember that “The wand chooses the wizard”.    I really like The Quilter’s Magic Wand, one of the Deb Tucker’s Studio 180 Design rulers. It’s just my style, and again, comes in many colors!  It is an accurate 1/2″ ruler with an etched line in the center, perfect to line up with the corners ...

PROBLEM:  Those pesky needles can be difficult to thread.   It is no wonder that threading the needle has been used in so many in so many metaphors and aphorisms over time.

There are plenty of tools on the market that can help thread needles.  I personally like le needle bird.  It is cute and comes in three colors.  The needle hook (beak) is protected during storage with a flip up cover.  The hook is small enough to accommodate most of my needle eyes.  What is your favorite needle threading technique.

“Mischief Managed”
I hope you enjoy this trick! I should ...

PROBLEM:  When hand stitching binding,  some of my thread has a tendency to twist, knot, and have annoying abrasion, catching on the fabric.

To solve this problem in the past, I have tried using some of the synthetic thread conditioners on the market.  While they did the trick, I always wondered if they were good for me, or the thread.  Not all of them are still available.

My mom worked in a tailors shop before she was married.  She told me that she misses the pure beeswax that they used when tailoring men’s suits.  She said it was softer ...

PROBLEM:   Many quilt blocks or patterns require you to keep your pieces and rows in order.

There are tons of ways to to mark your pieces and rows;  marked zip lock bags, sticky notes, pins etc..   At a retreat years ago, a fellow quilter gifted me with a set of custom row markers.  They have been a dream!   My mom has also found that if you have pins with large heads, you can even write letters or number on them.

The row markers shown here were fun to make and placing them in a little wallet helps keep them separate ...

PROBLEM:  I don’t know about you, but when I am sewing small projects that require turning,  I always dreaded it.   It always seemed that my fingers were too big to fit in the small openings I left in the fabric.   I figured there had to be a better way.

I turned to our medical specialists and doll / teddy bear makers.  It “Turns” out that a surgical hemostat or locking pliers,  works fantastic for clamping and assisting turning for small fabric projects.  They are not sharp, can reach into the smallest places, and lock on to the fabrics allowing you ...

Whether you are a player of cards, hockey, or even cricket you might be familiar with the Hat Trick!  This Mat trick might not refer to an accomplishment of three, but you can easily apply this trick to all of your sewing machine pedals for a great win.  (I know I needed three!)

PROBLEM:   When you sew, does your pedal gradually creep forward?  Mine do.

I found these white 5″ x 4″ silicone mats on Amazon through a company called Silicone Alley, 5 for less than $6. If you like colors, check out the Silicone Alley shop.  They are much ...

This year I am hosting my first ever, “Dueling Threads” retreat.  During this retreat I am sharing some lesser known (in my opinion) quilting and sewing tricks that I have “invented” and curated.  Join me to see what kinds of tricks I pull out of my hat, then let me know what your favorites are!