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[Today]

• What Pat's working on, wh... by Mary Val [Today at 02:29:59 PM]
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[Pat]

I'll start.. my tip for TODAY... CHANGE your rotary cutter blade! I'll bet it's been WAY too long.. I know it was for me... changed it and it's a miracle.. cut's a smooth as butter

[KarenInTucson]

Thursday I will clean & oil my travel sewing machine so it is ready for next week's trip to class!  Just blew out the dust today. Karen

[Pat in Sarasota, FL]

In the class I just took the teacher said we should change the needle for each project, we don't have to wait till the needle breaks to change it. Who knew? 

Pat is absolutely right about changing the rotary blade! Pat, your next assignement is figuring out some neat project for all the used blades and needles. LOL! I thought of wind chimes, but the blades would probably cut the string everytime the wind blew. Obviously I have not had enough coffee this morning, I am a little wierd! Maybe it was getting up a 3:30 am. cuz I couldn't sleep.

Pat in Sarasota, FL

[Pat]

I think EVERY project might be a bit too soon if you only do a small project. But if you piece a big quilt then quilt it, you most likly will want a new needle. They get burs and you can start to 'hear' the pop pop noise

Buy needles in bulk as they are less expensive AND you will be motivated to change it since you always have some on hand.  Split a box of 100 with a friend and away you go!

[Sharon]

One of the long-arm teachers once said it amazes her that we pay thousands of dollars for our machines [that could be said for DMS's also] and then quibble about changing a $1 needle. Makes no sense. She's right.

[Pat]

when cutting strips to sew, keep them organized on a drying rack or the back of a chair that has several rails... I have my drying rack from college that I still use.. one of those wooden ones!

[TheaM1]

When I have 'leftovers' from a project, I cut them into 1 1/2" strips and store them in shoeboxes - one for lights, one for darks - and now that those are full, I'm separating the strips into a 'medium' box, too. 
Originally, I was going to make a log cabin quilt from all the strips, but they have also come in handy for a ton of other purposes.

[lovetostitch]

The strips have been a big time saver to me, especially when I want to create something on the fly!

My tip for the day - if you are in need of a design wall and low on space, pin or tape up a vinyl table cloth, use the flannel side.  It works great, and it can also be taken to a class if they dont have one (lets say the class is not at a shop but maybe in a church bldg).

[Sparker]

I use those Breath Savers mints hard plastic containers to put my old rotary blades and needles in when I throw them away--that way they are in a nice, hard, sealed container.  No one is in danger of getting poked, stabbed or sliced while taking out the trash!  My husband eats these mints like they are...well...eerrr...candy!     So, I have a large stash of the containers and am in no imminent danger of running out!

[Sharon]

My tip for today would be to place your ironing board across the room from your seewing machine. This forces you to get up and move around. This is important for your health and ability to keep sewing longer hrs. HIH

[Sparker]

Sharon's tip also keeps you from turning around in your chair and knocking your ironing board over, therefore knocking your iron onto the floor and BREAKING it...as I did this past weekend!  YIKES!  So it was off to the store to buy a quick replacement...and a plea to the DH that now is the BEST time to buy the iron I REALLY, REALLY want...the Reliable V100 Digital Velocity!  LOL   

[lovetostitch]

speaking of ironing boards, my hubby made me a board to place on top my ironing board - it has little wood slats underneath, spaced so that it fits my ironing board and is just a tad longer, but is about 24" so that you can iron a piece of fabric folded, and also iron a quilt top nice and flat - It is great!!!  I've covered it with some aluminum foil, batting, and a top cover (which needs to be recovered!)  If anyone wants I could take a pic.

[Pat]

LOVE the tips!!!

If you have Aurifil thread the large cones.. the flat bottom POPS off so you can get to the tucked in end!

[KarenInTucson]

I love my Big Ironing Board.  Have had it for 2 years now and use one end with a cutting mat and the other 2/3 for ironing.  Makes cutting and pressing so great.  I do remove the board to iron clothes but can even do some without removing it.

If you use Aurifil - and I do - and it rattles on your machine thread holder, I have the solution!

I put a small straw inside a larger straw and then place them over the thread holder and put on the spool of thread - no more rattle.  I cut them down to about 3" and have one with each of my machines.

[Linda in IL]

A good tip we learned at a guild meeting was to have someone take a picture of you with your quilt top you are sending off to be quilted or your quilt you are sending to a show.
Linda P in IL