Quilting and Patchwork Tips

Tips for Successful Quilting and Patchwork

1. Use a mechanical pencil to mark around templates for a point that does not need sharpening and always stays the same width.
2. Try using pinking shears for cutting out pieces for hand applique. The evenly notched edges are a help in turning gentle curves.
3. When calculating the size of blocks in a diagonal setting, multiply the size of the square by 1.4142 to find the distance across the diagonal.
4. When washing new fabric, it is best to dry naturally but if it is necessary to dry in a tumble dryer, remove the fabric while it is still damp. It will iron much easier and avoid wrinkling.
5. When pre-washing very small pieces of fabric, put them in a mesh lingerie bag and wash as usual.
6. If you want small even quilting stitches, buy thin wadding rather than thick wadding.
7. But for thick puffy comforters that can be tied, thick polyester wadding is ideal as it holds together well.
8. A rubber finger stall is ideal to wear on the finger of your quilting hand to help pull the needle through.
9. A second thimble or a rubber finger stall worn on the finger that is under the quilting will help to prevent sore fingers.