All People Quilt - Tips of the Day

Wrap Gifts with Fabric and Rickrack

admin — 2013-05-22

Use fabric and rickrack to wrap gifts for quilting friends. The wrapping and trim are re-useable!

Create Pieced Quilt Backs

Lisa Schumacher — 2013-05-21

Piece quilt backs using leftover blocks or large-print fabrics that you can’t bear to cut. Be creative with the backings. The quilt back can be just as interesting as the quilt top!

To Prewash or Not to Prewash

Lisa Schumacher — 2013-05-19

Instead of prewashing fabric, cut a 2-inch square and drop it into a cup of boiling water. While still wet, spread the fabric on a white paper towel. If the paper towel stays white, the color won’t run. If the swatch still measures 2 inches square after it dries, the fabric won’t shrink.

Trim Blocks to Size

Lisa Schumacher — 2013-05-17

Whenever possible, I trim pieced units and blocks to size. Triangle-squares, Flying Geese everything that can be straightened, gets straightened.

Double-Check Calculations

Lisa Schumacher — 2013-05-03

Double-check calculations before buying (or cutting) fabric so you don’t have to make another trip to the quilt shop and risk that the fabric will be sold out.

Evaluate Antique Quilts Prior to Cleaning

Lisa Schumacher — 2013-05-02

Evaluate antique quilts individually before attempting to clean them. Improper cleaning can damage a quilt.

Follow Your 1/4-Inch Presser Foot Accurately

Lisa Schumacher — 2013-04-25

Follow your 1/4″ presser foot accurately, being careful not to trail off at the end of stitching.

Use Fabrics You Love

Lisa Schumacher — 2013-04-05

I begin with one fabric that I absolutely love, then work in as many other fabrics as possible. The more fabrics you use, the more vibrant and interesting your quilt will be. I always try to vary the scale of the prints, throw in a few geometrics, definitely a stripe, and hopefully some polka dots.

Work on Multiple Projects Using Varying Techniques

Lisa Schumacher — 2013-04-04

Keep things interesting by working on two quilts in different stages of production at one time. I like to have one involving machine work and one involving handwork. It keeps me from getting bored.

Correct Cutting Mistakes as They Happen

Lisa Schumacher — 2013-04-03

For the best results, correct mistakes as they happen. For example, if you try to cut too many layers at one time and they slip around, you may get pieces that are a little off and don’t align. Then you’ll get seam allowances that are too narrow and pull apart, rows that are different lengths, and blocks that are totally different sizes. If your pieces don’t align after the first seam, trim everything down so all of the pieces are the same size before you proceed.