| 1. When piecing, as you sew each strip to the strip set, | | | | accuracy varies between brands. |
| alternate the end at which you begin sewing. This | | | | 8. To set dye in fabric soak in hot water with ¼ |
| helps control the 'curving' or distortion that is so | | | | cup vinegar and an eyedropper of iodine. Let soak for |
| common is strip piecing. Use a 1.5 stitch length and | | | | one hour then rinse well. |
| press stitching line to set threads into balance, then turn | | | | 9. There is no such thing as too much fabric. As it may |
| to right side and gently press back against the seam. | | | | take awhile to complete a project and fabric sells out |
| 2. To avoid stretching, apply a light spray of Crisp | | | | quickly, it is always wise to buy extra fabric. You don't |
| Spray Starch to each of your strip sets before cutting | | | | want to get caught short. |
| into segments. | | | | 10. Always select good quality 100% cotton fabric. It is |
| 3. Place a sheet of fine sandpaper under your fabric | | | | false economy trying to save money by buying |
| to keep it from shifting and stretching when you mark | | | | cheaper fabric as it won't stand up to wear and |
| sewing lines or when tracing around appliqué | | | | washing. |
| shapes. | | | | 11. Keep the blades on your scissors and rotary cutter |
| 4. There are numerous tools available to make | | | | sharp. This reduces pressure on your hands and |
| patchwork and quilting easier. Check you local quilt | | | | wrists. |
| shop regularly to see what new gadgets are on hand | | | | 12. You will improve accuracy and save frustration if |
| to make marking your quilt and other tasks effortless. | | | | you change both your rotary cutting blade and your |
| 5. When you need to clean a quilt you have hanging on | | | | sewing machine needle on a regular basis. |
| the wall, just vacuum it right where it is. | | | | 13. Have on hand a good selection of grey threads for |
| 6. Cut the thread on an angle before trying to thread | | | | piecing as it blends in with any colour. Rasant, which |
| your needle. Always thread in the direction the thread | | | | has a strand of polyester wrapped in cotton, is a |
| comes off the spool. To make sure you do, thread | | | | recommended thread for piecing. The thread has that |
| your needle before cutting it from the spool. | | | | little bit of give and won't cut the fabric fibres. |
| 7. As rulers do not all measure the same it is important | | | | 14. REMEMBER -Your time is the most valuable thing |
| to use the same ruler all the way through a project. It | | | | you will put into a quilt, so be wise and don't use cheap |
| is best to stick to one brand of ruler or template as the | | | | products. |