Machine Piecing

Of late I have gotten into the rag quilting, both crib size quilts and purses. Because regulating the pressure foot weight is not an option on my machine, I kept getting uneven seams on the squares. Part of the problem was, of course the pressure foot issue - but more over the fact that you are sewing from corner-to-corner (on the bias). Pins just won't hold. Now I use the quilter's basting spray. I spray both sides of the batting before making my "sandwich". Now the fabric does not slip and I end up with even seams on all my squares!!

Quiltbug

Keep a piece of flannel by your machine.  When you snip the threads, put them on the flannel.  They will stick to the flannel and not fly all over.  Wide masking tape in a loop turned inside out works too.

Don't throw away a good scrap! If your scrap piece of fabric is at least 1x2 inches, save it for chain piecing on your machine. Whenever I am starting a project that calls for machine chain piecing, I simply pick up a scrap piece of fabric and insert it in between each link of my chain piecing. This way I don't have to stop and cut my thread..I just keep sewing like it is one long piece of fabric. When I am done piecing a particular amount of blocks, I simply snip away the scraps. You can use the scraps several times for this purpose.

A good rule of thumb for when to pin your fabric strips or pieces: If sewing together two pieces or strips of the same length, skip the pins. Pinning could actually distort the seam.

If pieces are different lengths and one piece has to be eased to fit, a pin at the middle and another at the end can help.

For curves or other more difficult piecing, one or more pins are usually necessary.

When setting up my sewing room in my new home, the floor was now wood. My foot controller kept slipping around. So I cut a piece of rubber rug liner and put it under the foot controller. Now no more slipping and searching for the foot control. Marlene

Each time you finish a square on your Log Cabin - use a square ruler to trim slightly so that you Log Cabin stays square.  When you finish you will be have a perfect square.

Start each new project with a New Needle:

   A bent or nicked needle will distort stitches.   A fresh new needle is sharp and will make neater stitches.    Always use the correct size needle for the type of  fabric you are using.

We Quilters spend alot of money on our fabric so why not give it the "Royal Treatment".

Happy Quilting

Bren

When I am machine piecing blocks I found putting my ironing board at the height of my sewing table and at a right angle (to the left of me because I am right handed) I can piece faster!

This set-up allows me to swivel back forth to sewing and pressing and never having to leave my "workstation". It has saved me so much time so I can keep producing quilts from my stash!

Submitted by Brenda Minichello from Pine Bush NY.

Whenever sewing your blocks, strips, etc, always hold the fabric or use a stiletto and sew off the end of the fabric.  Not doing so will cause the feed dogs to pull the fabric, causeing the end of the seam to be off.

If you do paper piecing used dryer sheets make great "papers" and they are easily removable. Just make sure you put a piece of regular paper underneath them when you draw your pattern. I use a Sharpie pen or pigma marker and mark lightly. It also helps to iron them with a little spritz of spray starch before you mark.

Cathy Lester