Templates & Rulers

If any of you have a Hobby Lobby (Arts & Craft Store) out there look for this in the art section.  There are some really nice carrying cases for those templates and rules in the art section of most Art & Craft stores.  These work great to take your tools with you to class or even to store in your quilting/crafting room.  Some times the craft stores will have discount coupons at their web site or may include them in their sales flier.  Print, or clip them and take the discount  coupon with you for an additional saving on the case if it isn't on sale.  Have fun shopping!!   

If you don't like working with templates to create your pattern, photocopy the number of templates required to complete your pattern.  Then carefully cut and tape together.  Photocopy the taped pattern and you have a paper pieced pattern to sew easily.

When making a quick template or just want to get a idea on paper fast. I buy out dated rolled wall paper where ever I can from yard sales, thift stores or even get some from my freinds. Keep it on towel holder under or over my sewing table. When an idea comes to mind I just pull some out and start drawing away. If I just want to save the idea or finish it later just roll it up and I can find it easly. Or I can cut out a quick template,because the paper is heavy enough for my designs and the glue on the back sticks nice to fine sand paper to help them stay in place on my fabric

If you like to use templates, but they don't come with that different  pattern or are not avaliable then make them. Check with the glass companies and see who will cut you templates out of plexiglas. Photo copy your pattern template making sure that the size is accurate. They will last forever and are usually not as expensive as ones that are professionally made.

Have you ever cracked or broken an expensive ruler and you hate to toss it out ?  Think of recycling that ruler and save some money.      I had a 20 X 20 Inch ruler that cost $ 41.99,   My husband was helping my daughter trim a quilt down for binding and he cracked the ruler real good.

Instead of tossing my ruler out,  I took It to a Glass Company and had it cut down.   I was able to get a 141/2 X 141/2 Inch ruler and a 5 1/2 X 20 Inch ruler.  Cost for cutting ruler down was $ 5.00 a cut.   Two rulers for less than the price of one.

Bren

I purchased a couple of closet rod brackets and hung a shelf across the top over one of my windows and added the closet rod  I then bought some shower curtain rings with  bull dog clips hung on them. They hang from the closet rod where I then hang stencils, my rulers, templates in zip lock bags, patterns, etc. on them.  If I need wider clips for larger stencils, I use skirt hangers that you can pick up from clothing depts.  I can hang alot more in this space than I can on a peg board.  Also a good use of space as it saves some room on the walls to hang quilts or a design wall.  The shelf on top serves for me, a way to store my batting. 

When making a bargello pattern, I create an Excel spreadsheet with a seperate cell for each strip. Within each cell I put the following: Strip number, tube number, fabric number, strip width, and any other info that pertains to a strip. I print gridlines on the spreadsheet and cut the cells apart on the gridlines. I cut the strips according to the slips of paper, open the seam according to the fabric number and pin the slip of paper to the top of the strip. This allows me keep track of each strip from start to finish.

Use the press and seal to trace your pattern on then press it on you fabric. Sew on the wrap tracing your markings. After you finish sewing just peal off the wrap. This way you do not have to mark you quilt.

spray your stencils with basting spray and they will not

slide around while you are tracing them or using pounce chalk.

I just went to my local lumber store and had them cut me squares from 2 1/2" up to 12 1/2" so that I can use them to square up my blocks when i'm done making half triangle blocks. Or use them to cut the size blocks you need. Works great!