New products for May

Tip of the Week May 1

Metal picnic table clamps work well to clamp quilt backings to the table when layering backing, batting and quilt top for basting. If you can't find them, try carpenters wood clamps or bull dog clamps from the office supply store.

Tip of the Week

To reduce a pattern by using your photocopier, divide the size you want it to be by the size you have. For example if you want to reduce an 18" block to a 15" block, divide 15 by 18 and then multiply by 100 to get 83%. This is the setting you should use on your copier. To enlarge, divide the size you have by the size you want it to be and multiply by 100. Not good at math? There is a chart here - http://www.thequiltedsnail.com/scale.html.

Tip of the Week April 17

A Quick and Easy Way to Make Foundation Patterns - Trace one copy of the foundation-piecing pattern. Make a pile of 4 to 5 blank pieces of paper with this master on top. Staple them together in one corner. Unthread your sewing machine. Put in an old needle if you have one (the following process may dull a good needle). Set your machine to a medium stitch length. Now, carefully "sew" on all the pattern lines, perforating the paper with the needle. Remove the staple and number all the sections according to the master. Your patterns are ready! This is much easier than tracing every pattern by hand or making a special trip to the supermarket's photocopy machine!

Tip of the Week April 10

Keep these tips in mind when storing and displaying holiday (and everyday) quilts! When you remove your holiday quilts from storage, a round on the fluff cycle of the dryer will make them look fresh and ready for hanging. If a quilt displayed on the wall of your home is always replaced by a holiday quilt during the season, use an adjustable curtain rod so you can compensate for different sizes of quilts without having to keep track of dowels. To store your holiday quilts until next year, wrap them right side out around empty wrapping paper rolls, followed by a layer of old sheets. This will prevent creases and wearing at folding points.

Tip of the Week April 3

No-Slip Tip Many times while cutting a square in half diagonally, the square will slip at the last half inch of cutting. After experimenting, I discovered that I was not stabilizing the square under the ruler. Now I always place the tip of my index finger on top of the ruler, directly over the fabric triangle. This way the square cannot move because of the pressure on the ruler from my fingertip. Nancy Johnson-Srebro

Tip of the Week March 19

Stronger Quilt Corners Worried that the bindings on your "not just for show" quilts won't stand up to daily wear and tear? Try this tip for making stronger quilt corners: To strengthen the inside corners of the quilt edges when adding the binding, shorten the stitch length for 1/2-inch on either side of each corner.

Tip of the Week March 13

Have lots of scraps and that are over loading your sewing room? Collect them and call the local elementary school, Head Start program or even the local child care center. They will take them off of your hands to make collages from. The children love the bright colors, odd shapes, and even better, the teachers love not having to use their precious resources to tear up paper for this project.

Tip of the Week March 6

Nothing Sticks to Parchment Paper Use parchment paper as an appliqué pressing sheet (both bottom and top) when layering appliqué pieces with fusible web. The fusible doesn't permanently stick to the parchment paper so you can press and lift off your appliqué pieces. How great is that?!

Tip of the Week February 28

Magic Numbers Remember these magic numbers for adding seam allowances to common shapes: To cut squares and rectangles, add ½” to the finished size of the square or rectangle. To cut half-square triangles, add 7/8” to the finished size of the square. To cut quarter square triangles, add 1 1/4” to the finished size of the square.

Tip of the Week February 21

Add a little liquid starch to your water spray bottle that you keep on the ironing board. When finished with a block, spray the block and iron. When sizing the block for the final cut, it lays flat, is crisp and holds its shape.