Tips from a master quilter

**homesteadmamma** · 02-02-2005, 01:26 PM

I was in Winnipeg yesterday and stopped at my favorite store. One of the ladies working in the store is a master quilter and a wonderful gifted teacher.

She gave me some tips I want to share with you.

using your iron - ALWAYS PRESS, not iron your material. She uses only a top of the line iron and uses steam and lots of it. She always has her iron on because she doesn't want to wait for the iron to heat up. I use steam as well but I've always told new quilters to just use heat to begin with.

sample blocks - ALWAYS make a sample of the pattern or block your doing. First, all material is different both in texture, weight and from different companies. When making a sample, ALWAYS make a sample with the material you will use in that block. That tip was worth the trip for me.

1/4 inch seam allowance - ALWAYS use a SCANT 1/4 inch seam allowance, meaning just UNDER the 1/4 inch line because once the block is pressed it measures out to your exact measurement. Try it - cut 4 - 3 1/2 inch blocks. Using a scant 1/4 inch seam allowance to sew them together and pressing with lots of steam, see how accurate your block is now.

**paelthom** · 02-02-2005, 01:36 PM

Thanks CJ.

**dolphin** · 02-02-2005, 06:02 PM

Thanks, those are great tips.

**cozyquilter** · 02-02-2005, 08:31 PM

Thanks CJ...I too always use light steam and press, as opposed to ironing. Make deliberate up and down motion, versus.....iron down and gliding across...

Another tip, I do use a light spray also...and it helps to use a pressing cloth....a must for light colored or white fabric, that can scortch easily. I use a piece of muslin for my pressing cloth.

I'll bet you had fun!

**frugalmel** · 02-05-2005, 06:55 PM

Great tips CJ! Thank you for sharing them.

Cozyquilter, you said you use muslin for a pressing cloth. Is it just a piece that you have leftover from something? How big is it? Do you double it? I'm just wondering.

**kaykwilts** · 02-06-2005, 07:52 AM

Good tips. I never make a sample block. Maybe I should start doing that.

**homesteadmamma** · 02-06-2005, 12:41 PM

Kay I never have either and I've been quilting for almost 18 years.
I plan on doing it from now on.

This lady has won prizes for many of her quilts. She has quilted for years and is getting close to 1,000 quilts done. She is a born quilter and teacher. A wonderful lady whose tips I value.