Quilting tips

**homesteadmamma** · 09-05-2002, 08:51 PM

Here are some of my quilting tips that I thought I'd share with you. I've shared this often with other quilters and felt I should also share them here.

ROTARY CUTTERS

Rotary cutters are cutters and are the best quilting tools around. Their cut is accurate (if you use them right) and much quicker than scissors (althought scissors can be used).

They come in different sizes. Before purchasing one, try them out. If your at a good quilting store, they will have them there so that you can. There are also different brands and different shapes. I use the Olfa and I'm sold on that brand, but you can try other brands too.

Change the cutting blade often. Again, when you purchase your rotary cutting tool, purchase extra blades besides. Here we can only purchase 1 blade at a time, but a dear friend sent me some with more per package. Check around. Also check prices, they vary. Make sure though you get the right blade for the right cutter.

Use acrylic rulers when using a cutter. Make sure you square your material, after having trimmed the edge of your material. Holding your ruler firmly in place, being careful not to shift your material or the ruler, roll the cutter along the right edge of the ruler. Do so with even pressure on the cutter. Also make sure you don't nic your ruler.

Remember that the cutter is SHARP and can cut a finger quickly, doing much damage. Never leave the cutter around where little ones can get their hands on it. After each use (that means each cut), close the rotary cutter so that you don't accidently pick it up and cut yourself. I've only cut myself once, but it cut deeply and took a long time to heal. NEVER use your rotary cutter for cutting anything other than material. It dulls very quickly and then tends to tear the strips.

QUILTING RULERS

Quilting rulers come in all sizes and are another one of those "must haves" for quilting. They come in different brands too and different colors, but I find the Omnigard are the best imo.

I find the most useful rulers are:

- 15 in. x 15 in. I wouldn't be without it. I use it for squaring blocks once they are finished. Well worth the money spent on it.

- 6 in. x 24 in. used for cutting longer pieces, such as borders. You can also use it for shorter pieces if you find that you can't afford the smaller ruler to begin with.

- 6 in. x 12 in. used for cutting shorter pieces of material.

- 6 in. square

There are many different rulers, but the above are about all you really need. I found that these are the ones I use the most and even the 6 in. square I don't use all that much.

PURCHASING MATERIAL

All material should be 100% cotton, unless you are using material from old clothes. I'm going to talk here about the purchase of new material though.

Material can be purchased either by the metre/yard or by fat quarters. It comes in all colors and designs. When purchasing material, stretch yourself and purchase material that might not be your favorite color. I tend to pick certain colors and am now trying to stretch myself with the purchase of some new colors.

Material can be purchased either at a quilting store, sewing store or at department stores. It comes in all different price ranges.

Once the material is home, you have two choices - to not wash or wash. Washing in salt and vinegar helps set the colors, along with any shrinking that may have to take place. You can though, choose not to pre-wash. Many quilters don't. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND pre-washing though before cutting.

Once material is dry (dryer or on the clothesline), press immediately. Press lightly so that you don't stretch the material. Fold and put away.

If you don't plan on using your material quickly, make sure you rotate it in storage and re-fold it, otherwise you will have a permanent grease along with discoloring. Also, do not place your material in direct sunlight, it will discolor if not used quickly.

CUTTING MATS

Cutting mats are another must for quilters in my books. If you use a rotary cutter, you MUST have one to cut your material on.

Again cutting mats come in different sizes, and the size you should get is 18 in. x 24 in. You can purchase a smaller mat for cutting smaller pieces, but it isn't necessary. A larger mat is a cumberance really and if your taking a quilting class, a bother to carry. The 18 x 24 is just the right size for carrying anywheres.

Make sure your mat lies flatly at all times because it will curl if it doesn't. Also don't leave it in the direct sunlight or near heat, it will curl.

Never cut anything on it except material. DO NOT CUT BATTING ON IT, in fact DO NOT CUT BATTING WITH ROTARY CUTTER. You'll not only ruin the mat, you'll ruin your blade.

Take care of your mat and you'll have it for a long time.

FAT QUARTERS

Fat quarters are not something we sit on (although they can be), but are a quilters delight. They are 100% cotton and come in 18 x 22 in. pieces and quilters drool over them, fondle them and MUST have plenty of them.

They are used for smaller pieces in quilting and because they come in smaller sizes quilters tend to purchase lots of them. In the long run, they are more expensive than purchasing a metre/yard of material but often a larger piece of material is harder to cut. Also because they cost so little to purchase, quilters purchase many at a time, thus giving them a variety of colors/designs to use in their quilts.

There are even quilting books on the market down directed specifically at making fat quarter quilts.

Ask for them for Christmas/birthday gifts and talk to quilting friends. Many are willing to trade them like a youngster would trade baseball/hockey cards. Many give them as gifts to friends.

These are just a few tips for now. I'll be adding more later along with pictures. Happy quilting!

**homesteadmamma** · 09-06-2002, 04:08 PM

Quilting can be frugal or it can costs lots. I tend to go towards the higher costs because I use all 100% cotton purchased at quilting stores.

You can use old material or less costly material which you can pick up as remnants or at Walmart. You can also watch for 50% off at craft stores. Also watch for sales for your rulers, rotary cutting tool and mat. You can often pick them up as a complete kit.

When starting out in quilting, make something small rather than going a full size quilt. A wall hanging or even a pot holder is a good place to start. This way you don't get discouraged and give up. You don't have to take a quilting course, but I do recommend it. You learn so many little tips that you can't get in a book. Also, read as many books as you can on quilting which can be picked up from the library.

Ask others if they quilt. Quilters love to teach others to learn. Go to quilting stores and talk to the sales people in these stores. They are a wealth of knowledge and I've never experienced a bad quilting store yet. Look at the quilts they show and ask questions. Most will be more than willing to help answer. There are also a wealth of websites that have lessons. A favorite of mine is http://www.quiltersnewsletter.com/mccalls .

I'll do more later.

**homesteadmamma** · 09-06-2002, 04:10 PM

Colors and a simple pattern:

Colors are often a beginner's nightmare. It doesn't have to be. Find a color wheel. You can often see these in a quilting magazine if you don't want to purchase one. See what colors compliment each other.

Another way is when you find a particular piece of material you like with a design on it, pull out some of the colors in that piece of material to use.

You can also go to a clothing store and look at clothing so see what colors go well together.

I find though that in most quilts, colors just become magic when they are put together. There is just something about putting different colors together. If you look at a Log cabin, its beautiful how its done when there are different colors. I love to add a surprise color to my quilting such as yellow (which btw many quilters won't use). It just adds some fun to a quilt.

Don't be afraid to experiment with colors. Its fun and you'll be surprised at how it turns out. Never throw something away. If you feel the colors don't match or go well together, lay it aside and work on something else. Usually when you go back, you'll find its just as you wanted it to be. Just as in any form of artwork, leaving it for a few days changes the whole perspective of it. Same in quilting. (This is one area I'm working on because I tend to use mainly colors I like - I'm working at stretching myself.)

A very simple pattern to work on is the 9 patch. There are so many ways to lay the pattern out, but for those wanting to begin quilting, find a quilting book that has the 9 patch in it. Its simple but beautiful.

Try quilting - if you have any questions, ask.

**Mom23boys** · 09-22-2002, 08:34 PM

Thank you!! I was telling DH that I want to buy quilting supplies and was wondering what to purchase. I am glad you posted this, so now I have some idea of where to start. I am excited about this. Everyone seems to quilt but me!