Unexpected Tools for Quilters
- Stiletto Heel- Hold down the fabric with a stiletto hell as you feed it under the presser foot. Your seam allowances will come out more even.
- Sandpaper- Glue fine sandpaper to a piece of foam board. Use this board under your fabric to hold it snuggly in place with no slipping.
- Paper lunch sack- Fold down a paper sack a few inches and tape to the edge of your sewing table. Drop scrap fabric, excess thread and other trash into this bag as you sew to keep your area clean.
- Old Car Mat- Place an old car mat under your sewing machine foot pedal to keep it from shifting.
- White Vinegar- A cup of white vinegar added when prewashing fabrics will help set colors.
- Furniture glides- Tape a thin Teflon rectangle to the bed of the sewing machine as a guide for seam allowances. The sticky, felt circle kind also help to secure rulers and other supplies.
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crabjackel
Mar 08, 2011
Stiletto heel? You certainly don't mean a shoe heel? bamboo skewers work, then again a scribing tool my husband uses during welding has found it's way into my quilting cache! A steal at $3.99 at harbor freight.
90jeepgirl 2900621
Feb 10, 2011
Stiletto Heel- Hold down the fabric with a stiletto hell as you feed it under the presser foot. Your seam allowances will come out more even. This is a great article with wonderful tips, but I think that they mean stiletto HEEL, not hell... gave me a wonderful laugh for today!
rimorrow2 2250464
Jan 29, 2011
Also ordinary Shampoo will take out blood on almost any thing washable. With Hydrogen-peroxide, it sometimes takes several times to remove blood, but is an excellent means to safely remove stains on antique quilts or other delicate fabrics- may need to put it on several times and let dry.
mrdrmrcrr 6919167
Jan 21, 2011
Hydrogen peroxide takes blood out of almost anything, even if the blood is dry.
Marny CA
Jan 01, 2011
When you stick yourself and bleed on your work, your own saliva will remove the blood! Do it immediately. Spit on the blood spot and gently wipe up.
MPAYNE1224
Dec 27, 2010
A little salt added to wash will also help set colors - and so cheap! Use BreatheRight strips as "thimbles" - I find them easier to work with than having a rigid metal or plastic thimble, and much cheaper than a leather one. (Get the generic brand to save $$)
tonysfdd 6350182
Nov 21, 2010
Here's one I stumbled on. I use the clear round silicone sticky door bumpers that come 12 on a sheet (from the hardware department) on my clear rulers to keep them from sliding when I'm trying to rotary cut. They work great and cheaper than the ones in the quilting section for that purpose!
Crafter 17942
Nov 04, 2010
Love the tip of using a car mat under sewing machine pedal !!! I am always chasing mine around !!!
Crafter 1654533
Oct 21, 2010
i love all the tips but the best one for me is the "old car mat" to keep the sewing machine peddle from sliding. Now i can sew with less intrusions. I love this site, so much good, useful information. kathlyn barnes
Ahooker
Aug 31, 2010
You can also use Molefoam Padding for calluses, bunions and sore heels as a seam guide on your sewing machine. It comes in squares so you can cut it to the size you want or need.
Crafter 17726
Mar 04, 2010
Before you start your next project, stop by the office supply store to purchase a finger tip moistenergrip. There are many brands. This will help you grip fabric, thread any tiny pieces. Plus, at your craft booth it helps count money, especially new bills that stick together.
Grandma Nickel
Mar 02, 2010
Add hydrogen peroxide to your list. It removes blood from fabric when you stick yourself.
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