My BLOG HOP PARTY is now CLOSED!
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| Blog Hop Party |
My favorite fabric - I just love batiks. I'll have four beautiful batik fat quarters for my prize.
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| Batik Fat Quarters |
RULES
1. To win leave me a comment about your favorite sewing, quilting or machine embroidery tip.
2. Please, only one comment per person.
3. Please leave me a way to contact you. If you are a No-Reply blogger, then please leave your email address in your comment. If I can't contact you, you WILL NOT and CAN NOT win ever. That would be so very sad, don't you think? If you do not know if you are No-Reply blogger then read the NO-REPLY Blogger Tab above and how to fix your No-Reply settings.
4. This giveaway is open to everyone, including international blog hoppers.
5. This giveaway will end on Saturday, December 17th, at 8:00 pm PST.
6. The winner will be announced on Sunday, December 18th by 6:00 pm PST.
7. I will use a Random Number Generator to select the winner.
After you have entered my giveaway, remember to click on the link above or HERE to take you to all of the other giveaways. The list of links will be available Saturday morning, December 10th, shortly after midnight. Have fun and Happy Blog Hopping!!
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147 comments:
Hi.
My tip would be always have an unpicker handy. Can not do without mine. I have two of them
Quilting tip - measure, measure, cut, sew, press, measure. I'm a lot more successful with my quilting when I remember to do all the steps, and don't skip any.
For any sewing style - best advice is to explore and learn all there is out there and then cutomize to your own style, not every process works for all. Soak it in and enjoy.
From bitter experience I would say always read the instructions before you start!!
My most used "tip" is vinegar and water. It takes the stubbornest wrinkle out of cotton that's been folded for a while. Try it.
I'm coming back here to read the tips. Great idea for comments! My tip is to press the batting to the quilt sandwich and then pin for perfect DSM quilting without wrinkles. http://pattilousquilts.blogspot.com/2011/04/how-i-prepare-quilt-sandwich-without.html
My tip is: Be original!
Do not be afraid to try. And if you make a mistake, don't be afraid to try again. If I had not had this mentality, I never would have done any FMQ!
My tip: machine quilting with gardengloves on. They are non slippy and makes it more easy to move the quilt. Thanks for this give away.
I am busy bloghopping now. I am a participant too, so you might visit my blog too! Kind greetings from the Netherlands.
Favorite tip. Change your needles. I stink at doing that soon enough and pay the price.
measure twice and cut once...lol
my tip is to move the pattern around as you move around so you always are seeing it in the same way as you are sewing at that point :)
A pattern is nice but don't forget your own imagination. Twist and turn blocks to create your own style.
Favourite tip would be having a stitch ripper close by. You can never have enough of them......
Relax and go with the flow and practice. I didn't want to waste my time praticing, so I just got done doing a California King quilt with FMQ. It wasn't the greatest quilting, but I learned a lot and my next FMQ quilt was AWESOME!
If you're getting ready to use a new pattern, make a single block start to finish before you do a lot of cutting. That way you can see if you like the way the block looks and if you enjoy making it. No use working on something that won't make you happy!
Change your needle and slow down enjoy your quilt
When I machine quilt, I don't lower the feed dogs. Works better for me.
Never lose your seam ripper! LOL!
I am a long-time sewer and quilter now, however, I took a beginners class at my local quilt shop and loved it! It's amazing the number of little tricks I either never learned or have forgotten.
the thing every quilter that has kids needs to know is OxyClean Laundry spray. It will save you a lot of tears.
If you are in the market for a new machine, get one with auto needle threader...can't believe how that feature has been my greatest friend...my eyesight is failing fast!
My favorite machine sewing tip is: TAKE YOUR TIME! I'm always guilt of not following this ;)
I think it is important to enjoy whatever you are making...don't get too hung up on "rules".
If you are following a pattern, read it through, but don't try to jump ahead! Thanks for the giveaway!
Linda
http://homesweetquiltinghome.blogspot.com/
I have two tips. Make sure to press well when piecing it really does help. And most important have confidence to follow your vision and have fun.
spray basting - IT DOES WORK!
My best tip is: don't try to sew, quilt, or cross stitch when you are tired, as you will make mistakes and have to re-do your craft.
Thanks,
Peggy
peggy_verdongibbs@att.net
http://keepmeinstitches-peggy.blogspot.com
The best tip is accurate piecing ,using the correct machine foot can make all the difference.thanks for the chance to win.
You have many great tips in the comments. Mine is use good thread, don't be afraid to rip and try again, and that many tips come from experience, so don't ignore them. If it works for you, use it.
My tips (and the one that I really need to follow more often) is to not be afraid to try new things, or to be different! Thanks for the chance to win!
use good lighting when cutting........
I'd have to say take your time and measure twice when cutting your fabric. I'm new to quilting and cutting is my biggest challenge so far.
Wear a band aid instead of bulky thimbles
Read the pattern and then read it again and if you are like me read it one more time.
I'd say to always mesure two or three times before cutting and sewing !
Thank you for joining in the blog hop party - this is fun!
Merry Christmas!
I would say use a good quality thread and good quality fabric.
My best tip is to keep your unpicker close to where you're working at all times,even having mulitples of them scattered around the house :) Barb.
Square up - as often as you have to. Skipping this step means your quilt won't lie flat, you'll have difficulty getting seams to match, & all that time you supposedly saved will be spent fixing things later. Ask me how I know. Thanks for the chance to win.
Measure twice, cut once! :)
Used quilting calculator for measurement!
Keep a calculator handy! CHeck and recheck your numbers before you cut!
My biggest tip is to always have an open mind and be willing to try something new. There's always room for a new favorite.
my tip is always use the right needle for the job thanks for the chance have a good day ttfn Nicole
my tip would be: if you are making a quilt with lots of little blocks and they need to be a certain size, make one or two first and double check the measurements before continuing
Being a liberated quilter and one who doesn't follow rules, I'd say go with the flow, don't worry about others think (especially the Quilt Police!) and enjoy yourself. After all, quilting is meant to be enjoyable and not stressful.
always have some candy nearby?
im in it for the fun i guess!
thanks for a chance.!
Check your seams to be sure you are getting the size you want. If you are not enjoying the process, find a different way to do it.
thank you for this chance to win. hugs
Do the best work you can, so if you are pleased with it than you will be satified with what you do
Mary Ellen
Always make it yours. Add a little bit of embroidery or applique or make it in just YOUR colors. Thank you. Judy C
Everyone's tips are so useful! My tip, double check under your fabric before rotary cutting. I've several times cut into a fold of fabric, causing the air around to turn blue!
My tip? Measure twice, cut once. We say that around our house no matter what we're working on!
My tip is use good quality fabric. It's worth the investment.
My tip is to have a stiletto handy to guide your fabric through the machine..it is great for moving those bulky seam allowances through or to keep the very end from going off crooked. In the absence of a stiletto, a seam ripper will work too.
Measure, measure and measure again before cutting! It's worth the extra time and will save you from ruining your fabric. Ask me how I know this! :0)
Thank you for the giveaway!
My best quilting/sewing tip is make sure that you take the time to properly prepare your materials. It will save a lot of time in the long run! Thank you for the chance to win. :)
My best tip for quilting is to use the proper feet on your machine. That 1/4 inch really needs to be a 1/4 inch.
My best tip is to get up and walk around every hour paying attention to tension in your upper back, shoulders, and neck.
clean your machine really well before starting to quilt a new project
Don't forget to rethread after changing tension
My tip would be to change your sewing machine needle with every quilt you make. Rethread your machine and clean out the lint from the bobbin.
This will save you a lot of grief later!
Nettie
nettiecrain@live.com
My favorite tip is always use fabric you love no matter the cost. If you don't love the fabric you will not love the quilt and it may end up in your UFO pile or it will be a "bear" to finish!!
Thanks for the great giveaway!
Katina
kjkoukla(athotmail...
Measure twice cut once.
My tip would be to frequently check your quarter-inch stitch-- I've discovered from experience that, especially if you haven't sewn for a while, you can get off just a tad bit and even the smallest fraction per piece can really add up by the time you've put all the pieces together! Thank you for your giveaway!
Hi...and thank you...my tip is measure twice cut once,..makes all the difference
Favorite machine embroidery tip would be to learn all about the different stabilizers and use the CORRECT one for your project.
Read the instructions in the pattern!
Keep a seam ripper handy at all times! Thanks for the giveaway!
This is probably a repeat, but my favorite tip is to not worry. Don't get hung up on rules, or colors, just put fabrics together that you like, use a pattern you like, and you'll be fine. If you make a few mistakes it'll be ok, you're essentially making a quilt and you'll get better the more quilts you make. This was a good question to ask readers. Thanks for the give-away. Quilted blessings, Nita
My best tip - Measure twice - Cut once.
nhsarab at yahoo dot com
Don't be afraid to ask questions. somebody knows the answer, guaranteed. And people are happy to share. Thanks for the giveaway.
Be sure to clean underneath your bobbin case. Thanks for the giveaway! Merry Christmas!
Make sure you're happy with all your fabric choices before anything gets cut.
My favorite tip is to always make a test block! I know it's easy to rush right into chain piecing,but this way you can test your color choices.
My tip is to measure twice and cut once. Thanks for a chance to win your great giveaway! :)
Hello! Thanks for a great giveaway! My tip is to back your embroidery fabric with a fusible batting before stitching. Happy Holidays! :)
Always have a seam ripper handy!
Relax, play music and have a glass of wine handy.
Also a seam ripper and knowing that it is okay to make mistakes.
Have a pin cushion at every station: one by machine, one by iron, one by cutting etc.
My favorite tip for any project, sewing or otherwise, is "Measure twice, Cut once"
There are NO quilt police. Just have fun and try new techniques.
I wear a scissor keeper on my shirt, so my scissors are always handy for snipping threads.
My tip is - fill an extra bobbin or two before you start quilting :)
My favorite tip is to have a pincushion by every seat you sit in at your house. I am always looking for one or two pins. Thabnks for sharing!
I am new to quilting but I have to make sure and double check that I have all I need right around me before I start so Im not interrupting my crafty time by having to go look for something I need. Great contest.
Laura
laura.leahj@gmail dot com
Enjoyed reading all the tips. When you get close to the corner while topstiching, choose needle up, then down, and repeat until you're at the spot you want to stop or turn the corner. You may have to reduce your stitch length for the last two stitches.
My favorite tip is to choose a focus fabric and draw the rest of your colors from that fabric. Works every time.
Won a prize for the tip...sort fabric by color.
I'm to inexperienced still to share any good tips. Still learning and loving it. Thanks for the opportunity to win some fabric. Can always use it.
I'm not terribly experienced, but my favorite tip is not to point out mistakes to everyone who admires your work. It's supposed to be fun! I am very guilty of this myself :)
My best tip, a pattern is a guide line, use it to shape not to dictate. That and measure twice, cut once (keep trying to get my husband to understand that concept, he's not there yet) Thanks for the chance to win
My best tip would be to not get overwhelmed or intimidated by the patterns or instructions, do your best and just enjoy what you are doing.Your work will get better as you get more experience. Thank you for the chance to win. Joyce--ccarter13@windstream.net
Practice your seams before starting a project. Get your consistent seam going and your projects will come together more easily.
use a 1/4 inch quilting foot and keep a seam ripper handy...
Use your dryer sheets to clean your iron, cheap and easy!!
Measure twice and cut once. And when doing machine applique, go slow. Happy quilting! Thank you for the chance to win.
I used pages of the phone book for foundation paper.
I like keeping an "awl" handy - I have one by Cloverleaf that came with a seam ripper - very useful to keep things aligned, edges even, seams matched etc. as you sew plus many other uses! Thanks for the giveaway.
My iron is my best friend. Thanks for the chance.
I tell everyone to clean their machine more often. I've seen some really nasty ones. Thanks for the giveaway.
Remeber to have fun, and take a break every so often..will help keep you from making mistakes ;)
Nylon netting is great for cleaning fabric strings from your cutting mat! And never ever take your project too seriously. Beautiful things come from the unexpected. - Creative Blessings and Merry Christmas!
Try not to sweat it. Just have fun and if your points don't all line up, don't worry about it. Thanks for the chance!
My tip is to not be afraid to try something new. Remember that there are no quilting mistakes, only design opportunities. Thanks for the giveaway.
wind extra bobbins! Can't have too many. SO inconvenient to have to stop & rewind in the middle of something.
Don't be hard on yourself. Remember you are doing it to relax and enjoy. When it becomes overwhelming ...take a break!
Keep a hammer in the sewing room for all those really bulky seams
I love all of these tips. Definitely not being tired is a big one for me. Having a consistent seam allowance is important too. Thanks for the giveaway.
My favorite quilting tip so far is for when you are attaching you quilt binding by machine - after attaching the binding to the quilt's back, press binding flat toward the front, it makes it so much easier to fold over and machine sew to the front!
My tip is: Don't forget to share your quilting projects with everyone you know. lnb1191(at)aol(dot)com
Happy Holiday to You and Yours. The best tip I can offer is if at first it doesn't work keep trying till it does.
My favorite tip: Make sure you press and go slow when stitching. Two very basic tips that mean so much! I have really been learning those.
My tip is to plan ahead of time which way to press your seams, and make sure you count your pieces twice before sewing so you don't end up 8 tiny pieces short with no more fabric to cut at the end...
My best tip for quilting is be consistent and accurate when sewing a scant 1/4" seam. It really helps in matching seams.
Use Color Catchers when washing red fabrics! Thanks for the chance!
Keep a little catch-all bag handy for threads and tiny bits of fabric.
I use spray starch before I cut my fabric and then again as I press seams. It helps with precision while doing your piecing.
Threading a bunch of needles when I hand quilt so I can keep on stitching, no break till I get through them all!!
Thanks for participating! My tip would be, if you make a mistake turn it into a creative fix! I think the art of a true artist is one who works around a mistake or uses it in the creation somehow. Merry Christmas!
Keep your stitch ripper close!
Iron iron iron. Everything. It helps. And prewash before you sew. I found out that the hard way.
Don't give up...read about stabilizers and thread types. I'm a big ironing person too. mamahen02@msn.com
GREETINGS from Hungary. Thanks for playing!
Sew only be used a lot.
Fabric is the best!!! thanks for sharing.
mystica123athotmaildotcom
Always set your needle to the center - right after you click on
your sewing machine.
Enjoy the process - don't wish the project away! Thanks for the chance to win!!!!
I would have to say that I have never learned how to machine embroider so I would not be able to advise any one that does. I know that it takes patience and the work is georgeous. Every quilter needs fabic. Your giveway is no exception. I am hoping you make a lot of new followers, like myself, at the end of this week. Please enjoy your holidays.
Sandi T.
sandit1@sbcglobal.net
Everyone has already left some very good suggestions. I think my best tip is to not worry so much about how your quilting looks. Just keep practicing and it will get better.
My best suggestion is just to get started. If I can start, I find that I keep going. My struggle is always with overthinking it from the start or spending all my time on prep work. It also helps to have all your tools in one specific place so you can easily find them.
Measure twice and cut once! This is now my mantra.
Always pre-wash your fabric!
nicolesenderat)yahoo(dot)com
My lesson learned this week is you get what you pay for in machines! thanks for a great giveaway!
My tip is make sure you have good lighting! Less strain on your eyes! Here's a 'green' tip: use your leftover scraps as stuffing for a dog pillow that you can donate to a rescue league!
Wonderful giveaway! Thanks for the opportunity!
I loves sewing clothes. I trace my sewing pattern by stick the pattern to the window!
Thanks for the generous giveaway and a chance to win!
I agree with so many of these tips, I won't repeat them. A recent tip I learned was... matching a paint chip card to one of the fabrics that you already have in your stash and then just take the paint chip strip with you to the quilt shop. You can then match any range of colors to the fabric, because you already know it matched the strip.
Thanks for the giveaway!
Thanks for the chance to win, It is fun to blog hop and see lots of creativity.
My tip is to not sew when you are tired or out comes the seam ripper.
The best embroidery machine tip I have - actually two of them-
1. STARCH it - spray starch it till it's as flat and stiff as a piece of paper - spray it, iron it (dry with no steam), spray it, iron it - you get the idea - this will make the best stitching you can get... :)
2. Give the thread time and distance to "relax" before it goes through the tension disks.... that means - put in on the floor if you have to - but make sure it has time to "unwind" and "straighten out" before it gets STITCHED.
Thank you for the chance to win :)
I hope you and yours have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!
and
remember the reason for the season.
Cathy Byrd
byrd@gulftel.com
Lick the eye of the needle prior to threading, not the thread..as my grandmother taught me. It really works!
Thanks for the fun giveaway. My tip is, always reverse your patterns! I can't tell you how many things I've accidentally pieced backwards!
Gosh, I am new to quilting, so I have no expert advice to share. However, I can learn a lot just from reading everyone else's entries!
Thanks so much for this opportunity and have a wonderful weekend!
-Terri
My favorite tip? Read the directions ahead of time and double check the size of the quilt. :)
My tip is to slow down!! Aim for perfection even though we never get there.
Relax...quilting is supposed to be fun...but I love all the tips I have read in the comments. Thanks for being so generous. Happy Holidays.
Sneaking in under the wire here! My advice is the age old tip "measure twice, cut once!!!" I love batiks. Great giveaway - thanks for the chance to win.
My favorite advice is, free motion gets better with practice. I was really hesitant when I first started and a friend had a solution for me. Practice on charity quilts! No one would really mind if a meander crossed over or the stitches weren't all the same length. Thanks for the opportunity!
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