What else do Quilters know, that we can help new Quilters out with?

[HdWench]

NYSue brought up a great point in another topic -- Color Catchers!!

We use them because "we" know about them, and some people have been quilting for a while with all this great knowledge to pass on.

Can you think of other things that Quilters may use automatically we can share with the "New" folks joining the forum to learn how to quilt?

[Loonwatcher]

Two yellow school pencils taped or rubber banded together will mark a perfect 1/4 inch line.

[HdWench]

Oh and an Index Card the lines are 1/4" apart so you can test your machine this way too -- Good one Nancy!

I read about quilting 1 month before I caved in and got addicted. Don't buy everything you read! I have 3 nice sized cones of 100% cotton thread that MY sewing machines hate... oops. So you don't have to buy it all at once?

[Iris Girl]

my main pin box is metal so I keep a magnet in the bottom it helps keep the pins inside if it tips over

[bhaggerty]

Can you use it for bobbin thread?
My machine is not picky about bobbin thread!

Oh and an Index Card the lines are 1/4" apart so you can test your machine this way too -- Good one Nancy!

I read about quilting 1 month before I caved in and got addicted. Don't buy everything you read! I have 3 nice sized cones of 100% cotton thread that MY sewing machines hate... oops. So you don't have to buy it all at once?

[HdWench]

Can you use it for bobbin thread?
My machine is not picky about bobbin thread!

Thank you, I haven't tried it in the bobbin only -- was thinking of gifting it to someone who's machine likes it haha! Just putting it here as one of those - *don't run out and buy* several before you know if you machines can use it ;-)

[Bubby]

There is so much to learn and purchase as a new quilter. Be kind to yourself and know that everything comes together with practice...lots of practice. Enjoy the journey...not just the finished quilt.

I keep an adhesive lint roller in my sewing room for picking up stray threads on my cutting mat, ironing board and myself. Precuts with pinked edges can leave a huge amount of lint behind. Also, I recommend that you keep a journal (with pictures) of everything you make. Years from now you will be glad you did this. Do a little write-up on each project (fabric line, pattern name, finished measurements, who it was given to (if gifted), how it was quilted and by whom....etc.

Most of all - enjoy being a Lady of the Thread! Hugs, Barb

[ChristineB]

Cool thread!! I'll becoming back here a few times to read all the tips! I too, keep a journal or notebook with the quilts I work on. It's to help me with the calculations and patterns, etc. I also recently heard of the sticky roller idea and now have one dedicated to my sewing room.
I think a tip I could share is: don't worry if your quilt isn't perfect. I look at is as a personal challenge - maybe the seams on this particular quilt don't line up, but I will learn how to do better next time. Like a golfer - they really play against their own scores and not really against others.

[mom4him]

I have sewn nearly all my life but just this last month as I have been working on this quilt did I realize that different threads take different needles. Also that it is ok to adjust the top tension of your machine for doing different projects. I discovered that you use a different weight thread for quilting than you normally use for piecing.
As one of those newbies that is some of the major things I have learned this month.

[GuitarGramma]

Binding! If you trim your quilt sandwich so it's all nice and even with your quilt top then you HAVE TO make a quarter inch binding. BUT it's OK to trim the quilt wider than the top if you want a wider binding! Oh, do I wish someone had told me that early on!