Tip of the Day

[hillbilly]

I get a quilters tip of the day on facebook, and check out what she posted today!

QUILTER’S TIP OF THE DAY: Using a plain bar of soap to store your pins and needles has multiple advantages. By inserting them into the bar it will coat the pins and needles with a thin film that will not only prevent rust but will also help to glide smoothly through multiple layers of fabric and batting. Happy quilting!

I have never heard of such a thing!! I'll start posting the tips here.

[Dragonfly]

Re: Tip of the Day

QUILTER’S TIP OF THE DAY: Using a plain bar of soap to store your pins and needles has multiple advantages. By inserting them into the bar it will coat the pins and needles with a thin film that will not only prevent rust but will also help to glide smoothly through multiple layers of fabric and batting. Happy quilting!

Ooh I hate to be overly negative but as a trained laboratory technician in a previous life, when I actually worked for a living, I'd have to say to be cautious of this practice. Soaps are made using caustic substances, it's what makes them work, not all mind you but most. I personally wouldn't be putting caustic substances anywher near my fabric. Like a lot of things, you won't see the damage anytime soon but...

If you want to use something along these lines, use wax, it is a relatively inert substance, which is why it can be used on quilting thread.

[jrchapman]

Re: Tip of the Day

I think you must have softer soap in America. I just tried it and I bent my pin!

[shell.scraps]

Re: Tip of the Day

I wouldn't be putting my pins in a bar of soap!! Too hard, and there are chemicals in there I don't want on my quilt fabrics. What an odd suggestion LOL

[hillbilly]

Re: Tip of the Day

Well..that is what I was thinking. Don't we want to protect our quilts from oils?!

[Lola2Ace]

Re: Tip of the Day

I do what my Grandma did, run a dull pin or needle through my hair. It does help, but now I am wondering about the natural oils (not to mention styling products that I use!) getting on my fabrics.
I have been known to poke them into the cushion of whatever I am sitting on too. Hubby gives me the look, especially when it's his car seat that I am sitting on, and I just innocently say 'the hole will close up nicely'. LOL
Lola

[PamMiller]

Re: Tip of the Day

From one hillybilly to another, I have a good sized pin cushion filled with fine sand. Easy to use and works pretty good.
Pam

[hillbilly]

Re: Tip of the Day

Remember these aren't my ideas! Here is today's: (usually they are very good, but the last two days haven't been the best)

QUILTER’S TIP OF THE DAY: Have someone take a picture of you working on a quilt, then print the picture onto a plain piece of fabric. Add your name, date, and any other information pertinent to the quilt. Now you have a beautifully personalized label!

[Dragonfly]

Re: Tip of the Day

Hmm...well apart from the part where I seriously dislike having my photo taken, that's not a bad idea. If the printing process stood up to the rigours of time the historians of the future would be most appreciative.

[Shirley]

Re: Tip of the Day

Why is it we hate to have our pictures taken but oh how we love to look at pictures of others and of our loved ones.
Will love reading the tips each day! Thanks for posting them.

[janluna]

Re: Tip of the Day

Neat tips. I don't like the soap idea but I do like the one with the sand and I like the picture on the label. You are right historians would love it as would family members.

[toggpine]

Re: Tip of the Day

I think it is interesting to see some of the creative things people think of to try to solve little problems.
Probably no soap on my quilting pins, but I'll be looking to see if there are any others that prove helpful!

I have been known to write on the selvedge edge of a piece of fabric how long it is and who/what it is for while I wait at the cutting table for the other things to be cut. (ie. 1.25yd/Nicole's Pinwheels) That way if I don't get to that project right away, I can remember what it was for. Sometimes I change my mind about a color/pattern and then I know how big that leftover piece of fabric really is.

[patticakes]

Re: Tip of the Day

This could be a great topic to check everyday! I love a great new (or old) idea!

[middlesis1966]

Re: Tip of the Day

Remember these aren't my ideas! Here is today's: (usually they are very good, but the last two days haven't been the best)

QUILTER’S TIP OF THE DAY: Have someone take a picture of you working on a quilt, then print the picture onto a plain piece of fabric. Add your name, date, and any other information pertinent to the quilt. Now you have a beautifully personalized label!

Ok heres my problem with this tip. I have really short hair so when I wake up I have extreme bed head. Lots of times I only get to sew in the am. A pic of me like that would scare anyone away from quilting, lol. The picture idea is a good thought, thanks

[NM Lady]

Re: Tip of the Day

LOL....mmmmm that would be a no! I come in after work and put on T-shirts and sweats, cook supper and then start my projects! No pictures of this little short NM Lady that weighs a tad too much.