DebbieWendt's Blog

In looking back thru all the tips, I know I’ve talked about taking classes.  I realized I haven’t told you about classes I teach.  I’m teaching in Paducah for AQS Week,  April 22-25!

I bring this up now to encourage you to register soon as many classes are already full.  Three ofmine are FULL!  Twirl-A-Tool still has a few spots left, so if you’ve wanted to take a class with me, don’t delay in registering.  I’m also presenting at both All-Star Reciews.   I will have a booth in the Pavillion again this year, Booth #4403.  Be sure to stop by as I’ll be demo-ing Brilliant Bindings when I’m not teaching a class.  I now offer 10 patterns that use Brilliant Bindings as a template to make those patterns!  Brilliant Bindings is double duty and more!

The weekend before last, I attended one of my guild’s getaway weekend!  We were on Cape Cod, loving known as “The Cape” in New England.  With 50+ mile an hour winds and many inches of snow, it was nice to be inside with humming machines and a room full of creative women!  We watched the bay go from icey edges to a layer of of ice for many yards out.  What an amazing sight!

Beach at bottom edge. Ice out to lighthouse!

At the getaway I was cutting many, many strips for a project.  Do you have a method for speeding up the process?  Instead of cutting one strip at a time and removing it and then cutting the next, try cutting several before removing.  I straighten one edge and then move my ruler to the furthest measurement I can cut.  3 x 2 1/2″ = 7 1/2″. I move my ruler to 7 1/2″, make a cut, move to 5″, cut and finally to 2 1/2″ and cut.  This helps me save time with fewer movements.  I’ve shown this in the photos below.  Notice the cut line.  It is very faint as I leave it in place until I’ve made all three cuts.

Cut at 7 1/2″

Cut at 5″

Cut at 2 1/2″

#1 – find time saving methods to speed up your cutting process.

With cutting a lot of strips, I want to be sure my blade is sharp!  When changing a blade, remove parts in order.  This will ensure you put it back together in the correct order!

#2 – keep rotary cutter parts in ORDER!

May all your cuts be straight with a sharp cutter!

~ Debbie

Running late today…MORE snow here in Massachusetts!  After a broken snow blower, a good neighbor plowing the drive and now a fixed snow blower, it is Tuesday evening and well past time.  But I promised tips and so you shall have them!

In our snow blower saga, we have learned to keep spare parts on hand.  It paid off today as we had exactly the parts we needed.  How does this relate to quilting?  Well, how about keeping spare parts?  Since most of us don’t service our own machines anymore, do you have spare parts on hand?  I have parts for my Singer featherweights but not my Janome.  When it went down, I took it to a local service repairman, Anthony, that works out of his home.  He fixed it, but I was without my machine for several weeks.  My featherweights, I fix myself!  So in this, my tip…

#1 – Find a dependable sewing machine service person.

I do basic maintenance on all my machines.  Do you know how much lint can collect in your bobbin area?  A bunch!  Threads and fabric both have fibers that cause lint.

#2 – Check out your bobbin area and clear out the lint.

Sewing machine manuals have information on maintenance you can do yourself.  Also, be sure to check warranties.

Debbie ~ Wendt Quilting

We are in the middle of a snow storm!  And I LOVE snow!  I took some before pictures to compare.  It is still coming down so I’m sure we will get the 24″-30″ predicted.

A tip to measure snow is to use your rulers.

With the drifting, my 24″ ruler will be useless!

…Back to focusing on quilting.  Do you per wash your fabrics?  I usually do.  Especially if there are any that I think will run.  I’ve got a stack of washed fabric.  The reason I’m showing you is to see the difference in wrinkles between the ones I pulled out of the dryer before they were completely dry (green) and the other (white) was left in until dry.  LESS wrinkles if taken out while slightly damp!   In taking that one step further…

#1 – Take fabric out of dryer while slightly damp and iron dry!  The moisture helps remove the wrinkles and it makes for a crisp feeling fabric (great “hand” for cutting).

This also reduces the time it takes to get rid of the wrinkles.  When ironing be sure NOT to press any wrinkles back into the fabric.  Those wrinkles never seem to iron back out unless you use loads of steam or spray starch.

Yes, I am also a fan of spray starch!  Thanks to my friend Barbara who introduced me to the powers of spray starch!  The reason I like it so well is how it makes fabric behave when cutting and sewing pieces together.  I use the “old fashion” spray starch in a can and also “Best Press”.  I’m a fan of the citrus “Best Press”.  I don’t like the flowery scents (and neither does my head, headaches!).  Be careful not to stretch the fabrics out of shape while damp with the spray.

#2 – Use spray starch or “Best Press”!

On a cautious note:  I don’t use spray starch on anything that will not be washed.  It has been said that it can attract bugs, like silver fish.  I also do not use it on fabrics that will sit in my stash.  Spray what you are working with.

Spray starch is also great for appliqué.  If turning appliqué over a heat resistant template, dampen edges for a crisp, smooth turned edge!

Have a great sewing day, no matter what the weather is outside!

Debbie.  ~ Wendt Quilting

Near or far, I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season!  A time to share with family and friends!  Today’s tips come very late but not forgotten ….

#1 – A quilter can never have too much fabric! (So add a couple of fat quarters to their gift!)

#2 – Add a label!  Your work deserves your signature.

Merry Christmas!

Debbie ~ Wendt Quilting