Whether you’re just getting started or are a quilting expert, it’s always a good idea to be looking for tips and tricks to add to your repertoire. We asked our circle of ambassadors to share their favorite life-saving quilting tips. Here are a few of our favorites!
1. Sew and mark your own squares
Instead of cutting individual bias triangles, cut triangles out of squares. This is much more accurate and efficient. You can get eight half-square triangles from a single square!
2. Use water-soluble glue or pressing sheets instead of pinning
Pinning is time consuming and sometimes unreliable. By using water-soluble glue, you can line up your pieces precisely and quickly. When finished, just wash your quilt and the glue will be gone! You can use pressing sheets to iron fabrics together, which will also wash out afterwards.
3. Apply bias strips to bind your edges
Got a lot of curves in your quilt? Don’t want mitered corners? Cut some bias strips to bind your edges and help your needle grab the fabric. This helps your edges to look cleaner and prevent gathering.
4. Swap out your scissors
Scissors aren’t always the best tool for cutting fabric. Get a rotary cutter to make trimming quilts faster.
5. Strip quilting
If you’re feeling spontaneous, give strip quilting a try! Strip quilting requires no patterns and is a great way to use up some fabric scraps. Quilt as you go by sewing strips onto batting in your order of choice. Additionally, this is a great technique for creating ombre effects or landscapes!
6. Spinning intersections
When sewing four-patch squares, the fabric can easily become bulky instead of laying flat. To remedy this, you can make a spinning intersection. Break the thread in the middle seam of the square and fold up. Press so that the seams are all rotating around the square in the same direction.
7. Use a walking foot for machine quilting
Different quilting techniques call for different sewing machine feet. You can use a quarter inch foot for sewing small seams and piecing together your quilt. However, using a walking foot for your binding and heavier quilting will better feed the fabric through the machine.
8. Fine line chalk markers
There is some debate on what tools are best for marking fabric. If you are worried about quilt markers not washing out, fine line chalk markers are a great option. Especially if you want to do more detailed, finer designs.
9. Squaring up blocks at the earliest point when assembling a quilt
Sounds like a no brainer, huh? But sometimes the easiest tips make the biggest difference. If you square up your blocks immediately, you won’t run into problems later! Ensure that your blocks are the same size by using your quilting ruler at every point of quilt construction.
10. And last but not least…
Do your best! Nobody’s perfect!
Quilting can be tough, but no matter how many seams you need to rip just remember – nobody’s perfect! Happy quilting!
First quilt, bit off more than I can chew. Cut all my squares for a twin size quilt for my granddaughters high school graduation. Doing machine quilting. How will I ever be able to assemble it with my sewing machine?
i like these .
Thank you
Love every tip you post… never to old to learn something new and helpful,
GREAT TIPS
The article, “10 Quick Quilting Tips,” is excellent for beginner and experienced quilters. I will be glad to pass it on.
Thank you for the tips
Thank you for explaining about different machine feet. I’ve been wondering how to up my quilting game. I hadn’t thought to try something like this, but I think it could be fun to see how it works.
I don’t understand number six: spinning intersections. Could you reword that or offer more pictures?
Hello Ann,
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Thanks!
I’ve been making quilts for a long time, but it’s always good to learn more tricks that I know will make my quilts better and will save me tons of time. Thanks for sharing!
Vet much interested in your process in quilting
Thank you from new member. I’m just learning
great
When sewing half square triangles, I mark the lines as shown in the diagram on a square, but I put that square right sides together with a second square that is not marked, and I sew 1/4 inch from every line, before cutting them apart. That way, I don’t have to sew a bias seam that may stretch.
Smart idea. The stretch from the bias throws the whole quilt off.
If you look closely at the picture, those triangles are all sewn together before being cut out too.
I would love to receive free patterns.
Thank you for help.
That’s very true ! What is a good thing to have also : a room special for your needs !!!!!
Love your articles.
I love your tips about quilting, this something that will be very helpful.