Part of achieving precision and beauty in quilt-making is using the right tool for the right job. A rotary cutter is composed of a wheeled blade and a handle, just like a pizza cutter. Because your hand doesn’t nudge the cloth or otherwise get in the way, it’s easier to cut in a straight line
Precisely pieced historic quilts make it hard to believe that quilters from times past could achieve such accuracy with only cardboard templates and scissors. Since the invention of the rotary cutter in 1979, modern quilters have come to rely on special quilting rulers in their quest for piecing perfection. Rulers are available for every imaginable
My sewing machine was almost twenty years old before I looked at any of the other stitches it offered besides the straight stitch which I used for piecing and the zigzag stitch which I used for mending. What a waste, yet at the same time, what an opportunity. I decided to explore this neglected resource.
There are so many makes and models of sewing machines today, a far stretch from the machines of yesteryear. A recent arrival in machines is the dual feed system which enables the feed dogs and machine foot to work together to move the multiple layers of fabric through the machine. Bernina calls it their innovative
I love my self-healing cutting mat. Probably one of my best friends, in the sewing room anyway. But did you know that your mat needs some regular care in order to keep it in tip top shape? Otherwise it will begin to look like my old mat here. (Eek!) Caring for your self-healing cutting mat
Walking around the booths at any quilt show can be overwhelming. Our senses are set on overload and we often overlook many of the new quilting products on the floor, unintentionally, because there are so many to view. I recently came upon a new product that would give me the ability to give every quilt
Photo by Hank Hession Most beginning quilters have one of two competing mindsets about fabric: either they want to be frugal (like our quilting ancestors) and plan to use the least expensive fabric they can find, or they want to create something that lasts centuries (like our quilting ancestors) so they use the most expensive
So you’ve cleaned and maintained your sewing machine but you’re still having trouble? There are times when cleaning simply does not fix the problem and you will need to take your machine into your dealer or a certified service shop. Before you do that though, make sure to ask yourself these 5 questions to help
When I began sewing, I had little to no idea what it took to maintain my sewing machine. I thought that a needle stayed in your machine until it broke, then you replaced it with whatever you had on hand. Within two months of purchasing my Bernina 440 QE, I ran to my local dealer
If you are anything like me, you have so much fabric in your stash that it’s hard to keep it all straight! But, as we all know, new fabrics are a necessity in the wonderful world of quilting, and – let’s be honest – half the fun is heading to the store and picking them
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