Sew What’s Up Presents
The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: MaryW
Date: 01-15-2007, 11:53 AM (1 of 12)
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How do you find time to quilt? What is the secret to more stitching and designing? I will be publishing these tips on the site in a few weeks. Everyone will receive credit for their best ideas.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: HeyJudee
Date: 01-15-2007, 12:14 PM (2 of 12)
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For me having a place to leave the sewing machine set up ready to sew saves a lot of time. I can go there when I have 10, 15 minutes, etc. and get something done. Assembly line piecing gets blocks sewn together faster. Being organized in your workspace helps too. Not having to search around for things. Just a few of my ideas. TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366 
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From: HeyJudee
Date: 01-15-2007, 12:29 PM (3 of 12)
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Just thought I'd try to explain a technique that many quilters use to sew blocks together. I place my blocks on my design wall (generally a piece of flannel or a flannel backed table cloth on a wall). Then I take the two pieces that I will be sewing together and place them right sides together with the side to be sewn on the right. I take the next two blocks and do the same thing and stack them on top of the two previous blocks. I continue stacking the blocks to be sewn together this way. Then I pick up my stack and place them on the left side at the sewing machine but with the seam to be sewn on the right. I sit down and pick up two blocks and I know that it is the right side that needs to be sewn. This is now a habit for me when I am piecing my blocks. I rarely have to check which ones to sew together or rip out because I've sewn the wrong seams together...saving time in the process. TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366
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From: NDNQuilter
Date: 01-16-2007, 06:14 AM (4 of 12)
| My quilting time comes in spurts as well. I usually carry a small sewing bag with me everywhere with a couple of projects. Since I spend much time at dr. appointments with my ds, I do alot of hand piecing there. I have learned to include the children in my sewing projects and have them help. I can teach math and motor skills while working on a project,as well as hand /eye co-ordination. we even talked about where fabric comes from and went to see raw cotton being gined. I actually have on son who sews garments better than me. My ds Jeff can run the machine some also. Have a great day. Gena |
User: NDNQuilter
Member since: 10-04-2002 Total posts: 90 |
From: Quilter71
Date: 01-16-2007, 07:18 AM (5 of 12)
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Before I start any project I make sure that I have plenty of bobbin wound and ready to go. Nothing like getting into a project and having to stop to wind more bobbin.
Michelle
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User: Quilter71
Member since: 01-08-2007 Total posts: 13 |
From: lrmart
Date: 01-17-2007, 02:57 PM (6 of 12)
| My problem isn't time it's doing it. Maybe when I get my sewing room setup right I'll feel more like sewing, course I need to make myself get the sewing room setup. Maybe I need to just shut my computer down and reward myself with computer time for doing sewing and other things. |
User: lrmart
Member since: 05-14-2006 Total posts: 10 |
From: JustSewCrafty
Date: 01-17-2007, 04:06 PM (7 of 12)
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When I'm quilting, I put all of the blocks, thread, misc in a clear plastic bag that zips (from curtains and etc). That way, when I'm ready to quilt, everything is already together and I can easily see what project is inside of it.
May your bobbin always be full-
Stephanie www.chasingthreads.blogspot.com "Sewing is the new black" |
User: JustSewCrafty
Member since: 10-04-2006 Total posts: 168 |
From: material_pakrat
Date: 01-17-2007, 06:39 PM (8 of 12)
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I am most productive when I have my "Triangle" working properly. I go from point to point, and without realising I manage to achieve a lot in a couple of hours. Point one is the sewing room, point 2 is the kitchen ( no coffee, no functioning me - and is not allowed anywhere near the sewing room, as I am know to tip mugs when flicking material around) and point 3 is the computer to look for new ideas, and even how to do something better or easier that I am currently working on. But I guess my biggest tip is to walk away when things aren't working. Yep - the total opposite of what you try and teach your children. But I have found if I dont have the problem in my face taunting me, I am more likely to find a solution. Especially when I come to the computer and have a bit of a search. My last issue was how to I use bias binding properly - had managed to dodge it for years, but to my detriment I have now discovered. This site showed me how to do it, and I think I have put in in one form or another on every proect I have made since. Another one I have set myself is after every third completed item, I do a big tidy of my sewing room. I manage to keep my bench semi-tidy, but the rest on the room ends up with material everywhere. Neatness is relative though - hubby still thinks it looks like a bomb has hit it even when it is clean. But I can always find where I have put something, which is what it is all about. Cheers, Soph.
I'm happiest when I am sewing! |
User: material_pakrat
Member since: 12-13-2006 Total posts: 220 |
From: HeyJudee
Date: 01-18-2007, 10:23 AM (9 of 12)
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I posted this in the RW&U Swap but thought of posting this as a tip here. When I was beginning quilting I was always having a bit of difficulty making my half square triangles the exact size I needed. I would draw my diagonal line and sew 1/4" on each side. But sometimes they would turn out a bit smaller than the size I needed and I would have to make another. And in quilting if you start with a smaller size than you need you will quickly end up with a block smaller than desired too and get frustrated. So this is my tip to making half square triangles the right size and succeeding with making my quilts. I usually cut the squares a little larger (1/8" or 1/4") than they say. For example, if they say to cut a 3 7/8" square, I usually cut 4". Then if I'm not accurate when I am sewing the diagonal lines, after they are ironed out I can still square up the half-square triangle to the exact size, e.g. 3". TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366
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From: JustSewCrafty
Date: 01-18-2007, 11:54 PM (10 of 12)
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I agree... When I start to quilt, I have to start with a clean sewing room. Otherwise, I'll stop sewing and tidy up... May your bobbin always be full-
Stephanie www.chasingthreads.blogspot.com "Sewing is the new black" |
User: JustSewCrafty
Member since: 10-04-2006 Total posts: 168 |
From: momquilts
Date: 01-19-2007, 08:51 PM (11 of 12)
| The way I make time to sew or quilt is to get up 3 hours before I have to be at work. This is not a problem for me because I am a morning person anyhow. I keep my sewing machine set up and my quilt frame is up & ready to go any time I have a spare minute. By the time I finish with shower, dressing, and making lunches I usually have a good hour and a half to quilt in the morning because when I get home from working 2 jobs I have no energy to do it in the evening. I'm working the extra job to help with wedding expenses for DS (who is also getting the king sized quilt I'm working on). |
User: momquilts
Member since: 02-02-2000 Total posts: 46 
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From: mamahoogie
Date: 02-03-2007, 11:03 AM (12 of 12)
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It's easy finding time to quilt when you have a hubby that does most of the housework. He is retired and doesn't have many hobbies so he does most of the housework just to keep busy. Works for me. Violet p.s. I do 100% of the cooking though! I've decided to live forever - so far, so good.
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User: mamahoogie
Member since: 12-25-2002 Total posts: 461 |
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