Spraying starch

Carrie Nelson writes a nice blog for Moda Fabrics and I want to share this blog with you - a tool to make starching fabric much easier. You can buy these anywhere they sell spray paint, and it can be used on any spray can!



It works like a charm with no pressure on your index finger.

Happy spraying!



How to Clean an Iron

Today at Friday Sewing Vicki spent the entire day ironing about 25 yards of fabric, some of which is for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. With all her fabric starched she will be ready to start cutting and sewing! She starches her fabric with her homemade starch and used a lot of starch today - about 75 ounces which after a while builds up on her iron and makes a big burned on mess which looked like this:

 

She cleaned the iron over the sink with water and a Magic Eraser and in no time at all it looked like this:

 

The nice thing about sewing together for two days is that we can leave our stuff overnight. We'll return in the morning for Saturday Sewing. I'll post more pictures late Saturday.

 

Happy sewing.

Quilting Frame

I'm trying to help a friend of a friend find a home where this quilting frame will be put to use. This classic design dates back to the 1960-70's and was handmade by the current owner's uncle.

Let me (Becky) know if you are interested - it's located in the West End of Richmond.

Cleaning OLFA Mat

While talking to the OLFA dealer at the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Show a couple of weeks ago I learned that you can extend the life of your OLFA blade by hydrating your cutting mat!  Who knew that a "dry" mat dulls the blade!?!

The vendor, Charlie, was full of helpful information and did some great demos. OFLA tools are some of the best, and it's nice to get some inside tips on how to care for them. He also told us how you can renew a mat that has been warped (see his website if you need that info).

Here is a photo of the printed instructions he was giving out for wet cleaning your cutting mat.

Fabrics that "Bleed"

Posted by Becky

If you've ever experienced fabric whose colors bled, and haven't we all - you'll want to check out Barbara Brackman's blog on the subject. Barbara turned to Vicki for advice on a quilt with bleeding red fabrics. Following Vicki's advice Barbara had success with her quilt top. 

Barbara also introduces us to St. Hunna, the Patron Saint of Laundresses.

Here's the link:

http://barbarabrackman.blogspot.com/2013/11/running-reds.html

Mini Waste Basket

by Becky

I switched from powdered dishwashing detergent to the single packets. I'm happy using the packets because there is a noticeable difference in the shine of my glasses and they are more convenient to use. When I finished a container I didn't put it into my recycling bin; but instead, I put it in my sewing room by turning a perfectly good container into a little waste basket.

From this

 

To this:

 

It's about 7" tall and just a perfect size for sitting on the table next to the sewing machine or having at the ironing board for all those little strings and snippets that I always have.

 

It took no time at all to make. Here's what I did.

 

1. Remove the Cascade label from both sides. I did this with a hot hair dryer, just start at one corner and it peels away leaving a sticky surface.

 

2. Cut a piece of fabric slightly larger than the label and press it onto the sticky surface. I cut the fabric with my pinking rotary cutter, but that is not necessary.

 

3. Lift the edges and put a little glue under them.

 

4. Done!

 

I removed the hinged lid, but it could serve a good purpose, depending on what you keep in the container.

 

These clear containers would fit nicely on a shelf and be useful for storing things - with or without the lids. They are slightly rectangular so you could place them with the clear side facing out to better see the contents.

 

Place leave a comment with any other ideas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





 



Light Table

Posted by Becky

A few years ago I got rid of my big light table/drafting desk because I just wasn't using it enough to justify the space in my sewing room. I recently started making the applique blocks for the Civil War Bride quilt and couldn't imagine doing all that on a window. thecivilwarbridequilt.blogspot.com

My answer is the redneck light table. I bought a piece of 18" x 24" plexiglass at Lowe's for $10. They have it in various sizes and will even cut it for you. This size was perfect for my blocks that are 13" x 16".

Items needed:
Plexiglass
2 folding tables (You could use something else)
Household lamp (I tried several and found this little lamp on a box gave me the perfect light

The table height was very comfortable as I sat here and glued my applique pieces to my background fabric and used the table tops to hold all the stuff I needed. (I cleaned it off for this picture, and the lamp is turned off).



This is Block 2 of the Civil War Bride quilt.

Everything is glue basted and ready for stitching.

 

 

 

I'm using the starch and glue method to make these 20 blocks and finding the process very enjoyable. I'll be happy to do a little workshop in the Fall for anyone that wants to give it a try. Just let me know and we'll set an applique date.

 

Now that I've got this block ready to stitch I think I'll go back to my machine and work on my Veteran's Mystery Quilt.

 

 Happy sewing to each of you!