Topic: Sewing Help and Questions

[Wrennie]

I think those will work great together! (I have some of the same as the next to bottom one! )

[MassMama]

Now to figure out what color will go here or there.. should all the blocks be the same or should I switch the colors around in each one?

[Tina]

Being as you have all of the material in one place and there are multiple, repeat shapes, you could cut enough for a couple of blocks and lay them out to decide what appeals to you.

[MassMama]

OK thanks I will do the same one several times and then see if it is what I want.. I know some colors are only a couple squares soo I was wondering if I switched it I could save on yardige SP only if it wouldn't compremise the quilt 

[Triss]

Those colors are awesome Rita... do you have a thought on what is going to go where yet?

[christy]

i love those fabrics rita!!!    i was playin in paint with em      gives ya kinda ideas without havin to cut your fabric up.

alls ya need is a pick of your fabric, cut out the shapes  n draw the block in paint.  just  copy n past the shapes were ya want em.

[MassMama]

  Christy THANKS!! What a great Idea.. I am going to try and figure out how to use the paint program!!   

  Was trying to figure it out and Wellll its going to take some time 

[Triss]

Very cool Christy.  I love how the bottom left one looks.  The star points in gold are so pretty.

[MassMama]

I like that one too... 
I just cut out all the pieces for my 5th denim quilt... Will this ever end 

[christy]

rita you could just save the cut out pics i did of you fabrics n either right click n open it with paint , or go to paint n edit it in, just click on edit , n pick "past from" n it lets ya choose what to put in it.
how many denim quilts are ya doin?

[MassMama]

I just finished #5 .. I still have I think only 4 left to do.. I finally figured out how to use my serger and I am using that to finish the edges .. Works out alot faster .. I can make one a day  well when I am not feeling lazy!! 

[christy]

cool rits those mechines are alot faster than hands lol  wow your gettin em done fast!!
i did more pics with your fabrics,  are ya gonna do the blocks all the same or diffrent? if ya do em diffrent you could take one of the colors out the blocks, n add a block border around em, or buy another fabric to put around em,  or just put em all together without a border between em.

[MassMama]

  they all look good .. I think that is why I was thinking of changing em up a bit and doing one of each block. the possibilities are endless  and I am very indecisive
The denim ones are fast.. I have had a LOT of practice though  Kills my rotary blade like mad though.

[christy]

good thing you have plenty of time to figure it out,   when you get the idea of what to do you'll know,
its like havin all these ideas commin at ya till one hits ya lol.

[MassMama]

Yeah I have a graph of the blocks that if I get an idea I just scratch out a drawing most of them are too hard for me.
I kinda goofed on Making the pattern.. The angles did not line up as well as I hoped .. Next time I will piece it together alot better so I don't have the same goofs 

[christy]

heres some helpful how tos n patterns links, x x x x x x x x x x x

Quilting Lessons

free quilt Patterns

[Penny]

Hey, these are great links......thanks so much Christy!!!
I have saved these ones!

[MassMama]

Great sites Christy.

I am having a problem with the actual quilting part I don't get it.

OK you do the top then you layer it .. I get all that . Then you baste it together with the heavy material I use it still shifts around. Should I use the spray or something different? The pins are Not working and it would be to tough to do it by hand 

[Wrennie]

You can use a quilting hoop. looks like a big wooden embroidery hoop. Start in the center & work your way out.

[christy]

i wanna get one of thoses hoop n give it a try!!
safty pins [the kind ya use for cloth baby dipars] works better then the needle lookin pins, keeps it latched in so meterial dont shift around,  i use the needle lookin pins cause their easier n faster to take out as im sewin.
i herd the spray works great but remember to spray lighty, or it makes your meterial rougher n hard to sew through, leat that what i read bout it, cant do no more n try:}

[MassMama]

I tried the big ones(safty pins)  and the hoop would not fit either I tried so I think I will have to use a spray,,  Thought the denim would of been heavy enough to sit flat but the seams are what is making it tough

[christy]

never know rita ya might find ya like the spray,  let us know how it works for ya, you could spray a few scraps first just to got a feel for it, like whats to much spray n whats not enough spray

if any one wants to try makin a bootie slipper heres the link  these are so easy to do!
http://www.tomfarrell.org/textiles/articles/slippers/

[MassMama]

I think I will try it I just have to find time to go and get some  this is such a busy time of year for me!!

[MassMama]

There are a couple things that will cause thread break.. Here are a few things you can do and check..
Oil the machine. should be done every few weeks if you sew alot.
Change the needle
Change the thread and the bobbin thread
Losen the tention.
Wrong needle or wrong fabric being used with the wrong settings .. I am going to copy and paste this in the sewing help area in hobbies as well.

[Patty S]

There are a couple things that will cause thread break..

Also, remember that thread (like any other fabric) deteriorates with age, so don't be fooled into thinking that you're getting a bargain when you buy thread at yard sales & thrift shops! (Somebody is getting rid of them for a reason!)

I learned this the hard way & almost gave up sewing!