Thursday Tip

I think its fun to find new products or methods to create our art. Its even more exciting when one of those products is from a local company. Lapel Stick was developed by a golfer to keep his collar points from curling but when you see what else this temporary adhesive can do, you will definitely want one for your quilt studio. It doesn't change the hand of the fabric and works perfectly for applique or sticking designs in place for positioning. I think it'll be an important part of my stitching repertoire!
Check them out at: http://www.lapelstick.com/home

Thursday Tip

I've spent a lot of time working on my machine in the last few months, piecing and quilting, quilting and piecing. That adds up to a machine that needs cleaning and maintenance too!
While strolling the web and visiting Cindy Needham's website I found her handy tips on making certain that your machine is threaded properly and checking some issues that might be giving you problems.
Check this out: http://www.cindyneedham.com/text/The%20Fabulous%20Four.pdf

Thursday Tip

I read about this tip recently and when I tried it out and discovered how well it really worked, I just had to pass it along to everyone.
I use a lot of fusible web for pattern design and my own creative work. I also have a very good Rowenta iron........sometime the two do not play well together. So run to your cleaning cupboard or local shop and buy a package of Magic Erasers:

Then watch this YouTube video from Sharon Schamber, where she shows just how to clean your iron with the eraser. I like to have a folded towel under the eraser to soak up any water.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeY9nydiILM

Have fun enjoying your very clean iron!

Thursday Tip

I wanted a star design for a quilting stencil and didnt want to make a plastic stencil. So using an idea from my friend Daphne  http://www.daphnegreig.blogspot.com/  I traced my design onto a piece of freezer paper and then ironed another three pieces underneath to fuse them together. I used my art knife to cut out the star design.

The freezer paper template is heavy enough with the extra layers to stand up to a lot of use and it was inexpensive and quick to make! Gotta love the "quick and cheap"!