tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3237207686517483510.post2343201519562749385..comments2024-03-01T00:37:09.835-06:00Comments on Modern Quilt Relish: September in the Airjill/marnyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00719481768704703018noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3237207686517483510.post-54826341691943608552010-09-13T21:58:37.924-05:002010-09-13T21:58:37.924-05:00Right now, I have to sew on my dining room table. ...Right now, I have to sew on my dining room table. I don't have an ironing board downstairs, but I really prefer an iron-pressed seam over a finger-pressed seam so I put a large ironing pad on a chair next to my sewing chair, and will just lean over and press the seams as I go. No getting up, no going upstairs. :) Also, when I need to press the entire block, or a small piece of fabric, I can just put the ironing pad on the table and go to town. :)Melissahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03791242249964743766noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3237207686517483510.post-16679262151150420232010-09-08T22:08:55.102-05:002010-09-08T22:08:55.102-05:00In complete contrast to my desk at work (very chao...In complete contrast to my desk at work (very chaotic), I like to keep my pieces very organized for sewing. I have a good sized table that I use to lay out and count the piles that are to be sewn together. It's easy for me to forget what's going on, so I try to orient everything the same way. I make a note if it's complicated and I'm going to be interrupted for a couple weeks (which happens more than I like). All this keeps me from making mistakes ... unlike our friend imatopper, I absolutely hate to rip seams out.sarahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09716776372680428236noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3237207686517483510.post-57497037740897213242010-09-08T13:06:55.369-05:002010-09-08T13:06:55.369-05:00Ooh, I'd love one of your patterns! One tip I...Ooh, I'd love one of your patterns! One tip I rely on to keep the order of blocks straight: I use a role of artist's tape (like masking tape but not as gooey-sticky). I write the numbers of the blocks in sequence around the roll, rip off pieces and stick them on the blocks, repeating until all are numbered. I avoid ironing over the tape if I remember, but with the artist's tape, I haven't had any problem of left-over goo. Once a row is sewn together, I can take off all but one of the markers.Penny Goldhttp://penny-studionotes.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3237207686517483510.post-44583806617398370702010-09-08T08:46:53.518-05:002010-09-08T08:46:53.518-05:00I can't get along without my big board or my d...I can't get along without my big board or my design wall but my iron is the most important tool, besides my sewing machine, I have. I want lots of steam.April W.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3237207686517483510.post-90263296147701795882010-09-08T02:21:30.331-05:002010-09-08T02:21:30.331-05:00I'd just love to get my design room and substi...I'd just love to get my design room and substitute space back - oh and plus some peace and quiet to escape and sew - but that doesn't look like it going to happen any time soon unfortunately - so how am I meant to keep sane!!!!!?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05386852386404591819noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3237207686517483510.post-64078480647064518412010-09-07T21:05:47.362-05:002010-09-07T21:05:47.362-05:00Tip - Move your table with sewing machine to the m...Tip - Move your table with sewing machine to the middle of your room and put your chair by the wall. Much better lighting and you don't cast shadows on your work. <br /><br />Tool - Seam ripper. They get dull so buy a new one every year or so. This is the one thing I am good at - unsewing.imatoppernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3237207686517483510.post-4254831906020799512010-09-07T20:27:41.750-05:002010-09-07T20:27:41.750-05:00I recently evicted my son's pile of toys from ...I recently evicted my son's pile of toys from half of the basement space - the half with daylight flourescent lighting! This gave me room to set up my newly acquired quilting frame to its full 10' size. That of course set the ball rolling, so I made a huge pressing surface out of an old door (scavanged) and put it on hinges on the wall. When it's down it rests on darling son's air hockey table, and up - the reverse has styrofoam covered in fabric - sort of a design wall if you will. Now I'm just waiting for my new 11" Janome Horizon to come home with me (this week!!) and I'll be in a happy place. In the meantime, my workhorse Janome sits on my diningroom table ready to work at a moment's notice. I usually set a timer for 1 hour. At that time I have to stop and go stretch and do SOME housework before starting another hour. Some days I love my timer, some days not so much.Teresahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00016063593464426488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3237207686517483510.post-89332231801283590342010-09-07T16:37:01.999-05:002010-09-07T16:37:01.999-05:00I don't have space for a design wall so I am l...I don't have space for a design wall so I am limited to my "design floor". That makes it interesting with two cats. <br /><br />As for my tip, I like to prewash my fabric before I start a new project. That makes the fabric smell good and gives me time to think about the new project while I am doing the pressing.<br /><br />One more tip while I'm on the subject: I clean out the bobbin area after every two bobbins. I only use prewound bobbins too. Life is too short to wind your own bobbins.Amy Mesenbrinknoreply@blogger.com