Getting Started Series: To Stash or Not To Stash

I follow several quilting-related Facebook pages and I see a lot of posts about buying fabric "for my stash."

So, should you stash?  If you have the room, the money and the desire--YES!  Else, No.

I have a couple "serious" quilter friends who have ROOMS filled with fabric.  They know what they have (mostly), where it is (generally) AND they actually use their fabric stash (some.)  I'm impressed.  (I'm not naming any names, but you know who you are...)

Impressive Organization

I am at that stage in life where I understand that when I graduate to heaven my son is going to back a dumpster up to the house and pitch everything in.  I am trying VERY hard to NOT buy fabric if I don't have an immediate use for it...no matter how adorable or beautiful it might be.

My current stash consists of two hanging shoe organizers and I'm trying very hard to sew it up.

In the interest of full disclosure; this is only half.

 

There are some helpful blogs out on the internet if you are serious about building a stash.  Click HERE for one I liked.  As I read some of these blogs it occurred to me that I've never actually met anyone who built a stash by "formula."  It is usually by accident; "Oh Look!  I love it!  I must have it!"

The question of whether to Stash or Not To Stash is purely subjective.

Getting Started Series: All About Fabric

I LOVE fabric.  I know I'm not alone.  When my children were young I'd ask them "do you want to go to heaven?"
Then, off we'd go to the fabric shop.

There are so many talented people designing and producing so many beautiful fabrics;  it is impossible to name them all.  A few of my personal favorites:  Moda, Kaffee Fassett, Tula Pink, Grunge, Amy Butler, Robert Kaufman.  The list is a long one.

I will say from the outset, for me this is the hardest part of making a quilt, choosing my fabric.  Just a couple days ago I spent over $100 on fabric for a baby quilt....got it home, then changed my mind!  I decided on an entirely different pattern, which means different fabrics. (Not all was lost, the fabrics I bought have been re-assigned to finish other quilts-in-process. And the new pattern will be completed with fat quarters, pieces and scraps I already have.)

Sorry to say, I cannot help you choose just the right fabric for your project.  But, here are a couple of tips for choosing "good" fabric.

*Learn to read the end of the bolt.

What you see:  The manufacturer, the designer (usually), fabric line name, fabric dimensions, fabric content, care instructions and price.  For quilting we are usually looking for 100% cotton.

The fabric selvage also has helpful information. (The selvage is the tightly woven edge of a fabric. It prevents the side edges of the fabric from raveling or fraying. Don't use the selvage in your project!)

 
The Selvage will show the designer, name of fabric and a color code.  I use to think this color code was used for coordinating fabrics.  As in, choose other fabric colors that match this code.  Actually it shows the order in which the color was added to this fabric.  (Between you and me and the fence post, I do still use it to pick coordinating fabrics.)

One last word on selvages.  Save them; at least until your project is finished.  On more than one occasion I've run short of a particular fabric and had to hunt the internet to find more.  It sure helps if you know the designer, fabric line and color. (Some creative people use them to make all manner of items, search Pinterest.)

*Get to know your local, independent fabric shops.  Spend time browsing and chatting up the sales people.  People who work in these shops are generally sewers of some type and probably LOVE fabric as much as you do.  They usually have lots of  displays and ideas (and classes!).  They will help you audition fabrics for your project.

* Buy quality.  I know some people will swear they buy "off brand" fabrics and never have any trouble with fading or shrinking...and I know other people who were really sorry.  That door swings both ways.  For me, I almost never buy fabric from a big-box store, unless it is for something like Christmas stockings or a project that will not be washed.

...that brings to mind the age-old question:  "To wash, or not to wash..." your fabrics before use.  Some people do and some people don't.  I mostly don't when quilting, but I do when sewing garments. 

To get to know fabrics, designers and local quilt shops, look for an organized shop-hop.  Many areas have annual hops with prizes and give-aways.

This one is in Southern California Click HERE

If  you can't find an organized hop, make your own.  My fellow quilter, The Other Charlotte, and I have done several, all on our own.  One we did last year; we hopped from Spokane, WA down to Orange County, CA.  Click HERE.

I hope I was able to give you some useful ideas about fabric.

Happy sewing to all, and to all a good day!

Getting Started Series: Using a Rotary Cutter

Lately I have had a number of people ask me "how do I get started" making a quilt.  So, I decided to go back to the basics.  Today: How to use a Rotary Cutter.

Not long ago a newbie quilter picked up my rotary cutter and went to town.  She was not holding it properly, she was CUTTING TOWARD HER and even trying to cut on the opposite side of the mat.  I almost fainted!

I read the following on Facebook and thought it was well written and worth re-posting.

"Be safe with knives. Most of us are pretty solid on that fact by the time we're old enough to operate a sewing machine. And yet, when it comes to using a rotary cutter... things can happen. 

Obviously the rotary cutter is a wonder-tool we couldn't live without. So fast! So efficient! So precise! The thing is, it has a really (really!) sharp blade, so you need to be a lot more careful than if you were just snipping away with scissors. These 12 tips will help make sure you get to your sewing with all 10 fingers intact.

1. Remember, that blade is sharp!

Yes, we are repeating ourselves But it's easy to get careless once the crafting excitement sets in. This is a razor blade, people. Always handle it with care. 

2. Match brands

No, you cannot cut this corner. The blade really needs to fit perfectly into your cutter for it to work correctly and safely. Make sure you always buy the same brand and size blade that came with your cutter originally. 

(CRQ Comment: I'm not sure this is so important.  Anyone have a comment on this?)

3. Consider the size

Rotary cutters come in many sizes, and you may want to stock up on a few different ones so you can match them to your project. For example, if you’re cutting something small, using a large cutter is just inviting trouble. The opposite is true as well, where using a small blade on thick layers forces you to over-push, and risk a dangerous slip. 

4. Use a ruler

Not only will this keep your cuts straight, it also gives you a safety barrier between the blade and your hands. But not just any ruler will do — use one that's at least ¼” thick to give the blade something to cut alongside. Otherwise, in a distracted moment your slicer may jump up onto the ruler and run right into your hand. 

(CRQ Comment:  you may also consider a ruler grip such as one of these.)

Gypsy Grip

Ruler Handle

5. Put down a mat

A self-healing mat does more than protect the surface below. It also helps the blade glide along smoothly, reducing the risk of a bump, slip, ouch! 

(CRQ Comment:  The same friend who mis-handled the rotary cutter also used her kitchen bread board the first time she was making a quilt solo because she didn't remember that I had a special cutting mat.  Ha Ha...she gave me quite a laugh!)

6. Cut away from the body

Always, always cut away from your body, never by pulling the tool towards you. Makes sense, right? A rotating mat can help here. 

(CRQ Comment:  You may want to consider gloves. Personally, I do not use them but every time I pick up the cutter I am uber aware of where my left hand is and I PAY ATTENTION to what I am doing!)

7. Stand up while cutting

We'd love to say it's fine to cut from a comfy seated position, but it's much safer to stand. That way you can put your body weight into the cut for a firm, secure slice. Plus, you have a better view of your work if you're standing over it, meaning you always know exactly where that blade is. 

(CRQ Comment:  I do sit down sometimes when I'm using the cutter, but it is not as comfortable and the blade can sometimes slip.  You want to be very careful.  Also, you might consider using bed risers to raise your cutting surface if you are experiencing back pain while cutting for extended lengths of time.)

8. Close the safety

Just make it a habit: Always close the safety cover right away. As you pull the cutter up from the fabric, shut the plastic cover right then and there. That way if you accidentally drop it, it won't cut your fabric, bare feet, or something worse! 

9. Keep it sharp

You've probably heard this one before: a dull blade is way more dangerous than a sharp one. If your cutter is dull, you have to apply even more pressure, which only increases the risk of slip-ups. Avoid this issue altogether by replacing your blades often. 

(CRQ Comment:  Don't skimp on blades.  Do not buy discount blades and replace them often.  I've heard you should replace your blades after changing your sewing machine bobbin 4 times. This is also a good time to change your sewing machine needle.)

10. Change the blade carefully

So we just told you to change the blades. And when you do, do it with plenty of caution. This means taking a peek at your cutter's manual if you're not completely sure on the process.

How to replace the rotary cutter blade:  Click Here

11. Discard blades safely

Stop right there — don't just throw that blade in the trash! Carefully cover up its edges with thick tape to make sure it does no harm further down the road. 

(CRQ Comment:    I use a Sharps container to dispose of all used blades, needles and bent pins.  Basically anything that is sharp.)

12. Store safely

Once crafting time is over, put that puppy somewhere far away from kids, or anyone who might not immediately recognize it for what it is."

I'm also listing a few YouTube videos showing how to use a Rotary Cutter.
 
Missouri Star Quilt Company video
Fons & Porter Quilty video
Vanessa at Crafty Gemini

The Year of the Pig...The Year of the Scrap Quilt

And so a new year begins.  As I've done in the past, some quilty friends and I met at Piecemakers Country Store on New Years Day for their annual 40% off sale...and lunch.  We laughed, we shopped, we ate. Getting all ready for a year of quilting.

Each of us purchased fabric for our next project:  Nancy, fabric for a bed runner using batiks; Kate, fabric to make her granddaughter a quilt; myself, 10 yards of what I call a "calming fabric." A fabric I will use with my scrap quilts to "calm" them down.

Chloe 9185-W Script by Maywood Studio

I had already decided that 2019 will be the year of the "scrap quilt."  I am sewing up all my scraps.  Every left over strip, every square, every crumb I've been throwing into bins.  My goal is to have very few scraps or even a stash at the end of 2019.

I have been saving pictures of other scrap quilts posted on Facebook for inspiration. 

Christmas 2019 I'll be sending lap quilts to all my siblings.  What they will all have in common is this fabric.

On the wall a String Quilt for my brother.
This will be my first finish for 2019 (I won't
tell you when I started these string blocks.)

Charlotte S, Kate and Nancy collaborating.
In the foreground a pile of strips saved from
other projects--MANY other projects.

And, now, how 'bout you?  What are your 2019 quilty goals?