Top 5 Tips Every Quilter Must Know
Image credits: Art Gallery Fabrics via Youtube
As a quilter, I’m sure every one of us experiences so many different things when we first start – like having the wrong tools, not giving priority to our seams, or not pressing our fabric well. So if you’re just new to quilting, these tips from Art Gallery Fabrics on Youtube will surely help you a lot in your early days. Watch it below to learn these.
#1 Get your seam allowance in check
In quilting, the seam allowance is super important in order for your seam to match up without frustration. The standard seam allowance is 1/4″ or rather a scant 1/4″. You can use a 1/4″ presser foot which most often times comes along with your sewing machine.
#2 Be patient and press
Pressing your fabric does matter. Taking the time to press your fabric before you cut into them will aid you in achieving accurately cut pieces. Pressing all your seams as you go as well is quite important to achieving a finished quilt top. To press your seams, you have two options. Pressing seams open or to one side.
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#3 Give your blocks a trim
First, always have a sharp rotary blade to attach to your rotary cutter. Don’t rack your blade back and forth to cut your fabric. Use a rotating cutting mat when trimming blocks. This allows you to trim two sides, then you can rotate your cutting mat so the fabric is facing you correctly, then you can safely trim the other side. To trim your half-square triangles, line the diagonal line on the ruler with the diagonal seam. Hold your ruler firmly and trim two sides. Rotate your mat and trim the other two sides.
#4 Chain piecing will change your life
Chain piecing is when you sew your pieces together with one continuous length of thread without stopping in between pieces. Pin together as many pieces that need to be sewn together, bring all your pin pieces to your sewing machine, and begin to sew. Chain piecing is a great method to use to save time because you don’t need to constantly stop and start your machine. It also saves you a lot of thread.
#5 Have the correct tools
Having the right tools for the job will save you a major headache. Fabric marking pens are a game changer. Frixion pens draw nicely under the fabric when you need to mark your sewing lines, quilting lines, or mark specifically on your project. Small sharp scissors are perfect for clipping your thread as you sew.
