Merry Christmas to you! I am having a giveaway as part of the sew-mama-sew giveaway day! My giveaway is for one of my ruby red pincushions. It measures 4" across and has one of my handmade, hand dyed doilies on top and finished with vintage buttons. This would be a great present for yourself or for your favorite quilter.
Just post a comment to this posting and tell me one of your favorite sewing/quilting tips. I am always looking for fun clever ideas. My favorite tip is to "measure twice and cut once!" Not too creative but I have learned from experience. Yikes!
Winner will be based on response so get those creative ideas going. Winner will be announced December 6th. International bloggers are welcome. Make sure you check back to see if you are the winner.
Hope your holidays are Wonderful!
Angie
79 comments:
This is such a pretty pincushion. I'm new to sewing, so I don't even have a pincushion yet. I don't know if I'm in any position to give tips yet--perhaps just write down pattern/crafty ideas when they strike so you don't lose the inspiration.
Hi there! One of my favorite tips was learning how to ruffle--so many things can be easily updated with some ruffles on them!
Ooh, am I first?! I would absolutely love to win that pincushion.
My tip would be when cutting with a rotary cutter, keep your fingers behind where you are cutting. NOT in front! I found this out the hard way!
Luckily enough I didn't drip any blood on the fabric ;)
Use a piece of blue painters tape on your sewing machine,to mark your seam allowance. This is much easier to follow than the little marks already on your machine. Also gives you a long line to follow. I use this tip often with new sewers, it makes a big difference in them being able to sew a straight seam.
My favorite sewing tip is to avoid the sewing machine altogether! LOL! We don't get along very well.
First!
My favorite sewing tip is to keep a magnet handy. Toss the pins that don't attach.
For me, I have to really THINK the project through so I don't mess up. So my advice is : go slow and think it through.
Love the pin cushion-
Such a cute pincushion! If you are a garment sewer, then pre-wash EVERYTHING containing any amount of cotton. I have a pair of PJ pants that I made for my husband but now fit me after the first washing to prove it!
Cute pincushion. Well besides the tip you mentioned I always have to read direction more than twice I usaully miss something.I do keep a magnet in my sewing desk as I always drop needles on the floor it make it easier to move a magnet over carpet than get on hands and knees.
My best sewing tips are as follows:
1. Don't break out your favorite fabric right after serving the toddlers peanut butter, spaghetti, or syrup. Unless you were planning on prewashing. Again.
2. Never stick your fingers near the sewing machine needle when the baby learning to walk might fall. On the foot pedal.
3. Embrace the little imperfections- someday the babies will be gone and the crooked seam where my little boys dart gun fired crooked and hit me in the face will be a happy memory.
I'd love to win a pincushion. I made them for all my friends for Christmas last year, but somehow mine never got finished...
how pretty. I would love to win
sorry, can't give u advice regarding tips. i'm just learning quilting, so i'm mostly following same tip as you said, measuring twice:))
Ok I saw this great idea for basting your quilt. It uses boards. http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=SharonSchamberNet#p/u/48/bhwNylePFAA
I have not used it yet, but it sounds fabulous!
I would love to win the pincushion with someone else's hard work and idea. Thanks for the opportunity!
Lovely pin cushion, my mom would try to "borrow" that the second she saw it. Hm..maybe I'd feel nice and let her have it as a stocking stuffer if I win. The colors are certainly right for the season. Love that you've added a hand dyed doily on top. Hm...fave tip is a simple one. Always iron fabric before starting....yep sometimes I feel lazy...but always regret it.
I'm not much of a quilter - I quilt for Lutheran World Relief - but my tip would be to get a rotary cutter and board...
I like to use paper from doctor's exam tables to make patterns on, or trace with, so I don't have to cut the original. Not too unique, but still.
I, too, love the "measure twice, cut once"... If I had a dollar for every time this SHOULD have been applied and wasnt... I'd be rich! I love the pin cushion... my Nana used to make doilies and my great aunt left us with tons of vintage buttons... such a great idea to use them like this!
My favorite is: wash and iron before you cut or sew. Not too original...but one I have skipped before and regretted later. :)
Wow I am the first to comment! FUN!
My favorite quilting tool is the Angler. Designed by Pam Bono! It makes sewing half square triangles a breeze!!
Lovely pin cushion!!
h_freund@hotmail.com
Happy holidays!
What a beautiful pincushion - thanks for the chance to win! As for tips, the one you mentioned is a fave of mine too LOL! My mom also always taught me to wrap my thread around my buttons a few times in the middle of sewing them on. It helps give them a little more space from the fabric and creates a stronger hold.
of course i would love this all for myself!---i love it! cute stuff.
The best tip I've learned (from experience!) Is if you're doing something that seems simple in your head....draw it out and make sure the measurements make sense on paper, not just in your head!
I'm first ... and I think that is a beautiful pin cushion.
My favorite tip - keep a tape measure and small writing pad in your purse - for when you are shopping - just in case you come across fabric...
nhsarab at yahoo dot com
My favorite tip is to only use real wool felt when I make softies or use it in crafts. It makes a huge difference over the crap felt at walmart or joanne's. I learned this the hard way when I made potholders appliqued with crap felt and the second they touched the hot oven the polyester felt melted! I guess that's obvious, but it hadn't occurred to me.
Beautiful pincushion! So much prettier than my boring magnetic one :) I've learned to always keep a sharp needle on my machine, so I change it after most big projects. Thank you for the giveaway.
alusco(at)centurytel(dot)net
Let me be the first!!! I would suggest to not bee too critical of your work and just enjoy the process!
The most useful quilting tip I've heard is: Starch! A little spray starch goes a long way towards crisp lines and straight seams.
Angie, Love your pin cushions! One of my favorite tips is the leader/ender scrap of fabric to save from those horrid tangles.
BTW is this your entry for the Sew, Mama, Sew giveaway? There's no mention of it on your blog.
my best sewing tip is to not sew your fingers to your project. You may laugh but I have learned this from personal experience
I love to win the pincushion, red is my favorite color!!
Here is my giveaway
http://busybeefree.blogspot.com/
I am not much of a quilter but I say use a lot of pins to make sure nothing will move. Thank you for the opportunity to win. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas. -dez
simply.simon.sisters[at]gmail[dot]com
Your pincushion is gorgeous!
can't wait to check out more of your blog, the best quilting tip I have is to "press your seams" I am always in a hurry and this always does so much to make my quilts/sewing projects look so much better, but I aways want to skip :)
I'm not a quilter yet... But I might be interrested in the comments then ! Hope you'll keep me in...
One tip I was given was to starch the fabric before cutting. I found it much easier to cut then.
Hmmm. My favorite hint is when turning a very narrow tube ( like strings for a baby bonnet etc) use a very fine crochet hook. You can hook lightly into the fabric to pull it through better, and the fibers settle right back into place when you're done !
I like this little pincushion! My tip is...if you don't know if you like the layout of your squares, take a digital pic and look at it on the computer! I always know immediately if I like it or not.
beautiful pincushion! my best sewing/quilting tips are simple - make good friends with your rotary cutter and seam ripper! (i don't know what I ever did before I started using a rotary cutter and cutting board... :) )
thanks for the chance to win!
lora
ps-check out my blog - i am doing a vintage goodie basket giveaway!
am I the first one? I can't believe it! i'm never the first, i have to fight against time clock like superman (i'm in Portugal).
red is one of my favourite colours so of course i would love to win your cute little pincushion.
a girl always needs her pincushions doesn't she?
I know this is basic, but make sure all fabric is washed and pressed before cutting.
a_heart4home(at)yahoo(dot)com
Am I really the only commenter? What a shame, that pin cushion is lovely. My favorite sewing tip is actually more of a method. I buy fabric whether or not I'm going to use it right away. To make sure it's ready to go when I finally find a project for it, I wash it as soon as I get home. That way I can pull it out, iron it, and not lose any momentum!
Hm, I am pretty new at quilting so you probably know my tips but I think the thing that simplifies my life the most is my magnetic pin catcher on the machine. Oddly enough I don't have a regular pincushion though so things tend to get prickly! Maybe I'll win this one...
That is a lovely pincushion! Please enter me in the draw.
I should have a little sign up in the sewing room saying "right sides together".... Always checking that would have meant I don't need to have umpteen stitch rippers everywhere!
My mother drilled it into my head to always smooth out the fabric when pinning s quilt and make sure no puckers before closing the pins. love the pincushion and the pretzels look yummy, might have to make some of them.
ladycolmn@aol.com
What a unique pincushion! :)
Since I have quite a few sewing projects to make for Christmas gifts, maybe my tip to myself should be "hurry up and get started on them!" :)
Oh I can't believe I am the first. That is so cute, I love your store.
My best tip is to take your time. I am terrible at rushing and my seams get crooked and it just can end up a total mess.
That is a pretty little pin cushion. My tip is: french seaming kids costumes will help them last longer. I sew my kids Halloween costumes and then they get to play with them as dress up costumes until they out grow them. :)
what? I am the first comment for such a lovely giveaway? What a pretty pincushion! My tip, fill your pin cushions with lizard litter.... you can buy it at the pet store & it is made with ground walnut shells! Much cheaper than buying filler at the craft stores & it sharpens your pins!
This is so pretty! My favorite tip is to read through ALL the instructions before you start a project!
What a lovely pincushion! I've developed quite a passion for them lately, and yours is really nice.
My favorite sewing tip is to use the 6 ft test when putting fabrics together for a project. That's a good way to see what fabrics are screaming above the rest, and how colors are reading together.
Have a great holiday!
Haha! What about make sure your fabrics are facing the correct way. heehee. yep, my experience too. =P
my favorite sewing tip is to keep a post-it note with the dimensions of your pieces (I guess best for patchwork squares) on the wall near your sewing table- this way, you don't have to hunt around for the pattern, fail to find it, and assume you need 5.5" squares.... and later find out you actually need 6.5" squares. While using a discontinued fabric. lol
hi
what a pretty pincushion!
i was always taught to sew with my iron - think about it!!
gill x
Lovely! Thanks for the opportunity. Make what you like so you enjoy your sewing.
such a pretty pin cushion. i am fairly new to sewing, so i don't think i even know any tips yet, but i am learning that the iron is my friend and that i really want one of those rotary cutters!
shannon.mangerchine(at)gmail(dot)com
I put my whole forearm down on my ruler when I'm rotary cutting to keep it from moving. Just my hand isn't enough usually. Also, when quilting, iron during the process. It makes everything fit together better and makes sewing blocks together easier, lay flatter. I love the pincushion. I only have one, and it's trashed. I keep thinking I'll make a new one, but I never do.
so pretty! My favorite tip is from my mom. Oil your machine!! :) (my second favorite tip is to keep it covered between projects...but I'm not sure where I heard it)
Love the pincushion. My tip is startch has become my best friend.
My tip is to use a hemming foot when doing a big circle hem. Saves a lot of time.
Thank you for this wonderful giveaway. Thank you for the opportunity to win.
I am a homeschooling mom of 16 years. I have five children from ages 21 months to 21 years.
I am also having a giveaway; so be sure and stop by my blogs. I have two, one for sewing and one for art. www.sewingwithtrudy.blogspot.com and www.artisticcreationswithtrudy.blogspot.com
My 9 year old daughter is also having a giveaway on her sewing blog. Hers is www.sewingsister.blogspot.com
Trudy
trudy dot callan at gmail dot com
I can never remember tips when I'm asked for them...sigh. I was taught when rotary cutting to leave your pinky off the ruler when pressing down to keep it from shifting when cutting. I also just started keeping my fleece selveges to make a cover for my swiffer...instead of buying those sheets, this multilayered cover attracts hair, dirt etc and then just pop it in the wash....read that on a blog this week!
Cute pincushion! My tip is to look for ideas everywhere - by being attentive, you can get the best ideas!
Always read the whole pattern before starting!
My favorite tip is to use a variety of prints sizes and solids
Love the pincushion! my tip is to mark your fabric cutting scissors, tie with ribbon or pad lock them if you have scissor stealers in your home, to protect them from being used for paper.
Love your pincushion!
I guess my best tip is to let your creativity flow. Try to harness yourself to go exactly by the pattern and don't be afraid to mix colors, patterns, and textures.
Hugs,
Gina
gina@gigglekidsboutique.com
www.gigglekidsboutique.com
I am just now getting into sewing havn't even touched quilting yet but, I would so love to. Needless to say I can guarantee you would not want any of my tips not that I have any. Anyway I could really use this pincushion because I have yet to get one and because its just so darn cute!
Thanks
susansisney@hotmail.com
Gorgeous pincushion! My tip would be to just have fun and wing it sometimes! I've never used a pattern when quilting (always make my own) and it has been a great and rewarding experience!
What a pretty pincushion. I like to make a list of all of the things I need to do for something new to break it down into steps (or so I can see how much I have left to do).
I'm a novice sewer, but I can suggest a piece of advice: Check your fabric in natural light! I take it up to the front of the store, just to make sure it doesn't change color under different lights. Thanks!
Wow, lovely...a nice gift, for sure! Thanks.
My favorite tip is keeping a tabletop iron surface close by so I don't have to keep getting up to do to the ironing board. Thanks for the chance to win! lynnosborne[at]verizon[dot]net
Iron iron iron. I never make anything without ironing my pieces before during and after :) I am a bit obsessive it think LOL. I fond ironing fabic soothing. Love the pincushion.
Cute pincushion. My favourite tip is never sew when you are tired ... you make too many mistakes. Thanks for the chance to win. curry(dot)jessica(at)gmail(dot)com
So here is my quilting tips-
Make sure you close your rotary cutter each time you put it down- it is very sharp.
Read all the instructions before making a quilt. If you are thinking it might now work out- make one test block to check for pattern accuracy.
Don't forget to have fun- think outside the box. Quilting is not a job it should be fun- mistakes are opportunities/puzzles to solve.
What a pretty pin cushion- you do lovely work.
Warmest regards,
Anna
Gorgeous pincushin. My tip is to wash your quilt fabrics BEFORE actually piecing and quilting the quilt. Otherwise, some of the fabrics might shrink or bleed in the wash. I've had that happen; the quilt ended up being that horrible red-sock-in-white-load-of-laundry pink color, and all skewed.
Thanks for doing the giveaway!
embyrfire [at] hotmail [dot] com
So pretty. I used regular soap to sharpen dull pins. You just stick them in the bar and it makes them sharp again. :)
http://thelifeofthegirlnextdoor.blogspot.com/
That's sew pretty! I love your tip because it's what I'm all the time telling my husband when he is doing handy work around here, but he never listens. My tip is use skinny iron on webbing to hold ribbon in place before sewing it down-doesn't shift like that!
~Jenny~
Georgeous pin cushion!
Oh, this is sew elegant!
Thank you for the chance to win such an awesome giveaway! You have a generous heart and giving spirit!
Merry Christmas!
mayhem5@softhome.net
http://thequiltingdee.blogspot.com/
I LOVE THE RED, MY SIGNATURE COLOR, HOPE I WIN.
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