Michele Foster at the Quilting Gallery is hosting Beat the Winter Blues Blog Hop Party with Giveaways. There are a lot of blogs participating and hosting giveaways so be sure to visit Quilting Gallery and join in the fun!
My giveaway is open internationally so everyone has a chance to win!
Today I’m giving away 6 fat quarters of Timber & Leaf fabric by Sara Watts for Hawthorne Threads. This is some seriously cute fabric!
All you need to do is leave a comment on my blog and share any kind of sewing or quilting tip and follow the promo simple widget below. The giveaway will close March 14th and the winner will be chosen by random.org.
Don’t forget to stop & check out my March monthly giveaway this month as well!
Good luck!
My tip is pretty simple, but taking your time and not rushing through when your seam measurements need to be exact is a key element to successful piecing.
I am a Facebook liker
ktreve (at) hotmail (dot) com
I was just told of an interesting tip to undo seams.
Instead of using a seam ripper, try using electric moustache clippers. Touch them lightly to the seam (not pushing or forcing). The trimmers will make quick work of those seams.
ktreve (at) hotmail (dot) com
A tip… hmmm… draw aline marking where to sew when sewing HST.
After having mis-cut my fabric pieces too many times, I finally learned to place my ruler so that the logo on it is face up & in a horizontal position. Thanks for the giveaway.
I find it helpful to read through the entire pattern or tutorial before getting started to give me sense for what I can expect.
For a tip I would say. . don’t fear the seam ripper.
It’s how we learn and all!
Shanna @ Fiber of All Sorts recently posted…February Winners ~ A Lovely Year of Finishes
hmmm… I can’t think of a tip… But I love to sew and quilt. I thank you for this great giveaway. My fingers are crossed!
I’m a brand new quilter, but I really like when people add some hand-stitching or the like–it really adds a very personal touch to the quilt!
Fenna recently posted…Invaded by Fierious Knights!
My tip is to measure twice and cut once.
Simple tip here, make sure you always press the seams. I have learned this makes such a nice quilt top.
Simple tip….I’m always loosing my seam ripper…take the cap of a pen, tape it to the front of your sewing machine and your seam ripper can be stored in it
I try to go through the whole process of cutting and sewing the pieces mentally before I actually start sewing. It helps me a lot trying to visualize how I’m going to do it before actually doing it. Hope this doesn’t sound weird
but I once read an interview with a famous pianist and she said that she used to practice while doing her home chores – she played the entire piece on her head before actually playing it on the piano. On a different level it works for me too. Thanks for the chance!
ap_lemos at yahoo dot com
My best sewing tip is simply to not sew when you’re very tired or in a hurry. It sounds simple, but it has taken me many years (and many mistakes) to really believe it! Thanks!
Well, I haven’t even started sewing my first quilt, so not sure how helpful I can be.
I guess I will say, don’t stress over something new.
You are right – that is seriously cute fabric! Thanks so much for the giveaway!
) It adds joy to the process.
My sewing tip is is to think loving thoughts about the person you are sewing for (including yourself
Minha dica é não ter medo e nem pena de cortar tecidos.Obrigada pela chance.
tiacarminhapezzuto@gmail.com
My best tip is to cut accurately and keep your seam allowance at 1/4 inch.
I do not know if this qualifies – but love to have music on when I am sewing, cutting or quilting…. it helps me to get into a good place and allows me to be very creative…. I know some people like to put audio books on…. I might try that sometime.
The fabric is adorable and would be blessed to have that in my stash! Since I am a new follower I cannot wait to see more of your work!
Don’t cut whenever you are rushed! Take your time,.
Measure twice, cut once.
Taking the time to properly sort my fabric scraps by color (and sometimes style) has made a big difference for me. I spend less time looking and more time creating!
My tip is wind plenty of bobbins before starting a quilt
Janine recently posted…Giveaway Party!
If you buy fabric in anticipation of making a quilt with it in the future, make a copy of the fabric requirements for your chosen pattern and write down on it which of your purchased fabrics is for which piece. That way, when you get around to cutting into it, you’ll remember what you had in mind when you bought it. Why do the work twice?
My tip is think lots, measure twice then check again and finally cut the fabric!
I’ve been teaching some friends and their daughters how to quilt. The one thing I’ve tried the most to teach them is to be creative, I’ve been teaching them the “rules” I know, but tell them it is their quilt and they can do with it whatever they want to make it their own quilt.
Missy recently posted…Feline Friday and I built a barn!
I adore that new line, thanks for hosting the giveaway!
My tip is to retest your 1/4″ seam allowance with every project. The thread you use, the particular fabric, and how you iron the seams can all affect your seam allowance.
I always sew with a magnet next to me to find lost pins etc, a lost pin can be painful if it end sup in your foot.
I’m not the best in giving tips as most of the things I know I learned by myself and I’m not even sure if I make them correctly
My tip is if you get frustrated and fed-up with a project put it aside for a while and come back to it later!
My tip is probably lame, but it’s one that I’m still trying to remember at my age (gulp) and years of quilting. If you have to leave your project/WIP for awhile, write down explicit notes to yourself as to where you left off, any changes made, etc. I need to get a WIP notebook… and then leave a note to myself as to where the notebook is. LOL
Siobhan recently posted…Works In Progress
Take your time when sewing, don’t rush it. I don’t care if I take hours for something sometimes, because I get rewarded for it turning out more accurate and neat. I can’t sew under time pressure. You just make too many mistakes and get impatient with yourself and then what’s the fun in that?
Use the seam ripper, don’t say it will be fine, when it will only take a few extra minutes to rip it out and redo it so its right. Your quilt will be much better off in the end.
Jessica recently posted…Lincoln’s Puff Quilt
Measure carefully and DON’T cut fabric when you’re tired.
My tip would be buy the right equipment which starts with a quarter inch foot for your machine, a very large cutting mat and large rulers and rotary cutter. Then, measure twice and cut once
.
Cindy Smith recently posted…Weekend Update
I have to agree with a few of the other people don’t cut when you are tired and measure twice.
Buy quality fabric and thread – it really does make a difference!
My favorite tip is press, press, press. It makes it so much easier if you press as you go. The final project turns out so professional looking.
my tip – don’t think you can’t do hand quilting or hand piecing until you give it more than one try – a lot of people think it is too hard and don’t give it chance – when they finally do try some realize it is something they can do
Take your time and start off small. Don’t do a queen size quilt as your first quilt EVER like I did. Save yourself some frustration. lol Oh and have backup needles!Thanks for the chance to win I love the blue wood rings!
#1 rule – relax and have fun! and a design wall is a must
When English paper piecing, baste your shapes with Sewline glue stick rather than thread. Its quicker and the shapes pop out easily afterwards.
hmmm I don’t know measure twice and cut once
Mrs.Pickles recently posted…Where did time go!
Happy to have found you and to be a new follower! Thanks for the give away!
I always check my ruler measurements twice! As I don’t know how many times I’ve thought it was right just to find out I’m an inch out… Thanks for a chance to win!
I have learned that the iron is my best friend – helps you get the results you are most pleased with.
My tip is to cut strait lines so things line up.
Richard Healey recently posted…Another late Christmas Finish
I really like easy methods to make HST. There’s a Wondercut Ruler which is quite handy for making HST from strips, and I like the Missouri Quilt Star Co.’s method of sewing two squares onto each other and then cutting them diagonally to get HST.
Thanks for the chance!
Always check your seam allowance by measuring from the needle on your machine.
Accurate cutting is key. Love the fabrics you’ve chosen for your giveaway.
Use starch to improve accuracy in piecing.
do not attempt to do any kind of stitching after 10pm
If you don’t have a 1/4 inch foot on your sewing machine use a small piece of tape at the 1/4 mark to keep your seam allowances consistent
GeoMama recently posted…Work in Progress: LB’s quilt part 3
measure twice….cut once!! thanks for the chance.
Use little fabric bridges when you start to stitch to avoid thread nests. Not sure I get the promo widget thing.
PRESS DON’T IRON AND YOUR PIECES WILL STAY ACCURATE.
Mine is a safety tip: do not ever, ever hold your pins in your lips — you know how we do, pinch the pins between your lips. It is dangerous! I know someone who swallowed one of the long quilting pins — it required surgery to repair the damage.
Always check twice before cutting and make sure you have a sharp blade in your rotary cutter.
Always have a sharp rotary cutter. I also keep several bobbins wound so I don’t have to stop in the middle of a project.
To remove residue from your iron, rub a fabric softener sheet along the plate while it’s warm. Be careful not to burn yourself!! Thanks sew much for this chance to win!
If you are ever stumped, ask a friend, whatever barrier you are facing, someone else has already faced it and probably came up with a good solution, Thank You!
When working with knits, using an even feed foot can help the seam from getting all wonky.
Very pretty fabric, thanks for the giveaway. I agree with so many of the other tips, it’s hard to think of another one! I have a seam gauge that I use lots to mark the point to turn when putting on binding, and for other small measuring and checking.
I place a mug rug next to my machine. Whenever I set anything down, scissors, stiletto, bobbin, whatever, I put it on the mug rug. No more hunting!
Stop when you get frustrated!
It sound funny but my best tip is to buy at least 5 of seam ripper and string cutters and to put them everywhere!!! They have tendency to dissapear when you need them!
Quilting tip…. hmm since I am a new quilter I guess the best tip I have received is you can quilt for 10 minutes a day, you don’t have to have a huge chunk of time. I have certain projects just for this and the time adds up!
My tip would be don’t try to save a few bucks buying cheaply made fabrics! I bought some cheap broadcloth for binding recently and it was awful. High quality fabrics are so worth it!
Measure twice cut once!! And pay attention to where your fingers are so you don’t slice the tip off!!
never cut fabric when you are tired no matter how many times you measure because you may just measure wrong every time.
I but numbers on my flat head pins. It helps me when I pinning rows together.
I read years ago that it is easier to thread a needle when you hold a white swatch behind it. Never needed to try it til a year ago or so and often do it now when on my machine. When hand sewing, I just recently, I started threading from reverse side and really like it.
Heidi recently posted…PARTY TIME! Winter Blues Blog Hop Giveaway
My sewing tip would be… new needle!! Change your needles regularly! A dull needle can make a simple sewing job hard, I would say every 5-8 hours of sewing,(with cotton), and 3-4 with wool, fleece, home decor, or denim fabrics.
Also don’t forget to open your machine under the bobbin assembly and use a brush to clean out all those fibers every few days, it can make a world of difference for the feed dogs
Jesy recently posted…Basic Sewing Kit! What is it that you really need?
Make your iron your best friend and press on. Pressing makes a world of difference.
Thank you for the chance
Carolyn recently posted…“Beat The Winter Blues” GIVEAWAY Blog Hop
Measure twice and cut once…that came from my dad who builds things but it is very appropriate for quilting as well!
Melinda recently posted…I Think I Can, I Think I Can, I Think I…..oops!
I love to use a 1/4 inch right guide quilting foot. Keeps the seams nice and perfect!
Sandra recently posted…It’s snow fun!
When cutting lots of strips, realign your edge every three cuts.
The only tip I can think of is ‘don’t panic’. If you look out of the window you will see that the sky has not cracked, so it won’t fall in. Stop, think, act slowly.
Dina Newton-Edwards recently posted…What a Financial Shock!
Don’t forget to change your machine needle often!
I like to fill 8 or 10 bobbins at a time with neutral colored thread for piecing. After winding the bobbins, I clean all the lint out of my machine. Then I’m ready to sew for a good long while.
I would say measure twice and cut once. Also starch can be your best friend
My Dad always said measure twice cut once. It applies to fabric as well as wood!
Barb@Witsend recently posted…We Interrupt the Regularly Programmed Quilting Time…
In my first quilting class, the teacher said at least 50 times, “Measure twice, cut once.” That would be my advice to anyone picking up a rotary cutter!
I use 505 basting spry to baste my quilts
Read the entire instructions before you start to cut. Be sure you understand what you are cutting and how many. That’s a reminder to me. I should have it printed on my forehead! Thanks.
I use a piece of invisable bandage tape under my ruler to help keep it from slipping while I am cutting fabrics.
My one tip is if you are sewing Flying Geese, use a pineapple ruler to square them up!
Measure twice and cut once – Thanks for sharing and for the opportunity on the draw. bonnielarson58@gmail.com
Enjoy your work and forgive imperfections.
I can’t get the widget to work
My tip would be to let go of perfectionism. If you spend all your time ripping out seams, you only get good at ripping out seams. Instead keep stitching and quilting. Each project will be better and better.
Put a new needle in with each project and vacum all the lint out of your machine. Don’t use canned air. Use a Q-tip if you can’t vacum the lint out.
When pressing blocks label each row by pinning a paper label to the left-most block. . The odd rows go to the right (when upside down), and even rows goto the left.
Nice fabrics!
Tip……start with small projects before taking on a larger one to hopefully avoid being overwhelmed.
My tip is to chain peice whenever you can and to check your seams often to make sure they are accurate. Take your time and just enjoy what you are doing.
Thank you so much for the giveaway.
I saw my tip up above, measure twice, cut once. it saves a lot of fabric. Also, don’t cut when you have a migraine.
Heather recently posted…Needlework Tuesday – Disappearing 4 Patch & Variations
Make sure you sew an accurate 1/4 inch seam then everything else falls into place.
The most important thing to me is to sew with accurate 1/4″ seams….it makes life so much easier!!!!
Mary recently posted…Easter Sewing
Leaders and enders, the best sewing tip I´ve ever learned!!!!
Gun, Sweden
Gun Adrian recently posted…Brun scrapbag / The Brown Scrapbag
Best tip I ever got was to buy a 1/4″ foot for my machine.
Thanks for being part of the fun blog hop. Lovely giveaway. Thanks for the chance to win.
I never knew how essential a walking foot is! It’s changed my life lol!! Thanks for the giveaway
I’m a new quilter, so I welcome all the wonderful tips I see here. thanks
My Tip is to sew when your fresh and focused. As a mum the options are usually to sew while distracted by my toddler or late at night when I am a bit tiered and both things lead to my seam ripper being used more often than it should be.
Great giveaway! My sewing tip is to always, always keep your seam ripper handy!
Connie recently posted…Doodles and more
My tip is to chain piece whenever possible!
My sewing tip is to buy fabric as you need it. If you buy too much you may never use it because your taste may change and in turn you lose money.Thank you for the chance to win this lovely prize and taking part in the hop.
I am in love with this fabric. I have not seen it in person yet. Thanks so much for the give away. For favorite tips, I’d say learn how to do things correctly, then break all the rules! It’s easier when starting to cut squarely and learn how to correctly add boarders and ect. Then you can have much more fun!
Don’t sweat small mistakes. If your pieces are off by a tiny bit, or your seam allowance is only 1/8 of an inch in one spot noone will notice and if they do it will add interest to the quilt.
Janet recently posted…This is how I spend my time
Some great tips already…I have started using starch to give my fabris more body before I cut. A bit of steam on the final completed block then renews the starch and makes it so easy to sew into the quilt.
Mary Ellen’s Best Press!!!! Love that stuff! Use it before cutting and after cutting! Makes the fabric nice and crisp while sewing and washes out really good! Plus it can smell FANTASTIC!!!
I have to say that the best tip we can follow is to ALWAYs press our seams to set them and to press them open . ALWAYS
I’ve also liked you on facebook!
Get into the habit if cleaning lint out of your machine every time you change the bobbin. Your machine will love you for it.
Ich bin noch Anfänger und muß mir erst immer die ganze Anleitung durchlesen
Dann arbeite ich mich Schritt für Schritt voran
Grüße aus Deutschland von
Marion
My tip is to always double check your 1/4″ mark on the machine or if you have a 1/4″ foot which you need to move the needle over, double check that you have moved the needle over before you stitch together 5 or 6 quilt blocks. (Yea, ask me how I know?)
Very pretty fabrics. Thank you for the chance.
Measure twice before cutting the fabrics:) check for your ruler’s accuracy too!
Read all instructions before beginning. Doing this first helps me not be surprised and helps me see the final outcome of my project.
Deb recently posted…After the Storm…
My best advice is to start with small projects then gradually work up to bigger projects. And invest in a nice seam ripper and keep it handy. conn_and_vans_mom(at)yahoo(dot)com
If you are piecing squares, when you are ready to join two rows, press the seams of the first row in one direction, and the seams of the second row in the opposite direction, and the seams will “lock” as you sew them together, and they will match perfectly!
Since I cut the tip–through the bone, even–of my left index finger of with a rotary cutter, my tip is: Use your ruler grippers or the special glove when using your rotary cutters! I have both, wasn’t using either; learned my lesson. :/ Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to read some great tips
My quilting tip is to read the directions BEFORE you make the first cut of fabric. Thanks for the great giveaway!
When in doubt about if things are going to line up, use a long basting stitch first so if it doesnt work out you don’t have as much trouble picking out the stitches. I need to take that advice myself…
Thank you for the giveaway, I really love that line!
Always use a 1/4″ seam and you will be so happy that you did. You have, indeed, very cute fat quarters. You want and need fat quarters, so this is just a pefect giveaway. Thank you for giving us all a chance to win.
Sandi Timmons
sandit1@sbcglobal.net
Sonora, CA
Love those sneaky looking foxes! My tip– Make sure you have plenty of light on your work, especially as the sun goes down!
Lizzie recently posted…Beat the Winter Blues Giveaway!
I’d love to win this beautiful Timber & Leaf fabric. My tip, throw out those bent needles and change the dull blade and seam ripper, so much nicer to be using good equipment.
It took a couple of lopsided quilts but I have finally learned to trim my squares after sewing them together. 3bakergirlsgo@gmail.com
I recommend purchasing your rulers all from the same brand, so that the measurements are same.
My tip is to use painters tape when quilting grid lines as it doesn’t leave a residue on your fabric. Thanks for the opportunity to win your giveaway.
My tip is to use a very hot iron and iron all your seams – it makes everything look so much nicer!
Trust your instinct when it comes to colors. Thanks for participating in the Quilter’s Blog Hop.
I Love Your Fabrics! I Love Fox and Trees too! Thanks for this Great Giveaway!
Tip is to TRY… try new patterns, new colors, new fabrics, new tips, new techniques.. can’t learn unless you give it a try
I would say invest in the binding tool. It just helps so much. Great fabric. I am creating at quilt with some of this line and would love to have more
Jenniffier recently posted…Work in Progress Wednesday + a trip to So Cal
My quilting tip is to use gloves and a slippery mat when doing free motion quilting. You won’t believe the difference it makes! Those fat quarters are absolute gorgeous. Thank you for the chance to win them.
My tip would be to use masking tape to mark your machine for your seam allowances on snow ball blocks and flying geese blocks instead of marking all of your squares
use frixion pens to mark your quilts, just remember not to iron them away
Always have good lighting
I think making a practice block first is always helpful! Especially for us new quilters! thank you!
My hint is to make sure your tools are sharp! Don’t try to make the blade in your rotary cutter go just “one more time”. Change it when it first shows signs of dullness.
fb fan: Nicole Sender
My hint is to always pre-wash your fabric!
My tip is to cut your blocks accurately and sew with 1/4 seams and press. Thanks for the giveaway.
Always ‘press’ your seams. Do not iron them by pushing the fabric around.
ktreve (at) hotmail (dot) com
I’m not experienced enough in quilting to give any tips, other than for me, it’s important to read through the directions all the way through before beginning…and not to rush things.
)
when putting a paper piece section onto another section that is at a complicated angle, Baste it together with a long stitch first and if it is not put together perfectly it will be much easier to rip out the stitches and try again. If you got it right just sew over the same stitches with a smaller stitch.
Very nice giveaway. Thank you for the chance to win.
Love your web site. My quilting tip is to square up your blocks before putting together.
Ginny b
bbigne1@aol.com
What a great giveaway! Beautiful fabrics. I use a quilter’s masking tape for
1/4 inch seams, and that helps me. Thanks for the chance to win!
wigglypup2(at)yahoo(dot)com
Love the fabrics.
Learning how to cut properly will safe you years of wigglies and frustrations.
Lynn Makrin recently posted…An Amish-UFO-Upcycle-Blog-Hop-Party-Give-Away
My tip is swap out machine needles AND hand work needles frequently. I started doing this, and it really makes a difference!!! Plus it always gives Hubby an item to place in my Easter basket, or Christmas stocking (on the years when I have actually behaved!)
Hi, thanks for a wonderful giveaway and a good tip is go to the hardware store and get small clamps to use instead of pins they are just as good as the ones quilt stores sell but cheaper.
Measure twice, cut once! Thanks for the chance!
Anya recently posted…Reminiscing
Beautiful fabrics. My tip is using the Perfect Press spray starch on bias pieces and on my last press of each block the block stays so nice and square.
I am beginner and I have no tips. thank you for this chance. hugs Alessandra
try your best to get the 1/4 inch seam down. It does make the biggest difference over all!
hulseybg at gmail dot com
Lick the needle instead of the thread!! Thanks for the chance to win! I love this fabric!
Frixion pens are a great tool for marking fabric- just iron and it disappears!
Make sure to double check your pieced sizes as you go. Ripping out 200 seams is horrible.
My tip would be to use good quality fabrics when making quilts. The other thing I would recommend is measure twice and cut once for the best results.
Thanks for participating in the blog hop.
Regards from Alberta,
Anna
quiltmom anna recently posted…Possibilities and The Lost Blogger….
When free motion quilting, wear quilting gloves and use a supreme slider!
always check your tension on scrap material before starting your project
I have to agree with measure twice and cut once1 Thanks for the chance to win.
I love using an eyebrow razor for ripping out stitches! I think it is very important to read the instructions through before beginning any project.
Joanie Page recently posted…Baseball T-Shirt Update