Savvy Crafting » Quilting

Used Quilting Machines are a good Bargain

Christine — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 00:07:53 +0000

You can definitely save money by buying a used quilting machine, so that you can continue to enjoy the craft of making quilts. There are many benefits of Used Quilting Machines.

Buying from an Individual

As a beginner it is better to start on one of the Used Quilting Machines. When you buy it from an individual you might receive help with your first product if the seller is a friend or an acquaintance. Also she can show you the ins and outs of the machine.

Buying from a Shop

Sometimes sewing shops also sell Used Quilting Machines. They recondition the machines and then they even show you how to use it. Sometimes they even offer a demonstration. If the machine is practically new and has hardly been used, you are lucky and get many years of service from the machine by paying much less for it.

When using a quilting machine for the first time, it is natural to have a bit of fear of using the machine. But with help either from the seller or the shop where you buy it, it is possible to develop the hang for it and be able to work it efficiently.

Used Quilting Machines are by no means cheap. But once you have decided to go in for a second-hand machine, check your local fabric and hobby shops for Used Quilting Machines. Some sewing shops may also deal in selling machines. It may be possible to put up an advertisement in the bulletin board of one such shop. And you may find something that you are looking for.

Auctions and Online Sites

Online auctions are also a common method for buying used goods, and here you can set up an account and bid like a regular auction for Used Quilting Machines. The descriptions of the machines are given and it is also possible to contact the seller if you have any questions.

There are a large number of online sites showing stores dealing in Used Quilting Machines. Most sites will offer certified used and refurbished machines for sale. They have customer support programs, chat forums where you can make enquiries. The sites provide services too and you can buy the machine as well as all the accessories.

A warranty is also provided for Used Quilting Machines if you buy from a store. This takes care of any mechanical or electrical defects which the machines can develop in the future. But the price is naturally higher than buying from an individual. In addition there are shipping costs, whereas the transfer costs are low, if the machine is from your neighborhood.

Handy Quilting Tools

Christine — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 00:06:43 +0000

Quilting tools are designed to make your quilting life easier. The days of just the scissors and thread are long gone. Today there are rotary cutters that cut several layers at a time and guides to help you measure while cutting. There are quilting mats that are self healing and you will not cut through them when cutting your fabric. These are also great to save your cutting table from getting cut and scarred. The mats are also great quilting tools because they are designed to help keep your rotary cutter blade sharp.

Quilting today is not much like the quilting our ancestors did. They would use scraps left over from making their clothing and often would even use parts of their old clothing once it was no longer wearable. Quilting in the past was done solely as a necessity to keep warm in the winter, but today quilting is done for design and decoration.

Quilting Tools To Consider

A design wall is quilting tool that allows you to place pieces of your quilt together so that you can take a preview look at the design. You don’t have to buy an expensive design wall to achieve the results you want. You can cover a board with some flannel or even quilt batting. If you don’t have the board, simply attach the batting or flannel to a wall. The quilt pieces will usually stick to it long enough for you to get an idea about the design.

A seam ripper is a must for every quilter. Unfortunately seam ripping is a part of successful quilting and a seam ripper will help you safely take out the incorrect seam quickly. They are usually very sharp and will cut the thread very easily but they also have a safety device on them to prevent personal injury to you.

An iron and ironing board is a necessary quilting tool for anybody who wants to succeed. Pressing seams is an important part of quilting and getting the seams to match up. There are ironing boards for quilters but any ironing board will do the trick. Practically everybody already owns one anyway. An iron that produces steam is usually the best way to press and it will also help to prevent burning of the fabric.

A cutting grid is another great quilting tool which is used with a rotary cutter. The grid is marked off usually by inches which will allow you to cut one, two, or more inch strips. The grid is marked like a ruler so you can even use it to cut perfect squares.

You don’t have to spend a lot of money on quilting tools but have them ready at hand can make life a lot easier. You quilting will go much easier and the pieces will fit together better if you have the right tools to work with.

Quilting Tips – Finding Quality Quilting Tips

Christine — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 00:05:43 +0000

Just about everyone at some point and time needs help with something. Even veterans in a particular field are always looking for faster and better ways to do things that is where quilting tips can provide help for those who are getting started or who are past masters at the art of quilt making.

Where To Find Quality Quilting Tips

There are a number of places that individuals can quality quilting tips. The first place to look especially these days is the internet. There are hundreds even thousands of sites that provide tips for all types of crafts and that includes quilting.

There are other places to find quilting tips as well. The next best place to look for quality is by checking out your local craft store. There are usually a number of individuals who can provide assistance or who know of individuals who can help. They also usually will offer classes that can be a valuable resource to individuals who are looking for an easier way to do things or looking for better ways to accomplish aspects of their projects.

There are also a number of books that are on the market that can provide helpful tips and hints for individuals who are looking to get into quilting or looking to make their quilt making processes more effective. Finally, nothing beats the tried and true method of talking to individuals and gaining the wisdom of their experience. There are a number of individuals who have been quilting for a long time and who are happy to provide helpful tips to newcomers who are looking to get started or improve their craft.

The majority of tips are going to be for hand quilting unless you are looking for tips specifically for sewing machines. These may not be located in the same place that the various other quilting tips are located. You may find these tips located at various sites on the Internet that deal with the sewing machine themselves since a number of sewing machines have individualized settings that are custom to their particular models and brands and are not valid with other sewing machine models and brands. The majority of sewing machines will have information available on the web, if not it is possible to apply the tips and tricks located in the user manuals for the various stitches in order to locate the best method to accomplish your particular pattern or quilting projects.

Where To Find Quilting Materials – Finding Quilting Materials Inexpensively

Christine — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 23:57:42 +0000

Finding quilting materials that are inexpensive but good quality can be difficult. There are a number of ways; however, to find materials for quilting that scan provides you with high quality and low cost. You may actually be surprised at where you can find high-quality quilting materials. There are a few places that you can start looking that may actually cost you nothing to gain the materials that you need. The first thing in this search is to determine exactly what makes quilting materials. The first thing is fabric. Then you have batting and thread these are the three major components that make up a quilt.

Where to Find Quilting Materials

The first place to look for materials is surprisingly around your home or perhaps not surprisingly. Take a look at your older quilts things like baby blankets, old T-shirts and other types of fabric around the home. There are a number of fabric types that work well together and can easily make a quilt.

Of course, this type of wealth is usually called a patchwork quilt since it is made up of scraps of fabric from various sources. In addition to your home, you can also check with friends and family, especially those who are involved in quilting, as they may have leftovers from their own projects that they are willing to share.

The next place to look is to check the discount and bargain bins at your local fabric stores. These can be raped ways to find the materials you are looking for at discount prices. You may also want to check local thrift and secondhand stores for materials to make your quilts. You can also check locations like garage sales and estate sales for materials that can be used to create a quilt. Finally, you can check online resources. These are for some things not usually the best resources for finding inexpensive materials.

The reason being is because unless you are purchasing a significant amount. There is usually shipping charges involved. The shipping charges themselves may take care of any discount that may be gained by using an online resource. This would make them similar to or exact same price, to simply going to your local fabric store and purchasing the items there. These are all places that can provide you with inexpensive materials for quilting. Quilting is after all, one of the best ways to recycle fabrics and resources.

The Difference In Quilting Thread

Christine — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 00:04:42 +0000

Once you get your quilt pieced together, you will want to decide what type of quilting thread you plan to use. When sewing the quilt together, you will usually use an all purpose thread which is normally used for sewing. When you get ready for the quilting process you will have to determine what kind of look you are going for. There are many types of quilting thread to choose from, and each type has a different purpose.

If you plan to quilt your piece on a machine, the type of thread you use may be determined by the machine. Some machines will not handle a heavy weight thread, especially if you are planning to use your regular sewing machine. Long arm quilting machines are better equipped to handle the various types of quilting thread because they are set up for heavy duty sewing.

Of course, if you are going to be quilting your quilt by hand, you can choose from any number of quilting threads because quilting needles come in many sizes. Hand quilting will usually create a more rustic look, which is often preferred in quilting. Machine quilting is designed for the more modern era.

Deciding Which Quilting Thread Is Right For You

Cotton thread is the traditional thread of choice for quilters. It is easy to work with and provides a soft and traditional look. You can get a variety of weight sizes in cotton, but you need to keep in mind that it will usually shrink when washed. Many people prefer this “wrinkled” look because it tends to be old fashioned. You can now buy cotton thread that has been mercerized. This is a process that adds sheen to the thread and will usually provide a smoother look and feel.

Silk quilting thread is another popular choice, especially if you are doing decorative stitching. Silk thread is like elastic and is usually very strong. It contains natural fibers that are very pleasing to the eye. Silk thread is especially popular in embroidery projects that are contained within the quilt.

Rayon quilting thread is one that will usually work well in sewing machines. It has very little fraying and offers a high sheen which can be used for the more advanced decorative stitches. You can find a wide range of colors but you need to stay away from bleaches when washing rayon threads. Most rayon does best when washed in cold water. Rayon is also a lower cost alternative to the expensive decorative threads. It provides beauty at an economical price, but you should consider giving special attention to the preservation of a quilt which is quilted with rayon thread.

Quilting Techniques — Using Quilting Techniques To Simplify Complex Projects

Christine — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 00:03:53 +0000

There is a variety of ways to simplify the process of creating a quilt. The most common way is through the use of quilting techniques. Quilting techniques are the various tricks, stitches and other related aspects of quilting that combined produce a quilt, whether it is a simple or complex design.

There are also a number of quilting techniques that are generational. In other words, while they may be used by other people, it is a family tradition to use a particular stitch or do so something in a particular way. This is what makes handcrafts different from each other and makes each one unique.

Types Of Quilting Techniques

There are a number of different types of techniques that are used for quilting. They can be placed in a few categories. The first deals with the actual patterns and designs themselves. These techniques involve the actual creation of the designs or the placement of transfers.

The next type of techniques involves the use of the actual stitches and the actual process to making the stitches. These are all parts of the techniques used to create various aspects of a quilt. There are also the finishing techniques that are used to take care of the final details of putting everything together, and creating the complete final product.

In fact, it could be said that each aspect of creating a quilt actually has a series of techniques to them. After all, a technique is nothing more than a set way of doing a particular job or aspect of a job. As a result, any set of confirmed and uniform instructions that produce consistent results could be considered a technique.

There may be a variety of techniques that are available for any given aspect involved in quilting. Some of these are time tested techniques, which are considered to be the standard technique taught in the majority of educational material on a particular type of quilting. There is also technique, which can be methods of completing various aspects based on family style and tradition. Whether the technique you are looking to use is one that is standardized or one that is unique to your family or even one that you yourself created, the important thing is that it is a technique that works and produces the results repeatedly. The technique used and how it is executed is unique to each individual even if they are doing the exactly same process the exact same way.

Essential Quilting Supplies

Christine — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 00:02:58 +0000

Do you want to get started in quilting, and you’re not sure what kind of quilting supplies you need? Or do you know a quilter, and you’d like to put together a gift basket of quilting supplies for him or her? Either way, it’s good to have the right quilting supplies on hand before you start quilting. There’s nothing worse than digging in to a good craft project like a quilt and having to stop and go to the store for something you need.

Needles And Thread

You won’t get very far on your quilting project without a needle and thread. Quilting needles are smaller than ordinary hand-sewing needles, in length and in dimension. They are, for most people, easier to work through many layers of fabric than an ordinary hand-sewing needle. However, everyone’s fingers are a little bit different. If a quilting needle seems uncomfortable to you, it’s perfectly fine to use a different size of sewing needle.

When you shop for quilting supplies, buy the very best quality quilting thread you can afford. Run, don’t walk, from bins of sale thread, and never use ordinary sewing thread for quilting. Quilting thread is super strong and is waxed so it passes more easily through the layers of fabric, and it is extremely unlikely to break under normal usage. Cheap quilting thread and ordinary sewing thread will break much more easily than quilting thread. One snap, and there goes all your hard work.

Sewing Machine

Even if you do all your quilting by hand, a sewing machine is still an essential quilting supply, because plenty of machine sewing goes in to making a hand-made quilt. If you make a pieced or patchwork quilt top, you will need to sew all those pieces together by machine. Then, after the quilting is over, you will use a sewing machine to bind the edges of the quilt, to finish it.

Many quilters use a Singer Featherlight sewing machine or another light portable machine that they can easily take with them to quilting events at friends’ homes, at churches, and at community centers.

Clear Quilting Ruler And Rotary Cutter

Quilters can cut pieces from bolts of fabric quickly and accurately using a clear ruler and rotary cutter. What used to take hours with a pair of scissors and a cardboard pattern is faster and easier than ever before. Every quilter is eager to start sewing and quilting, so a ruler and rotary cutter are essential quilting supplies that get the cutting over with as quickly as possible.

All About Quilting Stencils

Christine — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 00:02:15 +0000

When most people think about quilting, they think about different pieces of fabric sewn together. And they are right but there can be a little more to it then just that. Some people use many different pieces of fabric and their reasons for their choices will vary. But some people will stick with two or three types and colors of fabrics so they can make a particular design. If the fabrics are plain in terms of pattern, those quilting may look for ways to add a little design and flare to the quilt without taking away the hand made look.

The best way to go about adding a little design to a handmade quilt is by using quilting stencils. These quilting stencils are a little known secret in the quilting world. It is widely known that these little things can produce tremendous results. The best way to describe how quilting stencils help out is by comparing it to painting. When painting, a person will use a stencil to help guide them in where to paint so that they end with a design they could not have done by free hand. This is the same with quilting stencils except the stencils show where lines of stitching need to go.

Where To Find Them

A lot of times you can purchase quilting stencils in quilt shops or craft stores. You can even order them online and all of them are most often pretty affordable. They come in patterns such as flowers, stars, swirls, and so much more. There are so many different designs and patterns that it would probably take the rest of your quilting career to be able to use them all once and use them properly. Also, let us not forget that there are also free quilting stencils that can be used.

There are many online sites that offer free quilting stencils that you can download and print out. They may be the best place to start when first trying these out so you are not spending money before you make a decision on whether or not you like using them. You can also create and design your own quilting stencils which will add even more of a personal touch to the quilt. Once all is said and done, no one will be able to tell that you used quilting stencils and they will think that you did all of it by hand without any help at all.

Quilting Software – Designs And Sewing With Ease

Christine — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 00:01:24 +0000

One of the great things about modern technology is the fact that individuals can easily do complex tasks without a huge amount of skill or knowledge. Quilting is something that used to be done by hand. It would take a group of individuals or even a single individual weeks or months to complete a single piece. The invention and mass production of the sewing machine increased the number of pieces that could be produced within the same time period but was extremely limited because of the size of the material and the size of the machine.

Quilting Software Benefits

Quilting software has a number of benefits. The first benefit is the fact that it can easily help in the creation of quilting designs. Quilting software can also help to provide various designs taking the place of having to have dozens of design books.

Quilting software can also assist with using the new sewing machines. The quilting software is usually an addition to the programmable sewing machines in order to be assist in the creation of the patterns that are often used in quilting.
Software applications make it significantly easier for individuals who have little to no knowledge of quilting. There are reasons for the various stitches that are used in quilting. Software can make it easier to the various types of designs necessary to create the patterns that will help to hold the batting together with the two sides of the fabric used to create the quilt.

The software makes it easy to place the design you want into the sewing machines and then all you have to do is guide the various changes that will need to be done in order to create the appropriate lines within the piece. Software can also be used to create patterns based on pictures. For example if there is a particular picture that you want to use for the quilting block designs then software can help to take that picture and create a design pattern that can be used as a stitching guide for each of the blocks.

There is a variety of different types of software out there. Some of the software is going to be software that is preloaded into the sewing machines themselves and others are applications, which you purchase separately and then load into the sewing machine just as you would a CD or program on your computer. These programs can also be downloaded depending on the type of program you are looking at.

Choosing Your Quilting Rotary Cutter

Christine — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 00:00:35 +0000

There are many factors in choosing your quilting rotary cutter. While the manufacturer is important, even more important is getting the right type of one to best suit your needs. Not long ago there were not many options available to choose a quilting rotary cutter, but today they are fully customizable in many different areas.

Customizing Your Quilting Rotary Cutter

First option to look at is blade size. Quilting rotary cutters come with a variety of different blades with sizes ranging from 18mm to 60mm in diameter. Larger blades slice through fabric easier, whereas smaller ones do so a lot more accurately. Smaller blades are a good choice if you need to cut a lot of curves, but more than likely you will require larger blades more often. There are several quality blade manufacturers to choose from, on of which is Olfa.

Next option you are going to want to look at for your quilting rotary cutter is the handle. Many different manufacturers offer many different styles of handles. There really is no way to say what is the “best” style of handle, you really need to try each of the different kinds and see what one best works for you. Handles come in straight and curved varieties, with each manufactures take on what is most comfortable being slightly different.

Again, the best way to find the handle that is right for you is to go to your local quilting supply store and try out several varieties. Do not count any out as you never know what one will be most comfortable for you. The next option to look at when deciding on a quilting rotary cutter is how the safety latch works. While most offer a simpler latch that moves back and forth exposing the blade when needed and covering it when not, there are some different varieties out there.

More importantly than this is whether or not the latch is easy to use, something that you can best find out by trying the quilting rotary cutter in person. That’s about it for features on a quilting rotary cutter. Something to keep in mind when shopping for your rotary cutter is that you probably will need more than one. If you are looking to find one cutter that will do everything you need you will be unsuccessful. If you by each with a specific task in mind, you will be much happier with your purchase.