QT User Blog

Everyone knows that there are different ways and methods to complete a quilt. It seems like everyone is trying to find new “hacks” such as tips and tricks to speed up the process of making a quilt or just simplifying the process. Whether it’s tricks for a fast way to cut your fabric or binding your blocks, everyone wants an easier and simpler method of doing it. So here are some simple quilting hacks that we think are worth knowing and sharing. Enjoy!

1. Using Large Spools

• Using a large spool for your sewing machine is worth investing in! Having a large spool enables you to keep on sewing without having to deal with re-threading when you run out of thread on your machine. A tip when using a larger spool of thread is to place it in a teacup or bowl depending on the size of it. Or if you have a cup with a lid that has a hole for a straw (like the image below) would work as well. This will help keep it in place allowing the thread to unravel easily as you sew.

2. Trim Corners Twice for A More Precise Cut for Corners & Squares

One quick and easy hack to make your quilt look ten times better is to trim your corners of your quilt twice before turning your quilt inside out to create a more crisp cut and a professional look. By cutting the fabric twice you are giving the edges a sharper edge because there is less fabric making it look sleek and smooth. For full in-depth instructions click here. 

3. How to Use Pins Correctly

Always, always try and use pins when sewing. It helps keeps everything in place. However, there is a right way to be using your pins depending on how you are sewing.

For a sewing machine pin the head off to the right. It is easy to take them out and helps keep everything in place, just make sure to remove them before it hits the needle! Pin about 1 to 1.5″ from the edge of the fabric with pin heads facing down preventing you from poking yourself or the pins latching on to it.

4. Prep and Stack Pieces

Always plan ahead and precut your pieces of fabric to help you save time while also staying focused. By having everything precut you won’t have to stop half way through your sewing to cut more fabric.

5. The Quilting Foot 

The quilting foot or also known as the patchwork foot is a great tool that can be used to get exact 1/4″ seams of stitching with its built-in guide bar for super straight topstitching. This tool is great for single needle application! To use the quilting foot simply align the raw edges of two fabric layers against the guide by the right side of the foot, lower the presser foot and then stitch away.

To get more tips and hacks to quilting checkout our QT User Blog section in the Quilter’s Thread Mobile App under Community section for new tricks to quilting. You can request to follow the Tips page by clicking on the heart at the top of the screen.

Got any quilting hacks that you think are helpful that we didn’t mention? Share them with us on the Quilter’s Thread Mobile App! Don’t forget that by commenting and liking on the app can earn you engagement points to win this month’s pattern prize “The Winding Christmas Wreath”. Make sure to check out our previous blog post about this quilt pattern on the app under the “Community” section.

Live Well. Quilt Well.

If you have already finished making our Candy Cane Christmas Quilt from our previous blog post last week here is another project for you to start on this winter! This quilt is called The Winding Christmas Wreath because of its winding thick lines crossing over each other. Why not try making this Christmas Quilt as another great holiday themed quilt to have lying around your living room to keep the family warm through the winter. Or you can even mix it up with other colors besides green and red, just choose whichever shades of fabric you like for the pattern and start quilting.

Here is a look at two different color variations that you can use to make this Winding Christmas Wreath quilt pattern with. Strips of wide forest green or gold yellow fabric are used as a border to brighten up this winter themed quilt just in time for the holidays. Notice how when you change from using light to dark bold colors of fabric the pattern changes in how it appears to the eye.

You can get this pattern at the end of the month as a prize when earning your total engagement points on the Quilter’s Thread Mobile App. Comments, uploading photos and responding to surveys generate 1 point each. By “Liking” 3 things generates 1 point. You must earn 10 points to get the free monthly pattern. You must earn 40 points to get the free pattern and a cloth shopping bag. Earn 75 points to get the free pattern, shopping bag and a $20 gift card. So start being active on the Quilter’s Thread Mobile App today!

Live Well. Quilt Well.

Now that Thanksgiving is over, it’s time to start planning for Christmas this year. Christmas themed quilts are the perfect gift to give a family member or friend. Making that special person a quilt is great because it is unique and handmade with care and thought. Although it might seem easier and quicker to just head to the first shop and buy them a gift, you can sew them a quilt in quick fashion without it looking incomplete or messy.

Try making this candy cane quilt is a version of a rag quilt that only takes about an hour and thirty minutes to complete. Now you really don’t have any excuse not to make them a quilt. By making them a quilt you can put your talent to use this Christmas and make something for them that you know they will use to keep warm at night. So simply pick out your favorite red and white flannel fabric and get sewing!

Here is a break down of basic instruction tips to help you make this candy cane themed quilt this season.

• First start with 1  3/4 yards of two different 44″ wide fabrics to make a 35″ x 45″ comforter. Flannel works best because it provides it’s own nap and doesn’t require batting.
• Place the fabrics in a single layer one on top of the other, wrong sides together.
• Use a long ruler to cut 6″ (or your desired width) diagonal strips. This takes about 20 minutes to do.
• Flip every other stack so the opposing color shows. Then sew them together using a 3/4″ seam.
• When the diagonal pieces are stitched back together, trim the edges and stitch a single finishing seam around all four edges, (about 3/4″ from the edge.) This will take about 45 minutes to complete depending on your speed.
• Then use the nipper scissors (those with really small blades,) to cut the fringe. This will take about 20 minutes to complete.
• You could save time by sewing the seams by using wider strips, but they’d be harder to cut and would probably require some stitching to keep them from shifting.

Want an easy project to start that you can use or give as a gift in time for this Christmas? Why not make a fabric gift box to place your belongings in or a put a present in it for a friend or family member. What’s great about this gift box is that it is one that you can use for many years unlike other paper gift boxes you buy at the store that easily tear and bend. This gift box is easy and quick to make as well as durable. So simply pick out your favorite fabric and start sewing!

Fabric Requirements:

• (2) 12″ squares
• (1) 12″ piece of batting
• (4) Buttons are optional

To Begin:

Place your fabric right sides together on top of the batting. Stitch around the edges using a 1/4″ seam allowance. Make sure to leave an opening on one side just like you would when making a pillow. Next trim your batting back and clip the corners. Then turn your fabric right sides out and press the edges.

Quilt as Desired: 

Stitch close to the edge. By doing this you won’t need to slip stitch the opening closed. Then stitch four rows using a walking foot as a guide and then finish with a crisscross between the last stitched corners.

Construct the Box:

Fold the square in half top to bottom and mark the points two inches from the folded corner on each side. Draw a diagonal line at each corner between the points.  Refer to the images below. Then stitch along these two lines. Re-fold in the other direction, and stitch on the first two lines you drew before.

Finish the Box:

Now turn the box right side out. You can now stitch the flaps inside the box to the sides or you can tack them down. Or leave them loose if  want and then you are done!

What’s great about this gift box is you can custom make it for that special person or make it as a decorative piece in your home for certain holidays with themed patterns. You can add ribbons or buttons as you wish to make it more decorative.

To get this pattern and the detailed instructions you can also go on to the Quilter’s Thread Mobile App and go to our gallery or to the library to view it. Remember you can win monthly prizes by being active on the Quilter’s Thread Mobile App. Comments, uploading photos and responding to surveys generate 1 point each. “Liking” 3 things generates 1 point. 10 points gets  free pattern. 40 points gets a free pattern and a cloth shopping bag. 75 points gets a free pattern, a shopping bag and $20 gift card. For more information on our monthly prizes go to “Offers” in the Quilter’s Thread Mobile App.

Live Well. Quilt Well.