Welcome to this month’s edition of Tips and Tutorials on the 22nd! It is the 34th linky party where you can share new or favorite tips and tutorials related to sewing and quilting. This is the beginning of a busy week for a lot of us. I am the chief cook for Thanksgiving and so the buying and cooking begins later today (I am writing this Monday Morning).
Last Month’s Link Ups
In case you missed them, here are last month’s linkups. I hope you enjoy seeing them…let them know you stopped by and visited! I am so grateful for their linking up to the party!
A Crossed Canoe Tutorial from Karen Goad
Playing in Isolation from Andrée Faubert
How to Plan Your Temperature Quilt from Leanne Parsons
Updated 4-at-a-Time Flying Geese from Yvonne Fuchs
Tip: Mark your Rulers for Trimming
Two things make trimming a block so much easier: 1) a spinning mat and 2) marking tape. The Olfa Rotating Cutting Mat* is perfect for this task as you don’t have to move the block, just the ruler. I use GE Design Ruler Stickers*, but I have also used masking tape, painter’s tape, and washi tape.
I mark two things for trimming this block. The center (4 1/4″) and the edges (8 1/2″) that I will use to square up the block. Knowing where to look makes the whole trimming process go quicker!
- Identify the center of the block. Trim.
For this 8 1/2″ block the center is 4 1/4″. The two green arrows on the 4 1/4″ are pointing to the top and bottom of the inner square. This makes it pretty easy to find where I need to start trimming this block!
2. Rotate the mat to the left one turn.
The side I just trimmed winds up on the bottom.
3. Line up the center again.
The two green arrows on the 4 1/4″ are pointing to the top and bottom of the inner square. I also then line up the trimmed edge on one of the lines on the ruler. In the photo above it is the 1/2″ line at the bottom of the picture.
4. Make your cut and turn your block towards the left again.
5. You can trim the last two sides.
I have 2 arrows pointing to the 8 1/2″ corner (bottom left) and 8 1/2″ on the left side. They are lined up on the two edges of the block that I cut previously.
Now, how I mark my Longarm Bobbins!
I use these handy dots that I purchased, probably at Staples, with a sharpie and the write the type/color of the thread. You can see this one is S(ew) F(ine) #403. That way, if there are threads that are similar, I can tell right away which one is on the bobbin! I don’t do this for my Bernina, but I might for a machine that also used metal bobbins. Why? Because it is easy to get the stick off with rubbing alcohol.
Join the Linky Party
Now it’s your turn to post, and the rules are simple – write up a tip or group of tips or a tutorial that is quilting or sewing-related and link that post below. The linky party is open from midnight on the 22nd, through midnight on November 30th. The post does not have to be new but should be one that hasn’t been linked to Tips and Tutorials in the past. If you don’t have a blog, please send it to me (kathleen@kathleenmcmusing.com) and I will post your tip or tutorial for you!
Past Tips and Tutorials
In case you didn’t know, if you have missed some past #TTot22, you can check them out in the tab at the top of my page or on my Pinterest board.
Coming Up on My Blog
Kimberly Quilt Finish
A Christmas TableRunner
Tips and Tutorials on the 22nd (12/22)
I had just done a post on hand quilting tips so shared that with you – I don’t know if many of your readers hand quilt but maybe a few?
Hi Kathleen! Thanks for the linky party today. I am thrilled to have a tut to share, even though it’s a simple one. Great tips today – the rotating mat has been a life changer, don’t you think? Yes, we could do without it . . . but why? It makes so many tasks that much easier. I hope as the chief/master chef for Thanksgiving that you are getting a lot accomplished. You’ve got this! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family. {{Hugs}} a bunch! ~smile~ Roseanne
I do love my rotating mat! Great tutorial on trimming!
Great tip for bobbin / thread organization! I keep my wound bobbins paired with their thread spools, but sometimes they get jumbled up and it’s a pain to sort out what’s what.
I need those arrow stickers!! Wonderful tip, I think it will definitely come in handy when trimming things, Thanks
Love those GEasy Stickers!!! Happy Thanksgiving, Kathleen!
Hi Kathleen, thanks for the tips on trimming a block. I’m going to have to come back to it the next time I need it. Happy Thanksgiving.
Those arrow stickers are terrific! My eyes often go ziggy-zaggy when I’m trimming those type of blocks so they would definitely help! I don’t have a rotating mat but I often put one of my smaller mats on top of my big one, and it works just the same. Good bobbin tip too! I don’t have many bobbin colours/brands of thread, pretty much all Sew Fine, so outside of Statue and whatever other creamy one I have, they’re pretty easy to tell apart!