News — Handy Hints

BACKING The backing needs to be 8” longer and wider than the quilt top if you are long arm machine quilting. If you are quilting yourself 4" longer and wider will be enough.It is convenient to use wide-back fabric (108” wide).Or you can piece together any fabrics to make a back the correct size. Remember to always cut selvedges off before joining. WADDING/BATTING Use what ever type suits your needs - cotton, wool, bamboo, polyester, cotton/poly blends, wool/poly blends. 100% cotton is good for warmer climates.Wadding comes in many widths:1.5m (59”), 2.4m (95”) and 3.1m (122”).The wadding also needs to...

Bring these to Class If you do not bring these to class you can purchase them at the shop. A sewing machine in working order 1/4” foot if you have one. If you wish to use one of our machines you may do so for a fee of $5 per class. A rotary cutter** - with a sharp blade Pencil &/or pen for notes General sewing supplies Thread snips** Fabric scissors** Pins** Seam Ripper - Unpicker** Fabric marking pencil** Tape measure** Thread - usually a neutral or blending colour will be fine** Rulers** Optional to bring to most classes as...

Half Square Triangles using a specialist ruler. There are many brands available of the special triangle rulers to cut half square triangles. They will all look a bit like this: Again always use finished sizes. Add 1/2” to measurement of side A - the finished size of the side of the half square triangle   Cut 2 strips this size from 2 different fabrics. Place the strips right sides together. Straighten the edge, cut a pair of triangles with the ruler the right side up. Flip the ruler over to cut the next pair of triangles, note that the little black point overhangs the...

Half Square Triangles Traditional Method Add 7/8” to measurement of side A. Cut a square this size and cut in half as shown. I always add 1” rather than 7/8”, this gives you ‘jiggle’ room. The square unit formed from the rejoined 2 triangles can be trimmed to the desired size. Example of side A = 4" Cut squares 5". Cut these in half. Rejoin to form a square and trim to the desired size - in this case trim to 4 1/2" for a 4" finished size   Another Alternative Instead of cutting the square in half you can...

How to add borders to a patchwork quilt. The 2 basic things to remember when adding borders to a quilt are1. Measure across the middle of the quilt - not the edges as the edges can stretch slightly.2. Pin the border to the quilt matching ends and mid points. Ease the border/quilt to fit if needed.    Add the side borders Measure across the centre not the edges. Cut the border strips to this size. Add borders to the 2 sides - pinning the ends and mid points. Ease as needed.   Add the top and bottom borders Measure across...