Good morning everyone. It’s been a while since I did a sewing hack video.. These tools I make with cardboard and plastic I use at least once every time I sew. I hope you find them just as useful as I do.
Celia Hirschenhofer with the video on small screen, look to the right corner just below the video. There is a small grey triangle. If you click that the link will be there.
Changing the Rotary blade is safer if you use a helper from the food canning equipment department. The long stick with magnet on the end for retrieving canning lids from boiling water works well to change the blade. Unscrew the Hardware exposing the old blade , pick up blade with magnet, place in container for used blades, push off with end of a pencil or something handy. Pick up new replacement blade with magnet, place on cutter, push down with pencil. Replace hardware. No touching the blade.
You have become the angel on my shoulder as I work through making my first quilt. I cannot thank you enough for your tips, tricks and advice but mostly for your straightforward and kind videos. My father in law passed away suddenly, leaving his wife of 65 years to heal without him. Well I got it into my head that I would make her a queen sized hug made of his clothing for her bed. Whoa! Since I have been making clothes for 35 years "how hard could it be?!?" Well, it's a lot harder than I knew and there is no way I'd have been able to do this without your videos. Thank you, you inspire!
I take the plastic piece that comes in some packs of bacon, wash it, and use it for templates. It is a little bit stiffer than template plastic. Works great for cutting your own template pieces.
Mom went thru the Great Depression as a young bride and patterns for quilts were printed in magazines and on back of cereal boxes. I found several of them along with hers cut from cardboard from her sister and cousin's patterns. They all shared even their fabric scraps which were exchanged to get the colors they needed. Many of her quilts were made out of all worn out clothing, especially cutting blocks from their old dresses under the pockets which were not faded and from the back side of wide hems. They actually used their quilts in the winter to keep warm!
I use an empty toilet paper roll to roll my binding strips on so they don't roll all over the floor I can then drop it in a plastic shopping bag hang it underneath the edge of my leg and sew my binding on without it running all over the floor.
I use an empty thread spool and hang it around my neck with a ribbon or shoelace. All of the above would work that way. Just depends on how big you need it!
As for the tip about template plastic placed at the bottom of the bag, I did that too but first I covered the plastic with fabric to match the lining , firstly I carefully trimmed the sharp corners so they wouldn’t wear holes in the bag.
All I can say is AWESOME!!!!!!! Have you been lurking around when I’m trying to sew those ******* corners on the binding of my quilts??? This template idea looks like it will be PERFECT!!!! A million thank you’s!!! You are such a help to us all.
You are so clever, and your videos are so carefully planned out to demonstrate your ideas so well! Please publish a book of compilations of your youtube posts. I am stuck trying to remember which idea was in which video, and having to go online when I can't remember what you said. I take a screenshot now and then, but I would gladly buy a book (or Vol 1, Vol 2, and so on) of your very helpful hacks and demos, and an index of topics. You could just transcribe what you said and capture still shots of the videos, and publish it as an e-book, and I'd buy it immediately.
Hi Karen, I just realized I'm on my husband's account while typing this message to you. Regardless, I just have to say, I Looooove your videos! I am a seamstress by desire (lol) and usually only sew clothing or stuffed animals etc. I have never had a desire to sew a quilt because I've never been able to get nice crisp lines when it comes to geometric things, until I watched your "Stash Buster #1" video. I made one for my baby grandson this past Christmas and had a blast. Especially because your instructions were so thorough and succinct. I went further and sewed 2 more baby quilts for other grand babies as well. There's something about the way you teach and share. You are amazing! I have a request, can you make a video about "Quilting as you go"? I don't have the ability to quilt large quilts and I want to be able to make something more than "baby" blankets. I'm so hooked on quilting because you have so inspired me. Thanks, and God bless you, Regina in CA
Great tips. I will offer a couple. Use white electrical marking tape to mark lines on your sewing machine. It accepts marker better than masking tape and stays put. (Husbando is an electrician so I was rummaging about!) I have a middle line where the center machine needle is and 1/4" on either side. I have a Dritz aluminum easy hem (from 30 years ago!). It is thin. I conscripted into service for my foundation paper piecing (along with my add a quarter ruler). I also use it for my binding corners. I fold the fabric for the diagonal, press, and use it for the foldover and press. Because the diagonal if crisply pressed, no need to mark further as it is easy to see. Though not a template....inexpensive letter holders, dish drying racks, etc make great ruler caddies.
With your Dritz aluminum easy hem tool, you've given me a great idea Leisa: I have a thin metal tool for measuring knitting needles (as many don't have the sizes marked on the tips)... despite having little holes in it, the edges are all stiff and straight. So although I usually use stiff card stock for paper piecing (real estate agent advertisements are great for this), I might just use that tool for smaller PP projects. Also might see if I have any letter holders for a ruler caddy. Thanks for sharing your tips, Leisa! ~Diana K.
Wonderful wonderful tips. Brilliant ideas. I'm an aged quilter and I'm finding fingers and eyes are not as sharp as 20 years ago so all these tips are like a gold mine of ideas for me. THANK YOU.
I looking forward to making that 3-in-1 tool - many thanks! A suggestion for the 1/4" hemming template. If you can put a bigger piece of some kind of lightweight semi-transparent fabric (Organza? Gauze? thin cotton lawn?) under your project fabric before you turn your hem over the template, the extra margin of that helper fabric can just be folded up over the template and will take the project fabric with it. You can see how it lines up with the line on the template, and the whole thing can be pressed without needing to fiddle with it with your fingers, which is always where I have trouble. Thanks again for your great ideas!
Karen: Loved your 2-in-1 Binding Tool idea, so I made one a couple of months ago with a flexible semi-transparent cutting panel I purchased from the Dollar Tree in the kitchen wares section. (I keep a couple of these on hand for craft/sewing projects at all times. Very useful!) Just yesterday I came across this same type of tool on Amazon for over $10! Had to laugh at how easy it was to make this tool and was very grateful to you for sharing it with your viewers. I used it when I put binding on a mug rug last month and the mitered corners came out perfectly!!! Thank you for your very helpful tutorials, Karen! Most appreciated! p.s. Currently working on my system for organizing fabric strips, scraps and crumbs. It's amazing how those things reproduce like rabbits. 😊
Karen, loved your new video. You’ve improved your presentations so much. You are a good teacher. Looking forward to the next lesson. Thank you. I think much of your success is because you are a lovely person inside and out. 💕
Thank you for this! I can’t believe that those binding tools sell for so much when we can literally make our own for less than a dollar. I will definitely be making this soon. Your videos are very informative and helpful without being overly chatty.
This is my first time commenting on TH-cam, although I'm a TH-camr....I joke about being "TH-cam certified ". That was to give you an idea on how much I LOVE YOUR CHANNEL. I went as far as to book mark your play list and saved all of them on my own playlist section in my profile. Thank you the free downloads; I really appreciate you. Thank you for your time and your efforts. Thank you for tutorials!!
Thanks for these wonderful tips. I go to the printers where they do lamination and go through their trash of scraps. You can get thin or thick clear lamination plastic to cut up for templates and it's free!.
So glad I found your channel and really glad you are Canadian. You have a definite Canadian slant and I feel right at home with you. Thank you so much for all your tips and tricks.
OK, I have to compliment you on your hair color/style and the gorgeous color combo in your top and scarf! You have put your color theory to good use!!! And, of course, love your clever tips and tricks. Thank you!
Great video as per usual. You are one of a kind Karen. Always so generous with your tips and tricks and so clearly demonstrated. I always look forward to your help and advice.
I'm a quilter from back in the day...we used (and I still do) old x-ray film for templates. We gathered from health care or veterinary clinics. Great stuff. You can mark it and cut it just like newer templates but it is a little thinner. Thanks. Great tips.
Wonderful tips! I’ve been sewing for many years and never once thought of making templates things like hems or 45 degree angles. I honestly can’t thank you enough. It’s going to change some much about the way I sew and, no doubt, save me lots of time. Over and out… going to run to my local Dollar store at once! :).
Save your worn out cutting mats for bag bottoms. They can be cut w a table saw, skill saw or router to the size and shape of your bag bottom. Make a "pillow case" from your lining fabric to slip over them, and you have a very sturdy bag bottom.
I love the dollar store Cutting mats that are by the kitchen supplies in the store they come in a two pack. Easy to cut. I learned to use them when I was baking cakes used it to mix color into my frosting. Using a cake spachla you can use every bit of your frosting. Forget about using a bowl to mix your color and frosting together. I love your ideas. You are the best with sharing. You are a Mom I never had to teach me to Quilt. Thank you so much! You are a real jewel, Karen.
I need to put template making on my task list. It is such a great savings and using cardboard in the house is FREE lol. Thank you so much for these videos this month.
Good Morning !! I am a beginner quilter of 7 years. These tips are fabulous and I can't wait to implement into my quilting. One thing I always have trouble with is my bindings, and my folded over edges on the back. I know what a help these will be for me ! Thank you so very much for sharing !!!!!
Lol 7 years is beginning? My husband introduced me to his sewing machine a year and a half ago and I’m already quilting (walking foot, not FMQ yet). The NERVE, right? Lol.
Best binding and paper piecing template. My binding corners came out perfect for the first time. I cut mine out of template plastic that has 1/4 inch grid. Makes paper piecing folding even easier. Thanks Karen for this genius idea.
WOW! I can't believe I MISSED one of your tutorials!! Thanks for pointing it out to me. I LOVE that you make, use and esp. SHARE your super cheap n helpful tools. Some of us just want to sew n have fun at it and don't have a HUGE budget to work with. I never realized how much MATH//GEOMETRY was in SEWING!!! and PATIENCE!! I really appreciate and respect all the OLD family friends that used to sew with just fabric, thread, needle and SOMETIMES a machine. Thanks so much for sharing your work and "hacks" . MUCH appreciated.
Greetings from Northern Michigan. Thank you for another great video. There were so many great tips, I made a list. The cereal box templates was a really great suggestion. Your knowledge and expertise are greatly appreciated. Thank you again. 🥰
Hi Karen, I recently made your 3 in 1 binding tool out of plastic using your hack from my local dollar store. Using the tool made an immediate impact on my mitered corners. I made perfect mitered corners on my binding for the first time! Thank you for the hack. I love your videos.
Love all these ideas! Anything to make the job a little smoother. I often use the cardboard that comes in the single fat quarters to make templates. Works perfectly for small cut outs. 😊
Definitely going to make the binding tool. Going to the dollar store today to get the cutting mat. Also going to make a snowball marking template as a project coming up will require a lot of that. Keep the hacks coming. They are making me a better quilter.
Great video, thank you! To stop runaway quilt binding, wrap it into a coil then place it around one of the legs of of the sewing machine extension table.
I also look for ways to make repetitive or fussy tasks easier, and here you have designed solutions for us already -- some before we even realized we needed them! Great video!
These are all great tips/hacks. I have been sewing for 35 years but over the last year decided to teach myself to quilt. I love binding tool hack! I will be making that one for sure. Thank you so much for al of your videos. I learn something everytime I watch one.
@@JustGetitDoneQuilts I've always made craft items, where seam allowances weren't all that important. I can now proudly say that I can sew a scant 1/4" with the best of them. LOL
I love the stitch and flip technique! And I appreciate that you shared the technique by linking her video, thus giving her credit. I also made your first tool for binding and 45degree cuts. Brilliant!
I found this after finding your 3 in 1 binding tool PDF in your "extras". I use a Silhouette cutting machine, so I can sinply use the PDF to cut a template on the Silhouette!
I used a clear hard plastic rectangle tray from Dollar Tree, I used it for the Olson face mask pattern. I used my dremel tool with a wood bit to shave and down the plastic for my pattern . I also used a Dollar Tree clip board to make the large face mask, because the trays wasn't big enough. The trays has a slopped edge so it made it difficult to use all the plastic. But it ended working out pretty good. I also used my dremel tool on the clip board as well and I have used the dollar Tree foam board for Christmas stocking patterns. And any kind of box . :)
Well I'm brand new to quilting...just finshed my first quilt and I'm in love!! Great tips and tricks! Have learned so much already from you Karen! Thx so much
Thank you so much for the tip with the binding tool.. just binded a mini quilt with a very tiny (2”) strip and it works out so perfekt .. I think I will need it for paper piecing as well ... and thanks for all the other tricks either ... Greetings from Austria
I just made myself the miter corner template. Took a few tries to see how it works, but my miter corners have progressively gotten better! Thanks sooo much!
So glad I watched this! Used a template to discover that a fabric my grandson wanted for his quilt will have to be used on the back (after quilt love that name) the print is too big for the blocks. I now have a lot of templates in the notebook with all my quilt patterns.
Thank you so very much. I just starting and it has been expensive but with you hacks I will be saving money . I'm going to check all your videos about cutting accurate.
That binding tool is genius. I wish I’d had it two days ago, but better late than never! Love your videos. Now I’m off to Skill Share! I need some new things to keep me busy during all this virus hooplah, so this may be the perfect time to learn something new! Thank you!
I have a couple of ideas, one of them is when I'm doing a quarter inch double fold Edge along for instance like you said a tablecloth, I will first fold up a half inch on the line that I wanted to be finished at. Then I will turn that edge in towards the fold over on itself, so that I have that half-inch precise and perfect and then I'm not as worried about the quarter inch it will happen just fine. The other thing I wanted to say is you can use those metal disposable pans that you get at the grocery store or the dollar store, and cut those for templates sometimes. Be careful they can be very sharp especially if you cut a very sharp point on them. But you can use that to iron-on, instead of the plastic it should not melt !
Thank you, this was so helpful to me! I have been sewing for 70 yrs and am new to quilting and I find accuracy my most challenging problem your tips are excellent.
When I have to make double-fold narrow hems I take the fabric to my sewing machine and stitch 1/4" or less (move the needle about 1 needle width) in from the raw edges for "marking" the first foldline. Then I stitch again at 1/2" from the raw edges. I can see and feel the stitches with my fingers as I fold the fabric over. If you need a mitered corner, for example, when making a napkin, I just fold the corners in at the intersection of the two 1/2" stitching lines to create a 45 degree fold line at the corners. Then I trim away the pointed tip of that folded triangle at the intersection of the two 1/4" stitching lines cutting at a 45 degree angle parallel to the corner fold. Then I proceed to fold in the long raw edges, first at 1/4" and press. Then I fold in at the 1/2" stitching lines and press. The corners will be mitered perfectly if done correctly. The added stiff template would probably be very helpful at the ironing board so I will add that to my arsenal of tricks. I never thought about using cereal boxes. Love it! Thanks.
This 2 in 1 tool is a game changer. I used it today on my binding and my corners have never looked so good. A big thank you! I can now do binding without getting frustrated. So good
Just made and applied some binding using your template that I made out of an old Xmas card, brilliant, the best and quickest binding I have ever done, although since I’ve only made half a dozen quilts I guess that’s not saying much! I love binding, I find sewing the back on by hand very therapeutic after all the stress of making the top and quilting but getting the corners nice was always a bit of a phaff, no more. Thank you so much .❤
Should add all your videos are so helpful, the first one I ever made was your stashbuster 1 quilt, this one was your stashbuster 3, I’d be lost without you.
Thank you so much for another great video, with a ton of useful tips.. and i reslly appreciate thst you sent us to Sugaridoo to see her template. I became a new subscriber..this is how you support other quilters/'Tubers. :)
Excellent! You and your videos are a delight. Your practical explanations and approaches have improved my techniques and results immeasurably and my gratitude is king size. ❤️❤️One more use for up-cycled plastic or cardboard is a thumb guide for hand stitching. Enjoy all the well earned happy feedback! I’m off to make myself a binding tool... Oh! Idea for a video: instructions and comparison of different types and widths of bindings. I’ve never been able to figure out why so many cut binding strips at 2-1/2. Mine are 1-7/8”. Anything wider and the binding feels ...deflated.
ferrelli1001 It’s a pic I found on Pinterest, a disc of plastic with a circular flap cut and angled down to fit over your thumb at the base of the nail. The forward edge of the disc is cut straight and marked with regular lines the length of the stitches you want to make. You hold it along the edge of the fabric and use the marks to keep your stitches even. Can’t post the pic here, best to search “blanket stitch thumb guide” on Pinterest.
Great tips, Karen! As a somewhat beginner quilter it can be daunting to get blocks to come out as well as expensive to buy tools you're not sure you will use. Thanks for all your great tips!!
I like the plastic cards the insurance co. send. After taking out the cards I have 2 rectangles for a template. Cut them bigger if needed. I save a lot of hard cardboard and plastics. I think I get it from my mom.
Very nice video! I use "negative space" templates with the shapes cut out from a dinner mat all the time. To quickly mark out small projects for cutting just lay the template mat down and run the pen around inside the shapes, it takes only a few seconds from start to finish, and I can move the template around to get the best layout for the prints.
Good morning everyone. It’s been a while since I did a sewing hack video.. These tools I make with cardboard and plastic I use at least once every time I sew. I hope you find them just as useful as I do.
Just Get it Done Quilts
Hey, Karen, I can never find the links that you refer to as being down in the bottom. What am I doing wrong????
Celia Hirschenhofer with the video on small screen, look to the right corner just below the video. There is a small grey triangle. If you click that the link will be there.
heatherhiggs1 Q 6((
Ok I looked for the small grey square I cant find it help ? Thanks
How do you cut the plastic to make templates?
Changing the Rotary blade is safer if you use a helper from the food canning equipment department. The long stick with magnet on the end for retrieving canning lids from boiling water works well to change the blade. Unscrew the Hardware exposing the old blade , pick up blade with magnet, place in container for used blades, push off with end of a pencil or something handy. Pick up new replacement blade with magnet, place on cutter, push down with pencil. Replace hardware. No touching the blade.
Wow! That's brilliant!🤔💡
Great tip! Thanks for sharing it.
Excellent tip!
You have become the angel on my shoulder as I work through making my first quilt. I cannot thank you enough for your tips, tricks and advice but mostly for your straightforward and kind videos. My father in law passed away suddenly, leaving his wife of 65 years to heal without him. Well I got it into my head that I would make her a queen sized hug made of his clothing for her bed. Whoa! Since I have been making clothes for 35 years "how hard could it be?!?" Well, it's a lot harder than I knew and there is no way I'd have been able to do this without your videos. Thank you, you inspire!
What a lovely gift
What a lovely thing to do, hope it went well
I take the plastic piece that comes in some packs of bacon, wash it, and use it for templates. It is a little bit stiffer than template plastic. Works great for cutting your own template pieces.
Mom went thru the Great Depression as a young bride and patterns for quilts were printed in magazines and on back of cereal boxes. I found several of them along with hers cut from cardboard from her sister and cousin's patterns. They all shared even their fabric scraps which were exchanged to get the colors they needed. Many of her quilts were made out of all worn out clothing, especially cutting blocks from their old dresses under the pockets which were not faded and from the back side of wide hems. They actually used their quilts in the winter to keep warm!
Frozen pizza boxes work really good as templates material!
I use an empty toilet paper roll to roll my binding strips on so they don't roll all over the floor I can then drop it in a plastic shopping bag hang it underneath the edge of my leg and sew my binding on without it running all over the floor.
Good one. I use a pringles can.
I use toilet tissue rolls and paper towel rolls......
It’s called up cycling
I use an empty thread spool and hang it around my neck with a ribbon or shoelace. All of the above would work that way. Just depends on how big you need it!
Ooooh... clever!
As for the tip about template plastic placed at the bottom of the bag, I did that too but first I covered the plastic with fabric to match the lining , firstly I carefully trimmed the sharp corners so they wouldn’t wear holes in the bag.
Great tip!
All I can say is AWESOME!!!!!!! Have you been lurking around when I’m trying to sew those ******* corners on the binding of my quilts??? This template idea looks like it will be PERFECT!!!! A million thank you’s!!! You are such a help to us all.
It really makes it simple
You are so clever, and your videos are so carefully planned out to demonstrate your ideas so well! Please publish a book of compilations of your youtube posts. I am stuck trying to remember which idea was in which video, and having to go online when I can't remember what you said. I take a screenshot now and then, but I would gladly buy a book (or Vol 1, Vol 2, and so on) of your very helpful hacks and demos, and an index of topics. You could just transcribe what you said and capture still shots of the videos, and publish it as an e-book, and I'd buy it immediately.
Hi Karen, I just realized I'm on my husband's account while typing this message to you. Regardless, I just have to say, I Looooove your videos! I am a seamstress by desire (lol) and usually only sew clothing or stuffed animals etc. I have never had a desire to sew a quilt because I've never been able to get nice crisp lines when it comes to geometric things, until I watched your "Stash Buster #1" video. I made one for my baby grandson this past Christmas and had a blast. Especially because your instructions were so thorough and succinct. I went further and sewed 2 more baby quilts for other grand babies as well. There's something about the way you teach and share. You are amazing!
I have a request, can you make a video about "Quilting as you go"? I don't have the ability to quilt large quilts and I want to be able to make something more than "baby" blankets. I'm so hooked on quilting because you have so inspired me. Thanks, and God bless you, Regina in CA
Great tips. I will offer a couple. Use white electrical marking tape to mark lines on your sewing machine. It accepts marker better than masking tape and stays put. (Husbando is an electrician so I was rummaging about!) I have a middle line where the center machine needle is and 1/4" on either side. I have a Dritz aluminum easy hem (from 30 years ago!). It is thin. I conscripted into service for my foundation paper piecing (along with my add a quarter ruler). I also use it for my binding corners. I fold the fabric for the diagonal, press, and use it for the foldover and press. Because the diagonal if crisply pressed, no need to mark further as it is easy to see. Though not a template....inexpensive letter holders, dish drying racks, etc make great ruler caddies.
With your Dritz aluminum easy hem tool, you've given me a great idea Leisa: I have a thin metal tool for measuring knitting needles (as many don't have the sizes marked on the tips)... despite having little holes in it, the edges are all stiff and straight. So although I usually use stiff card stock for paper piecing (real estate agent advertisements are great for this), I might just use that tool for smaller PP projects. Also might see if I have any letter holders for a ruler caddy. Thanks for sharing your tips, Leisa! ~Diana K.
Wonderful wonderful tips. Brilliant ideas. I'm an aged quilter and I'm finding fingers and eyes are not as sharp as 20 years ago so all these tips are like a gold mine of ideas for me. THANK YOU.
Anita Visram 😎 you’re welcome
The template you use for binding is GENIUS. Why didn't I think of that! That will make putting on binding so much more accurate. Thank you.
Your presentation & demonstration is superb. Thank you so much for all your clear, precise & easy to follow instructions; which hardly cost a cent! 😊
I looking forward to making that 3-in-1 tool - many thanks! A suggestion for the 1/4" hemming template. If you can put a bigger piece of some kind of lightweight semi-transparent fabric (Organza? Gauze? thin cotton lawn?) under your project fabric before you turn your hem over the template, the extra margin of that helper fabric can just be folded up over the template and will take the project fabric with it. You can see how it lines up with the line on the template, and the whole thing can be pressed without needing to fiddle with it with your fingers, which is always where I have trouble. Thanks again for your great ideas!
Karen: Loved your 2-in-1 Binding Tool idea, so I made one a couple of months ago with a flexible semi-transparent cutting panel I purchased from the Dollar Tree in the kitchen wares section. (I keep a couple of these on hand for craft/sewing projects at all times. Very useful!) Just yesterday I came across this same type of tool on Amazon for over $10! Had to laugh at how easy it was to make this tool and was very grateful to you for sharing it with your viewers. I used it when I put binding on a mug rug last month and the mitered corners came out perfectly!!! Thank you for your very helpful tutorials, Karen! Most appreciated! p.s. Currently working on my system for organizing fabric strips, scraps and crumbs. It's amazing how those things reproduce like rabbits. 😊
It the simple things that can make a big difference.
Karen, loved your new video. You’ve improved your presentations so much. You are a good teacher. Looking forward to the next lesson. Thank you. I think much of your success is because you are a lovely person inside and out. 💕
Thank you 😊
Thank you for this! I can’t believe that those binding tools sell for so much when we can literally make our own for less than a dollar. I will definitely be making this soon. Your videos are very informative and helpful without being overly chatty.
This is my first time commenting on TH-cam, although I'm a TH-camr....I joke about being "TH-cam certified ". That was to give you an idea on how much I LOVE YOUR CHANNEL.
I went as far as to book mark your play list and saved all of them on my own playlist section in my profile.
Thank you the free downloads; I really appreciate you.
Thank you for your time and your efforts. Thank you for tutorials!!
Of all the quilters I follow, I look forward to yours the most. Great tips!! - Cindy
Daryl Ratliff 😊
Thanks for these wonderful tips. I go to the printers where they do lamination and go through their trash of scraps. You can get thin or thick clear lamination plastic to cut up for templates and it's free!.
So glad I found your channel and really glad you are Canadian. You have a definite Canadian slant and I feel right at home with you. Thank you so much for all your tips and tricks.
OK, I have to compliment you on your hair color/style and the gorgeous color combo in your top and scarf! You have put your color theory to good use!!! And, of course, love your clever tips and tricks. Thank you!
Thank you. I do have my favourites
Great video as per usual. You are one of a kind Karen. Always so generous with your tips and tricks and so clearly demonstrated. I always look forward to your help and advice.
I'm a quilter from back in the day...we used (and I still do) old x-ray film for templates. We gathered from health care or veterinary clinics. Great stuff. You can mark it and cut it just like newer templates but it is a little thinner. Thanks. Great tips.
That's a good one, I have plenty at home, I will now upcycle them. Thanks Cindy.
Wonderful tips! I’ve been sewing for many years and never once thought of making templates things like hems or 45 degree angles. I honestly can’t thank you enough. It’s going to change some much about the way I sew and, no doubt, save me lots of time. Over and out… going to run to my local Dollar store at once! :).
Save your worn out cutting mats for bag bottoms. They can be cut w a table saw, skill saw or router to the size and shape of your bag bottom. Make a "pillow case" from your lining fabric to slip over them, and you have a very sturdy bag bottom.
The template for corners on quilts is amazingly effective. Thank you!!!
I love the dollar store Cutting mats that are by the kitchen supplies in the store they come in a two pack. Easy to cut. I learned to use them when I was baking cakes used it to mix color into my frosting. Using a cake spachla you can use every bit of your frosting. Forget about using a bowl to mix your color and frosting together. I love your ideas. You are the best with sharing. You are a Mom I never had to teach me to Quilt. Thank you so much! You are a real jewel, Karen.
I need to put template making on my task list. It is such a great savings and using cardboard in the house is FREE lol. Thank you so much for these videos this month.
Good Morning !! I am a beginner quilter of 7 years. These tips are fabulous and I can't wait to implement into my quilting. One thing I always have trouble with is my bindings, and my folded over edges on the back. I know what a help these will be for me ! Thank you so very much for sharing !!!!!
Mary Jane Lemon so glad to hear
Lol 7 years is beginning? My husband introduced me to his sewing machine a year and a half ago and I’m already quilting (walking foot, not FMQ yet). The NERVE, right? Lol.
Best binding and paper piecing template. My binding corners came out perfect for the first time. I cut mine out of template plastic that has 1/4 inch grid. Makes paper piecing folding even easier. Thanks Karen for this genius idea.
That sounds even better
I love your red quilt on wall sooo beautiful
WOW! I can't believe I MISSED one of your tutorials!! Thanks for pointing it out to me. I LOVE that you make, use and esp. SHARE your super cheap n helpful tools. Some of us just want to sew n have fun at it and don't have a HUGE budget to work with. I never realized how much MATH//GEOMETRY was in SEWING!!! and PATIENCE!! I really appreciate and respect all the OLD family friends that used to sew with just fabric, thread, needle and SOMETIMES a machine. Thanks so much for sharing your work and "hacks" . MUCH appreciated.
I just can’t wait to get started !!!the faster you talk, the more excited I get!
I have a stash of clear x-ray film. I think I’ll make all of these. Thank you. (I’ve saved this video).
Greetings from Northern Michigan. Thank you for another great video. There were so many great tips, I made a list. The cereal box templates was a really great suggestion. Your knowledge and expertise are greatly appreciated. Thank you again. 🥰
I love love your smile, enthusiasm, and common sense approach to everything! You're making me fall in love with quilting. Thank you so much!!!😊🕊💐
Hi Karen, I recently made your 3 in 1 binding tool out of plastic using your hack from my local dollar store. Using the tool made an immediate impact on my mitered corners. I made perfect mitered corners on my binding for the first time! Thank you for the hack. I love your videos.
Wonderful!
Love all these ideas! Anything to make the job a little smoother. I often use the cardboard that comes in the single fat quarters to make templates. Works perfectly for small cut outs. 😊
Great video. I am from India and a first time quilter. You are amazing! God bless you and your family.
Welcome to the community. Just remember it's a journey and to enjoy it.
Definitely going to make the binding tool. Going to the dollar store today to get the cutting mat. Also going to make a snowball marking template as a project coming up will require a lot of that. Keep the hacks coming. They are making me a better quilter.
😎
Great video, thank you! To stop runaway quilt binding, wrap it into a coil then place it around one of the legs of of the sewing machine extension table.
I also look for ways to make repetitive or fussy tasks easier, and here you have designed solutions for us already -- some before we even realized we needed them! Great video!
😊
Oh my goodness, the binding tool use, LOVE IT!! Thank you
These are all great tips/hacks. I have been sewing for 35 years but over the last year decided to teach myself to quilt. I love binding tool hack! I will be making that one for sure. Thank you so much for al of your videos. I learn something everytime I watch one.
It interesting how much we needing to learn when we move into quilting.
@@JustGetitDoneQuilts I've always made craft items, where seam allowances weren't all that important. I can now proudly say that I can sew a scant 1/4" with the best of them. LOL
I love the stitch and flip technique! And I appreciate that you shared the technique by linking her video, thus giving her credit.
I also made your first tool for binding and 45degree cuts. Brilliant!
I try very hard to give credit where credit is due by acknowledging other creators when & where I can.
Thank you for the great tips.
I found this after finding your 3 in 1 binding tool PDF in your "extras". I use a Silhouette cutting machine, so I can sinply use the PDF to cut a template on the Silhouette!
I used a clear hard plastic rectangle tray from Dollar Tree, I used it for the Olson face mask pattern. I used my dremel tool with a wood bit to shave and down the plastic for my pattern . I also used a Dollar Tree clip board to make the large face mask, because the trays wasn't big enough. The trays has a slopped edge so it made it difficult to use all the plastic. But it ended working out pretty good. I also used my dremel tool on the clip board as well and I have used the dollar Tree foam board for Christmas stocking patterns. And any kind of box . :)
Well I'm brand new to quilting...just finshed my first quilt and I'm in love!! Great tips and tricks! Have learned so much already from you Karen! Thx so much
Thank you so much for the tip with the binding tool.. just binded a mini quilt with a very tiny (2”) strip and it works out so perfekt .. I think I will need it for paper piecing as well ... and thanks for all the other tricks either ... Greetings from Austria
I just made myself the miter corner template. Took a few tries to see how it works, but my miter corners have progressively gotten better! Thanks sooo much!
So glad I watched this! Used a template to discover that a fabric my grandson wanted for his quilt will have to be used on the back (after quilt love that name) the print is too big for the blocks. I now have a lot of templates in the notebook with all my quilt patterns.
Thank you. I need to organize my tools and patterns and have several large notebooks that I was gifted.
Great video. I am going to make several binding tools to give it away as gifts. Thank you!
Your videos are clear, concise, and incredibly helpful. Thank you.
THIS WAS GREAT. THANK YOU.
The 'binding tool' tip was brilliant!
Simple but works
Thank you so very much. I just starting and it has been expensive but with you hacks I will be saving money . I'm going to check all your videos about cutting accurate.
You are so welcome!
Большое спасибо за заботу о нашем удобстве! Пользуюсь вашими советами с удовольствием!
I loved the tip for binding, both sewing strips together and getting good corners when sewing on the binding!
My friend Sue and I find your video tutorials really really helpful. Thanks 🌈
thank you Karen Brown for these tips. Im a beginner at sewing. Your videos are so helpful.
That binding tool is genius. I wish I’d had it two days ago, but better late than never! Love your videos. Now I’m off to Skill Share! I need some new things to keep me busy during all this virus hooplah, so this may be the perfect time to learn something new! Thank you!
Thank you. Your video was very helpful while doing binding.
I started quilting 6 months ago & you have saved me lots of pounds (£). Thank you so much!
I have a couple of ideas, one of them is when I'm doing a quarter inch double fold Edge along for instance like you said a tablecloth, I will first fold up a half inch on the line that I wanted to be finished at. Then I will turn that edge in towards the fold over on itself, so that I have that half-inch precise and perfect and then I'm not as worried about the quarter inch it will happen just fine. The other thing I wanted to say is you can use those metal disposable pans that you get at the grocery store or the dollar store, and cut those for templates sometimes. Be careful they can be very sharp especially if you cut a very sharp point on them. But you can use that to iron-on, instead of the plastic it should not melt !
Yes you have to be careful. I have tried some of the plastic the electronics are packaged in and have been cut. Blood on fabric is never good 🙄
Best way to remove blood from fabric is your own saliva ... doesn’t sound very pleasant but it works!
@@vonneywright4028 I know this as well, learned it from Caribbean laundresses at a gym years ago.
That binding tool is pure genius! I love your videos!!!!!
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Thank you, this was so helpful to me! I have been sewing for 70 yrs and am new to quilting and I find accuracy my most challenging problem your tips are excellent.
I so appreciate your style of teaching and your information!!
You're an ANGEL. Thanks for all your help❣ 🥰😍
When I have to make double-fold narrow hems I take the fabric to my sewing machine and stitch 1/4" or less (move the needle about 1 needle width) in from the raw edges for "marking" the first foldline. Then I stitch again at 1/2" from the raw edges. I can see and feel the stitches with my fingers as I fold the fabric over. If you need a mitered corner, for example, when making a napkin, I just fold the corners in at the intersection of the two 1/2" stitching lines to create a 45 degree fold line at the corners. Then I trim away the pointed tip of that folded triangle at the intersection of the two 1/4" stitching lines cutting at a 45 degree angle parallel to the corner fold. Then I proceed to fold in the long raw edges, first at 1/4" and press. Then I fold in at the 1/2" stitching lines and press. The corners will be mitered perfectly if done correctly. The added stiff template would probably be very helpful at the ironing board so I will add that to my arsenal of tricks. I never thought about using cereal boxes. Love it! Thanks.
Thank you for sharing so much of yourself with us. I have such an easy time understanding your teaching method. Be as blessed as you are blessing!
Great, no, awesome tips!! Thanks for being practical and knowing what hacks work best!
I made that binding tool this morning. And used it.👏👏👏 Thank you a bazillion times over for the idea!!!!!🌞❤
Funny how a simple thing works so well
Karen, you are brilliant … also giving us good ideas
I’m so happy I found your blog and learned a lot! Thank you
This 2 in 1 tool is a game changer. I used it today on my binding and my corners have never looked so good. A big thank you! I can now do binding without getting frustrated. So good
Just made and applied some binding using your template that I made out of an old Xmas card, brilliant, the best and quickest binding I have ever done, although since I’ve only made half a dozen quilts I guess that’s not saying much! I love binding, I find sewing the back on by hand very therapeutic after all the stress of making the top and quilting but getting the corners nice was always a bit of a phaff, no more. Thank you so much .❤
Wonderful!
Should add all your videos are so helpful, the first one I ever made was your stashbuster 1 quilt, this one was your stashbuster 3, I’d be lost without you.
I like all your tips, but the first one is absolutely brilliant!
Brilliant, thank you.
It's so nice to meet a fellow Canadian!
Thank you so much for another great video, with a ton of useful tips.. and i reslly appreciate thst you sent us to Sugaridoo to see her template. I became a new subscriber..this is how you support other quilters/'Tubers. :)
I've sewn for quite a while now but your tips are so valuable. Thank you so much
love these diy hacks thanks
Love your down to earth presentation. Keep um coming and uhm slow down I love to replay them to make sure I get them right thxs
Linda Derrick You can slow the replay down yourself. Click on the star icon. One of the options is playback speed
Lady you are so smart I love your videos
Excellent! You and your videos are a delight. Your practical explanations and approaches have improved my techniques and results immeasurably and my gratitude is king size. ❤️❤️One more use for up-cycled plastic or cardboard is a thumb guide for hand stitching.
Enjoy all the well earned happy feedback! I’m off to make myself a binding tool...
Oh! Idea for a video: instructions and comparison of different types and widths of bindings. I’ve never been able to figure out why so many cut binding strips at 2-1/2. Mine are 1-7/8”. Anything wider and the binding feels ...deflated.
💕💕💕. Binding one is coming
Can you explain your thumb guide for hand stitching?
ferrelli1001 It’s a pic I found on Pinterest, a disc of plastic with a circular flap cut and angled down to fit over your thumb at the base of the nail. The forward edge of the disc is cut straight and marked with regular lines the length of the stitches you want to make. You hold it along the edge of the fabric and use the marks to keep your stitches even. Can’t post the pic here, best to search “blanket stitch thumb guide” on Pinterest.
Great tips, Karen! As a somewhat beginner quilter it can be daunting to get blocks to come out as well as expensive to buy tools you're not sure you will use. Thanks for all your great tips!!
So glad you like them
Your videos are always a wealth of knowledge!! Thank u...Enjoy them sooo much
Thank you so much for the ideas. You are oh so resourceful, I'm in awe 😮 ⅕⁷⅔
I like the plastic cards the insurance co. send. After taking out the cards I have 2 rectangles for a template. Cut them bigger if needed. I save a lot of hard cardboard and plastics. I think I get it from my mom.
Thank you for showing the back of the binding. I have had so much trouble with that.
Tool works so well to get that nice 45 on the back
I love your tips
You are so fun and full of information. I love all your ideas you shared today. Plus I can relate to a lot you share! Thanks
What amazing ideas you have! I'm off to the kitchen to steal a cutting mat to turn into your amazing binding tool. Thank you for sharing.
Very nice video! I use "negative space" templates with the shapes cut out from a dinner mat all the time. To quickly mark out small projects for cutting just lay the template mat down and run the pen around inside the shapes, it takes only a few seconds from start to finish, and I can move the template around to get the best layout for the prints.
Love your hints on binding I have always had a hard time doing the corners.
Just found this video last night. Made a binding tool. WOW love it already. I really enjoy watching your vids. Keep em coming