This video was awesome! I took a quilting class last year and the instructor was very strict about everything. It took the fun out of it for me. And she didn’t teach any of the practical tips you gave (except pressing and changing needle) that would have had me soaring. Thanks for making quilting less intimidating. Not everyone is looking to make a show quilt. Sometimes you just want to make something as a gift or for daily use.
I experienced this same thing years ago. She was so exacting. I did not want to even finish my project. I wasn’t given any tips about fabric or anything. I hope you finish a beautiful quilt. I may try something simple. 😊
Hi Kate, as an Australian male, 74 years of age, having recently purchased a sewing machine, I really appreciated your video on "... Quilt and Sewing Tips". I am soaking up as much as I can. Also, I really appreciated your clear voice, well paced descriptions and clean editing. Look forward to more tips, tricks and guides from you, for which purpose, I have subscribed. Thank You, Peter.
Hi Peter, Thank you so much for your comment and I am so happy you are here. Quilting and sewing can be such a fun hobby so welcome to your new obsession! :)
Great tips. The one caution I would give is to check that your precut is the size is correct by doing a check. Sometimes they are not correct. And that the sewist sees that those pinked edges are part of the width.
Agreed! I found that it was time better spent to learn to cut well so that any sizing mistakes were my own. Also allows me to find my own fabric combinations.
Prolly TMI... When you press seams to one side there will be fabric behind the seam, possibly making the seam more durable. If you press the seam open, there's only thread where the two fabrics meet. That said, I still mostly press open because I prefer the look. It's all about choices. Your, "no rules" tip is the best!
❤❤ your tips are awesome. I'm getting ready to start a big project - a grandson quilt and your suggestions and demonstrations we practical, time, and money-saving. Appreciate the sharing.
Another tip - if using material with a design that only goes one way, such as trees/houses/people/animal, and you are doing a pattern that wants all those cut pieces the same design orientation, then purchase more fabric. For example I recently make an hexagonal christmas tree skirt, and most of the fabric had designs that are viewed from only one direction. This meant the angular cuts at each side used more material, than being able to rotate the fabric around for each angled cut piece.
Some great tipps for beginners. Thank you. Mine is: you don't need to buy all those pretty but pricy things from all the brands. As a quilter's clapper I use a plain wooden block and it works just as fine
I love this! I also wanted to thank you for all the lovely patterns you have on your website. I was wondering if you would ever do a video tutorial for your dog bow pattern?
Wonderful video on so many helpful reminders! Thanks for sharing such videos of sewing fabric and what you do to make fabric line up! I’m a person who’s sewn clothing and projects and I’m new to quilting. Love your beautiful and fun fabrics especially the Ruby Star Society! I don’t have much space for storing quilts so I’m making small projects and having a blast! I did my first log cabin quilting blocks for a small and square table cover. It’s going to be a gift which makes me so happy! I’ve always wanted to learn how to quilt and staying on the fun and positive mindset is the way to go! Thanks for putting out the great positivity and joy to creating wherever a person is in their journey. I got so overwhelmed by the rules and don’ts of quilting I did nothing for years. Now I’m having fun, practicing and learning and getting better each time I make something. Love to be around positive and encouraging creative people! Yeah!🤩🥳
I find some rulers better than others for different tasks. When needing very accurate measuring, I find the rulers with thin lines much better to line up the diagonal sewing line when cutting HST
All of these tips were VERY HELPFUL ~ THANK YOU VERY MUCH for sharing them!!! At the 2:15 minute mark, to the right of the iron rest thing there are 2 squares... I'd like to know what the manufacture is for the PINK square, that looks like miniature cheater's fabric with a quilting theme to it ~ it's SO pretty and would be perfect for my granddaughter's doll house bed!!! If you know please respond to this message... and if you do, THANKS, but if you don't know, no biggie :) Take care and THANKS AGAIN for these helpful tips!!🙂
It's a cute one! Yes I do know... The fabric line is called Meadow Star by Alexa Abegg and the fabric is called Granny Square. That will be so cute in a doll house! Thanks for watching!
Thank you for the tips and confidence boost. There are so many "quilter police" out there, that it makes a newbie like me want to duck and cover. 🚔🚓🚨 QUESTION: When I am using my rotary cutter, I inevitably start to run up on the ruler! (I swear I don't drive like that! 🤣) Any ideas as to what I'm doing wrong? I feel like I"m holding it like every one else, but obviously I must not be. Thanks, again!
Thank you for all your comments!! I'm glad you got a confidence boost! My rotary cutter does that too sometimes and it can be so scary haha. I think having a sharp blade can help. Sometimes my ruler is just worn down on the side and I think sometimes that causes slipping. I cut slow after a bad cut and it doesn't happen as much. Hopefully that helps!
I noticed that when you press your seams you press on the wrong side of the fabric, not the right side. I was always taught to press on the right side to avoid a possible crinkle. Also do you press your seams before you open them?
There are so many ways to press! I usually press on the right side for my smaller blocks and the back when rows and blocks are sewn together - but for this video I pressed on the wrong side so it was easier to see which way I was pressing. I don't typically press the seams before opening them but I know many quilters like to set the seams before opening.
To remember which way to sew 45 degree angle seam for binding, think of the seam as a ‘belt’ holding the fabric together, and the two long strips you want to keep as the legs of pants/trousers. So you want the seam across where the belt sits on pants, and not up and down splitting the legs apart.
You don't really need to change your needle after every project. Some projects are smaller, some larger. When your needle is dull, it will tell you! Also, precuts are way more expensive per yard of fabric, the smaller, the pricier. Sew for charity and you will soon see bags of fabric left on your doorstep.
I went to the link in your description to see links for some items you mentioned. But there weren’t any links. Just FYI. You might be missing out on some $$.
Great tips. I disagree that packs of fabric are good if you have trouble picking out fabrics. Often they are an entire fabric line and many do not go together. I have seen some horrendous combos in those packs that I would never put together.
@seekatesew I was in a quilting class and a girl brought in a pack of 5 inch squares and laid them out. She asked the teacher if they could make a quilt. The horrified look on the teachers face was priceless. She said maybe you could make two or three if you bought more. She did take the time to rearrange the squares and showed the girl that a quarter of them did not match the others. She said this is not a quilt kit, it's only fabric pack.
It's called the Buffalo Plaid quilt and you can find it in this video: th-cam.com/video/lVignukiJ08/w-d-xo.html Or this blog post: seekatesew.com/buffalo-plaid-quilt-pattern-free-charm-square-quilt/ 😊
Thank you for letting me know! I believe I fixed it - here is the link: seekatesew.com/14-things-i-wish-someone-told-me-when-i-started-quilting-quilt-and-sewing-tips/
With respect to buying extra fabric: In Europe quilting fabric costs $21.50 a yard. Good tips! 😍 Just one criticism: once you hear it , you can't unhear it: the croaking at the end of sentences that seems to be all the rage in America, especially among younger women. 😪
Good to know about the fabric pricing, that's quite a bit more than US so it would be harder to get more. Not sure what the voice is, haha! Might just be my TH-cam voice :) Thanks for watching
This is the worst possible way to make half-square triangles. If you use this method, you'll likely have a mess with stretched seams no matter how careful you are. Quickest isn't always the best. The other tips are okay but try not to get invested in one brand from someone who adds a price to things with their name on it. As someone else mentioned, that clapper is over-priced and the rulers lack a diagonal line that you'd get from Creative Grids (much more versatile.) Also set those seams before pressing. Better tips elsewhere from more seasoned quilter.
This video was awesome! I took a quilting class last year and the instructor was very strict about everything. It took the fun out of it for me. And she didn’t teach any of the practical tips you gave (except pressing and changing needle) that would have had me soaring. Thanks for making quilting less intimidating. Not everyone is looking to make a show quilt. Sometimes you just want to make something as a gift or for daily use.
I experienced this same thing years ago. She was so exacting. I did not want to even finish my project. I wasn’t given any tips about fabric or anything. I hope you finish a beautiful quilt. I may try something simple. 😊
I appreciate your comment and hope you have found fun in quilting again!! :)
I hope you are able to try again and love it! :)
So agree...
Hi Kate, as an Australian male, 74 years of age, having recently purchased a sewing machine, I really appreciated your video on "... Quilt and Sewing Tips". I am soaking up as much as I can.
Also, I really appreciated your clear voice, well paced descriptions and clean editing.
Look forward to more tips, tricks and guides from you, for which purpose, I have subscribed.
Thank You, Peter.
Hi Peter, Thank you so much for your comment and I am so happy you are here. Quilting and sewing can be such a fun hobby so welcome to your new obsession! :)
Great tips. The one caution I would give is to check that your precut is the size is correct by doing a check. Sometimes they are not correct. And that the sewist sees that those pinked edges are part of the width.
That is a great thing to remember and so true! 5" squares can be quite different in size!
Agreed! I found that it was time better spent to learn to cut well so that any sizing mistakes were my own. Also allows me to find my own fabric combinations.
Well done video. Thanks for concise instructions and showing many things in one video!
Thanks for watching!
Prolly TMI... When you press seams to one side there will be fabric behind the seam, possibly making the seam more durable. If you press the seam open, there's only thread where the two fabrics meet. That said, I still mostly press open because I prefer the look. It's all about choices. Your, "no rules" tip is the best!
Yes, so many ways to do the same thing!! Thank you for your comment
❤❤ your tips are awesome. I'm getting ready to start a big project - a grandson quilt and your suggestions and demonstrations we practical, time, and money-saving. Appreciate the sharing.
Wonderful! How exciting to have a grandson to sew for. Thank you for watching!
Another tip - if using material with a design that only goes one way, such as trees/houses/people/animal, and you are doing a pattern that wants all those cut pieces the same design orientation, then purchase more fabric.
For example I recently make an hexagonal christmas tree skirt, and most of the fabric had designs that are viewed from only one direction. This meant the angular cuts at each side used more material, than being able to rotate the fabric around for each angled cut piece.
Oh yes that is an important one!!
I don't have a clapper but I do have a short length of 2X4. It works for me
Brilliant!!
Your daughter has already made quilts?! That's awesome!
Just one! She's so proud (and so am I!) :)
Quilting Is Art...indeed 😊
Totally! Thanks for watching 😊
This was incredibly helpful. Thank you !!
Great tips!! I really enjoy your videos!! Thank you!! -Alicia
Thank you Alicia! I'm glad you are here :)
Some great tipps for beginners. Thank you. Mine is: you don't need to buy all those pretty but pricy things from all the brands. As a quilter's clapper I use a plain wooden block and it works just as fine
Such a great reminder!!
I love this! I also wanted to thank you for all the lovely patterns you have on your website. I was wondering if you would ever do a video tutorial for your dog bow pattern?
Thank you so much! It's on my list, hopefully I will get to it soon :)
Great tips! Thank you!
Thanks for watching!
Wonderful video on so many helpful reminders! Thanks for sharing such videos of sewing fabric and what you do to make fabric line up! I’m a person who’s sewn clothing and projects and I’m new to quilting. Love your beautiful and fun fabrics especially the Ruby Star Society! I don’t have much space for storing quilts so I’m making small projects and having a blast! I did my first log cabin quilting blocks for a small and square table cover. It’s going to be a gift which makes me so happy! I’ve always wanted to learn how to quilt and staying on the fun and positive mindset is the way to go! Thanks for putting out the great positivity and joy to creating wherever a person is in their journey. I got so overwhelmed by the rules and don’ts of quilting I did nothing for years. Now I’m having fun, practicing and learning and getting better each time I make something. Love to be around positive and encouraging creative people! Yeah!🤩🥳
I'm so happy you are here! I love smaller quilted and patchwork projects, too, they brighten up my home!! I appreciate your comment
I am surprised that the rulers you use don’t have a diagonal line corner to corner. I find that very helpful with HSTs
You are right, those diagonal lines help a lot. I'm so used to these green rulers I don't need them but that is a good tip for beginners!
I find some rulers better than others for different tasks.
When needing very accurate measuring, I find the rulers with thin lines much better to line up the diagonal sewing line when cutting HST
All of these tips were VERY HELPFUL ~ THANK YOU VERY MUCH for sharing them!!! At the 2:15 minute mark, to the right of the iron rest thing there are 2 squares... I'd like to know what the manufacture is for the PINK square, that looks like miniature cheater's fabric with a quilting theme to it ~ it's SO pretty and would be perfect for my granddaughter's doll house bed!!! If you know please respond to this message... and if you do, THANKS, but if you don't know, no biggie :) Take care and THANKS AGAIN for these helpful tips!!🙂
It's a cute one! Yes I do know... The fabric line is called Meadow Star by Alexa Abegg and the fabric is called Granny Square. That will be so cute in a doll house! Thanks for watching!
Thank you for the tips and confidence boost. There are so many "quilter police" out there, that it makes a newbie like me want to duck and cover. 🚔🚓🚨
QUESTION: When I am using my rotary cutter, I inevitably start to run up on the ruler! (I swear I don't drive like that! 🤣) Any ideas as to what I'm doing wrong? I feel like I"m holding it like every one else, but obviously I must not be.
Thanks, again!
Thank you for all your comments!! I'm glad you got a confidence boost! My rotary cutter does that too sometimes and it can be so scary haha. I think having a sharp blade can help. Sometimes my ruler is just worn down on the side and I think sometimes that causes slipping. I cut slow after a bad cut and it doesn't happen as much. Hopefully that helps!
@@seekatesew i think I'll try to slow down 😄. Blade and ruler are new. It's me haha. Thank you
I noticed that when you press your seams you press on the wrong side of the fabric, not the right side. I was always taught to press on the right side to avoid a possible crinkle. Also do you press your seams before you open them?
There are so many ways to press! I usually press on the right side for my smaller blocks and the back when rows and blocks are sewn together - but for this video I pressed on the wrong side so it was easier to see which way I was pressing. I don't typically press the seams before opening them but I know many quilters like to set the seams before opening.
I agree-press on right side.
Also, the video makes the tension of your stitches look a little tight creating slight puckering. ??
You can use a smaller cutting mat on top of the larger one to spin around.
Oh that's a great hack! Thanks Dorothy!
To remember which way to sew 45 degree angle seam for binding, think of the seam as a ‘belt’ holding the fabric together, and the two long strips you want to keep as the legs of pants/trousers.
So you want the seam across where the belt sits on pants, and not up and down splitting the legs apart.
Oh that's a great way to describe it! I will remember that!
Great ideas. I went to find the cheat sheet but it said it was no longer available and error.
Thank you for letting me know! I fixed that and it is available now here: seekatesew.com/half-square-triangles-8-at-a-time-chart/
Tip number 13 can I use a ..lazy susan..?
You probably could - the rotating mat was definitely inspired by a lazy susan!
You don't really need to change your needle after every project. Some projects are smaller, some larger. When your needle is dull, it will tell you! Also, precuts are way more expensive per yard of fabric, the smaller, the pricier. Sew for charity and you will soon see bags of fabric left on your doorstep.
Great tips! I love sewing for charity!
I went to the link in your description to see links for some items you mentioned. But there weren’t any links. Just FYI. You might be missing out on some $$.
Oh whoops! Was there something in particular you were looking for? Thanks for letting me know!
The rotating cutting mat. Thanks for getting back to me. That link goes to your blog post. Same on another video.
Oh right, the link to the mat is in the blog post, but it is available here : amzn.to/4eldvDB
Great tips. I disagree that packs of fabric are good if you have trouble picking out fabrics. Often they are an entire fabric line and many do not go together. I have seen some horrendous combos in those packs that I would never put together.
Hah that is a good tip! I usually see cute combos but I have not seen them all! :)
@seekatesew I was in a quilting class and a girl brought in a pack of 5 inch squares and laid them out. She asked the teacher if they could make a quilt. The horrified look on the teachers face was priceless. She said maybe you could make two or three if you bought more. She did take the time to rearrange the squares and showed the girl that a quarter of them did not match the others. She said this is not a quilt kit, it's only fabric pack.
I would love to see that quilt behind you. The name or any info. Thanks
It's called the Buffalo Plaid quilt and you can find it in this video: th-cam.com/video/lVignukiJ08/w-d-xo.html Or this blog post: seekatesew.com/buffalo-plaid-quilt-pattern-free-charm-square-quilt/ 😊
I went to click into the link - and it says Error 404 - not found.
Thank you for letting me know! I believe I fixed it - here is the link: seekatesew.com/14-things-i-wish-someone-told-me-when-i-started-quilting-quilt-and-sewing-tips/
PLEASE close your rotary cutter when you put it down. This made me cringe.
Good advice!
With respect to buying extra fabric: In Europe quilting fabric costs $21.50 a yard. Good tips! 😍
Just one criticism: once you hear it , you can't unhear it: the croaking at the end of sentences that seems to be all the rage in America, especially among younger women. 😪
Good to know about the fabric pricing, that's quite a bit more than US so it would be harder to get more. Not sure what the voice is, haha! Might just be my TH-cam voice :) Thanks for watching
It’s called “vocal fry” and has always been a thing but seems to be getting more defined or noticeable.
@@seekatesew It's when you lower your voice and it sort of cracks or hits a gravelly sound. I just learned about a couple of weeks ago.
How rude
Vocal fry is definitely a thing. Definitely something to be aware of.
This is the worst possible way to make half-square triangles. If you use this method, you'll likely have a mess with stretched seams no matter how careful you are. Quickest isn't always the best. The other tips are okay but try not to get invested in one brand from someone who adds a price to things with their name on it. As someone else mentioned, that clapper is over-priced and the rulers lack a diagonal line that you'd get from Creative Grids (much more versatile.) Also set those seams before pressing. Better tips elsewhere from more seasoned quilter.
Great tips, many thanks!
Thank you Sylvia!