Quilting Heidi Posted October 5, 2011 Report Share Posted October 5, 2011 I found a mitt at the dollar store made out of a micro fiber. It is great to remove chalk marks made with miracle chalk from my quilts. I thought I would pass it along. In the past I've used just a sponge or a micro fiber cloth but the mitt makes it so easy! Anybody else have some helpful hints? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoseCity Quilter Posted October 5, 2011 Report Share Posted October 5, 2011 On my way to the dollar store! Thanks Heidi.... My hint: I picked up some very large washers (you know bolt, nut and washer) (3"?)at our local agriculture supply store when I was with DH who was getting parts. Instead of putting paper panto under the mylar plastic (which I hate doing, so much static here in dry climate Alberta) I just roll the panto out on top of the mylar, and plunk down the large washers on top to hold it in place. I can slid the whole thing when lining up the panto where I want it, but once in place the washers hold it where I want it.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sylvia Posted October 5, 2011 Report Share Posted October 5, 2011 Hi Heidi Thanks for the hint about the microfibre mitt. I will keeo an eye out for one of those. Have you ever been quilting along on a very light colored quilt when you see a dark thread trapped under the top? Get a size 10 crochet hook ( very tiny) and wiggle ot through the fabric, hook onto the thread and pull it through to get rid of it. If you are careful this will not leave a hole. Sylvia Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Primitive1 Posted October 5, 2011 Report Share Posted October 5, 2011 Such good ideas! Sylvia, I have had that problem and used needles and sometimes just cannot get the thread... Heidi, great idea, I got one for my blinds but did not think of using it for my machine....and Ardelle, I know now that it is getting cooler, static elec. becomes a problem...I had been using dryer sheets to wipe down my table and plastic cover to help with static.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbz98236 Posted October 5, 2011 Report Share Posted October 5, 2011 Adelle, I love that idea. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
delld Posted October 5, 2011 Report Share Posted October 5, 2011 Great ideas!!!! Thanks for letting the rest of know! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting Heidi Posted October 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2011 I'm glad I started this thread gals. Lots of good ideas! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lorihufford Posted October 6, 2011 Report Share Posted October 6, 2011 I use a hand made dish scrubber crocheted with netting to pick up any lint, stray threads or animal hairs that cling to the quilt top. I have one customer who must let her cats sleep all over her tops, after I have wiped them down, it looks like I have collected a kitten! Of course a lint brush works just as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadyLake Posted October 6, 2011 Report Share Posted October 6, 2011 I've been looking for ways to speed up my quilting process, and have come to the conclusion that when I snip threads and throw them on the floor, instead of dropping them into the trash cans on each side of the quilt, that I'm saving time. I was brought up as a neat-nick, but now that I'm throwing threads on the floor, it feels kind of good.:cool: When I'm through quilting the quilt, then I get out the vacumn and clean up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting Heidi Posted October 6, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 6, 2011 Joan LOL sometimes it just feels good to throw a thread on the floor. I wear an apron and I keep my small rulers and tools in my right pocked and the snipped threads go in the left pocket. When I'm done quilting I can just empty out my pocket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffq-lar Posted October 6, 2011 Report Share Posted October 6, 2011 When I frog, I pull the top thread and clip-pull-clip-pull-clip the bobbin thread. Those short lengths of bobbin thread that have their heads sticking out above the top can be easily pulled out and collected in a pile by using a rubber "brick" style eraser. I scrape the edge of the eraser along the stitches and the threads pile up in a line to be easily picked up. Then I run a sticky lint roller underneath to get any stray threads left there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ffq-lar Posted October 6, 2011 Report Share Posted October 6, 2011 Joan! I use the "coffee filter taped to the side of the machine" hint for all thread trimmings. I also have one at the back above the cone for those lengths you get when changing thread colors and pulling the new color to the front. Really weird? I save all those thread pieces for my buddy the art quilter and she acts like I have given her a great present! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SharonG Posted October 6, 2011 Report Share Posted October 6, 2011 I hate searching for pins that have dropped, especially on the carpeted floor in both the long arm and sewing areas so finally got a collapsible wand with a magnet and light at the end, so it is easy to take along to quilt retreats, and it just totally beats trying to get down on my hands and knees and look for a pin. It was very reasonable and think I ordered it from KEEPSAKE QUILTING. Sharon G Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustSewSimple Posted October 6, 2011 Report Share Posted October 6, 2011 Sometimes the vacuum will not pick up threads from the floor - especially if you have carpet or rugs. Get a new clean toilet brush and rub it around on the floor. All the threads will stick to the brush and you can just pull them off and put the in the garbage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
njquiltergirl Posted October 6, 2011 Report Share Posted October 6, 2011 I use a large car washing microfiber-covered sponge for wiping chalk from tops. It is big and grabs a lot in one swipe. I found it at Walmart for about $5. a couple years ago. I like it because you have something to hold on to, since it is a big sponge, and you can rub with out hurting the top. I can post a photo later if needed. Great topic Heidi! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Borderline Quilter Posted October 6, 2011 Report Share Posted October 6, 2011 I like to use a net on my spools of thread but often the nets catch a hold of the thread and jurk it or snap it so, of to my lingerie draw I went and came back with 'pop socks', one sock can do maybe 3 spools so now I have lots of 'thread socks for my spools....they are nice and soft and don't catch the thread at all! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustSewSimple Posted October 6, 2011 Report Share Posted October 6, 2011 Along the same line as Kay, cut the legs of your old panny hose to make "rings" to wrap around the center of your spools of thread. The thread won't spool off and you can see its color well. I also sometimes use it on the machine instead of a net. Works great and you are using something you would normally toss. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheri Butler Posted October 6, 2011 Report Share Posted October 6, 2011 I have bobbin cases set for each weight of thread. When I switch from So-fine to, King Tut for example...or from a 50 wt thread to a 40 wt thread..etc. all I have to do is grab the bobbin that's pre-set tension wise. NO tension gauge needed for this ole gal! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sspingler Posted October 6, 2011 Report Share Posted October 6, 2011 I also have 3 bobbin cases for different size threads. I also use a soft nail brush to erase chalk lines and close up frog holes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donnavans Posted October 6, 2011 Report Share Posted October 6, 2011 I wear a cotton tshirt when quilting and sewing. When I clip threads or just see a loose thread, I put it on my shoulder. The thread sticks to my tshirt. Then when I am near a thrash can, I de-thread myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matildanme Posted October 7, 2011 Report Share Posted October 7, 2011 Like Sheri, I have many bobbin cases that I use for different thread types. I've dabbed a spot of nail polish on the top of the bobbin case so that they are easily identified...pink for poly etc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gail O Posted October 7, 2011 Report Share Posted October 7, 2011 I've serged two 10 inch pieces of batting together - poly and wool, I think. I drop my thread clippings, broken pieces of chalk, etc. on it and just brush them into the garbage when it gets full. It's easy to move out of the way, and amazingly I have yet to roll it into the quilt when advancing. That will happen now that I've said it out loud. g Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting Heidi Posted October 7, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2011 Gail lol yes it will! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RitaR Posted October 7, 2011 Report Share Posted October 7, 2011 When using the Fons and Porter or Sew Line small lead marking pencils, use the cheap, different colored erasers that come in a pack of several at the Dollar Tree. These are shaped just like the old pink ones we use to use. Takes the marks right off the fabric, or quilts in this case, a lot easier and more thorough than the fabric erasers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yankiequilter Posted October 8, 2011 Report Share Posted October 8, 2011 I didn't think that I had anything to add to this discussion, until this morning. I keep a bottle of New-Skin liquid bandage handy so that when I poke myself with a pin and there is a fair amount of bleeding I can brush it on. Great at stopping the bleeding. This morning I jammed something between my nail and finger and there is blood all over. As soon as the New Skin dries I'll be quilting again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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