When to Replace Rulers
When should I replace my existing rulers? Imagine a sharp blade slivering off a microscopic amount of plastic from your ruler each time you use it. Would the ruler still measure correct? If you have been thinking your problem might lay within your sewing accuracy that has contributed to a completed block being slightly askew, let’s stop and examine the ruler.
Depending on how often the same ruler is used and how long it has been in your sewing studio, might contain the secret of those skinny strips or scrawny squares.
I watched Cleo hold one of our rulers from the store’s cutting table vertically with the long edge along the table the other day. I was surprised (almost horrified) at the gap between the cutting table and the ruler’s edge! I had just used that ruler to cut out my recent quilt pieces! I had taken so much care to making sure all the pieces were perfectly lined up on the ruler lines, not realizing that each time I cut the pieces where much smaller before I even sat down at my sewing machine.
I started checking my rulers at home. Yikes! Was I in for a disappointment! All that careful cutting was down the drain…it’s time for new rulers!
These days there are numerous ruler styles to select from. A few tips for selecting replacement rulers:
1. Select a ruler with SKINNY lines that are NOT solid. Lines with tiny brakes in them allow the true fabric edge to be perfectly positioned with the cutting line. Rulers with fatter lines are harder to know which side of the line to use.
2. Figure out what size of rulers are best for you. If you are replacing the longer ruler such as a 6 1/2″ x 24″, think if there times that a 8 1/2″ x 24″ would fit the bill on more of your regularly cut strip sizes. Remember, you can always cut smaller strips with a ruler, but not bigger ones.
3. Kaye England’s suggestion for selecting ruler sizes is to select a 7″ x 24″ and not a 6 1/2″ x 24″. How many times have you cut a strip before realizing that the 1/2″ was on the WRONG side! Kaye England’s Cut For the Cure* rulers are all in whole numbers. Using two colors of lines on her rulers allows users to find the correct line quicker. The green and pink skinny lines are not solid and are color coded. The green lines are the whole numbers and the 1/2″ increments and the pink lines are the 1/4″ and 3/4″ lines. Visit www.kayeengland.com to view all the Cut For the Cure rulers. *A portion of each Cut For the Cure ruler purchase is donated to the Susan G. Kommen Breast Cancer Foundation. These rulers are available in all sizes from Heirloom Creations.
Take a minute next time you are beginning to cut out a new quilt project to examine the condition of your rulers. Having a brand new ruler might just save you unforeseen frustration when piecing together your next quilt project.
Need a Christmas gift idea this year? How about new rulers or at least a gift card from Heirloom Creations!,
© 2007 SewSara, Sioux Falls, SD. All Rights Reserved.
Quilt As You Go!
Imagine not having to layer and quilt your next queen size quilt! There are many ways to piece and quilt individual blocks or rows that are much more manageable in size. Once the blocks or rows are quilted, there are numerous ways to attach each of the quilted pieces together. The concept of quilt as you go has been around for years, yet is rarely used. Before setting out to complete your next quilt, ask yourself, “Can this quilt pattern adapt to a quilt-as-I-go quilt?” Many baby quilts, table runners, and basic block-block-block patterns can easily qualify for this simple method.
If this method is new to you, begin with something simple like a table runner or a quilt from a quilt-as- you-go book like Reversible Quilts by Sharon Pederson. I personally have taught from and completed a quilt from Sharon’s books and love her method the best for connecting all the quilted blocks together.
Quilt-as-you-go quilts can be a two-for-one quilt. For example, a spring quilt on one side and a fall quilt on the other. Just flip it over with the change of the seasons! With a little planning, this style of construction can save fabric cost and of course, quilting costs for two quilts. This technique is also perfect if you are short on time or sewing space to quilt a larger quilt.
For joining the quilted blocks or strip segments, cut and press simple sashing strips or hinges that makes sure the batting from each piece touches together. This prevents a finished quilt from being floppy at the intersections. On the front side the hinges can be all sewn to each of the blocks. On the back side, the fabric hinge will need to be secured with matching or monofilament thread using a small zig-zag or blind applique stitch.
So the next time you hear yourself thinking, Uggg, I don’t want to quilt this quilt myself. See if a quilt-as- you-go method might take the pain out of machine quilting!
© 2007 SewSara, Sioux Falls, SD. All Rights Reserved.
Sara Published in Threads Magazine
Sara was recently published in the November 2006 Threads magazine. She was asked to help answer a question from a trucker who loves to sew on the road!
QUESTION: After 30 years as an accountant, I’ve changed careers and am now a long- haul trucker. I always take Threads magazine with me on the road, but I’m looking for a sewing machine I can take along, as well. I need a machine that will run off an inverter that plugs into a cigarette lighter. I’d like to use it to repair my clothes and do some quilting, too. Teresa Hering
ANSWER: Sara Snuggerud, owner of Heirloom Creations (a quilting-supply store and sewing machine dealer in South Dakota), replies:
Ten-four to all the truckers who love to sew! Most home sewing machines take about 1 amp of power to run. A 300-watt, or higher, inverter is strong enough to run a 1-amp sewing machine. And an embroidery machine needs between 1 1/2 – 3 amps.
When you shop for a sewing machine, take along a sampling of some of your own fabrics to test how it will sew. Test the penetration power of the machine on thick fabrics by sewing at both a slow and a fast speed. If the machine has the same “sound” sewing through heavy layers at a slow speed as it does with higher speeds, then the machine has the stronger penetration power usually found with DC (direct- current) motors.
By the way, if you plan to use an iron, too, please note that a standard iron will draw 8 – 15 amps of power and require a much higher watt inverter. You might want to consider the Mini Clover Iron that only requires 20 watts of power. It’s perfect for quilting, although it may not be hot enough for ironing bulky fabrics.
© 2007 SewSara, Sioux Falls, SD. All Rights Reserved.
Acid Free Storage Boxes
Whether storing quilts, wedding gowns, antique linens, or heirloom christening dresses, acid free
storage boxes are the perfect solution. Now that we are all aware of the importance of acid free paper for scrapbooking and acid free photo paper for pictures, it is good to understand the benefit of acid free storage boxes.
We now stock Acid Free storage boxes at Heirloom Creations. These unique one-piece box is made of white, buffered, acid-free corrugated fiberboard and is an economical way to store and protect valuable textile items. Each box also includes 24 – 20″ x 30″ sheets of unbuffered, acid-free tissue. We have two sizes: 30″ x 18″ x 6″ for a queen size quilt and 5″ x 15″ x 18″ for lap and crib size quilts.
For fabric items that need to be preserved and stored, there are a few things to know before stuffing a keepsake into an Acid Free Storage box!
Like all fabric items, be sure that they can breath during storage.
Avoid plastic air-tight containers.
This is a sure way to lock in unwanted moister.
Keeping items wrapped in a cotton pillowcase, acid
free tissue paper or muslin, will protect it from dust and sunlight, but still allow the item airflow.
Store wrapped items in temperature controlled areas within the house. Basements and attics can be too moist or too hot to properly store these family heirlooms.
Write on the outside of the container the contents and date they were stored for easy identity. Take time every 3-6 months to open, air out and refold these keepsakes. If possible let quilts layout on a bed for help relax any crease lines. When restoring, add acid-free tissue paper between the folded layers for increased support between the folds.
Be sure all items are clean before storage. Wash hands before handling and storing any item to remove oils and lotions that may stain fabrics prior to storing. To remove dust from quilts, it is recommended to place a piece of screening over the quilt and gently vacuum the surface.
Acid Free storage boxes are also a great gift box for the new bride and groom or mother-to-be. This way if the quilt is not immediately opened for use, it will be safe until it is used.
Of course, storing quilts on a spare bed out of the sunlight is the best! Layer them up as high as needed. (I remember seeing one bed with 30 quilts on it at an Amish store on the East coast)!
I am reminded of a friend’s observation after a partial house fire: All the keep for a special occasion Grandma’s hand-sewn linens, silver and quilts may never had been enjoyed if the fire had taken the whole house. Now that USE and enjoy all those special items on a daily basis. What are we really saving them for in the first place if we don’t let anyone enjoy them?
© 2007 SewSara, Sioux Falls, SD. All Rights Reserved.