Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Needles-n-Pins Stitcheries: Sewing Tips


Today I think I will give you a few sewing tips and information on needles and bindings. I know all of us do different kinds of sewing and crafting so today I would like to touch on a few different things like information on needles and bindings. 

First......have you ever really looked at your sewing machine needle? I never did until one day when I saw this chart. I new the different sizes, but never realized the different types of needles. This needle chart from Feathers Flights shows the parts of a needle, kinds and sizes. Nice to have this chart in your sewing room. 



Do you need a quick way to determine the yardage needed for that quilt binding? Quilting Tidbits has this chart to show you how to do that. 




I do a lot of embroidery also when I make my little stitchery pillows and embroidering on my pot holders. For all of you embroiders here are some basic stitches from Tip Nut. Most of these stitches I have used, but there are actually a few I didn't know and have never used! I will have to try them out. :)




Now....how many of you buy bias tape? I use to until I started making lots of pot holders for my markets and craft shows and thought I needed to come up with a way to make my own. Now you can buy machines that does this like this one.......





 or little bias tape maker clips.............




But me.....being "cheap" ( I call it "thrifty", but my kids call it "cheap") I make my own by just cutting and ironing them. :)  I do so many of them that I have this down to a routine so it is very simple to do. 




First I cut a 2 inch with of fabric strip. 



Then I fold both ends to the middle. 


Iron it flat.


And whalla..................bias tape!! :)


Well I hope some of these tips are useful for you. I always seem to find tips that I have never used or didn't know about. So excited when I do! :)

Have a good day!! 

Colleen :)