NEW -- threading your machine

Put a plain piece of white paper on the stitch plate below where the needle is inserted. Then you can thread your needles much more easily. I only need to use this trick when I do double-needle stitching, as my machine has an automatic needle threader.

This trick also works when you are threading those invisible bobbins before you wind them. Simply hold a small tablet behind the bobbin as you are threading it. Tip: Roberta Kvlac, President, Woodlands Area Quilt Guild.
 

I have come to the conclusion that certain dealers just don't know how to use complicated sewing machine software, especially the really creative features. The technology is so new that there are few experts available, and many people are unsure when creating their own images; it's safer to use resident , free, or purchased images.

Even if you are a computer expert, be sure about the machine you purchase. Do some research. Thoroughly check out the shop and try out the machine. Ask for customers you can call to check for references.

These machines are very expensive, and few shops will let you return the machine for full  -- or even major -- credit if you find out the software and/or machine doesn't work as well as represented.

Acrylic templates for quilts blocks available

This is the "Card Trick" block, by Jeffrey Gutcheon, which I rearranged to create "Flying Horses."

As you can see, four blocks complete this visually intriguing quad.

I often explore an established block, such as Card Trick,  when coming up with a design for a new textile piece.

This block, as well as several others, can be obtained in thick acrylic from www.flynnquilt.com at really reasonable prices.

Spendier acrylic templates can be obtained from Sara Moe: info@sewinspired.com. If you like the blocks, they're well worth the price.

On Pantographing ...

Use ribbon leaders from your clamps so that they do not interfere when you pantograph your textiles. Fray-check the ends to make the ribbons hold up. Use safety pins to attach the ribbon leaders to your batt and back. You do not even need to close the pins, but make sure they lie flat.
 

keep those cheeky little bobbins in check

Use small children's hair bands to keep your bobbin thread in place.

Idea contributed by traditional quiltmaker Sue Baack.

I have found I like using these bands to control regular spools of thread that do not have catches on them. I like to coordinate the color of the band with the color of the thread.

I have recently discovered that the best bobbin holders are the rubbery, round ones. These keep many bobbins in place without the thread unwinding.

The first time I cleaned my iron this way, it took me a whole box of softener sheets. But they are very inexpensive, and it's quick. Now, I just clean off my iron every day before I use it, or right when I accidentally get some adhesive on it. My beautiful pink sewing iron (Rowena has a great pink model that benefits breast cancer) is now usually clean.