Questions about freezer paper Freezer paper has a flat side and a waxy side and it's the waxy side that responds to the warmth of your iron.
Use it for appliqué – trace your shape onto the flat (non-waxy) side and then iron onto your fabric with the waxy side against the fabric. It will stick to the fabric. Trim your fabric so that the shape has a seam allowance and then iron the edges around the shape. You can remove the paper at this stage, or you can take it out at a later stage.
Freezer paper can be used over and over again – the waxiness/stickiness doesn't disappear after the first use.
You can also stitch and quilt through freezer paper.
Freezer paper can be used when you want to print an image onto fabric. Iron your fabric onto freezer paper and then use this in your printer as you would a piece of paper. It's best to cut your fabric a little larger than the sheet of freezer paper so that you can fold the fabric over the top and bottom edges of the paper and anchor it with sellotape. This minimises the danger of it getting stuck or caught in the printer.
Use freezer paper for foundation piecing.
It's useful for your shapes when you're doing landscape appliqué.
What do you use Stitch n Tear for?
You can print or trace directly onto Stitch n Tear for foundation piecing and then tear it away afterwards.
When you use Stitch n Tear make sure that you reduce your stitch length so that your stitches don't break when you're tearing away.
Another idea is to hold a ruler against the stitching line when you are tearing as this reduces the risk of tearing your stitching as well.
Is it any better than greaseproof paper? Yes – because it's more stable.
Use Stitch n Tear underneath your backing fabric when you are doing satin stitch appliqué. It keeps the fabric firm and lessens the problem of stitches breaking or being uneven.
How do you fold and store a quilt?
Fold your quilt in thirds or quarters across the centre, parallel with the top/bottom of the quilt. Then either roll the quilt or fold it again into quarters.
You can pile them on a bed like the Princess and the pea.
DON'T ever fold them down the centre – that fold will not “hang” out.
If you are using tissue paper inside make sure that it is acid-free tissue paper. You can use use strips of thin wadding along the folds for support.
DO NOT USE plastic bags as these attract dust and damp. Best to put your quilts in an old sheet with the folds supported as detailed above. And re-fold regularly.
If you keep them in a cupboard use your unwanted Christmas present toilet soaps in their wrappers in the cupboard to deter moths. Or you can use lavender bags or bags of southernwood herb.
Up to you whether you fold with backing showing or top showing.......backing showing means you protect your top better – top showing means you can identify your quilt quickly.
How should you attach a sleeve to a quilt?
A sleeve should be a tube of fabric which is stitched to the back of the quilt. It is necessary for when a quilt will be hung anywhere. Old sheets are a good source of sleeve fabric.
For exhibitions instructions are given that a 4” sleeve should be attached. For this you would need a strip of fabric 8½” or 9” wide by the width of your quilt plus 1” either end. Stitch into a tube and ensure the seam allowance is on the outside of the tube and placed against the quilt of the tube. Hem the ends with the folded edge on the outside so that the tube is absolutely smooth inside. Attach about 1” below the top of the quilt. Stitch along the top first, then push up slightly to give ½” play to allow a thick pole or dowel to slide though.
Make sure you stitch through the backing and wadding. Not through the front!
Any advice about needles?
Try using Easy Thread needles when you have a short length of thread to sew in. You can just clip the thread into the needle – it's ideal for sewing in all the ends on the back of your quilt.
Try Titanium sewing needles – they are very long lasting and do not “groove” as quickly as normal needles.
Machine needles – use a specialist metallic thread machine needles when using metallic thread.
Barnyards website is a good source for needles and apparently have freebies as well!
John James sewing needles are favourite with some members.
What's the best way to mark a quilt?
Don't wash your quilt in hot water to remove marking lines – this can set them. Use cold water instead.
There are propeller type marker pencils available which are chalk based. On dark fabrics use white artists' pencil.
Generally soluble pens are not recommended. They can leave permanent marks.
Sewline markers were recommended – they come in different colours, they are chalk based,come with an eraser and refills.
You can use an electric toothbrush head for brushing out lines.
Avoid marking the fabric at all by drawing your design on dressmakers' tracing paper – pin it on, and stitch through the paper.
Which is the best wadding?
Polyester is best for hand quilting.
Cotton or cotton and polyester mix for machine quilting.
The higher the loft the more difficult to hand quilt.
Recommended wadding is Hobs Thermore – it's very fine and quilts well, comes in a variety of sizes.
Another one is Dream wadding – said to have magnetic qualities! i.e. The top and the backing seem to cling to it easily.
Put your wadding in the tumble dryer to bulk it up before using – it gets rid of the creases as well. If you don't have a tumble dryer you can hold your steam iron over the creases and steam them. DON'T put the iron actually on the wadding – hold about 2” above it.
Should you wash your fabrics before starting work?
Yes, you should! Use Colour Catchers (available from most supermarkets) as these will take up any “loose” dye so you can put light and dark fabrics in the same wash including reds. Once used you can use them to try out stitches etc rather than waste fabric.
Various hints and tips
How to get creases out of calico – put it in the freezer whilst damp and it will iron much easily.
When threading a needle – lick the eye of the needle and the thread to make it easier.
When threading a sewing machine needle – lick your thumb and first finger, run them down the needle and lick the thread as well.
If you have unpicked a seam and you can't get rid of the line, lick your thumb and run it along the stitching line.
When having trouble threading a needle, try turning the needle round as they are milled from one side and you may be trying the difficult side!
Use the thread in the direction of the way it comes off the reel – this way it threads easier.
Don't sew over pins when machine sewing – they can break and the bits can fly near your face and eyes. Also if you hit pins it can damage the timing of your machine and this can be expensive to repair.
Happy sewing – now that you know so much more!
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