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Favorite Things to Use and Know
The quilting experience is overflowing with ideas, new tools and techniques and books on every aspect of quilting. This page will be where I share my favorite ideas, tools and books, whether they are newly released or old favorites. If you are new to quilting, I hope they assist your pursuit of this practical art and if you have quilted for years and never tried these ideas, I hope you find them helpful.
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| Choosing threads to use |
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Like many quilters, I have been happy using the best thread available from my local quilt store. I prefer to use a low lint thread that doesn't add bulk for piecing my quilts. Aurofil, Mettler Silk Finish, Presencia and Star Lite are all good threads that are commonly available in fine quilt shops.
When it comes to the quilting step, I use many different threads to obtain the results I am hoping for - from variegated to rayon and shiny polyesters, there are many different brands to tempt you.
I have recently begun using threads created by Wonderfil Specialty Threads in Canada and have been extremely pleased with every variety I used!! The polyester deco-bob is a dream come true!! The rayons are wonderFUL and add such sheen and beauty to my stitches. If you get an opportunity, please try any one of this company's products, I think you will be pleased! The quilting featured in the photo uses a combination of Wonderfil rayon and aurofil and a Mettler polyester - I just love the colors!! |
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| Scissors...... |
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How many pairs of scissors does one quilter need?? It is interesting to ask that question - I find I have very few pairs compared to many of my quilting friends and students. I love my Ginghers, of course, but also really like the Omnigrid fabric scissors with the yellow handles. Havel makes a great pair of curved blade thread snips that make trimming threads a smooth one step process when machine quilting. |
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| Mary Ellen's Best Press |
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Mary Ellen's Best Press is a clear starch alternative that works great. There is no build up of sticky stuff on the bottom of the iron, and it really makes your fabric iron smooth and flat. Many quilt stores carry this product, the website is maryellenproducts.com
I don't use a lot of steam to press when I am stitching my pieces together, I find that if I have ironed the fabric prior to making the first cut using Best Press, the fabric retains the smoothness and finish throughout the construction of the quilt top.
My husband uses it when he irons his shirts, too!! |
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| Triangles on a Roll |
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Triangles on a Roll is a trademark product I use frequently when creating quilts with triangles. View their site at: www.trianglesonaroll.com
There are other very helpful products that are similar to triangles on a roll, the end result is accurate and easy to make half square and quarter square triangles without cutting individual pieces of fabric. If you are creating triangles with a specific size needed that is not included in the available pre-printed products, Bear Paw publications has a great DVD available: "Triangulations" - it allows you to choose and print any size desired on your home computer and printer!! |
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