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Quick Tips
A Common Thread Fabrics

Quick Tip 3: The true 1/4-inch seam allowance is very important for well pieced quilts. One way to make sure that you are sewing with a true 1/4-inch seam allowance is to cut 2 strips of fabric, each 1 1/2 inches wide by 3 to 4 inches long. Sew them together with a 1/4-inch seam, press and measure. The pieced fabric section should measure 2 1/2 inches wide (1 1/2 + 1 1/2 = 3. Subtract 1/2 inch for seams or 3 - 1/2 = 2 1/2). Practice until your seams are a true 1/4 inch. 

Quick Tip 2: Are you having trouble hiding the ends of threads when you end a line of sewing. One of the nicest methods of hiding threads is to cut them several inches long and then hide them under the layer of fabric with a needle. However, this can be very time consuming. To make this easier and faster, use an “Easy Threading” needle – you don’t put the thread through the eye of the needle, rather it is “pulled” into an eye from the side of the thread. You can’t go backwards with this needle, but it can save hours of time.

Quick Tip 1: Do you use templates when you appliqué either by machine or by hand? To make quick but durable templates, cover both sides of your paper pattern with clear Contact paper and cut out the shapes. You will want to make any informational marks on the template before you put the Contact paper on it. These templates will last an amazingly long time.

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