Quick-Tip: Chain Sewing

This could have a different title, but I call it "chain sewing." It's a really fast way to put together multiple quilt blocks that are the same. Plus it saves you a ton of thread. 

Take a look!

Here is what I would like to sew together (the beginnings of a star block).

Start with one side, place right sides together, and start sewing. Place your needle in the "down" position if you can on your sewing machine. 

Sew down until you have about 1/4" left and get your second piece ready. Place that piece a couple of centimeters away from the first one and sew right onto it. It's okay if you sew a stitch or two and there's no fabric under the sewing needle. 

When you've sewn all of your pieces, you'll have a chain like this one:

Don't snip your pieces apart just yet! Do the other side (if this applies).

NOW go through and snip your threads that are between the sewn pieces. 

That's it! This process will save you tons of time if you've got a big project to do! 

Quick-Tip: Thread

Here are a few quick-tips when it comes to thread! 

1. Use the same type of thread in the bobbin as well as on top for an optimal sewing experience.

2. Use cotton thread when working with cotton fabric

3. Black thread can have more issues when sewing because it contains more dye on it (to make it black).

4. A good neutral thread is grey. Grey works with any color of the spectrum!

Quick-Tip: Transparent Thread

Quick-Tip:   When sewing, do not put transparent thread in both the top and bottom of your sewing machine. It's bad for your sewing machine as well as for whatever you are sewing on.

Why This Is Important:   Before I knew this rule I quilted with transparent thread on top and through the bobbin. I thought the reason my thread was always bunching up or "catching" on things was because of me. Then I learned what I should have been doing!

Solution:   If quilting, use your transparent thread on the top and a cotton thread on the bottom/in the bobbin. Also, make sure your cotton thread matches your quilt on the underside because it will show.

Quick Tip: Thread

I don't know if anyone else has this problem, but once I came up with a solution I felt rather excited about it and wanted to share. Well, I guess it's not really that exciting but if I can help someone else dealing with the same problem, I'm happy.
Let me explain.

Problem: Thread would get caught and pull ending up in breakage while sewing. I brought pictures along to help show what I mean. You know the little notch where the thread is stuck into when you first purchase it? That is what my thread kept getting stuck in!

Solution: Now this is quite simple; when you sew, turn the notch to the opposite side of where the thread will be pulled! No more breakage while sewing :)

Not Enough Bobbins?

One thing that runs out fast when sewing with a lot of different thread colors are bobbins! So here's a quick tip to fix that problem:

It's OK to add one thread color on top of another to your bobbin!

Simply add more thread to your bobbin (the color you need) in addition to the other. As long as the other thread isn't hanging out you shouldn't have a problem when sewing. The machine will simply stop sewing as if there were no thread left once you run out of the color on top.

Hopefully this saves you from buying a ton of bobbins as well as space!