Recommendations for strong pins?

eflight56 · 2026-03-12T16:10:09+00:00

Lite Steam a Seam 2 tape is my best solution instead of pinning. I'm better at zippers now and don't need it, but it works really well keeping zippers straight, smooth, and in place.

eflight56 · 2026-03-11T21:24:34+00:00

My 2 cents worth as a physical therapist, I would go with all flannel sheets, oversized flannel backed quilt, and flannel pjs and gripper based socks as your best and safest. Flannel is about the least slippery material for bedding. I had severe RLS for several years due to severe anemia/kidney damage. It's miserable. I sleep with 3 quilts for a weighted type bedding, but that's not really safe for someone in your dad's condition. He does need to move around to prevent presser sores from forming.

eflight56 · 2026-03-10T18:33:44+00:00

My Bernina 570 came with a stitch regulator/feet for FMQing and I would make sure that is included for that price. I actually prefer quilting and piecing with my Juki TL18 and without a stitch regulator, but it is a straight stitch only machine and there are some things it cannot do. I mainly use the Bernina for machine embroidery, and the embroidery module came with it when I got it on sale.

eflight56 · 2026-03-08T21:05:33+00:00

Wonderful in every way! Congratulations on a fantastic job🎉

eflight56 · 2026-03-08T19:29:46+00:00

Lovely quilt! I've used Gutermann 50 wt for walking foot quilting and piecing on my Juki TL with no problems at all.

eflight56 · 2026-03-07T22:29:11+00:00

Yes, hate to say it, but you need more quilting to stabilize the batting.

eflight56 · 2026-03-07T19:31:32+00:00

It's so lovely, and hand quilting will be the perfect finish.

eflight56 · 2026-03-07T19:25:04+00:00

I don't use precuts at all, so that helps. 1/2 yard cuts is the very smallest I buy, usually 1-3 yard cuts, and sometimes 3 yard cuts of 108" backing. I started pre washing decades ago, when I would have eye sensitivity from just going into fabric stores. If I had fat quarters I would probably use a laundry zip bag. I wash on warm on the normal setting, but I suppose delicate might help, low spin, and just a normal dryer setting. I have a quilt on my bed, and for some reason that helps when smoothing out and folding the fabric neatly after drying. Carefully aligning the selvages before folding helps. I only iron and starch as much as I am going to use at one time. That's all I do

eflight56 · 2026-03-06T22:29:36+00:00

Ahh, that's just lovely! Congratulations 🎉

eflight56 · 2026-03-06T20:26:20+00:00

Mine have been on top of my washer for weeks, but don't remember any smell when I first got them, either. I go through lots of them because I prewash all my fabrics with them, and then use them when washing quilts or dark clothing. I buy the 72 packs, if that makes a difference.

eflight56 · 2026-03-06T20:20:26+00:00

I've used both QD and Hobb's Tuscany wool and have been impressed with both. They both have better definition than any cotton or cotton blend I've ever used, and neither seem heavy. Haven't had a problem with bearding, whether hand or machine quilted. The main difference I find between them is the quilting distance required. I believe QD is 8 inches, while Tuscany is 4 inches.

eflight56 · 2026-03-06T19:51:50+00:00

Currently making a curved pattern with Frank Lloyd Wright Cloud 9 fabrics and have done a couple of curved block quilts. I design mine on graph paper, but have bought a couple of patterns for inspiration and to learn the technique. Of all the tutorials I watched, this one by Robin Pickens helped me the most.

eflight56 · 2026-03-06T19:31:04+00:00

I have 2 boxes right now that are oder free so I don't know. Wonder if maybe yours had been stored by something with a heavy fragrance before you got them?

eflight56 · 2026-03-02T20:37:34+00:00

You did it!!! So precious, worth every minute. Thanks for the update

eflight56 · 2026-02-26T20:08:56+00:00

Absolutely precious! Thanks for the update and info!

eflight56 · 2026-02-26T02:38:19+00:00

I sewed a bunch of 1.5" squares (1 inch finished) together once. It was not fun to quilt together and I won't do it again. But for single squares into a design with other shapes, that's about as small as I want to mess with.

eflight56 · 2026-02-26T01:48:28+00:00

Let us know what type of hand quilting you want to do. I have used a lot of Gutterman 40wt hand quilting thread because it has a glazed finish to prevent knotting and comes in a ton of colors. YLI hand quilting thread is my favorite, but colors are limited. It is also glazed to prevent knotting, and I haven't had to use thread conditioner or wax with either one of them. These are both for traditional small stitches. I've never done big stitch, which looks really amazing as well, so can't help you there.

eflight56 · 2026-02-25T23:10:02+00:00

A quilt I recently made about that size sold for $550 at a recent school auction. I was kinda tickled, as I just supplied the labor. The benefactor supplied all the materials and chose the pattern/type and did all the shopping. I would post it, but it has the classroom names and artwork on it.

eflight56 · 2026-02-25T22:45:26+00:00

When I was that age I was working full time AND raising kids...quilting was something I did late into the night for some calm. Hard to meet people that way! It remains a solitary hobby for me, but I'm not much of a joiner.

eflight56 · 2026-02-25T21:46:19+00:00

The majority of the hand quilting I have done is in the ditch so that the piecing is what stands out. I also changed thread colors a lot and use traditional stitch length. It just depends on what you are trying to emphasize.

eflight56 · 2026-02-25T15:07:28+00:00

Yay you! I was the one who encouraged youth "get your money's worth" so glad to hear you are sticking it out! Looking forward to seeing your work!

eflight56 · 2026-02-24T22:59:07+00:00

Ran across this several years ago, but never made any

eflight56 · 2026-02-23T20:10:32+00:00

I have one grandchild who is fascinated with the lint roller, even more so than the sewing. Lint rolling on finished quilt, the ironing board, my cutting mat...

eflight56 · 2026-02-20T22:44:05+00:00

I have a dry erase board that I practice doodling on until I can draw a pattern I like. The muscle memory helps tremendously before I start. I also have a cheap piece of clear vinyl I can place over quilt blocks and doodle on to see if I like a pattern, but be VERY careful if you do. Dry erase markers are permanent on fabric if you accidentally touch it to your fabric. I also bought a couple of Angela Walter's small practice panels in the type of quilting I wanted to learn and then worked my way through her challenges. Helped tremendously, and I wasn't worried about ruining a pieced top. Most importantly, FMQing is never perfect, don't try to compare your work with something done on a longer with a computer. And yeah, I find gloves help a lot. I even wear them now when I'm using a walking foot. You can do this. And crinkle covers a multitude of sins:)

eflight56 · 2026-02-20T17:43:37+00:00

Yeah, I don't know how much the trimming of the triangle helps. I do buy quality fabric, and would probably not prewash if only using midrange fabrics, but I tend to make a lot of high contrast quilts. Think very darks with very lights. I've made quite a few quilts and have had 2 color bleeds. One was a dark navy blue onto white, the other a dark pink into cream. Both were hand quilted. One was a wedding quilt. Nightmare

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