Q-Tips #7: Finally it is fall and we are back busy in the sewing room! Now if only we could find all the pieces and all the instructions? To solve this problem buy lettuce mixtures in the clear plastic tubs, available at many grocery stores. I remove the label as soon as possible, so that it peels off easily – if not use WD 40 or Goo-gone works well. Eat the lettuce (you need the energy for quilting). I store the pattern, cut strips and fat quarters or pieces for that project in the box where I can see it. The boxes stack, can be labelled and you are organized and ready to go. The health benefits of lettuce are your added bonus.

Q-Tips #6: When my students tell me that my husband should know I am not out on the town late at night, because I look like a thread catcher, then I know I have to clean up my act! So here is a tip for you. Pin a scrap square of batting to your shoulder, and when snipping threads 'wipe' them onto the batting. They adhere to the batting and not to your fingers. Make sure you throw the batting scrap away before you go home and then no one will know where you have been! Happy summer and have fun quilting. Ingrid, Quiltessential Co.

Q-Tip #5: Lovers of the Red Green show will understand the usefulness of duct tape. However, quilters of the Pink and Peach variety will totally get that their quilting kit needs to contain masking tape! I use it constantly while I work. If I need to cut odd size strips I mark my ruler with masking tape to remind me where to cut. To keep my blocks in the correct order when putting them together, I mark each block with row and number in the top left corner, so I do not get confused. To retrieve pins or needles that have fallen behind a table, place masking tape sticky side out on the end of a ruler and "pick" the item up. No flannel design wall? Place sticky masking tape on the back of blocks and lightly stick them up. Even if you can't remember the names of people in your quilt class you can at least give them a masking tape name tag! As long as you remove it fairly promptly from fabric and rulers, it will not harm your work. Buy it in multi-packs and leave a roll in your sewing kit, quilt room and kitchen, and you will be better equipped than Red himself! Happy quilting and keep your cutter on the mat.

Q-TIP #4: There is much debate and discussion on the subject of pre-washing fabrics. I have not pre-washed for over 15 years and as I always quilt with good quality cottons, there has been no transfer of dye or nasty shrinkage. BUT many quilters do pre-wash. I do wash a flannel or brushed, if I am mixing it with cotton, or if my fabric is vintage. So how do you stop having fabrics unravelling and getting creased up in a large tangled mess? I trim a small 45 degree angle off each selvedge corner from the cut ends, and then I use large safety pins to pin several large folds (about 18") of fabric together. This stops the twisting and turning of a large piece of backing for example, which results in many creases. The snipping of the corners stops threads from continuing to fray and getting tangled up. Fat Quarters I snip in the same way, and then I pin them at the corners four at a time and they stay together nice and neatly with a minimum of fraying in the washer and dryer.

Q-TIP #3: Do quilter's have something in common other than their love of colour, fabric and pattern? The answer is a loud YES, as many of us can't see to thread a needle. In classes I am constantly threading machine needles, as at the moment I can still see the tiny needle eye. So if you are not lucky enough to have a machine with a needle threader, use a white bread tag! Keep a tag handy with your needles and seam ripper. Place the white plastic bread tag behind the needle and it helps to show you the needle eye. (*This tip tried and tested by the (blind) weblady - it works!!! Thanks Ingrid!)

Q-TIP #2: Have you ever been stuck under a large quilt when quilting and everything seems to be heavily pulling on the machine needle? Cover your ironing board with a large plastic garbage bag and tape it on securely (masking tape the quilters equivalent to duct tape works well). Lower the ironing board to the table height and place it to the left of the machine. Now you have a large surface to support your quilt and one that is slick enough not to drag on the quilt and pull on the needle. Just add some medium to slow classical music or jazz and quilt away - the faster the music, the faster you will go, so don't get too upbeat!

Q-TIP #1: After quilting for over 20 years and teaching numerous quilting classes I have picked up tips that stick like threads to my Arctic fleece top! Hopefully I can share a few with you, and even if you are aware of them, a helpful reminder is not a bad thing. So every issue I will share one, and hope to pass on a little hint and a smile. When I buy fabric for my stash I record the yardage on the selvage with a permanent pen. Then I am not measuring in the middle of the night when I get a brilliant idea for a quilt, wondering if I have enough fabric. If I use some, then I just rewrite the remaining amount.

Let go of:

FEAR - do not be scared of the unknown, of making a mistake or of the feeling - Where do I start? This is your project so make it yours, and let it evolve.

EXPECTATIONS - you can't always recreate what you see in a pattern or in a book. It can't always be exactly like someone else's and it can't always be perfect. Do what you can and be proud of it. If you work is different, that's OK!

RULES - It is not the traditional ways or matching of corners that are important, it is better to concentratre on your work coming from your heart. Let your quilt speak for you.

FINISHING - if you have works that are unfinished at least you have been creating. The doing is more important and more satisfying.

Inspiration:

Let someone influence you and inspire you - a fabric, some furniture, a magazine, a person, an idea or a flower. Whatever it is, use it to give you a creative spark to boost you and get working. Doing is better than not.