Make It & Break It

After printing for four days, the group had two days of sewing and design. Terry took fabric she'd just printed (and washed) and took on the project of Make It & Break It, where she put fabrics together to take apart and reset in a grid structure. I've made a few of these, and they are always a good puzzle.
 

Flat Seams Good

A seam pressed flat will allow me to have all the images flat on the 'page' as opposed to the rise that comes from pressing to one side. An experiment learned long ago from a talented teacher. It gives me the greatest range of application when choosing the final quilting. Anyway, here's something never to be seen.
 

Look Ma, No Pins

I use pins sparingly. Most of the time I handle the two pieces while sewing them by aligning them a few inches out from the needle, then hold them down with a thumb or finger, and travel along till I repeat the grab and place. Makes the work go fast, and I can get back to the design wall quicker. 
 

Tools of the Trade

That pocket computer that masquerades as a phone contains a gazillion tricks. Visiting a friend who has a Gammill like mine brought out the camera function to take note of the position of the needle through the plate. The text function let me write directly on the image to note what to remember. Technology!
 

Dueling Berninas

I've added this tip each time I teach improv piecing. If you have more than one machine, set two for sewing. Put one at counter height with the pedal on the floor, for short pieces; and set one at table height for long seaming. Saves your knees and quickens your pace. 
 

Time for Juki

Although I bought this Juki in May, I'm now getting around to setting it up and trying it out. So far, so good. I'll like the features that I've never owned, like the automatic scissors cutter. And I'm happy to drive with some increased speed. We'll see how it goes.  

Balancing Act

My tops are made with many short seams, sometimes. And the up and down of sewing has my knees looking for ice. On my counter I put a spare machine so that I can just zip those seams if I stand on one foot. Easy.