At Patchwork & Stitching we pride ourselves on the high standard of tuition readers receive in the mag and we have followed this through on the website, with illustrated tips that are easy to understand – from how to use your bias maker to marking quilts for quilting. So take a look and you might pick up some great ideas.

		BIAS MAKING TIPS This is a simple tip but after seeing class members at a workshop recently trying to make bias, I thought I’d share it. I like Clover bias maker’s generally as I have tried others and find the final opening to high for the width of the bias, if the width of the finished bias is less than in I will use bias bars. Cut your bias strip a scant 1/4in wider than the finished bias, spray the strip lightly with starch and feed one end into the bias maker – you can use a pin through the slot to glide the strip all the way to the end. Use a flat ended pin to hold the bias in place.
		Then gently guide the iron over the pin and slowly pull the bar of the bias maker to the left keeping the iron next to it, the strip is then pressed and starched as it is leaves the bias maker – don’t pull the maker too quickly as the iron will not be able to starch the fabric and the unpressed fabric will flop and the wrong folds will be ironed in. If this should occur dampen the strip with water and start again. The pin prevents the strip from slipping and will glide under the iron with out scratching it.

MAGNET MAGIC

This is a good idea to keep your desk or work table organised and it also helps when it’s time to clean up. I keep two or three pin magnets on the desk and use each one for different items – that way, I don’t have to search through the pins when I’m looking for a needle. A magnet for safety pins comes in handy, too, when you’re machine-quilting and taking them out of the quilt as you go.

MARKING QUILTING DESIGNS

I never seem to be able to decide on a quilting design till I see the quilt come together, so I usually mark it after the tacking is done. I learnt this method a few years ago and much prefer it to any others – I use tulle (a fine net) to transfer my design. Use tulle that is quite stiff as then there’s no movement – and it’s reasonably inexpensive as well. Cut the tulle into squares or strips about 4in larger all round than you need. Have your pattern drawn up or photocopied for the transfer, then pin the tulle to the pattern and trace it out with a permanent maker (see below) – I prefer a use a medium-point Sharpie.

When your tulle ‘stencil’ is complete and thoroughly dry, position it on the prepared quilt top and pin it in place, then trace out the pattern with a quilting pencil or a water-erasable marker (see below), remove the template and quilt as desired.

BINDING HELPERS

These bendy hair clips are very useful to hold quilt binding in place as you stitch it down, see below. You can buy them cheaply in packs from $2 shops.