Fabric and Sewing Project Tips (Jan. 03)
Courtesy of i-craft.com

- Use a low-melt glue gun when working with net, tulle or sheer synthetic fabric. A hot glue gun will burn you and melt the fabric.

- Avoid the frustration of threading frayed edges by folding thread in half, and pulling the smooth edge through the needle.

- Keep soap slivers in the freezer to use to mark quilts. This keeps soap hard and easier to use. It also washes out right away.

- Wind two or three bobbins of thread while you are making a project. You won't have to stop in the middle of it to wind more.

- Pre-wash fabric before you paint, sew or glue onto it to remove sizing. Sizing, which is found in most fabrics, will prevent craft materials from adhering to the surface properly.

- Save your old check boxes, they're perfect for storing thread for cross-stitch patterns.

- Store knitting needles in tubes for cross-stitch cloth.

- Wear rubber fingertips while doing needlework.

- Store pattern pieces in zip lock bags and label them clearly.

- Make your pillow corners sharp by pushing them out with the tip of a knitting needle.

- Save your cuttings of filler and batting. Cut them into smaller pieces to fill your next project.