williamsews

I've found a couple of things to make my sewing life easier. Transparent Kitchen Cutting Mats. I've been using inexpensive cutting mats to move quilt blocks between the cutting board, the iron, and the sewing machine, this has made things simpler. This block is called 'Old Maid's Puzzle', not PC these days. I put one mat underneath the pieces and another on top. These mats hold 8" blocks, if they're bigger, I use another set to hold the outer pieces. The transparent type is best for this. Next helpful hint:  A Silicone Baking Mat. This keeps the foot pedal from moving - and it really works! It is working better than anything else I've tried, not more shuffling around, trying to find that darned pedal. Triple Square Block. This is a block I was going to make, but it's too fiddly, the centre squares are only .5", and that's too small.  This isn't a hint, I thought I'd show a nice block that won't be made again.  It is another trad...

 Getting lighting right for sewing isn't easy, the older I get, the more light I need. The new Singer is a great machine (love the press-button thread cutter), but the light is totally inadequate, the machine is grey, which seems to draw the light, white machines are better because the reflect light. Anyway, I have found a great style of lamp that solves the problem. They are flexible, which means that they can be adjusted to the best position to give the maximum light. There are three brightness settings, but I only use the brightest. They can be precisely positioned for the maximum effect and screw to the desk or table. They are turned on by tapping the end. Love these lights. That's it for today,  Regards,  Will. I can't manage without them now

 This is a traditional Japanese block, easy to do, but looks complicated. I have made a video of it's construction;  These are the cutting sizes and layout. Happy sewing, take care, Will.

I only use two seam allowances, a quarter inch for quilting and 1cm for clothing and I change the needle position to do this - of course this doesn't work for fixed needle machines. I keep a note on the machine to tell me the position bec ause it varies on the machines, plus, if the foot is changed, it will need recalibrating. I've been working on the second Japanese block and will add it to YouTube soon and then here. That's it for today,  Take care,  Will.  

 have just made a test block of another Japanese block, which I think is very pretty, no English name for it. I used more of the glorious Japanese fabric, plus cream (which photographs a bit dirty looking, looks better in actuality). The next tryout will be in these fabrics, another great pattern and colour. By the by, I have learned a helpful 'hack'; to prevent slipping of the sewing machine foot, I tried a silicone baking sheet, and it works well, it also helps to find the black foot on a dark floor, I used a heavy doormat previously, which was OK, but this is better. Onto the creation of this new block, it is fairly complex, but once again, following a set path makes it easier. That's it for today, Take care, Will.

  I have finally used a piece of felt I’ve had in my stash for a very long time, I have always intended to use it to hang quilt blocks – in fact, I bought another length, so now I have two. Much better than being left in a drawer. This was the piece I’ve had for ages. And this is the new piece, a better colour for showing the blocks. It’s been a cold winter and it’s nice to be snug in the sewing room. That’s my lot for today, Thank you, Will.

 I hope there is an idea or two to help with sewing and quilting. I shall be doing a tutorial on a Japanese 'Knot' block soon. This one has been framed, in fact, a set of four has been framed. These are the pieces, all either 1.5" squares or 1.5" strips.