Resources & Tips

This is a great area where we share tips, tricks and resources from fellow Corpus Christi members.

• TIE DYE – Great Workshop by Jules and Tim Goforthhttps://goforthartisticcreations.com/shop
• Submitted by Ava Gray – great project ideas https://www.wristbandexpress.com/content/crafting-with-your-hands-needlework-arts
• A new online sewing magazine is now available www.seamworkmag.com 
• Art quilter Trish Stuart has some great new wool block-of-the-month patterns that can also be done with batik fabrics. See Trish’s whimsical projects at www.trishstuart.com.
• Watch Mary Shaudies sews beads on by machine in this great video.
• Ever have problems squaring-up your quilt blocks? Polly Laux explains a great technique in this video.
• If you want some inspiration, take a look at the following site http://magnoliapearl.com This is what happens when you turn the love of fabric and art into a passionate business. This lady has remained a lovely person. Country Living is just finishing up shooting the exterior of her home for a spring issue and is doing a whole coffee table book on her and it is ready to go to the publisher. (From Gail)

• After you finish with a kleenex box don’t through it away. Put it beside your sewing machine and use it as a mini trash can. When it is full just throw it away! (From Myra)

• I read an old (2003) article in Threads by Kenneth King about seaming sheers. His secret weapon was an “as-cheap-as-possible men’s shaver” to remove the tiny whiskers after he has cut the fabric from the seam.   I found a $10 men’s shaver at Walgreen’s (corner of Saratoga/Staples) and tried it out this morning. It worked! It removed just the fuzzies. I tried it on a heavier fabric and it didn’t do anything because the fibers were too big. (From Jean)

• My soft handled Fiskar scissors broke. I called 866-348-5661, gave them a description of my scissors, and that the spring broke, rendering them useless. They sent me 3 springs within 4 days and now my scissors work again. Maybe this number and www.fiskars.com would benefit some one else. (From Jan)

• On dark fabrics or dark interfacing, I could not get my tracing paper to leave a dark enough impression for me to see. I finally figured out that if I traced the darts with the tracing wheel on the pattern, spread a small amount of corn starch or powder on the pattern, rubbed it with my finger,the impression comes through beautifully on the garment. This is the same procedure you use to mark a quilt top. Don’t know why it took me so long to do it, but sure glad I did. (From Lynn)

• Looking for sequins, beads or some nice vintage buttons? This website has LOTS. There were fast and easy to deal with. website address is www.ccartwright.com. (From Nancy)

•  Looking for fold over elastic? www.saf-t-pockets.com has it in many colors.

• Looking for acid-free plastic bags to store old patterns, photos, newspaper clippings, etc. Go to www.papermart.com. Paper Mart sells polyurethane bags in various sizes, styles (zip top, open, etc) and thicknesses at a very reasonable price compared to similar companies. They sell in bulk, so you may want to get a couple of others to go in on an order. They assured me that the polyethylene bags are acid-free, but you might email them about any other products that you might need, because they don’t specify products as acid-free on the website. They were very quick to answer my email and helpful in offering suggestions about the right bag for my needs. They also carry boxes, gift wrap, and party, floral and wedding supplies, among other things. (From Tammy)