A fabric stabilizer ‘stabilizes your sewing piece’. It can be made from paper (I prefer tissue paper or typing paper) or fabric. After using the stabilizer (stitching through it), some stabilizers will disappear when sprayed with water. Other stabilizers must be torn away. If your project requires a stabilizer, try out some of the different… Continue reading Stabilizer
Encyclopedia
Stash
A quilter’s stash refers to all of her/his fabric. Most quilters live by the motto that you can never have enough fabric in your stash. Your fabric stash can be arranged on shelves by color to make it easier to find the fabric you are looking for. Sometimes a quilter’s stash is also… Continue reading Stash
Stencils
Stencils are patterns that can be used to mark a quilt top for quilting. There are many types on the market or you can make your own. Most are made from plastic as this lasts longer than cardboard. When choosing a stencil you need to think about the size of your quilt. For… Continue reading Stencils
Stilettos
Stilettos are handy tools for quilters. They can help to hold layers of fabric together when sewing on the machine. Many quilters use them as an extension of their hand. I find the stiletto most useful when sewing bulky seams as it can hold everything in place all the way to the needle. Check out… Continue reading Stilettos
Stippling
Stippling is a quilting technique that can give texture to your quilt. It can be machine quilted or hand quilted. The design produced from stippling looks like a small meandering line. Actually, the term stippling is used interchangeably with the term meandering. I learned that the difference between the two terms has to do with… Continue reading Stippling
Stitch In The Ditch
Stitch in the ditch refers to stitching directly in the seam when machine quilting the top. In the photo below red thread was used to help you see the stitching. I only stiched across the horizontal seam. Usually people who stitch in the ditch do not want their stitching to show so they use a… Continue reading Stitch In The Ditch
Stitches
Depending on your project the quilting stitches used will vary. Generally speaking a quilter will use a regular stitch length for machine piecing. I like to use a longer stitch length when machine quilting straight lines but this is your personal preference. I will use a smaller stitch length when quilting in smaller… Continue reading Stitches
Straight of Grain
Straight of grain refers to the weave of the fabric. See Cross Grain
Straight Pins
See Pins
Straight Stitch Foot
A straight stitch foot can be used for machine piecing.
String Piecing
String piecing refers to a sewing technique where scraps of fabrics are sewn together into sections. The scraps can be any size or color. Shapes (rectangles, triangles, circles, etc.) are then cut out of these sections. These shapes can be sewn together in a traditional pattern or into a free form/crazy quilt. Watch the video… Continue reading String Piecing
Strip Piecing
Strip piecing is a quick sewing and rotary cutting technique. Long strips of fabric are cut using a rotary cutter. They are sewn together and then cut into smaller units. These smaller units are then sewn together again to form traditional quilts. Strip piecing is different from string piecing as it has more structure.… Continue reading Strip Piecing
