Two Tricks for the Price of One!

Posted on March 10, 2011 by Melissa Dunworth

This week I learned two new tricks that have made two sewing tasks SO much easier! I thought I should share them with you.

I learned that binder clips are not only effective at holding together large amounts of paper but they are also effective at holding fabric in place.

I also learned that I no longer hate sewing with plush/minky fabrics!

Binder clips now have a whole new meaning for me. As a quilter I hand sew all of my bindings. I was taught by my wonderful mother to pin them in place and sew, moving the pins as I went.

Do you see all those pins at the bottom?

This method has worked for me for years and probably for you too…but I have recently discovered there is a better way!  BINDER CLIPS!

Now, the beautiful thing about these binder clips is that I didn’t get any bunching while I was working. The binding remained smooth as silk making it so much easier to sew! Plus, as an added bonus there was only one sharp pin/needle to stick myself with, instead of five or six. I will never go back to pinning again!
The other trick I learned this week is how to sew minky/plush fabrics. I am making a quilt for a friend of mine who is having a baby. It is a kit that I picked up from my local craft store. It is the second time I have attempted one of their kits, the first time didn’t turn out so well because of the minky…well it didn’t turn out at all because I just GAVE UP!

This time though, I listened to my mom. She is a GENIUS! She told me to pin the heck out of my fabrics and put the minky/plush side facing up, but that isn’t even the coolest part of her insight. She also told me to sew using my walking foot!  Who knew what a difference a walking foot could make?!?

See all those pins

Place your pine every 1/2 inch and sewing with your minky/plush fabric on top!

I have a whole new appreciation for this foot!
The first time I tried sewing with minky/plush fabrics I did everything but the walking foot and the needle kept going up and down but the fabric wasn’t moving forward. The walking foot though is designed to evenly feed your fabric under your foot and it works great for minky/plush fabrics. If you haven’t tried it, I would highly highly recommend it. What a difference a foot can make!

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5 Responses to Two Tricks for the Price of One!

  1. Anonymous says:
    March 10, 2011 at 4:25 pm

    Thanks!!!!

  2. Bright Angel says:
    March 10, 2011 at 10:27 pm

    This is a tip I did not even know that I needed yet!!! I am getting ready to sew a blanket with just such a fabric. You must be psychic!!

  3. Cathy says:
    March 11, 2011 at 6:23 pm

    Hi
    I Love the binder clips!!
    I use one clipped on the front of my sewing table with the "ears" folded back toward me and then place my scissors through the ears – I am always loosing my scissors – even when they are hanging around my neck LOL
    Cheers

    Catie

  4. Anna says:
    March 28, 2012 at 9:01 am

    So would a walking foot work well for sewing the binding on a quilt?

  5. Anna says:
    March 29, 2012 at 5:41 am

    The walking foot works nicely! Thanks for the tip. I was told in my first quilting class to buy the hair clips to use as clips. They are cheap and clip on and off easily.

    Anna

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