MNQuilter

Always starch and iron BEFORE you cut, it's the only way you will get accurate pieces. Also, don't know if you will have any triangles, but if you do, starch the heck out of them so they don't stretch! One thing I didn't see was straight pins. The ones with the ball on the end are easiest to grab quick before they under the needle!

samroberts01

Thanks! You all have been so helpfull you dont even know!

samroberts01

Another quick question what color bobbin thread do you use?? Not sure what i have to coordinate that with. My mom gave me the machine the other day but it is out of bobbin thread, so need to get it.

littlehud

When I am piecing I use neutral thread top and bobbin. Beige for light fabrics and smoky for dark fabrics. If I'm in doubt I use beige. If you are not free motion quilting, just piecing no one will see the bobbin thread anyway.

samroberts01

Ok thanks so much!

MadQuilter

Starch and press before you cut. After cutting you want to handle the cut pieces as little as possible.

My advice: Make a practice block. That way you can test out the pattern, get familiar with the pattern, AND measure your seams. Depending on the pattern. a 1/4" seam may matter or it may not. It is nice to know what the seam is though.

What pattern are you doing? You might get pattern-specific advice that way.

Have fun don't fret, and show us pics.

As for the thread, I use beige or light grey for the top and the bobbin. Depending on the color of the block, I may use up bobbin thread and take a "devil may care" attitude.

samroberts01

Here is the pattern I am looking at doing, it seems simple enough, I am going to do black and white for the checkerboard blocks then try to find a car themed fabric for the other blocks. Let me know what you guys think and what if any advice you have on it.

http://www.quickquilts.com/patterns/...s.html?idx=255

samroberts01

Also thinking of doing the gold border in black and maybe the thicker border in red or blue depending on the car fabric i select.

MNQuilter

My only advise is when you are sewing your strips together for the 16 patch, be careful that you don't bow the strips. I have no idea how to prevent it, because mine ALWAYS end up bowed and it can affect how your squares come out! Ask me how I know. :roll: :oops:

samroberts01

Hmmm.. wonder why this is.