Category: DYK – Did You Know?

DYK (Did You Know) – June Tailor Print Fabrics

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D.Y.K. – Did You Know? icons

You want to personalize your project with pictures and/or words, but what June Tailor product do you buy? There are symbols to help you on the package – In the upper right corner, look for an iron or sewing machine, telling you how the product is applied.

Colorfast Printer Fabrics

  • Some Available Colors/Styles
    • White, 3 sheets (JT-900)
    • Cream, 3 sheets (JT-980)
    • White, 10 sheets (JT-9610
  • 100% Cotton Fabric
  • Sew into project
  • Print on Ink-Jet Printer
  • Great for memory quilting projects because it’s washable

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Computer Printer Fabric

  • Some Available Colors/Styles:
    • White, 4 sheets (JT-901)
    • Cream, 4 sheets (JT-902)
  • Fabric is not as thick as the Colorfast Printer Fabric, more like quilting cotton fabric weight
  • Sew into project
  • Print on Ink-Jet Printer
  • Great for memory quilting projects but it is dry clean only

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Quick Fuse Inkjet Fabric

  • Some Available Colors/Styles:
    • White, 3 sheets (JT-930)
    • Cream, 3 sheets (JT-940)
  • 100% Cotton Fabric
  • Iron-On
  • Great as an embellishment such as on sweatshirts, school bags, purses, etc.
  • Print on Ink-Jet Printer
  • Recommended Care – Hand Wash

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Print ‘n Press – (Transfer Product)

  • Some Available Styles:
    • 3 sheets (JT-908)
    • 10 sheets (JT-909)
  • Iron-on
  • Must mirror image your design
  • Print on Ink-Jet Printer
  • Great for embellishing on clothing, purses, aprons, etc. – it is machine washable

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Copy ‘n Press – (Transfer Product)

  • One Available Style: 3 sheets (JT-907)
  • Great for light colored projects
  • Can be used with color copiers
  • Copy photos, drawings and more

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Art-Wear Design Sheets

  • One Available Style: 3 sheets (JT-903)
  • Print on Color Ink-Jet Printer or can be colored with Markers or Crayons
  • Iron-ON
  • Machine Wash

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You’ve Been Framed

  • Some Available Styles (2 per pack):
    • Sports (JT-886)
    • Hugs/Kisses (JT-887)
    • Rectangle (JT-888)
    • Oval (JT-879)
  • 100% Cotton Fabric
  • Iron-ON
  • Color Inkjet Printer
  • Hand Wash

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Which products produce mirror images? – the transfer products: Print ‘n’ Press and Copy ‘n’ Press. To avoid a backwards image on your final project with these products, have the copier or printer ‘flip’ the image.

Can I print on a Laser Printer? – Laser printers use too much heat for fusible papers and fabrics. Your backing may be activated by the use of a laser printer, jaming the machine or ruining your print-out.

What is the best way to wash Colorfast printer fabric? – Machine wash, gentle cycle, with cold water and fabric softener. The fabric softener will act as a cleaning agent. This will allow the fabric to maintain the coating that protects the printed image.

Does Computer Printer Fabric have to be dry-cleaned? – Yes, the fabric is dry-clean only and is sensative to water, because your ink is a water based ink.

How can I avoid paper jams with Computer Printer Fabric? – load one sheet at a time into the printer.
Sheila Reinke, Heart of Sewing
Sheila

DYK (Did You Know) – Gütermann Thread

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D.Y.K. – Did You Know?

When  I present at a seminar or speak with a large group of people about sewing, there seem to always be questions about thread. What type of thread did I use, why did I choose this type of thread, or what type of thread is best for this project?
So, I thought that today’s post I would tell you about the thread I used on a recent project – the Super Stars quilt from the Strip Happy book by Donna Kinsey.
Below are close-up pictures of the stitching from the quilt:


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This was done using my long-arm quilting machine, keep in mind that if you are using a long-arm quilting machine, you would probably want to purchase the larger spool size, as it will not need to be changed as often. There is also a smaller size available for regular sewing machines.
Take care when purchasing Gütermann threads, they also make thread for hand-sewing, which is NOT recommended for sewing machines.
The threads mentioned below are some of the threads made by Gütermann, and are the styles that I am most familiar with because they are carried in Hancock Fabrics stores.

    Cotton

  • Gütermann Natural Cotton Thread
    • A fine, yet strong, thread with a silky luster
    • Designed for those who prefer sewing with natural fibers
    • Can be used for hand or machine stitching
    • 100% Mercerized Cotton
    • Recommended needle for machine sewing: size 12 or 14.
    • Available in two lengths:
      • 100 meters (110 yards)
      • 800 meters (875 yards) – this length is great for quilters using long-arm machines
    • Available in over 100 shades

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    Hand Quilt

  • Gütermann Hand Quilting Thread
    • A fine, yet strong, thread
    • Has a waxed finish giving it extra strength and to prevent tangling
    • Is suitable for hand sewing ONLY
    • 100% Cotton
    • Length 200 meters (220 yards)
    • Available in 22 popular colors

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    Varigated

  • Gütermann Varigated Threads
    • 100% Cotton
    • Length 800 meters (875 yards)
    • Available in 10 popular colors
    • Great for quilters with long-arm machines
    • Can be used in any sewing application where the stitching will be a visual part of the project

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Why should I use cotton thread in my quilting? – the cotton thread will move more easily with your cotton fabrics. Using a thread of the same material allows the stitches to stretch and shrink normally as the cotton fibers of the quilt do.

What is the best way to thread the needle? – With Gütermann threads it is advised that you cut the thread at an angle to thread your needles – never moisten the end of the thread.

How do I know I have the correct thread tension? – When looking at a finished line of stitching, you should not be able to see the loop between the upper and lower threads anywhere in your fabric. It should blend into the grain of the fabric naturally.

How can I prevent tangles? – If you are hand sewing, use Gütermann’s Hand Quilting thread. The waxed finish is designed to prevent tangles.

Is it important to pull the thread off of the spool in a particular direction? – because of the way the thread is spun onto the spool, Gütermann recommends if the spool is upright, the Gütermann name should be at the top. If it is laying horizontal, the Gütermann name should be to the right.

What are the washing instructions? – Can be washed in hot water (not over 200º F) and ironed with an iron on high – or as appropriate for your fabric. May be dry-cleaned using any solvent except Trichloroethylene.

What does Mercerized mean? – According to a standard dictionary: To treat (cotton thread) with sodium hydroxide so as to shrink the fiber and increase its color absorption and luster.
Sheila Reinke, Heart of Sewing
Sheila

DYK (Did You Know) – Olfa Chenille Cutter

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D.Y.K. – Did You Know?
About: Olfa Chenille Cutter

Olfa has answered all the problems that we as crafters have had with other chenille cutters. They really did listen to the challenge we had with other products for making chenille. In this post, I’ll explain what makes the Olfa Chenille Cutterdifferent, and why you shouldn’t be afraid to use it! Information in this post is a mixture of my personal experience using the cutter, and information sent to me by the Olfa company.

  • Feet
    • First, they added 4 different feet around the edge so that when you sew your fabric channels you can make them 1/8″, 1/4″, 3/8″, or 5/8” wide.
    • It helps to pick the foot that fits the tightest in the channel because then you don’t have to guide the cutter down the center of the channel when making your chenille, it will automatically go down the center since it fits tightly.
    • Once you have decided which foot to use turn the black knob (red arrow) to the left until the blade opens by the foot you want to use. The fabric you don’t want cut (your base) goes under the foot, and the fabric that you slide over the foot will be cut.
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  • Blade
    • The blade works much like a letter opener, in that the blade does not move as you cut, it stays stationary.
    • The blade is very sharp (thank goodness it has a carriage to protect our delicate hands) and you can cut a lot of fabric before it does get dull.
    • When it does become dull, you turn black knob to the right (where the black arrow is) until you hear a soft click. Now you will have a fresh section of blade to use.
    • The blade has a total of 24 cutting sections that can be used. This is an advantage over a regular rotary blade and cutter – if you get a dull spot on a rotary blade, the entire blade must be replaced. I think you will find that this method prolongs the life of the single blade.
    • When it is finally time to replace the blade, on the back of the tool there is a black clip you pull back. Put the new blade in – push the clip back into place and you are ready to go again.
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See what I mean? They really did think of everything!
The rest of this week we are going to be showing some fun projects made with the chenille cutter – feel free to let me know about what types of things you have made with your own home-made chenille!

If you love the feel of chenille, be sure to check out our other ideas for making and sewing with your own custom chenille fabric:

Sheila Reinke, Heart of Sewing
Sheila