Fabric Care and Selection

#1 Choose printed fabrics first and match solid fabrics to the colors in the prints.

#2 Opening solids to a single layer to get a better look at the real color shade.

#3 When planning a color- coordinated quilt, choose a fabric with more than one color first.  Use that fabric as your guide for selecting your other colors by finding fabrics that highlight and compliment that fabric.  You can also add an accent in a different color or shade for contrast.

#4 Using a variety of fabric patterns and solids with a good mix of prints makes a quilt that will sparkle and help the eye move over the quilt nicely.

#5 If a pricked finger results in blood being transferred to the fabric, dab some hydrogen peroxide on the spot.  It will take it right out.

#6 Baking soda will remove grease stains on fabric if it is rubbed in, then vacuumed off.

#7 Shampoo for oily hair has been known to remove many grease stains on fabric.

#8 If a rust spot appears on your fabric or quilt, moisten the spot with lemon juice and hold an iron with steam over the spot.

#9 Rubbing alcohol removes most ink stains.  Works best on light colored fabrics,

#10 Never used a colored cloth to remove spots, the color could transfer to your fabric or quilt.

#11 Garage and estate sales are a great place to find fabric at a great bargain.

#12 When at the fabric store, check the discounted fabric section for great stock-up items, or fabrics that may not be the most stylish, but will work great for quilt backing.

#13 Fabrics with large, open spaces in the prints can appear as a solid when the fabric is cut into small pieces.  If working on a quilt that has smaller pieces, try selecting smaller prints.

#14 If your fabric is not large enough for the quilt backing, and must have a seam, cut three equal sized panels and sew those together.  This will make it so there is not a seam down the middle, and reduce wear on the quilt.

#15 When purchasing fabric for a quilt, buy extra, especially if there is not a whole bolt.  This will reduce the chance of running out, and save you a ton of frustration.  Plus, any additional fabric that is left over will work great for an applique or scrap quilt.