HoHoHolidays!

I still have Thanksgiving leftovers in the fridge, but I'm thinking about Christmas.  I have a lot of work to do to get ready, which means I need to be very organized.  Tomorrow morning, I'll make a master list, and order ready-made gifts online if I can.  I hope to be able to hit "free shipping" minimums, and of course I check retailmenot.com for coupons.  I'll make my sewing list and get materials lists together.  With any luck, I'll have most everything I need on hand already.  The only thing I am worried about being short on is time!

5 Ways to Use a Sticky Note

I keep a stack of sticky notes in my tool box.  They come in handy for:

1. Making a guideline for accurate stitching
2. Making a guideline for accurate corner-turns
3. Marking stacks of patchwork pieces when assembling blocks
4. Marking book and magazine articles for reference
5. Recording measurements of cut pieces when designing

I also use them to record when I purchased certain items, so I know how fast I use them up:  zippers, hardware, and interfacing.  I'm sure you'll find a dozen more ways to use these little wonders in your sewing journey!

Custom-ary

The construction step I enjoy least is marking.  And let's be honest--accurate marking is vital to a beautiful finished project.  I had an idea that just may help me make it a less tedious chore.  I picked up a sheet of gridded template plastic.  I am going to cut some custom rulers and use a paper punch to notch them perfectly, just the way a carpenter or jeweler might make a jig for wood or wire.  If I cut them wide enough, I can make notes on them as well with a permanent marker.  With another hole punched in the end, they'll hang flat on the wall, ready to help me increase my marking accuracy and streamline my work.  I use a cheap mechanical pencil to make marks.  The lead is fine and and is easy to remove.  Another tip:  if you're marking placement for tabs or loops, draw a little arrow to remind yourself to position them above (or below) your marking.

The Cutting Edge

All scissors are not created equal.  I have a dozen or so pair, which sounds like a whole lot.  And it is, I guess, considering I do most of my cutting with a rotary cutter.  But different scissors are best for different things.  Success at the sewing machine is completely dependent on accurate cutting.  You can't cut accurately with poor cutting tools.  Here are some things to keep in mind when building your cutting tool box.

Scissor cuff bracelet by Thomas Jaillot

• Do you have a local scissor sharpener?  If so, invest in high-quality scissors.  They'll last a lifetime if properly sharpened.  Yes, they're expensive at first, but in the long run they're the most economical option.  If you don't have a sharpener in your area...
• Sharpness counts, but so does weight.  Heavier scissors are easier to control and cut more accurately.
• Think about handedness and the size of your hands, as well.  I have large hands, so I look for generously sized finger holes, or no finger holes at all.  Spring-action scissors are good for folks who don't have a lot of hand strength.
• Bent blades = shears, for cutting fabric flat on a table.  Straight blades = scissors, for cutting above the table.
• Mark your paper-cutting scissors, and keep your fabric scissors out of reach.  Cutting paper with fabric scissors really does dull the blades very quickly.
• Keep a pair of very small, very sharp scissors in your toolbox.  Purchase "little sharpies" with short blades, so you have lots of cutting pressure all the way to their tips.  
• If you find a pair of scissors that work especially well for you, keep an eye out for a good sale and buy a backup pair.  Leave them sealed in their packaging until you need them.
• Thread snips are a useful tool.  I tie mine on a long, bright ribbon so they're easy to find on a cluttered worktable.