The Diary of a Patriot countdown is Just four days away! Have you ever thought about prepping for a new quilting project? If you have what do you do? Until a few years ago I hadn't thought about it. Since then my list has expanded a little and it really has made life a little easier!
Clean your sewing area
I must admit, when I'm working on a project my sewing room becomes very messy. So much a mess, I would be embarrassed to share a picture. I always start out with a perfect plan on keeping organized this time around. That last about a few hours of cutting. Seriously though, who has time to stop and get all of those little pieces you had to trim when you're on a roll cutting away!
While I'm cleaning, I also take a quick inventory of what I'm running low on. Sometimes I need new thread of have used up the last bit of a favorite fabric I keep on hand all the time. I make that list a replenish before I start the next project.
Clean your machine
If you're like me, most of the time you forget about machine maintenance until something goes wrong. Here's a few things to do:
Clean the machine
If required, oil
Change out the needle
The picture was my grandmothers sewing machine. It has a pretty neat history behind it. My grandmother loaned it to her mom and mother-in-law. It's a privilege to be using this sewing it!
Inspect Supplies
Do your stick pins need replaced?
Do you have extra sewing machine needles?
Change out your rotary cutter blade.
Check to see if you have extra rotary blades.
If recommended, clean your cutting mat.
Fabric Prep
Check to make sure you have enough of each fabric you will need. It's worth the time of remeasuring yardage and making sure fat quarters are true. Time consuming, perhaps, but I promise you'll never regret you did. If you barely have enough of one fabric, go ahead and get a little more to be on the safe side. If it's no longer available, you may want to swap out for something else. Experience speaking! I'll not get into my personal why now about why I pre-wash most piece of fabric that comes into my home, but I do. The one exception is if it is a commissioned project. Press and starch. Yes, it takes time, but again, it's worth it!
