It is September already, the end of summer, with Autumn on the way!   In California, September can really be quite hot, it does not indicate cool Autumn weather is actually here.  Make sure to drink plenty of water and try to stay cool.  To stay cool, I highly recommend staying inside and sewing and quilting.

This tidbit introduces two untraditional non-sewing items I found to help me with my quilting projects:  (1) my solution to keeping track of important stuff by my sewing machine without using a bunch of stickies and (2) how I keep my cutting area free of fabric debris while I am using a rotary cutter.

1. Keeping Track of Important Stuff

When I attended the quilt show in Long Beach, CA on July 6, 2023, I purchased a Juki 2010Q sewing machine and took delivery of it on July 15, 2023.  I love the heft of this machine and the wonderful sewing results I have been able to achieve.  

This Juki machine requires me to oil it after 8 hours of sewing.  I am happy to have a machine that requires oiling.  When I was in the sixth grade I received my first sewing machine, an Elna, that I had to oil periodically.  The more modern machines I have owned during the last few years have not required oil, and it left me feeling that I was not really maintaining my sewing machines properly.  So now, once again, I am overjoyed to have a machine I can oil (okay, please don’t judge me, ha ha).  The big issue is my memory, it’s not what it once was.  I had to find a way to keep track of when I oiled the Juki.  I tried yellow stickies, but they get caught by the fan and fly away.I  determined that I needed a more sturdy solution: a white board and dry erase pen. 
    

I went to Amazon and searched for a small white board and found that they had a mini sized white board measuring 8 x 9 inches.  It is the perfect size, I do not have a great deal of space.  This small board stands next to my machine with easy access for me. I can keep track of when I oil the machine and am now using it to indicate when I changed my sewing machine needle, what size needle is in the machine, and whether I am using cotton or polyester in the thread and bobbin.   I also plan to use it to make note of Aurifil color numbers that coincide with the thread and bobbins I will be using.

 
 
2. Keeping Cutting Area Free of Fabric Debris

When cutting and trimming fabric pieces and blocks on my cutting table, I have lots of fabric crumbs and bits that get in the way as I cut one piece after another. Wiping the cutting mat with my hands is not only bad on my skin, but it also does not get it clean enough to lay down the next fabric piece.  

To quickly clean up these scraps, I have been using a small brush and dustpan and a lint roller.   The brush and dustpan are normally used to clean crumbs off counters or tables.  They work very well at moving small slices of fabric and bits off the mat.  The lint roller is amazing at picking up fabric dust and small bits.   It is amazing how you can use normal household items in your sewing room and at the cutting table.
 
Blessings to you and your family.  I plan to be back with you in October.  If you have any topic, you would like me to cover in a future tidbit, please let me know. Happy sewing and quilting!