Foundation Piecing

 I've done this before in a previous life but methods, tips and tricks have developed since then so it's time for a refresher course. So many 'how to' videos of course on Youtube (unlike when I first used this technique) but how to select a good one? Here's a website with some good video links with tolerable accents! (so many videos the accents distract me) and clear instructions. There are lots of little tricks that do make the process a bit easier.

Stitched in Colour has good written instructions

Thread Spool - Horizontal or Vertical

I had no idea it mattered but it does. Follow the link for detailed info. Spools with a parallel wind should be horizontal, and spools with a criss-crossed wind should be vertical. Apparently it can effect the tension. 

Why is there a vertical and horizontal thread holder?

Crisp Mitred Corners on Binding

 The best video I have found on this. 

I think the diagonal lines of the mitre should also be sewn down. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6fnAvuUBHA

Cleaning my Bernina

  https://blog.bernina.com/en/2020/06/cleaning-your-sewing-machine-properly-to-make-sewing-even-more-fun/ 

This video start at 9.30 minutes in - for the same bobbin case same as mine 770QE

Yikes I cleaned my machine following all the instructions and literally dug out a whole lump of fluff stuck well inside the bobbin track when you take the whole bobbin case out. I've never cleaned that part of a machine before other than wiping it out, but dug around with my tweezers and pulled out quite a little pile!

Binding - hand stitch

 How to sew quilt binding by hand. This is what I call big stitch binding.

https://southerncharmquilts.com/blog/2019/11/12/gratitude-something-gold-video-tutorial-for-chunky-stitch-binding/

Half Square Triangles

  This video shows the making of 8 half square triangles that have straight grain sides. Doesn't explain sizing very well but if making two half square triangles from one square then allow one inch to the finished size i.e. use 5" square to make to 4" half square triangles and trim down to finished size. 

BSR and all it's Issues!

 

Bernina Jeff Videos

Great helpful videos from a Bernina technician called Jeff somewhere in the USA.

I put a comment on one of his videos about adjusting bobbin tension and he said not to do that on 770 machines. For that reason I bought a new bobbin case which I have never adjusted but I have the old one marked with a black dot tucked away in case I ever change my mine. 

This one has lots of tips and tricks for threading, oiling, cleaning and fixing frozen machines. Specific 770 issues are later in the video. 

All about the bobbin case, cleaning sensors, turning off sensors and oiling. 

Do not sew with your bobbin door open!

770QE How-to Videos

Helpful 770QE videos, excuse some of the accents! 

Cleaning the Thread Cutter
Hand Quilted look stitch
Patchwork Foot 97D
Edgestitch Foot 10
The Basics Parts 1&2
BSR
Buttonholes
Ditch stitching

Cleaning the Thread Cutter

Hand Quilted Look Stitch


The Patchwork Foot - 97


Edgestitch Foot 10 - also for ditch quilting


And for a slightly more familiar accent! - a series of videos by Robyn Curd from the Tauranga Sewing Centre:

The Basics Part 1


The Basics Part 2


Stitch Regulator


Buttonholes

Ditch Stitching

Facing a Quilt

 How to add a facing to a small quilt.

I just found another video and way of doing this. It is a simplified version of what Shirley does - just the same effect but so much less complicated! You could make the facing wider and you could use a single layer. And I like that you could stitch fully to the facing on two sides either short or long then you can fold it over then add your other sides. Obviously, two whole sides won't be stitched - you could partially stitch them as Shirley does, but having complete stitching on two sides might help make the corners sit better. 

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This link below is a facebook link to one way of doing it by making a frame facing.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1403694076732703&set=pcb.2801622363475589

(Own notes in Evernote)

Another version from Janome:

And a third way that has double layers of fabric at the corners but both sides have been fully edgestitched to give a crisp turn. No video just instructions: 

https://www.cottonandbourbon.com/tutorials/quilt-facing-tutorial

Which one is best? When I've tried them all I'll come back and comment.

Another one: Kinda same as above...

Continuous Binding

 This seems to be the way everyone applies binding these days.

I think I remember having been shown this but had never used it. 

Below is the best link I have found so far. She sews out on an angle from the 1/4" mark at the end of each side - I don't do this. I do a back stitch - machine goes back two stitches, then I use the scissors button to finish sewing so quilt is not attached to machine and I can turn and align easily for next side. 

Two little tricks are to pull the binding firm when measuring where to cut so there are no puckers when you sew it and remember right sides of the fabric together and the triangle you create when sewing the mitre points toward the machine - helps me not sew it the wrong way! And you need a generous space between the two end strips to manoeuvre - don't be mean about that. 

However, if you make a binding out of pieces, should they all be joined with a mitre or straight?

I think straight looks better in this situation in which case join the last join of the binding straight also. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vCWpxBRs20&ab_channel=MissouriStarQuiltCompany

So and so

 My mum, back in the 50s and 60s, used to describe the occasional person - usually women - as "a right little so and so". It's a term I even roll out occasionally when I'm sounding like my mother.  The meaning was never clearly defined, you just worked it out from observation. People who were active, opinionated, ambitious, and assertive were what I think she was referring to. Tall Poppy syndrome maybe, a bit of 1950s ingrained societal misogyny? I think I may have grown up to be one of those people, at least in comparison to my family. A little more likely to disagree, to have strong tastes about what I did and didn't like or would do, to maybe question some norms, and be a little more vocal. Hence the play on words for my blog to remind me how to do stuff!