10 Tips for Sewing Machine Success + Making Accurate Half-Rectangle Blocks

Hello friends!

This week I have some practical tips and advice to share with all of you including Sewing Machine, Quilt Block Techniques and Father's Day Gift Ideas.

First of all, next week on June 13 is National Sewing Machine Day in honor of the invention of one of our favorite tools.

I've been sharing sewing machine tips for years now, but I decided this was the perfect opportunity to put all of those tips and techniques into one handy reference post.

Click below to get the list of 10 Tips and Techniques for maximizing your current sewing machine including maintenance tips, how to choose the right needle for each project, and some great sewing machine feet options.

How to Make Accurate Half Rectangle Triangle's

You are probably very familiar with Half Square Triangles (aka HST's). They're one of the most basic elements of most quilt blocks. This week I'm excited to have guest writer, Lisa from Wild Plum Lane, here to help us up our skill level - and design options - by helping make Half Rectangle Triangles!

Lisa has some excellent tips for making accurate Half-Rectangle-Triangle's including a free printable HRT cheat sheet.

Fun Finds on the Web - Handmade Gift Ideas for Dad

With Father's Day next Sunday, here are a few handmade gift ideas that would be perfect for the favorite Dad or man in your life:

Make a classy looking armchair caddy to control clutter and prevent lost remotes!

This tutorial for a simple cord keeper would be useful to any Dad, (heck, anybody!) to coral all of those charging cords that seem to multiply.

Or maybe make a new custom necktie with this tutorial from Dana of Made Everyday​

Melissa at the Polkadot Chair also has a cool tutorial for repurposing one of Dad's old ties into a cool zipper pouch. Would make a great sentimental gift.

The Polkadot Chair also has a bunch of free Father's Day party printables to make your day more festive.

Announcements and Sales:

Riley Blake shared the finishing pattern for the 2024 Quilt Block Challenge. You can also find a the free patterns for all 16 quilt blocks from this year's challenge.

For my Aussie readers: Gnome Angel is closing the yardage department of her shop. Right now you can get 60% off 1m+ of any fabric ordered. Discount taken automatically at checkout.

The Fat Quarter Shop has announced the 2024 Liberty Box - details here.

Today (June 8) Missouri Star's Deal of the Day is Buy One Charm Pack Get One Half Off. Plus get an extra 20% off any order over $50 with this affiliate link. (Discount taken automatically at checkout.)

Apologies for getting the newsletter out late this week. It's been a busy one! I spent most of the week helping out with our church's Girls Camp for 12-18 year old girls. It was a great outing with great people in a beautiful setting.

But as you can imagine, I'm pooped! This gal is not the spring-chicken she used to be.

So, not much gas left in the tank for writing today. But I've got some really fun things to share next week: including a newly finished quilt AND a big announcement about a very fun, free summer sew-along. I'm teaming up with some other awesome quilters for a new version of a Summer Block Party.

We'll be announcing all the details on Friday, June 14 - and I'll have all of it here in next week's newsletter. 😊

As always, thanks for stopping by! See you next week!

Amy

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