Rotary Cutter



ROTARY CUTTER

A rotary cutter just became a part of my sewing activities a few years ago.  I was always in the use of scissors and pinking shears.  I have gained a little experience using them but still have a long way to go.  Some times I am intimated with using them because they are a very sharp object and unfortunately I had a kittle mishap and cut myself with them, scary.   All in all I think they are great for quilting and patchwork.  

I have the Fiskars 195210-1001 Contour Rotary Cutter, 45mm which I like but have to gain more experience with the various blades and change overs.  


Tiktok video

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZS41uFdNr/


7. Rotary Cutter


Learn how to safely and accurately cut fabric using a rotary cutter, ruler, and cutting mat.


ChatGpt

Good morning! Here's the next installment for your Knowledge Base of Basics Series.

Knowledge Base of Basics Series

7. Rotary Cutter

A rotary cutter is one of the most useful tools for quilters and many sewing enthusiasts. It features a sharp, circular blade that rolls across fabric, allowing you to make clean, accurate cuts quickly and with less effort than using scissors.

Rotary cutters are most effective when used together with a quilting ruler and a self-healing cutting mat. The ruler helps keep cuts straight and accurate, while the cutting mat protects your work surface and helps preserve the sharpness of the blade.

Rotary Cutter Safety Tips

  • Always keep the blade guard closed when the cutter is not in use.

  • Cut away from your body and keep your fingers clear of the blade.

  • Replace dull blades promptly, as they require more pressure and can slip more easily.

  • Store rotary cutters safely and out of the reach of children.

Helpful Tip

For the most accurate results, place the ruler firmly on the fabric, hold it securely with your non-cutting hand, and guide the rotary cutter smoothly along the edge of the ruler without lifting the blade during the cut.

Using a rotary cutter, ruler, and cutting mat together makes fabric cutting faster, more precise, and especially helpful when preparing quilt blocks, strips, and other patchwork pieces.

Knowledge Base of Basics is a series designed to help beginners and experienced sewists build confidence by understanding essential sewing and quilting tools and techniques.

This topic pairs perfectly with affiliate links to a 45 mm rotary cutter, 

self-healing cutting mat, acrylic quilting ruler, and replacement rotary blades from your Amazon storefront.








10 Packs 45mm Rotary Cutter Blades 45mm Quilting supplies Rotary Cutter Blades for fabric by SSPONT, compatible with OLFA,Fiskars,Mr.Pen,DAFA,Truecut etc. Sewing Arts Crafts, Sharp and Durable



or



“As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”

“This post contains affiliate links.
If you click the link, I earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you.”







U.S. Art Supply 18" x 24" Self-Healing Cutting Mat 5-Ply - Double-Sided Pink/Blue Craft Mat, Non-Slip Cutting Mats for Crafts, Sewing, Quilting, Scrapbooking



or




“As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”

“This post contains affiliate links.
If you click the link, I earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you.”










Sewing Ruler,5 Piece Quilting Rulers,3 x17 Inch,1.5 x17 Inch,3 x12 Inch,1.5 x10 Inch,1 x6 Inch,Acrylic Ruler,Cutting Ruler with Non-Slip Rings (Black and White)



or


“As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”

“This post contains affiliate links.
If you click the link, I earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you.”









Fiskars 45mm Titanium Rotary Cutter Blade Replacements for Fabric, 2-Pack | Premium Steel with Titanium Coating for Ultimate Durability, Precision Cutting...




or



“As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”

“This post contains affiliate links.
If you click the link, I earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you.”








- No comments:
Labels:

How to Make a Mini Pillow from Fabric and Batting Scraps

How to Make a Mini Pillow from Fabric and Batting Scraps



Video At Tiktok


Learn how to turn leftover fabric and batting scraps into a charming mini pillow. This easy zero-waste sewing project is perfect for beginners and helps make the most of every scrap.


Crafting With Scraps Of Fabric And Batting.

Made this mini pillow with some scraps of fabric and turned it into a mini pillow and stuffed it with batting scraps.  A very good way to  use up all scraps around the sewing room.  Even all your little bitty scraps can be used to fill or stuff as well.


#sewingmywayto10k 

#sewingforyoupage 

#creatorsearchinsights 

#sewingproducts 

#crafting

----

Warm Company Warm Company Warm and Natural Cotton Batting Craft Size 34 inch x 45 inch 2310W (3-Pack)3

https://amzn.to/45rjMLP

“This post contains affiliate links. If you click the link, I earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you.”


That is Tiktok posting and would like to make a blog posting.  

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSX7tbmST/

Started with a square about 5 inches and then cut 2 pieces fabric of the width of top and botton of the 5 inch square with 2 1/2 inches.  Then did the sides accordingly by length with 2 1/2 inch.  


*******

That will make a lovely blog post and is a great way to encourage readers to use up fabric and batting scraps instead of throwing them away.

*******

Crafting With Scraps of Fabric and Batting – Make a Mini Scrap Pillow

If you're anything like me, you probably have a basket (or two!) filled with fabric scraps and leftover batting from previous sewing and quilting projects. Rather than letting those pieces go to waste, why not turn them into something useful and decorative?

Recently, I made this adorable mini pillow using nothing but fabric scraps and batting leftovers from my sewing room. It's a quick, beginner-friendly project that helps reduce waste while creating a charming handmade decoration or pincushion.

You can even use your tiniest fabric snippets and batting offcuts as stuffing, making this a wonderful zero-waste sewing project.

Materials

  • Fabric scraps

  • Batting scraps for stuffing

  • Sewing machine

  • Thread

  • Fabric scissors or rotary cutter

  • Pins or sewing clips

How I Made It

  1. Start with a fabric square approximately 5 inches x 5 inches.

  2. Cut two strips measuring 5 inches long by 2½ inches wide. Sew one to the top and one to the bottom of the center square.

  3. Measure the new length of your piece.

  4. Cut two more strips 2½ inches wide and the same length as your pieced section. Sew one strip to each side.

  5. Repeat if you'd like to make the pillow larger.

  6. Place the pillow front and backing fabric right sides together.

  7. Stitch around the edges, leaving a small opening.

  8. Turn the pillow right side out.

  9. Fill it with batting scraps and even tiny fabric pieces.

  10. Hand stitch or machine stitch the opening closed.

Your mini pillow is now complete!

Why I Love This Project

Instead of throwing away leftover fabric and batting, this project gives them a second life. Every pillow turns out differently depending on the fabrics you choose, making each one unique. They also make wonderful gifts, sewing room decorations, ornaments, pincushions, or bowl fillers.

Sewing Tip

Keep a small container beside your sewing machine for tiny fabric and batting scraps. Before long, you'll have plenty of stuffing ready for small pillows, soft toys, pincushions, and other crafty projects.

Supplies I Recommend

One of my favorite batting products is:

Warm Company Warm & Natural Cotton Batting – Craft Size (34" × 45")

https://amzn.to/45rjMLP

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Watch the Project

See this mini scrap pillow come together on TikTok:

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSX7tbmST/

Happy sewing, and remember—every little scrap has the potential to become something beautiful!



Thank You!


Happy Swing!🧵🪡







Sewing, Quilting etc. By ShirleyAnn Pearman
Blog
https://sewingquiltingbyshirleyann.blogspot.com/
Shop
https://www.amazon.com/shop/pearmansew
Shop
https://linktr.ee/shirleyannlp
“As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”

“This post contains affiliate links.
If you click the link, I earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you.”


https://amzn.to/4fa39c4

- No comments:
Labels: , , , , ,

Fat Quarters

Knowledge Base of Basics Series

Fat Quarters


6. Fat Quarters

One of the most popular fabric cuts for quilting and patchwork.


ChatGpt AI

Good morning, Shirley-Ann! 🌸 Here's the next installment in your Knowledge Base of Basics Series.

🧵 Knowledge Base of Basics Series

Fat Quarters

A fat quarter is one of the most popular fabric cuts used in quilting, patchwork, and many sewing projects. Unlike a regular quarter-yard, which is cut across the full width of the fabric, a fat quarter is cut to create a more useful rectangular shape.

A standard fat quarter measures approximately 18 inches × 22 inches (46 cm × 56 cm), although slight variations may occur depending on the fabric manufacturer.

Because of its shape, a fat quarter provides more usable fabric for cutting larger pattern pieces, quilt blocks, appliqué shapes, bags, pouches, table runners, and many other creative projects.

Why Sewists Love Fat Quarters

  • Perfect for patchwork and quilting projects

  • Great for mixing coordinating prints and colors

  • Easy to collect without buying large amounts of fabric

  • Ideal for beginner and scrap-friendly projects

  • Frequently sold in themed fabric bundles

Sewing Tip

Keep your fat quarters folded neatly or stored in clear containers so you can easily see your fabric collection when planning your next project.

Whether you're creating a colorful quilt, a zippered pouch, a tote bag, or decorative home décor, fat quarters are a versatile and economical way to build your fabric stash.

Knowledge Base of Basics Series — Building sewing confidence, one stitch at a time.

This topic also lends itself well to a simple illustration showing the difference between a fat quarter and a regular quarter-yard, which can help readers understand why quilters prefer fat quarters.


-------------------------

Amazon AI

Great question, Shirleyann! Fat quarters are a staple in quilting and sewing, and for good reason. Here are the key benefits:
What is a Fat Quarter? A fat quarter is a 1/4 yard of fabric cut to roughly 18" x 22" (instead of the standard 9" x 44" strip), giving you a wider, more usable piece of fabric.
Benefits:
•
More versatile shape – The wider cut is ideal for cutting larger quilt blocks, appliqué shapes, or garment pieces that wouldn't fit on a narrow quarter-yard strip.
•
Less waste – You can get more usable pieces from a fat quarter than from a standard quarter yard, especially for squares and rectangles.
•
Perfect for patchwork & quilting – Fat quarters are the go-to choice for quilt projects, allowing you to work with a variety of coordinating fabrics without buying large amounts of each.
•
Great for small sewing projects – Ideal for pouches, bags, tote liners, pincushions, household items, and more.
•
Budget-friendly variety – You can buy fat quarter bundles (pre-coordinated collections) to get a range of complementary fabrics at a lower cost.
•
Easy to store – Their compact size makes them simple to organize and store in your sewing space.
•
Collector-friendly – Many quilters love collecting fat quarters from different fabric lines to build a stash for future projects.
For someone like yourself who enjoys quilting, patchwork, and sewing household items, fat quarters are incredibly handy to keep on hand!





I asked Amazon "Alexa" "the best of your fat quarters" and it came up with a long list and here are a few of them. 

Best Value Pre-Cut Bundles (Amazon)

“This post contains affiliate links. If you click the link, I earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you.”









“This post contains affiliate links. If you click the link, I earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you.”


Thank you for coming and visting this blog.  

Happy Sewing! 🧵🪡


Have a good day.🥰




- No comments:
Labels:

Pressing vs. Ironing

Knowledge Base of Basics Series

Pressing vs. Ironing


Pressing vs. Ironing


 5. Pressing vs. Ironing

Find out why quilters often press instead of iron and how it improves finished projects.

Great question, Shirleyann! As a sewist and quilter, knowing the difference between pressing and ironing really matters for your projects:

Ironing — sliding the iron back and forth to remove wrinkles from finished garments.

Pressing — lifting the iron and setting it down on a specific area (like a seam or quilt block) without moving it. This is the technique used most in sewing and quilting to shape and set seams without distorting your fabric.

Key tip for sewing: Always press your seams as you sew — never iron them — to keep everything aligned and prevent stretching.
Both tasks use the same iron, but sewists often prefer a mini or precision iron for pressing tight seams and appliqué work







Copilot AI

5. Pressing vs. Ironing

Quilters generally press rather than iron because pressing helps preserve the accuracy and shape of quilt pieces. While ironing involves moving the iron back and forth across the fabric, pressing uses an up-and-down motion: place the iron down, apply heat, then lift it straight up. 12

Why pressing is preferred:

  • Prevents stretching and distortion of fabric, especially along bias edges. 13
  • Keeps quilt blocks square and accurately sized, making pieces fit together more precisely. 14
  • Creates flatter, crisper seams, reducing bulk where multiple seams meet. 14
  • Sets stitches and seams with heat, helping the quilt maintain a polished, professional appearance. 12

How it improves finished projects:
By avoiding fabric distortion and keeping seams flat and accurate, pressing produces quilt tops that align properly, lie flatter, and look cleaner and more professional in the final finished quilt. 45


Featured Product

Oliso TG1600 ProPlus Auto-Lift Steam Iron, Quilting Sewing & Clothes, 1800W | Turquoise, Diamond Ceramic-Flow soleplate, TriplePlay bursts, 12.75-oz side-fill tank, 30-min shut-off, 12-ft swivel cord


The Oliso TG1600 ProPlus Auto-Lift Steam Iron (Turquoise) is a premium iron designed for quilting, sewing, crafting, and garment care. Key features include:

  • 1800W power for fast heat-up and strong steam performance. 12
  • iTouch Auto-Lift technology: the iron lowers when you hold the handle and lifts when you release it, helping prevent scorches, burns, and tipping. 13
  • Diamond Ceramic-Flow™ soleplate for even heat distribution, smooth gliding, and easy cleanup. 13
  • TriplePlay® steam system with horizontal, vertical, and variable steam bursts for removing wrinkles and pressing seams. 12
  • 12.7–12.75 oz side-fill water tank for extended steaming between refills. 12
  • 30-minute auto shut-off when upright and a shorter safety shut-off when tipped over. 12
  • 12-foot swivel cord with 360° movement for easier handling around an ironing board or sewing station. 24
  • Additional features include an anti-drip system, built-in spray, fabric selector, and a precision detailer tip for seams, cuffs, and tight corners. 14

This model is particularly popular among quilters and sewists because of its auto-lift safety feature and extended auto-off time. 15


If you're comparing the Oliso TG1600 ProPlus to typical premium steam irons, it stands out more as a quilting and sewing iron than a general household iron.

Feature Oliso TG1600 ProPlus Typical Premium Steam Iron (Rowenta, CHI, Black+Decker)
Auto-lift technology ✅ Unique automatic lift when hand is removed ❌ No
Power 1800W 1700–1800W
Soleplate Diamond Ceramic-Flow™ Usually stainless steel or ceramic
Water tank 12.7 oz side-fill Typically 8–12 oz
Steam modes Horizontal, vertical, variable bursts Similar on most premium models
Auto shut-off 30 min upright standby Often 8–15 min upright
Cord 12-ft 360° swivel Usually 8–10 ft
Quilting/sewing features Detailer tip, extended standby, auto-lift Limited sewing-specific features
Price About $200 Usually $50–150

Where the Oliso Excels

  • Best for quilters and sewists. Its iTouch Auto-Lift system prevents scorching fabric when frequently repositioning pieces. 12
  • Longer auto-shutoff than most household irons, making it convenient during sewing sessions. 13
  • Large water tank and long swivel cord reduce interruptions. 12
  • Precision tip helps with seams, collars, cuffs, and quilt blocks. 1

Where Other Irons May Be Better

  • Value: Many quality Rowenta or CHI irons cost significantly less.
  • Weight: Some users prefer heavier stainless-steel irons for pressing garments.
  • Household ironing only: If you mainly iron shirts and pants, the Oliso's specialized sewing features may not justify the higher price.

Recommendation

  • Buy the Oliso TG1600 ProPlus if you quilt, sew, craft, or iron frequently and want the safety and convenience of auto-lift technology.
  • Choose a Rowenta or CHI iron if your primary need is everyday clothing care and maximizing value for money.

Overall, the Oliso TG1600 ProPlus is arguably one of the best irons available for quilting and sewing, while a premium Rowenta is often the better choice for general household ironing. 14




“As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.”
“This post contains affiliate links. If you click the link, I earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you.”







Pearman Sew Storefront



“This post contains affiliate links. If you click the link, I earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you.”

Thank You!

Happy Sewing! 🧵🪡

- No comments:
Labels:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

Rotary Cutter

ROTARY CUTTER A rotary cutter just became a part of my sewing activities a few years ago.  I was always in the use of scissors and pinking s...