Frugal quilting

[Catherine S.]

Dryer Sheets and Quilting--I use them in applique. Needle turn and I don't get along so I place the dryer sheet on the front of the applique piece , stitch on the line, cut at about 3/16" seam allowance, both pieces at the same time, cut a slit in the dryer sheet, turn it inside out, tug the slit together and press. The piece is now ready to applique by hand or machine but without the worry of it losing shape. I have seen demonstrations where they were selling thin interfacing for the same method.

Others use dryer sheets as the base for crazy quilt blocks.

My biggest use for dryer sheets is to rub them on my hot iron to remove fusible web gunk. Then I wad a number together so I don't burn my fingers in the process.

[Lynn K.]

I also repurpose all old batting and have put it in quilts if I know the quilting will be more dense so tht it can't separate. I love scrapping! Makes me feel close to my Mom and Dad as they lived thru the Dirty Thirties and the Great Depression AND rationing in WW2.

I don't however, wash out baggies etc. in the kitchen to re-use ....... but my 40 y/o daughter does as she is an environmentalist and re-uses everything!!!!!
Lynn

[Lynn K.]

Used dryer sheets are great for getting stuff off the bottom of your iron. (I admit it - I am sloppy and fusing stuff sometimes gets on there). Just iron the sheet and the stuff comes off.

While I love spending money on fabrics, I am always surprised at all the little toys and templates and re-inventing old ideas so there is a new product to buy.

When I used to ride horses there were always inventions that would "help you learn to ride better". They never worked because the only answer was tons of hours of riding. The quilting industry wants their customer to keep buying and buying so they push easy, easy quilts that can be done quickly (requiring you to buy more fabric) and lots of simple but expensive little tools that can do one little thing.

OH, I think my thoughts are good enough to actually post elsewhere.

[Julia L.]

Ha,ha Lynn,I'm with your daughter. Depending on what was in the bag(not meats or something disgustingly greasy)I quite often wash them out and reuse them.Frugal or cheap? Its a fine line....

[Julia L.]

I too wash baggies. Hot water and dish washing soap can do a tremendous job. I rinse then well and they're good to go.

I don't even look at the quiting gadgets anymore. Definitely I wouldn't be without the rotary cutting system but everything else is just a way for quilters to part with their money. Give me fabric, thread and batting and I'm ready to roll.

[Lynn K.]

Yes, I need no more quilting toys either. Once I got my pegboard up and saw everythng that was on it, I was cured! ha

[Lynn K.]

Used dryer sheets work really well at getting gunk off of your iron. Heat the iron up and just run it over the used fabric sheet.

[Hannelore N.]

Ritzy, I don't have a dryer, so no used dryer sheets. Some time ago I asked the father of my son's partner (he has only known about the existence of 'quilting' since we are sharing our wonderful little granddaughter, and he has a couple of quilts for her to use at his house) if he uses dryer sheets. When he said 'yes' I asked if I could have a few of his used ones. You should have seen the look on his face ('Has that woman finally lost her last marbles?', 'Is my daughter safe with HER son?'...). I explained. He thought it very amusing, and I now have access ti used dryer sheets whenever I want any.

[Hannelore N.]

Lorchen--I wish we lived closer by each other--you make me laugh.

[Eileen K.]

I stopped using dryer sheets when grease spots started appearing on our clothes. Came to find out there's wax in them-that's what makes your clothes non-staticky (sp?). Puts a film on your towels too.

[Eileen K.]

I stopped using dryer sheets when grease spots started appearing on our clothes. Came to find out there's wax in them-that's what makes your clothes non-staticky (sp?). Puts a film on your towels too.

I no longer use dryer sheets either. I control my drying time to avoid the wrinkles. I still have a supply of used sheets but should I run out I will "lift" used sheets from the garbage can in the laundry room in my apartment building. I'll just make sure I'm alone when I do it so I won't be arrested for stealing and committed to the looney bin.

[Hannelore N.]

Prosecutor: "Why did you steal used pieces of fibre from the communal bins?"
Agnes: "I needed them urgently for my dirty iron."
Prosecutor: "But why? Couldn't you use something else? Or buy your own new sheets?"
Agnes: "Used sheets are the best!"
Prosecutor: "Then why didn't you buy your own and use them first?"
Agnes: "I don't have a dryer." (Agnes starts crying at this point and wipes her nose with a used dryer sheet that she gets out of her handbag.)
Prosectutor to jury: "As you can see, this theft was premeditated and clearly unnecessary. I urge you to find this devious woman guilty!"

Six hours later the jury returns and the jury foreman says: "We find this woman not guilty! The mother of one of our jury members is a quilter and has explained to us that the accused did not mean any harm but genuinely needed these used pieces of fibre."

Then the jury foreman turns to the judge: "Your Honour. This jury now also understands the urgency of having used pieces of fibre available and we would all like to supply the accused with a regular supply of the dryer sheets."

Applause from the gallery which is overflowing with members of the local quilt guild.

The judge rolls his eyes, sighs and leaves the chamber. Back in his office he calls his secretary, asks for a hot chocolate and cuddles up in a beautiful courthouse step quilt made by his loving wife.

Headline on the front page the local newspaper the next day: "DRYER SHEET DEBACLE SOLVED!"

[Deborah W.]

Prosecutor: "Why did you steal used pieces of fibre from the communal bins?"
Agnes: "I needed them urgently for my dirty iron."
Prosecutor: "But why? Couldn't you use something else? Or buy your own new sheets?"
....... The judge rolls his eyes, sighs and leaves the chamber. Back in his office he calls his secretary, asks for a hot chocolate and cuddles up in a beautiful courthouse step quilt made by his loving wife.

Headline on the front page the local newspaper the next day: "DRYER SHEET DEBACLE SOLVED!"

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[Deborah W.]

Lorchen--Thanks for the scene. That is priceless. I am printing this for my file.

[Deborah W.]

Lorchen,
Thank you for starting my day with a laugh. I needed it, cause I am lying in bed with back spasms and not happy.
You could write an awesome blog, or maybe a book.
I just took a look at the quilts in your profile. Very nice. Also noticed your name is Hanelore. That is my friends name here in the states. Her Mom is from Germany. We just call her Lori but I think it is a beautiful name. Not one you usually see here.