I made the top of this small quilt about 15 years ago. About 5 years ago I quilted it and about 2 years ago I started the binding. It has been moved from place to place in my sewing room during those 2 years, and now I can't find the rest of the binding strips. I am half way done, so today I am looking for the strips again. If I don't find them I will cut more, maybe from a similar but not the same fabric if I don't have any more of it.
I have a couple additional thoughts on the needle post I did yesterday. One person mentioned changing the needle often. I know people who won't change one unless it is bent. What most people don't know is that the eye wears out before the point a lot of the time. This is especially true with polyester thread.
If you ever hear it making a ticking sound as you are stitching, there is a tiny bend or burr on the point and if you don't change the needle you can damage the hook area of your machine. Which is cheaper, new needle or repair on the machine?
Also, did you know the Schmetz cases have a magnifier strip on the case (on the cases with the little bumps at the tops of the needles)? If you put the needle in the little case, turn it rounded side up and close it, the raised bump strip is a magnifier. You can hold it under the light of your machine and read the needle size. I noticed some of the newer cases are totally flat.
Also some of the needles are color coded with a dot (Schmetz brand), blue for denim, purple for Microtex, red for embroidery and green for quilting. At least you can identify which type you are using by the dot, even if you can't read the size.
Also stretch and ballpoint needles are for knits. They won't cut the fibers like a sharp needle will. Did you ever see all of the little holes along the seam line on a t-shirt? That was caused by a sharp needle. Also some delicate woven fabrics need the ballpoint needle to go between the fibers, but usually a size 70 or smaller.
Another thing, the needle threaders on your sewing machine were made to work for size 80 and larger needles. If you use 60's and 70's you have probably noticed it doesn't work as well, or not at all. I can use mine on 70's if I am careful.
I have a couple additional thoughts on the needle post I did yesterday. One person mentioned changing the needle often. I know people who won't change one unless it is bent. What most people don't know is that the eye wears out before the point a lot of the time. This is especially true with polyester thread. If you ever hear it making a ticking sound as you are stitching, there is a tiny bend or burr on the point and if you don't change the needle you can damage the hook area of your machine. Which is cheaper, new needle or repair on the machine?
Also, did you know the Schmetz cases have a magnifier strip on the case (on the cases with the little bumps at the tops of the needles)? If you put the needle in the little case, turn it rounded side up and close it, the raised bump strip is a magnifier. You can hold it under the light of your machine and read the needle size. I noticed some of the newer cases are totally flat.
Also some of the needles are color coded with a dot (Schmetz brand), blue for denim, purple for Microtex, red for embroidery and green for quilting. At least you can identify which type you are using by the dot, even if you can't read the size.
Also stretch and ballpoint needles are for knits. They won't cut the fibers like a sharp needle will. Did you ever see all of the little holes along the seam line on a t-shirt? That was caused by a sharp needle. Also some delicate woven fabrics need the ballpoint needle to go between the fibers, but usually a size 70 or smaller.
Another thing, the needle threaders on your sewing machine were made to work for size 80 and larger needles. If you use 60's and 70's you have probably noticed it doesn't work as well, or not at all. I can use mine on 70's if I am careful.