Secret Weapon #3 - Clothespins!

Clothespins help the glue set.

Did you know you can use clothespins for other uses (other than holding clothes on the line and keeping potato chip bags closed)? They are indispensable in my sewing room.

Cheap, wooden (or plastic) clothespins are ideal for holding glued fabric together while it sets (5 minutes). For the bottom corners of purses, I simple pinch the entire bottom corner (from the inside) and clamp with the clothespins. Don’t leave them longer than 5 minutes or you may glue a clothespin to the purse!!

Secret Weapon #2 - Fabric Glue

Fabric Glue is my most important secret weapon! I have tried just about all of them and ALWAYS come back to Unique Stitch. There are several reasons I like this glue best of all.

Other permanent fabric glues STINK! I mean, really! I used one that never did stop smelling, even after it dried (that pretty much ruined that purse). Unique Stitch has almost no smell.

Even though it seems a little thin, it actually holds exceptionally well fabric to fabric. I find that pressure helps - holding the fabric with a clothespin for ONLY 5 minutes gives an incredibly strong hold. More than 5 minutes can sometimes cause the glue to ooze to the front of the fabric too much; 5 minutes gives it a nice set.

What do I glue? The bottom, squared-off, corners of my purses are always glued. It gives them extra strength and body and a finished look.

You can also use a tiny dab of Unique Stitch to repair missed seams in a quilt or even a split seam (glue the split part to the remaining seam allowance.

I love my Unique Stitch. Do you have a secret weapon you love?

Secret Weapon #1 Magic Eraser!

If you use fusibles your iron will get dirty! When you see brown/black gunk on the surface of your iron you need to clean it. Otherwise the gunk will be rubbing off on whatever you iron.

My secret...

I've heard of people using Spray and Wash (not so much success) and commercial iron cleaner (Dritz makes a good one if I remember to buy it at the fabric store). But the best cleaner I found is Mr. Clean Magic Eraser.

Tips:

• Dampen it just a little.
• Use on a COOL iron.
• Rub in circles.
• When the eraser gets dirty, use a new spot.
• When the eraser gets all mashed up, throw it away!
• Clean often and you won't have to clean it (rub it) as much!!

Got any secret weapons you love? Watch this spot as I will be posting ALL of my secrets (you lucky people!!).