Tips & Techniques

Knicker Knot

Knicker Knot Instructions

How to Sew Hexagons Tutorial

How to Sew Six Pointed Stars

My Tutorial Series

How to Needle Turn Applique

How to Reverse Applique

My Top 10 Tips for English Paper Piecing

27 Responses to "Tips & Techniques"

Sue Flego says:

November 21, 2013 at 3:17 pm

Hi Sue
I quick question, and you may be able to refer me to a video you have done. I am wanting to applique some diamonds and I have the tails. I’m not sure how to applique them down.
Love all the videos you have done.
Cheers
Sue
Sue Daley says:

November 27, 2013 at 11:00 am

Hi Sue,

Thanks for your question. I think your question will be answered if you watch Episode 2 of my EPP series https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5M4LM6b23I#t=276
Rose says:

April 1, 2014 at 7:21 am

I am working with your Marmalade quilt pattern. When working on stars such as block 4, there will be tails at the outside point of the jewels. What is the best way to hide the tails when the star is appliquéd to the background?
Sue Daley says:

April 1, 2014 at 7:23 am

If you watch my you tube videos I am not sure exactly what number that one is you will see exactly how to do that
Just google YouTube Sue Daley
Kerri says:

April 18, 2014 at 1:27 am

Hi Sue,
I am about to embark onto a King Size pattern of over 1600 1″ hexies. I LOVE the method with the glue. How long is the fabric glue good for when piecing onto the templates? I expect this project to last a couple of years and wondering if any hexies glued to the template should be sewn together within a few weeks or if the glue can marinade for a few months. My fear is that the glue becomes brittle and the template comes out before I have the chance to sew into the blocks.
Love your videos!!!
Kerri
Sue Daley says:

April 19, 2014 at 9:24 am

Hi Kerri It will be fine to leave the pieces they will wait patiently until you get back to them
Vivian says:

May 7, 2014 at 9:44 pm

Hello,

Does your book cover how to deal with squares? I am having a bit of trouble with the folded ends and should I be stitching/catching the ends when whip stitching?

Blessings,

Vivian
Betty Alexander says:

May 24, 2014 at 2:00 am

I am going to start a project with one inch tumblers and find them difficult to glue. Will they have tails like the diamonds?
Sue Daley says:

May 30, 2014 at 9:33 am

Hi Vivian,

With every shape always remember to glue in a continuous direction around each shape ie start on one side and continue around either clockwise or anti-clockwise whatever is most comfortable for you. If you do this, your folded corners will all lay the same way. No need to catch the folded corners when sewing, just let them sit flat from glueing and before pulling out the papers, give your shapes a good press and the ends will sit nice and flat behind your work.
Watch me glue the six pointed stars all in the same direction in this YouTube Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5M4LM6b23I
Sue Daley says:

May 30, 2014 at 9:41 am

Hi Betty,

As long as you are glueing the tumblers in the same continuous direction, the tails will take care of themselves. Never cut off the tails or sew them in, treat them like the diamonds. See me work with the tails in this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5M4LM6b23I
Diana says:

December 4, 2017 at 7:36 pm

Hi Sue,
I could not find – how to hide a diamond tail when appliqueing!
Annie Dunn says:

February 8, 2018 at 11:07 pm

:Hi Sue, I also love Bottom Line thread for sewing the hexis together. I wondered if you use the thread double or single thread when sewing them?

Many thanks, Annie Dunn in the UK
Sue Daley says:

February 19, 2018 at 3:23 pm

Hi Diana,

I have a video that covers how to Needle-turn applique. I don’t show diamond tails specifically but the concept is the same with tails no matter the shape. Here is the link if you would like to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pfu56iQQALU&t=155s

I hope this helps you!
Sue Daley says:

February 19, 2018 at 3:26 pm

Hi Annie,

With Superior Bottom Line I just use a single thread – it is very strong, no need to double over!

Sue
Julia says:

May 26, 2018 at 12:16 am

Hi Sue. I got hooked on English paper piecing a year ago (thank you)! and I am making a grandmothers flower garden quilt. I know this will take me years! I have my design figured out. Are there any videos that show how to actually stitch the hexagons together to make rows? I’m doing an offsite border around each flower. I am unsure as to whether I should stitch all of my rose together first and then add the double border of hexagons around the whole thing or if the border should be incorporated into the rows. Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated!
Sue Daley says:

June 12, 2018 at 8:57 am

Hi Julia,

Your quilt sounds lovely! I do not have any videos specific to sewing hexagons in rows, but I do have an old video about hexagons in general, which you can view through the link below. There is no right or wrong way to sew your hexagons together – perhaps you could sew all of your flowers, then lay them out in the design and then start to sew them together in sections. The important thing is to just start, and your hexagons will all join together no matter the order you sew them in.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nqa70gU-E9U&t=9s
Jan Chadbourne says:

July 21, 2018 at 5:42 am

How do you remove the paper templates once you have sewn the hexies together? Is that covered in a video?
Sue Daley says:

July 25, 2018 at 9:55 am

Hi Jan, you should just be able to peel the fabric off your paper and rip it out like pulling off a band aid! If you are struggling to remove your papers it could be a sign you are using too much glue. You could try pressing your EPP with a steam iron which can help soften the glue. In the below video I demonstrate my EPP method – at about 12 minutes and 45 seconds in I actually show how I remove the papers. The link is below if you would like to watch it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSTxAz_0764

Sue
Kathy Johnson says:

November 11, 2018 at 1:07 pm

Love the video on fuzzy cutting. I struggle with fuzzy gluing. What tips can you give me. Many thanks.
Sue Daley says:

November 19, 2018 at 12:11 pm

Hi Kathy,

I have recently released a new video that demonstrates my Glue Pen method, which you can view below. When it comes to the glue, remember that less is more. If you are having trouble with the glue being too soft, a helpful tip is to store it in the fridge.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ArwllG5FpU&list=PLYiS64uxWDWGx3qAmDsELO1jZI6QFMZoq
Carol Walp says:

April 11, 2019 at 12:43 am

Hi Sue. I am working on the Lancaster pattern. I have completed the diamonds for border two. The cutting instructions call for 8 2 1/2 ” 6 pt stars. where are these stars Used? Instructions are on page 5.
Sandra says:

May 2, 2019 at 8:27 pm

I have watched Epp 2 and I cannnot see where it explains what I do with the tails when I am appliqueing a 6 pointed star onto a background piece. Would you be able to explain this to me?
I am relatively new to patchworking and I would like to know how to do this.
Thanking you.
Kaylea Perry says:

March 16, 2020 at 10:43 pm

I a man struggling with the appliqueing the tails of the six pointed stars for the Infusion Sew Along! Could you give any tips please? I find there is no space to tuck the tails into the points?! I have watched your episode of sewing the six pointed stars, but I think I did that well. It’s the appliqué to the background and the tails I am finding extremely difficult?! Cheers Kaylea
Kim Beckner says:

October 31, 2020 at 11:37 pm

Sorry if off topic….
Just a quick question about your turntable cutting mats….
I love my pink mat…. Just sayin. But it may be time for a new surface and since I quilt on a budget, a new turntable isn’t in the budget. I often hear of quilters soaking their mats to ‘puff up’ the cuts and renewing their mats this way. I’ve never tried it. I also don’t want to ruin my turntable (thinking of the glue that holds the various layers together). Can this mat be soaked safely? Is there a better option for rejuvenating my mat?
Sue Daley says:

November 10, 2020 at 1:01 pm

Great question. I have to say that I have never heard of soaking mats to rejuvenate them.
I would give it a good wipe over with a bit of spray and a damp cloth.
We must remember that it is a cutting surface that we use very sharp blades on and it will eventually need to be replaced. It does take along time to get to that stage though.
Sorry I’m not anymore helpful.
Maybe in time when it gets really bad you could take advantage of after pay option on our website.
Have a great day.
Jodie Small says:

June 11, 2022 at 9:39 pm

Hi Sue,

I have purchased your number 11 needles. I love how fine they are and the length however I find the thread impossible to put through the eye even with a needle threader it is very difficult as even the wire seems to be not fine enough. Any tips on threading would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Jodie
Sue Daley says:

August 18, 2022 at 3:27 pm

Hi Jodie,
My needles were designed to work best with a fine polyester thread which is best used for English Paper Piecing. I personally use and recommend Wonderfil Deco Bob thread. Wonderfil have a fabulous range of colours and they also stock a few Sue Daley thread boxes. You can find the Wonderfil thread on my website https://www.busyfingerspatchwork.com/collections/thread

Knicker Knot

How to Sew Hexagons Tutorial

How to Sew Six Pointed Stars

My Tutorial Series

How to Needle Turn Applique

How to Reverse Applique

My Top 10 Tips for English Paper Piecing

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