I recently took a longer color class from Jennifer Sampou, and it was eye opening for me. My most recent quilt project gave me a chance to use what I learned.  I signed up for a Quilt Challenge with my local Guild that used two pieces of fabric for the quilt.  Unfortunately, I had nothing in my stash to match it.  Then I remembered my Jennifer Sampou Ombre's and problem solved!  I compared the challenge fabrics to my ombres and I am quite happy with the results.  The Ombres's as a background fabric added so much.  I challenge to you give it a try too!
  - Ann

One of our members, Krista C from Florida, submitted this tip she found on the internet by American Quilter's Society.  I was having this same problem recently, and tried it out.  Like the author said "Worked like a charm!"   Thank you Krista for the tip!

Try this quick and easy tip from AQS Member Maggie Desmond.
​Maggie writes:
I do not know about anyone else but I sew on an older machine. I cannot replace the throat plate when I am sewing things with fine points. I tried every trick I knew and some I got from other people. The slot in my throat plate is just too large for quilting and the corners get chewed up with the needle and stuffed into the throat plate.
I have been using scrap fabric to start and also have been starting in the middle of the piece and sewing out through the points. This makes it hard when you are chain sewing - just cannot do it.
I found some very thin parchment paper and cut or torn it into small rectangles to use at my sewing table. This works like a charm!