1. Use the flannel side of a flannel- backed plastic or vinyl tablecloth as a design wall. Cotton pieces adhere well without pinning, and the tablecloth is light and portable.

2. When piecing use white thread for very light colored fabric and medium grey or taupe for medium colored fabric and black for the darkest fabric.

3. When sewing several long strips together for a project, I like to alternate the sewing direction with each strip. I find that helps avoid the “warping” that can occur when working with long strips.

4. When making several blocks use an assembly line approach.. Start by laying out all the pieces for one block right side up. Then layer pieces for the rest of the blocks on top of the original, in the correct order face up. This way you can piece individual units for each block and then assemble them into completed blocks.