Hi there! I have been MIA lately getting things together for Market, and Blogger’s Quilt Festival, but I am excited to be here to celebrate a new book! Amy Smart just released a great new book, Fabulously Fast Quilts, and I am pleased to say that I learned a couple new tips while exploring the book!fabulously-fast-quilts-book

To spread the word about the book, Amy asked that we share (see list below) our own tips, and I’m sharing my favorite way to press. Bulk pressing - AmysCreativeSide.com

Bulk Pressing. I am always trying to eliminate steps, or how many times I touch pieces as I work through the making of a quilt top, and this is exactly that! I often sew as long as I can within a project (or 2!) without pressing, but then I have to step back and press everything.

First I set the closed seam, the open and press to one side.

Bulk pressing - AmysCreativeSide.com

I quickly add another piece to press, again setting the seam then pressing the fabric over the seam allowance.

I work pretty quick, taking just a quick 2-3 seconds to press each piece.

Bulk pressing - AmysCreativeSide.com

And press all the pieces, multiple times as I add more to the stack. It saves space on my ironing board, time spent at the ironing board, and is a great way to sort like fabrics too! If you don’t already press this way, I encourage you to try it next time you are piecing! My new iron is great for this method, it’s not too heavy, but gets nice and hot!

Check out beautiful quilts included in Fabulously Fast Quilts over on Amy’s blog! There’s 12 great patterns included, and lots to learn too!

All of these ladies are sharing their timesaving tips this week too –

Monday April 28
Sachiko Aldous of Tea Rose Home
April Rosenthal of April Rosenthal
Jennifer Mathis of Ellison Lane
 
Tuesday April 29
Jen Wilding Cardon of Stitch This! Martingale Blog
Amy Ellis of Amy’s Creative Side
Lori Holt of Bee in my Bonnet
 
Wednesday April 30
Faith Jones of Fresh Lemons Quilts
Melissa Mortenson of PolkaDot Chair
Amy Gibson of Stitchery Dickory Dock
 
Thursday May 1
Lee Heinrich of Freshly Pieced
Lynne Goldsworthy of Lily’s Quilts
Jeni Baker of In Color Order
 
Friday May 2
Katie Blakesley of Swim Bike Quilt
Lindsay Conner of Craft Buds
Sherri McConnell of A Quilting Life