Stabilizing Stitches With Phonebook Pages - Preventing Puckering and Skipped Stitches

Hellooooo! I thought I would share this quick tip while working today, using phonebook pages as a temporary stabilizer to prevent puckering and skipped stitches. Feel free to let me know if you have any questions!
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[@patrice8257]

Used dryer sheets work great also! They also fit into my small hoop for my machine.

[@jaclynmoylan1905]

Wow this is the coolest thing ever and I have a ton of phone books to put to good use now lol. I’ve never heard of using phone book papers as stabilizers, I’m a newbie quilter and sewer so I appreciate all these tips you share!!! YOU ROCK!!!

[@MariaColon879]

I've never used phone book pages before. I liked it very much, my only problem is that they don't issue phne books in my area like they used to.

[@kellyhipkins5616]

Amazing. Thank you so much for sharing

[@cherylturman640]

Okay, freezer paper and now phone books. I always wondered what to do with all my old and extra phone books besides burning them. Great idea! I love your videos, keep doing what you love doing, and helping all of us newbies! ;-)

[@TheQuiltmakerHomestead]

Cheryl Turman you can also use coffee filters as a tear away stabilizer as well :)

[@sharonleeirvin3320]

great idea

[@cgmonooso]

This is a great tip! Thanks for sharing.

[@vivlee3840]

I love the phone book pages as a stabiliser...great new tip learned!!

[@TheQuiltmakerHomestead]

so glad I could share the tip :)

[@vivlee3840]

@@TheQuiltmakerHomestead It works brilliantly!

[@lindabrady3735]

FANTASTIC LISA! Great video, thank you.

[@TheQuiltmakerHomestead]

Linda Brady thank you!!

[@mindydorton4839]

Very informative. You're such a good teacher!

[@TheQuiltmakerHomestead]

Mindy Dorton. Thanks Mindy :)

[@lorettabrail7806]

Thank-you!

[@maryhull531]

Great job. Love this idea. It’s new to me but I think it is a fantastic idea.

[@TheQuiltmakerHomestead]

Thank you so much Mary!

[@cynthiapierce5523]

Lisa, I have found that if you use a steam iron on those last little bits in the seam that they often come loose with the hot steam and you can brush them off. :) I enjoy your videos!

[@TheQuiltmakerHomestead]

Cynthia Pierce ohhh I will keep this in mind for next time, thanks for sharing :)

[@justthegoodbits1]

Thank you for this video, I have a project I am working on and needed to do small zig-zag on thin fabric and was a bit worried about puckering but no more. Thanks

[@TheQuiltmakerHomestead]

Just the Good Bits happy sewing!!! Coffee filters work great too :)

[@justthegoodbits1]

Thanks

[@lindabridges445]

I use it when applying decorative stitches to prevent tunneling on the fabric and string piecing.scrap blocks.

[@TheQuiltmakerHomestead]

Smart!

[@judyrikansrud1600]

Thanks for the tip. I am creating a t-shirt quilt as we speak and was wondering last night how to stabilize the border where i am doing some design stitches. This should work perfectly.

[@TheQuiltmakerHomestead]

+Judy Rikansrud I'm so glad you found this helpful!!!

[@alicebair1811]

Great job!! Thanks!!

[@sandrabaker4769]

Love watching learning so much your are a great teacher keep making the videos!! Thank you Sansa

[@TheQuiltmakerHomestead]

Sandra Baker thanks for watching and joining along :)

[@newbeequilter]

Adding that insert of fabric for the V-neck was so clever of you! By including the V-neck in that block, vs. just the logo(s) it made the block more interesting and personal for the recipient. Do you keep a big variety of thread colors on hand, or do you buy spools as you need them for each individual quilt?

[@TheQuiltmakerHomestead]

Thank you so much :) I have a pretty wide selection of thread colors, however occasionally I do need to purchase a color or two....or three to match my quilt....hehehe....I have a slight addition to threads hahaha......however usually I buy them when they are on sale...that way I can get MORE haha.....see....I might have an issue. Thanks for watching!!

[@susandavidson3610]

Watching this video I think you helped me with a problem I have had with my current sewing project. When I use a very large zigzag stitch I sometimes get a couple of straight stitches in between. Maybe I need to stabilize before stitching?

[@TheQuiltmakerHomestead]

Yes, try stabilizing and if that doesn't work you may need a new or different size needle....or lower tension on top thread ♡

[@patrice8257]

Susan Davidson used dryer sheets work great also and is also free :)

[@Ronibearable]

White tissue paper works as well, (for those who don't have phone books).

[@TheQuiltmakerHomestead]

Livinnpjs so true!! And I also like using coffee filters :)

[@cpntaddy]

What thickness of stabilizer are you using?

[@karenwilliams4326]

I generally recycle old phone books, but will try to keep one back (we have 3 every other year here). I assume you could use a different stitch, like the blanket stitch, if desired?

[@TheQuiltmakerHomestead]

Karen Williams yes, it helps stabilize all types of stitches :)

[@oldtimerlee8820]

FWIW ..... I believe that phone books are going the way of the old fashioned buggy whip. So, I hoard mine. A stack of them doesn't take up much space. I live in a rural area and was surprised at how skinny last year's phone book had become. Grab 'em while you can!

[@TheQuiltmakerHomestead]

Oldtimer Lee yes, I don't think they will be around much longer....tge one that I get now is once a year, skinny and smaller. I think it only has business listings in it. Fortunately I got some of the "good" ones from my Nana some time ago and have saved them. I like using coffee filters too :)

[@merilynackerman1199]

Never gave a thought to using the phone book as a stabelizer. Thank you! I will no longer grumble when I find the new phonebook on my doorstep. I may even ask my neighbor for his!

[@TheQuiltmakerHomestead]

Merilyn Ackerman hahahaaa right?!?!! I collect them from everyone I know :)

[@rachelmiller495]

Wow and very cheap. Thanks

[@TheQuiltmakerHomestead]

Glad I could pass along the tips, thanks for watching!

[@Essenceofme]

Would regular printer paper be too heavy? I homeschool and we ALWAYS have a ton of scratch paper around.

[@TheQuiltmakerHomestead]

Essence of Me I think regular paper is a tad bit thick and doesn't rip as easily off the back. You could try the cheap construction paper that is really thin...but my favorite is using coffee filters that have been ironed flat

[@Essenceofme]

You'd appreciate this. I went to my mailing service and asked for phone books. One clerk said, "Who has phone books?" The other said, "Wait right there?" Needless to say, she came back with a handful and I took four. I'm soooo ready to give this a try. I want to try with another project too. THANKS for this video. Yay!

[@TheQuiltmakerHomestead]

FOUR!!!! Way to go :) that's a good supply that will last a good while, let me know what you think :)

[@Essenceofme]

That's my plan. And they are not as thick as old phonebooks but smaller rural ones. Regardless, they will be used for quilting by me. ;)

[@bjquilts29]

Who still has phone books? Not me!

[@TheQuiltmakerHomestead]

I like using coffee filters ironed flat, they work great too

[@bjquilts29]

Lisa Capen Quilts thank you for your response. Newsprint works good if you can find it, not the stuff that already has print on it. I have been able to get end rolls from a local newspaper publisher. So does exam paper if you can find it.