more questions from the newbee

are you doing fusible or needleturn appliqué? (sounds like needleturn if you are using freezer paper. Buttonhole or satin stitch would work well on your circles... or are they smaller than a dime?

as for storing templates? would they fit in a business size envelope? or how about buying some manila envelopes and drawing a picture on the outside of the template that is inside. That way you don't have to open the envelope to see what it is. And if you do this a lot -- you may have 3 different sunflowers or tulips or whatever... so this way you can see exactly which template is inside the envelope.

Kate in MI

I bought a notebook (3 ring type) and a pack of clear sleeves. My pattern and directions, plus sometimes little pieces of the material I used and maybe a printer picture of the quilt I made, inside. This works great and I can see everything through the clear plastic.

Hi. I have some patterns that I don't want to fold to fit in an envelope. I found some storage envelopes for scrapbooking that are larger than standard folders or envelopes. There are even storage boxes in the larger format. Hope this helps. Susan

Have you made plastic templates or just paper ones? No matter, both are easily stored flat in binder sleeves, accordion files, hanging file folders, manila envelopes kept in a box or drawer, or even kept in plastic zipper bags in a shoe box. There is also the possibility of digital storage via your computer by scanning the templates and saving them on your hard drive or on a disc. Whichever method you like you could divide them into several headings to make it easier to find things fast later. Flowers and leaves, animals, and everything else works for me so far.

As to your little circle sewing, try hand sewing them with an invisible stitch. Decorative stitches like satin stitch are not always needed, especially when it comes to tiny pieces. Debra in VA See my quilts at