Mary Hiemke received this tip from a vendor at the International Quilt Show in Rosemont. This information is provided by OLFA.
To clean your OLFA mat, use a generous amount of room temperature water in your bathtub. Add ¼ cup vinegar per gallon of water, and a few drops of mild detergent. Use a soft, mild bristle brush to create a lather and gently clean your mat. Rinse with room temperature water and wipe dry with a cotton towel. Please note that warm or hot water and direct sunlight may damage the mat

Fabric Shopping

Sharon Peot came up with a tip for taking your fabric swatches with you to evaluate additional fabrics for your quilt.

Purchase the clear plastic sleeves for baseball cards or photos. The sleeves are 8 1/2" x 11" and fit in a binder. They have 9 pockets. Cut swatches of your fabric and insert in the pockets. The clear plastic allows you to lay the sleeve over a bolt of fabric and easily see how the fabrics will look together. The sleeve has the additional advantage that it easily folds in thirds and fits nicely in an envelope in your purse.

Recipes

Diane Gaudynski's recipe for homemade starch is available at http://www.dianegaudynski.net/tips_january.htm

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