> Before gettting started, make sure you have everything you need...nothing's more frustrating than getting part way into a project and discovering that scrap of green fabric you were thinking of using is stained or not as big as you thought!

> Press your fabrics before tracing - it might be a pain to pull out that iron, but believe me it's a whole lot easier (and less frustrating) to work with fabric that's crease and wrinkle-free.

> When tracing, always make sure the side of your fabric you want showing is facing up

> When cutting out shapes, cut slightly outside your cutting line - you want to leave a small allowance for leadline placement; it needs a narrow "shelf" of fabric to lie on, and this way when it comes time to quilt there will be ample fabric underneath to secure it to. Always make sure edges overlap wherever two or more pieces meet.

> When tacking fabric pieces down, use only a few dots of glue in the center to start. This makes it a lot easier to pull a piece up if you find you need to reposition it. (TIP: if you have to pull up a section where the glue has dried, try dabbing the glued area with a damp cloth. The fabric will come up a lot easier!) Once you have all you pieces in place you can add a little more glue along the edges.

The purpose of this page is to offer helpful hints, tips on tools, additional supplies and resources, and to offer some limited instruction on the application of leadline tape when creating Celtic design or "stained glass" quilts. If you've never worked with it before, let me assure you it's reasonably simple to use. If you'd like more detailed instruction on stained glass quilting, click on the "How To" link above..

NOT to be confused with bias tape...

This leadline tape is a 3/16" polyester braid - very soft and flexible. It makes smooth curves and circles as small as the circumference of a dime without buckling or wrinkling. It's applied with water soluble glue, then stitched over using a zig-zag stitch. (No, the glue will not gum up your machine) Once your project is fully quilted, toss it into the wash and the glue disappears!

Only drawback is it's only available through a very limited number of sources. You won't find it at your local retail/craft supply store, and as far as I know there aren't any fabric shops selling it either. I sell it here (in black only), and you can also find it at www.quilterstreasure.com (they offer it in a limited number of colors as well)

Cutting the leadline tape requires heat to seal the ends and prevent  fraying. You can use a cigarette lighter or keep a candle nearby, but this simple woodburning tool is easier and, in my opinion, a little safer. Whichever method you choose, use common sense! - keep all open flames/lighters/hot irons a safe distance from pets and the reach of small children!!!

You can purchase one of these tools at most any store that sells craft supplies. I found this one at Walmart.

    (NOTE: keep it simple - some come with a variety of cutting/carving bits, which you won't need unless you're planning to do some wood burning as well!)

This tool is called a "sixth finger", and comes in very handy (pardon the pun) when shaping curves with leadline tape. It's also very helpful for lifting and tucking. Most fabric stores carry them.

Secure to work surface with tape for safety!

For more tips on the use of this tool, see below.

Frayed edges can poke out from beneath your leadline tape and detract from the overall quality of your piece. If you're using a fabric that tends to fray a lot this stuff works great - just follow the directions on the tube. Available most anywhere fabrics are sold.

SOME HELPFUL TIPS on the application of lead line tape:

uMeasure before cutting - run the tape along the edge of the section you want to do with your fingers; mark where you want to cut  with fabric chalk...or just mark the spot by holding it between your thumbs like so...

                                                                   and cut by pressing it against the end of the tool...

                                                                                Careful! Don't burn yourself!

uUse minimal glue - all you need is a thin bead or a few dots, just enough to hold the tape in place until you're ready to quilt. When making folds, apply a few dots of glue on top of the tape where the fold is going to be, let it

dry for a few seconds to make it extra tacky, then fold & press down. Sometimes you may need to add  a little more glue to make the fold stick . It also helps to place a lightweight object on top of the fold for several minutes, which

allows the glue to set. TIP: if you find you need to pull up a section of lead line tape where the glue has dried, dab

the area first with a damp cloth. This will soften the glue and help prevent tearing or fraying the edges of your fabric.

uWork small - try to work in short lengths. When you have to do a long piece, like a circle or the edge of a border, I find it best to tack the tape down before cutting it, but again, work in short lengths - put just a couple of inches of glue down at a time, secure the tape, then a couple of more inches of glue, and so on. Cut with scissors when you're almost at the end and lightly singe the cut edge with a lighter (I prefer using one of those multi-purpose ones they sell for lighting gas grills, etc.)

uWhen considering where to start placing your lead line, look at your quilt and try to determine how it's layered - For example, think of a landscape consisiting of sky, distant mountains, a lake, a cabin, and a tree. The sky is the furthest away so it rests behind everything else. The tree is closest, so it lies on top of everything else. Try to put down your lead line accordingly, starting with the deepest level first and working up. In the case of our landscape, the sky would come first, then the mountains, then the lake, the cabin, and lastly, the tree. Understand, this is not a hard and fast rule - sometimes it doesn't matter where you start, but it's always a good idea to study your piece before beginning to apply the lead line, and consider how best to proceed.

wIf you have any questions, please feel free to

.Tips for "stained-glass" quilting using leadline application...

HELP!!!!

Celtic Crossworks