New Toys :: Tools

Today I want to share with you some new and amazing tools of the trade!  Last week on Instagram I entered a giveaway ... and I won!  Havel's Sewing was having a giveaway and I eagerly with my fingers crossed entered.  I was pleasantly shocked that I was the lucky one picked!  



Look at those new tools and cutting mat!  It was Christmas in August for me!  I often dream of trying new gadgets or replacing old ones, but rarely take the plunge!  But today I get to live the dream!!  



Snips, rips, scissors and a cutter!  Each and every tool is going to be put to good use, there is no doubt about that!



Isn't she a beauty?!  This is probably the tool we use the most in our quilting.  The good old 45mm rotary cutter.  I had to give it a whirl and cut a bunch of scraps to shreds!  After having the same cutter for years and having it feel like part of my hand, it's a bit awkward using something different.  However, I'm anxious to give this one a whirl!  



Snips!  I've seen these Embroidery Snips before and they always fascinated me!  Probably because of how you squeeze them together.  I have a few pairs of scissors that have frustrated me over the years although I still use them!  Receiving these made me very happy and now maybe I can let the others go!

 

The seam ripper!  I don't think there is a quilter out there that doesn't need and use a seam ripper.  I first saw a seam ripper like this a couple years ago and you have to admit...its fascinating and intriguing!  The Ultra-Pro seam ripper glides through the stitches instead of ripping through the stitches.  I'd be lying if I said this one scares me a little bit!  I've been known to have accidents with blades!  My husband thinks I should wear a glove when using this tool!  It'll take some getting use to, but I think I'll learn how to handle it with time!  Yes, I did try it on some scraps and it was amazing and strange all at the same time!  I feel like I should being doing surgery with it!



The last tool is a small pair of Teflon scissors.  Again, who doesn't need a good pair of scissors on hand?  These can be used for fabric or paper.  

But wait...there's more!  I saved the best for last, the cherry on top!



The past couple of weeks I've been seriously thinking about investing in a new cutting mat.  Mine gets a lot of use and I don't care how well you take care of your mat, there comes a point when it is beyond hope and it needs to be replaced.

Because I do a good bit of improv which doesn't require precise cutting, and paper piecing which requires a lot of trimming, I try to use the back of my mats when cutting and trimming.  That way the front is left for the cutting that needs accuracy.



The color got me first!!  It's awful pretty don't you think?!  This mat is huge!  It's a double sided 36" x 24" with a gridded area of 34" x 22".  Huge!  

What really captured my attention was the weight and thickness.  It has 5 layers of PVC!  It feels very industrial and substantial.  There's going to be a learning curve using a new mat.  We become accustom to our mats and intuitively know how to line up and cut using the markings.  I'm pretty sure I'll master it.  I may need to get a new table just to accommodate the mat!

I want to thank Havel's Sewing for their generosity!  I'm very excited to use every tool and still can't believe I was so lucky!

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