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!
Check out Havel's Sewing to see all that they offer: Havel's Sewing, Blog, Instagram
It's fun discovering new things! If I could I would get every new gadget, ruler, tool, cutter out there. Realistically that ain't gonna happen! I don't often 'splurge' on tools and make due with what I have, but every once in a while I'll pounce and throw caution to the wind!
I have to laugh when I buy something new! Because most everything I buy is not new to everyone else! It doesn't take much to excite me and I'll get it where I can!
First up is thimbles. I've tried a few different kinds with little success. Regular thimbles feel bulky and unruly. I just couldn't use them. I tried adhesive pads and for the most part they were pretty good. I found that they slide around and I have to reposition them often. My last resort was taking medical tape and wrapping it around my thumb. My thumb is where are the wear and tear happens. I tear it up when I'm hand stitching!!
On our guild Facebook page, a member posted a link to the thimbles she uses. Intrigued, I checked it out. Silicone Needle Puller Thimbles. Interesting. These might be just what I need to save my thumb! And frankly, the price was right. If they don't work it wouldn't be a big deal.
Low and behold...they work! There are two sizes available and it fits like a glove! My thumb is nearly healed, I can hand stitch without bulky cumbersome thimbles! Since buying my set I have noticed many others on Instagram who uses them...who would have thought?!
The shop is on Etsy, Leather Craft Supplies and, Dritz also makes them, I saw them at Joanns! Who would have thought?!
There are so many ruler options for quilters! I stick to the basics. I have three sizes that I use all the time. My 6" x 24", 4" x 14 and 2 1/2" x 8" get the most action.
When I saw this ruler on Instagram by Jodi Robinson, it was another 'I gotta check this out' moment! Since I do a lot of straight line quilting and usually mark each line for precision, I decided it might very well be worth the investment.
The Straight & Narrow is for marking straight lines. Check out this video on YouTube to see it in action! The slots are spaced every 1/2", but 1/4" lines are easily achieved by adjusting the ruler. And it's easy to do!
The big question for me was what tools can I use to mark the lines? When I ordered the ruler I also bought a chalk pencil because that's what Jodi used.
This is a Sewline disposable ceramic lead pencil with a lead thickness of 1.3. The only problem I had was pressing too hard and breaking the lead. But it marked well and left very clear lines.
What I really was curious about, could I use my most used tool ever...the Hera Marker? I was concerned the grooves would be too skinny.
Much to my delight, it worked perfectly! I know many people use their walking feet to make perfect lines spaced evenly. I've never been great at that! I usually forget where I'm suppose to look and mess up. So I'm a marker!
The last marking test was with a disappearing ink marker. Another success! Now I have options!
Maybe the Straight & Narrow ruler will speed up the marking process on some projects, may it won't work at all on others. I thought the thimbles and ruler were worthy of sharing, a review and a post. No compensation was give to me for that!
Do you have any mind blowing new gadgets or tools?! What pushes you over the edge when it comes to purchasing something new?
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How often do you see some gadget or tool that promises to make your quilting life a little easier, faster or more accurate? Something that will improve a skill that you haven't quite mastered, but promises to help and make a difference.
I don't often buy tools. I use what I have and make the best of them. On occasion I'll bite the bullet and buy. I didn't buy fabric this week, but I did buy this array of supplies! I'm trying to take my limited free motion skills to another level. Basically, I want to go from Pre-School to Kindergarten.
According to Leah Day, these are the things that will help me with that. I don't have much to lose and if they help I'm all for that.
Supreme Slider.
It says it will improve my FMQ. The Teflon cuts down on friction and makes your quilt glide. I haven't tried it, but I'm game!
Magic Bobbin Genies.
The little Teflon donuts fit under your bobbin to reduce birds nests. I get that with my machine. They were pretty inexpensive, and they seem to have made a difference. My bobbin doesn't seem to wobble and clunk around as much.
Machingers.
Quilting gloves are a must! I already had a pair of glove, but they didn't seem to grip as well as I would like. I know these are highly rated...all the big girls wear them...so now I shall too!
Lastly, Clover Self Threading Needles.
What a find this was! I've heard of these before and wish I had bought them sooner. Thread burying can be a pain in the butt sometimes. Occasionally have a hard time threading needles. Those little eyes are so hard to hit, plus when it's attached to a quilt...well, it's harder to adjust to see the needle eye.
These I have used, they work and they are amazing! The top of the needle has a groove that the thread snaps in to and that's it. Bury your thread and move on!
Tell me, are you one who buys gadgets or tools to make things easier or better? What was your best find?
Does anyone use the Magic Slider? If you have any tips, please share!!
