Submitted by Dianne McD.
You know how it is when you’ve been quilting or sewing for years, you have your own way of doing things, and then you get this inkling, “I wonder if there is a better way to do this?” Or, “Is there anything new out there in the quilting world that I don’t know about?”
Well the other day, I was talking to our Program Chair, Rosalie, and she told me that another MPS member, Kathy, had mentioned that she was interested in what other quilters were using these days or what might be their favorite quilting gadgets or notions. Rosalie and I thought this might make a good blog post so we could all learn the answers to those questions. Since then, I’ve been trying to figure out how to make it work for us; and I think I have a plan.
I’ll go first. When I’m quilting, I just can’t live without my 3 1/2″ x 12 1/2″ Creative Grids Ruler. A few years ago, Judy was our Chair-Elect, and she was featuring different tools at the beginning of our Guild meetings. This ruler can do so much, it got featured at two meetings! Since then, I had been keeping an eye out for one, and finally found it two years ago when I was visiting a little quilt shop in Shady Cove, OR. I LOVE it. The ruler is non-slip, and it’s the perfect size for cutting smaller pieces. And while I know I don’t use it to its full potential, learning to cut binding strips with it was life-changing. You can see Judy’s presentation slides here on our website.
So, here’s the plan. To get the most out of this post, we need to hear from you. Leave a comment below and tell us about your newest or favorite gadget. Photos can’t be posted in the comments, but if you’ll send a phone picture, photo, or even a link to metropatch@metropatch.com, I’ll keep updating this post.
Please keep checking back to see what’s new. Or better yet, did you know that you can subscribe to the comments of this post? By doing so, you’ll get notified each time someone leaves a new comment. Just plug in your email address, check the box, and wait for the fun to start.
Thanks for the good idea, Kathy. I can’t wait to see what gets posted.
PS: Another one of my favorite tools runs a close second to the ruler. But I’ll wait to see if one of you posts it first.
update:
Here are photos of Marcia’s ironing surface and her pins. (click for a larger view)
I have two…my favorite pins are Bohin (France) Ultra Fine 1 3/8 inch pins. They are made with piano wire and are more flexible than the Clover Ultra Fine pins, therefore they bend less frequently. They slide in and out of the fabric so smoothly. My other is my big board Ironing surface. Home made and fits over an IKEA bookcase which has lots of storage. I use it for ironing, cutting (with a mat), layout, and just about everything else. (I’ll send pictures.)
Where did you get the pins?
Unfortunately I haven’t seen them locally. I’m sure I ordered them online.
Thank you Marcia! I’m going to try to get those pins! I’ve been longing for some that go in and out smoothly and are flexible. Somehow they seem to know how to do things over there in France!
My 4 ½ -inch tweezers. They can grab little threads and fit in places my fingers don’t. They can move little appliqué pieces and put things just where you want them.
I second the mini wonder clips! I use them to keep pieces together for blocks, attach directions to fabric, hold the pleats in the masks while sewing. My favorite use is to hold sections of paper-pieced blocks while stitching them together with no distortion…more accurate than pins.
My 12 1/2 x 3 Creative Grid was my most used tool until I discovered Quilters Select tools. After purchasing one Selective Grid, I then purchased two more. They truly do not slip when cutting. And the light yellow color and markings seem to help my aged eyes see more accurately. Friends know I am a fan of stars – I have worn out Fons&Porter Flying Geese ruler making stars. I have extra of that tool tucked away in case it goes out of production.
Linda G., I, too, like the Quilters Select brand of rulers, because they really don’t slip. Thanks for the tip about the flying geese ruler. I’m planning a quilt with flying geese, so I’ll check it out
I have also recently gotten into using Quilter’s Select thread, and have found it perfect for smooth piecing.
Music. Alexa will play any style or performer. It really encourages me.
Carolyn, what’s your favorite “channel”?
I love my 2 1/2” X 6 1/2” ruler! Perfect for “jelly rolls”.
I’m glad the presentation was helpful. I also do all of my binding strips this way. So much easier!
I recently discovered Wonder Clips! Where have they been all these years?
Wine!
That goes without saying..