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Comment by Ruth Ann Henderer on April 29, 2016 at 9:08pm

If you are a paper piecer - I just bought (at a yard sale!) a tiny wooden roller that people who wallpaper use on the seams of the wallpaper.   Someone told me about this and LOVE it.  It works terrific to press your seams when you are doing paper piecing.  I use this instead of pressing all the time and it works wonderfully.    I also have a friend who uses the 'clapper" that garment makers used to press their seams and she swears by it that it works great for quilting seams.

Comment by susan benchik on August 25, 2015 at 8:58pm

Hi Just joined this group because it mentions GADGETS! I am such a gadget freak, I buy way too many thinking each one is going to make me the best quilter ever. Well, needless to say, it doesn't happen that way. But I LOVE 2 of my gadgets/tools: my new Stripology ruler (pricey but worth it) and the red binding clips.  Really want to hear what your favorites are.

Comment by Artie Ann Karns on March 13, 2014 at 1:39pm

I love gadgets/tools.  I spend almost as much time in a quilt shop looking at the gadgets wall as I do looking at fabric.  Problem is I don't have a lot of money to spend and I look at most items and think how much could it cost to produce that?  So I'm always looking for a cheaper substitute.  I read a comment about a "needle puller", in our quilt group we use the finger cots you can buy in a office supply store that are made for when you are sorting through a lot of papers.  I use my thimble on my middle finger and wear the "cot" on my index finger so it is right there to help pull the needle through.  They are about a dollar for three...last forever. 

I mostly use my rotary cutter and a 5x24 O"lipfa ruler and a Klutz glove and hardly ever use anything else besides needle and thread.  I have other things but I just don't use them. I did buy some of that clear non-slip stuff you put on the back of your ruler to keep it from sliding and I think it helps.  I've found that cutting fewer thicknesses is the real answer for me.  Takes longer but 4-6 thicknesses  is enough for me.

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this whole thread.  You ladies do some really nice work.

Comment by Marcia on January 19, 2013 at 10:03am

Update on the Slide lock.  I love it and thought it would be just the thing for me, but it really hurts my left wrist - don't know if I press down too hard. I'm getting ready to cut a new series of blocks so am going to try to change the position of my hand on the top to see if that makes a difference.  If not - I will have one for sale, bummer.  I took this to my quilt group, and they all loved it but one of the gals has rheumatoid and she couldn't use it either.  So this is just a heads- up for those of you with wrist problems.

Karen - I loved you post about all your favorite tools.  I'm going to get the 4x8 ruler today - Joann's has a 50% off sale which ends today.  I may have to get the ruler system you mentioned if I can't use the Slide Lock anymore.  Do you really have to press down hard on the handle?

Comment by Carol Gregg on January 19, 2013 at 12:28am

I just remembered one more (and quite expensive) little gadget that I purchased this summer.  It's an LED light strip that you stick on under the throat area of your sewing machine.  I can SEEEE!  It's distributed by EcoluxLighting, but as I said, it's expensive.  Had to save up my $$$$.

Comment by Karen S Pollard on January 18, 2013 at 11:42pm

Gosh, where to begin.  I have so many favorites. 

1.  I don't think I could make it without my Havel's seam ripper.  It's like a surgical blade and makes my mistakes so much easier to handle.

2.  I love the Purple handle on my Olipfa ruler that I use as a straight edge for cutting.  With the lip on the ruler and the downward pressure from the handle, I don't slip around anymore.

3.  Love the red binding clips someone else mentioned too.

4.  I love the gooseneck IKEA lamp that I bought after seeing Bonnie Hunter use them.  IN fact, I bought TWO! They're only about $10 and you can direct the light wherever you need it.

5.  I couldn't see to sew without my Bendable Bright Light.  I love that I can buy additional brackets and take it with me for retreat and workshop use on my Featherweights.

6.  I love my magnetic pin holder because I have two dogs that "eat" pins!!!  I have to be so careful nothing falls on the floor.

7.  I just recently bought a new love- a Seam Fix seam ripper for individual threads.  What I love about it is the rubber or latex end that allows you to rub back and forth and the cut seams come loose.

8.  Lastly, the 4 X 8 inch little ruler that I use most often to measure in for secondary cuts.  I have larger ones for when I need them, but find I use this one most often.

9.  The luxury item I love is a telescoping magnet with a light on the end.  It helps get pins and items that drop out of reach.  (re: dogs and straight pins!!)

Comment by Elizabeth Norberg on January 18, 2013 at 10:06pm

Rebecca I've been told they do but haven't personaly tried the darker colors. The lead is supposed to be made of the same material as the white. I absolutely love the white one. I find I don't need to use the rubber. I tried it once and it just broke off. Anyway the  white one just rubs off.

Comment by Betsy Cannan on January 18, 2013 at 9:08am

Glad it helped. It is a great tool.  The lighted part is a little sketchy though!

Comment by patbruck on January 18, 2013 at 8:36am

Betsy,I've been debating about getting this slidelock,now after seeing your comment and saying your strips are perfect,I just ordered the 14 inch one.Can't tell you how many times I get the dreaded V even after only 3 or 4 cuts,can't wait to try it out.

Comment by Betsy Cannan on January 18, 2013 at 6:26am

I purchased the longer slidelock and love it! Wish I had gotten the 14" one at the same time. I cut 8 layers of binding at once and every one is perfect. Would skip the lighted business next time.

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