More Show and Share: Our Favorite Tools

At a previous meeting Michelle, our fearless leader, gave us homework:  bring in our favorite tool used when quilting or sewing....

Claire shared how when she is long arm quilting she really depends on the tool, Slide Along.  She says that it really helps to move the quilt through the quilter much easier than without it.  Very fine pointed tweezers and gardening gloves were also shown.  Quilting gloves for machine quilting can be expensive so Claire has experimented with gardening gloves.

Lisa brought her wooden stiletto that her husband made.  Having that fine point to push through the feeder foot on the machine or for turning corners right side are just a couple of uses.  We all were envious of the fine wood turning done by her husband.

Michelle explained the reusable Sewing Edge.  This tool keeps that all important 1/4" or slight 1/4" seem allowance fixed on the throat of your machine.

Dorothy brought the obvious:  the  rotary cutter!  How this tool has developed and changed sewing.  I remember my girl friend bringing me one over 20 years ago when quilting was not for me (another never say never item in my life).  I could not figure out how to  cut a toddler's party dress with that thing!

A seam ripper was Adrienne's tool....no comment here as I have seen her work the rights and lefts of her patterns...I must admit to keeping about three rippers at my machine, they seem to disappear...no pun intended.

Caroll too, brought some interesting aids:  a peephole viewfinder, usually drilled into doors, for distancing your work to see how it looks from afar and ....

yes a headlamp.  After a few chuckles she explained when she visits her son's cottage extra light is needed to sew the fine stitiches in her applique work.

My favorite tool of late has been the 60 degree triangle ruler.  With 1 1/2 yards of a border print several gifts can be make easily:  a table runner and a couple table toppers or hexagon shaped place mats. My daughters fear my visits that I may bring more table runners or placemats.

Below are more favorite tools.