To Use or Not to Use

Please use this section to tell us about your favorite and not so favorite tools and products. Please be kind if you do not like something. Keep in mind these are your opinions. Who knows maybe we can also help you work out the bugs so you do like the product.

I absolutely love the Olfa Frosted Rulers. Since I have been using them, my accuracy has improved greatly. I can see the lines on any fabric and do not have a problem with where I should place the line since it is thin and one color. The frosted back not only assists with seeing it on all colors but provides a non-slide surface. Actually I should say reduced slide. It still slides but I add Fabric grabber feet to them and then they are perfect. Even kids in my classes can't move those suckers unless they lift them up.

When I took my first quilt class in 2005 I had three big problems. # 1 my sewing machine did not perform well and my instructor suggested a new one. # 2 I could not sew the 1/4 inch even with a magnetic marker. # 3 I had trouble with holding the ruler in place while I rotery cut my fabric no matter how hard I tried the ruler would manage to slip. ( Sara would you cut it for me? "NO") Working with Sara and the owner of the quilt shop Diane I purchased a new sewing machine Bernia. This solved problem # 1 and # 2 as the # 37/57 foot is made for 1/4 inch seams. This still left me with problem # 3 as I was reading through one of my quilt magazines and saw an advertisment for the RuleSteady I went to www.keepquilting.com.au I purchased the RuelSteady I have been extremely happy with it and as stated your fabric dose not move. I joined the nine patch block group and my RuelSteady arrived in the mail at the same time what fun I had when I could actually cut straight and no slipping to destort my blocks. three cheers for the quilters "STITCH STITCH HOORAY" "STITCH STITCH HOORAY" " STITCH STITCH HOORAY"

Donna,

thanks for sharing that link. I have never seen one of those before. The idea is like the Gypsy Gripper except that it rests on the mat as well as the ruler. Pretty cool. Cost wise I would still recommend Fabric Grabbers for under $3 and if you want a handle there are several on the marker under $15.

I heard a great tip at my recent quild meeting. Instead of using a seam ripper for taking out stitches, an eyebrow shaper (at Walgreens, CVS, etc) will do the same thing without accidentally cutting the fabric.

I love the Gypsy handle for holding down the ruler when cutting. I have sliced my finger open a few times now and it holds the ruler in place. I also like that it doesn't slide so that I cut it wrong. It is really great for strip cutting.

I also love the pressing mat that I bought from collections etc. I keep it on a table at my right and it allows me to press the work as I go. I then use a larger ironing area to iron the completed rows and the over quilt top.

Brenda

I have many... my 8 1/2"x24" ruler and the June Taylor (no endorsement implied) shapecut ruler. As I think of it, I love good tools and do not hesitate to invest in the best I can possibly afford...not to say I don't take advantage of sales and coupons!

I paid almost $30 for a 9degree ruler to make spiral placemats, table runners and etc. I love it.

Several pairs of nice scissors are in my tool box and my children and husband learned early on they were MY scissors and not to be take and use for other guy kinds of projects...sometimes judicious threats are useful...