Friday, September 25, 2009

quilting tools.. what do you use?

everyone uses different tools.
and has their favorites.
and i like to learn.. and share.
so here are mine.

---

{{i also realized that i don't know what some of my closest blog friends use... so this is the easy way to find out.. what machine? what rotary cutter? what rulers? do tell.}}


ruler(s)
mostly omni grid.. but i have a lot of others as well...
& in lots of sizes
i do like specialty rulers too..

like american jane's equilateral triangle ones.

rotary cutter(s)
i own a few...
do i need this many.. no... but i'm never at a point where i can't find one!
i like the fiskars best... i know most people don't.. but i like the handle, the overall feel & how the blase safety button works... i also keep my new & old blades in 2 containers so i know which is which at a quick glance

cutting mat(s)
i have a few of these as well...
but i mainly use my 36x60 that is in the background of many of my pics... i have an old kitchen table the perfect size that my mat stays put on... in my sewing studio...

thread
i use many.. but mostly aurifil & superior threads king tut
& i use this handy thing for my bobbins.. & love it!

machine(s)
i do my piecing & straight line quilting on this baby...
you know.. the one i stole from my mom
it is a husqevarna viking freesia 415... they don't make this model anymore... but i wouldn't trade this baby in... she has always been good to me!
{ also that tray is from IKEA.. & super handy!}


& i do my quilting.. on this baby..
my mega quilter {on a 10 foot frame}
i heart this machine too..
but i may upgrade to the 18x8 new mega quilter.. or another machine down the road..
bigger is better!

scissors
for all around cutting i have a lot.. but these are my favorite..
{my mom labels things with her initials for when she takes classes... and it appears that SSH isn't my initials... so you can guess who these belong too... & lets just say that there are lots of tools here with SSH.. but since SSH reads my blog.. i'm not gonna post pics of anymore... cause she may not remember what i have "borrowed" ..thanks mom!!}

for snipping & sewing on the go...
i have 2 since i never leave home w/o one... except when i go to the airport....

and then you have to have old faithful... pinking shears...

seam ripper
i don't take seams out... unless i absolutely have to..
but when i do.. this is what i use..
some random ones from an old sewing kit.. not the best by any means

ironing surface/iron
i need iron advice.. i'll admit that.. i use whichever iron i can find in the house when i need one..
i can't even tell you what this one is...
& for ironing surface.. i have an ironing board that makes an appearance for borders, backing... etc... but in general i use this bad boy...
i know.. i know..
its stained.. but that is because it has been used almost every day for the last 5 years or so..
{ & some of the irons in the house are notorious for leaking.. hence needing the advice }

other

fray check.. a girl's best friend against unravelling...
& "cupcakes" from container store... work great for holding & sorting scraps on the table.


so those are my preferences...

what are yours?

if you decide to join in and blog about what you use leave me a comment with a link or drop me an email. i'll be adding a list on here of everyone who joins in so we can all learn!!

22 comments:

Mary said...

I am so drooling over your megaquilter/frame. I have only been quilting for about 6 months, and am really coveting a similar setup! I have been an apparel sewer for 9yrs previously and am really loving quilting.

Oh, I saw your quilts at the show over the weekend, but was a bit rushed with my two little girlies. They looked great close up!!

HMaas said...

Love all your quilting goodies - I will try and get my favourite tools up on my blog next week, this will be fun to see what everyone uses. I too have a Husqvarna sewing machine and love it!!!

Lisa said...

Holy cow i think i need to come raid your stash! I have one cutting mat, 4 rulers, 2 scissors and one rotary cutter. I may just need to start investing in some more items!

Barb said...

Yep, you do have alot of people drooling over your longarm.....

Audrie said...

Good grief you have a lot of tools! Especially cutters lol! I have very minimal tools... but it's early days yet so I'm pretty sure there'll be lots more in time to come.

Unknown said...

you are digging and flaunting all at once! I would love just to have a little space of my own, let alone the long-arm :) I keep to the minimum, for space constraints - but my machine is the Janome 4800. I love it!

Gene Black said...

My machine will show up in a blog later today. Shhhh!

I have a 6 by 24 ruler that I love except that all the lines on it are black. That one and my 9.5 omni-grid are my most used rulers.
I have one of those blue bobbin holders too. :)
I have a fiskars rotary cutter, a dritz cutter, and an ergo olfa all in 45mm I also have a 60mm olfa ergo cutter.

I adore my ROWENTA iron that was about $50 at Lowe's hardware. LOL "Where men shop for tools!"

Nicole said...

Wow, can I come live by you and borrow all your fun stuff???

Melissa said...

I am loving your tools- very jealous! My new favorite reused tool is kind of silly, but I love it. I've been buying gum in those plastic containers (the ones with a lid that hold 60 pieces of gum) and I've started reusing them to hold my binding clips and basting pins. Love it! They don't spill and the lid is nice and wide so you can get to them easily (or throw them in from across the table!)

allsewnup said...

Holy mackrel...I'm so sitting my hubby down in front of the pc screen to see all of your tools of the trade, maybe then I won't feel so bad when I sigh and "say boy I sure could use one of those".hehe

:o)
Carolyn*

wishes, true and kind said...

You have way more rules than I do, but I probably have as many rotary cutters (LOL). I'm never without one either. And I like the Fiskars also, but I'll use whatever is closest.

I was thinking of posting this very question on my blog, so I'm glad you started this. I'll let you know when I post my favorites. Funny how whatever I use seems so ordinary, but I'm really interested in what other people use/like.

joan

Thimbleanna said...

Holy Cow Woman -- you could open up a store with all those rotary cutters and rulers. I have two one rotary cutter (olfa maybe?), two rulers that are so old the print is wearing off and they desperately need to be replaced, one square ruler and a 15 year old easy angle that I love. I knew I loved you -- VIKING all the way baby!!!

Searchfamilies said...

I have a selection of omnigrid rulers & templates plus some other squares & log cabin type rulers, also have a few mats i have 2 rotary cutters one in my toolbox for my quilting group & the other for me working at home but i am running a poor 2nd to you that for sure i have 2 machines one for home 1 that lighter & cheaper to take to QG i just now have a good selections of different items for doing my quilting blocks ect just have to learn how to use some of them lol
Hugs Janice

Sandy said...

Nice blog Jul.. You sure have accumulated lots of goodies, Yours and mine (SSH)
Love you lots!!
Mom

Micki said...

I love all of your tools and have most of them. Anything that makes it easier for us quilters is good.
Micki

Cathy @ CabbageQuilts said...

Wow, what a fabulous run down of your quilting tools! I love how you are storing your rulers. I will have to have a clean up around here before I can show anything!! (have to find it all first!). Thanks for the fabulous tool tour! xo

Ginny said...

Love your pics. I too hsve the mega quilter, and also the SE which I do most my piecing. I have over a dozen rulers (addicting aren't they?) and 4 cutting mats. A lot of my stuff also had my mom's initials in them. He he

Sally said...

I second the post regarding the ROWENTA iron. I have one that I received as a wedding gift and it sure makes all of the difference in ironing....definitely well worth the expense

amylouwhosews said...

I stole my sewing machine from my mom too!! And I have a lot of the same tools...

My husband bought me a Rowenta Advancer almost 2 years ago. I had some serious issues the first year, and after sending mine in for repairs about 3 times, the 4th replacement was a charm. Now that I have one that doesn't overheat and break on me I LOVE IT. I don't mind ironing one bit.

Angela Nash said...

I love seeing what everybody does with their sewing rooms! Thanks for the tour. Hopefuly I can get a post together this week with my little collection of stuff.

Lesly said...

Seriously envious of your tools and especially the space you have for working! You sure put it all to good use!

Anonymous said...

Jaybird,
Thanks so much for this idea. It is so interesting to see what other sewers work with to complete such great projects. I put together some pictures of my tools. Hope there is something there that will benefit another fabric lover.