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From: HeatherL
Date: 01-27-2005, 10:33 AM (1 of 16)
| Are these tools really worth the investment? I typically use a knitting needle or chopstick, but I sometimes have trouble with fabric that's especially thick or thin. What is your experience, and what do you recommend? |
User: HeatherL
Member since: 03-13-2004 Total posts: 102 |
From: smith972
Date: 01-27-2005, 10:53 AM (2 of 16)
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do you have a link to one that you are looking at.....i did not know that such a thing existed......i have such a hard time turning tubes....my fingers hurt by the time i am done...esp. with little ones like when i make a belt for my DD to wear with her dresses..... Jada |
User: smith972
Member since: 09-10-2004 Total posts: 241 
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From: paroper
Date: 01-27-2005, 12:07 PM (3 of 16)
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There is a set made by FASTURN that is very nice. They are a little pricey but they come in complete sizes for your needs. I have a full set of these, but I like the next two items better. This is what the Fasturn set looks like:http://www.nancysnotions.com/Nancys/search_results.asp?mscssid=0E1CA77EE54504C7E9F6399 8592B64F3&Gift=false&GiftID= My favorite large turner looks like a pair of tongs...old fashioned ice tongs like they used to move large blocks of ice? They have a blunted point on other side. It turns as you go...since you don't have to hook it into the fabric you can use it on belts and other things that are closed at the end as well as open tubes. I love it and it is useful for most things. I turned 85 bow ties, knots, and neck bands with this in about 30 minutes once...wonderful tool. It runs about 10 dollars depending upon where you find it and is found on most notions aisles. Here is a picture of it: http://www.nancysnotions.com/Nancys/productr.asp?pf%5Fid=CPTT2&gift=False&HSLB=False&mscssid=0E1CA77EE54504C7E9F63998592B64F3 I have another turner that I love for small spaghetti straps and the like. It is made by Dritz and runs somewhere about 5 dollars. It is a heavy wire with a little hook that has a flap that closes over it when you pull to keep you from loosing your fabric as you go...and a loop to hold on to at the other end. You just pull your small tube onto the wire, hook it into an open end and the little lock pulls down over it as you pull the tube back inside itself. Very fast, easy and does away with the frusteration! This is also found on the notions wall in most fabric stores. These are two of the best investments I've ever made in the notions department...and they were reasonable!!!!! pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: HeatherL
Date: 01-27-2005, 06:24 PM (4 of 16)
|
This is what I was looking at... http://www.clotilde.com/cl/product_group.asp?listtype=search&searchterm=tube&dept_name=Search+Result%3A+tube&g_id=141069&imgsize=large ...which is kind of barely a step up from me jabbing my knitting needle into the end. It seems to have a tube that you use in conjunction. Now...paroper, I like the idea of what you described...it sounds like a bodkin (am I spelling that right?) and I'm glad you mentioned it because I was considering something like that but wasn't sure if it would work right. The reason I'm thinking about this at all is that I am about to embark upon a project with spaghetti straps, AND the fabric is an organza-type, so I'm not only dealing with a narrow tube, but I'm sure that if I used a knitting needle, I'd just end up poking holes in the fabric. I'm going to check out Nancy's site and see what I can find. Thanks for the tips! |
User: HeatherL
Member since: 03-13-2004 Total posts: 102 |
From: HeatherL
Date: 01-27-2005, 06:29 PM (5 of 16)
The Dritz turner is on sale at Joann.com for $3.49. HOORAY!! 
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User: HeatherL
Member since: 03-13-2004 Total posts: 102 |
From: grandmasue
Date: 01-28-2005, 11:56 AM (6 of 16)
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I too have the long thin hook "thingy" I think it is the best! and I like the fact that the round loop on the one end hooks on a little screw or my thread holder on my sewing machine freeing up both hands to help with the turning of the strap. It also has been used frequently for pulling elastic thru the casing on sleeves and waistbands. The hook can also be used to pull snags on sweathers thru to the inside. I have never felt the need to investigate the tube turners because this one little gadget has worked well on my needs
Grandma Sue
------------ At the end I am not showing up at my grave all pretty and well preserved...I am coming in sliding, yelling "What a ride!" |
User: grandmasue
Member since: 10-26-2004 Total posts: 138 
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 01-29-2005, 12:02 PM (7 of 16)
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I have never regretted buying my Fasturn set.. Of course , I got it a long time ago.. It was then, $16.99... It still works everytime...
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
|
From: luv2sew
Date: 02-02-2005, 06:11 PM (8 of 16)
I have the set of Fasturn and that is one of the best things that's happened since sliced bread. 
Luv2sew
An act of kindness is never wasted!! |
User: luv2sew
Member since: 05-21-2004 Total posts: 174 
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From: sable
Date: 02-02-2005, 09:16 PM (9 of 16)
| Fastturn all the way, I would not be without this even though it was expensive. I no longer dread spaghetti straps! |
User: sable
Member since: 01-10-2005 Total posts: 76 
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From: mamadus
Date: 02-03-2005, 02:16 AM (10 of 16)
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I have the "turn-it-all" (the one on clotilde's site) and while its helpful... its certainly not a panacea by any means... I'm much more interested in that little hook thingie or the fasturn set... just my 2 cents... MO life is too short, not to explore
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User: mamadus
Member since: 12-31-2004 Total posts: 492 
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From: grandmasue
Date: 02-03-2005, 08:34 AM (11 of 16)
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I looked up what this tool is really called and it is a loop turner. Here's is a link to the company that I got mine from tho I have seen it for sale in several different stores since I bought mine years ago. http://www.newarkdress.com/n29.html P.s. I have always gotten excellent products, and customer service since I started to do business with this company 15 years ago. Grandma Sue
------------ At the end I am not showing up at my grave all pretty and well preserved...I am coming in sliding, yelling "What a ride!" |
User: grandmasue
Member since: 10-26-2004 Total posts: 138
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From: mommydionne
Date: 02-03-2005, 12:15 PM (12 of 16)
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I have the fast turn and the loop turner, I like them both bu the fast turn was a little pricey for a notion (?8.95) but if you are doing thin straps it is amazing!!
Jeanette
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User: mommydionne
Member since: 01-08-2004 Total posts: 838 
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From: bridesmom
Date: 02-16-2005, 05:46 AM (13 of 16)
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I've thought about buying one of those tube turner things, but all I have ever used is a thin ribbon which I sew inside the tube, making sure it is long enough that it hangs out the end, and sew it into the end seam, then pull the ribbon through, which turns the tube. Works good for me. Laura
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: bridesmom
Date: 02-16-2005, 05:51 AM (14 of 16)
|
OK I just went and looked at the collar pointer/tube turner thing that looks like a set of medical tongs and I have one big question. How the heck does it work????? Laura
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: paroper
Date: 02-16-2005, 07:39 AM (15 of 16)
|
Oh, it is easy! You just poke one side through the opening (at the end or middle) of your tube and "fish" the tube onto that side to the end. When you get to the end, you just clamp it together and then "flip" the tube to the other side. It works on closed end belts, etc as well as open tubes! If you are going into the center of the tube, you then just turn and do the other side. I did 85 bow ties, neckbands and knots in less than an hour once with this...it is great! Every time I use it I think "Sure wish I had invented it!"
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Magot
Date: 02-16-2005, 08:41 AM (16 of 16)
|
It does look like some form of medievil torture device. I am a "damn,- the -knitting-needles-poked-through-the-corner" kind of sewer -I am intregued by all these notions. I have tried Lauras method, which seems to me simple and elegant, and sewn the ribbon into the tube sides more often that I care to admit..
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626 
|
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