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From: Teri
Date: 09-21-2005, 10:43 PM (1 of 22)
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I'm starting this new thread to get ideas on what tools you love and where do you find the tools that you think are indispensable. My most indispensable tool is my surgical seamripper with replacable blades from Clothilde. I'm desperatately searching for my favorite measuring tape which goes from 1-60 on one side and 60-1 on the other, so that regardless what end I grasp I can measure. I have one of these tapes and there's no name on it.
Teri
"Where are we going, and why am I in this basket?" |
User: Teri
Member since: 09-14-2005 Total posts: 66 
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From: Jayde877
Date: 09-22-2005, 12:21 AM (2 of 22)
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I would have to say I love my spring loaded scissors. Regular scissors are so hard on my hands when cutting, especially thicker fabrics. I never thought I'd spend more than $10 for a pair of scissors but I did and they are worth it. I really noticed just how nice they are when I cut out a pattern with my regular scissors the other day. (My spring loaded are for fabric only.) My thumb was so sore after just cutting a pattern out that I wonder how I ever managed with just regular scissors before I bought the good ones. Charity |
User: Jayde877
Member since: 07-27-2005 Total posts: 106 
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From: SummersEchos
Date: 09-22-2005, 12:56 AM (3 of 22)
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I love all my rotary cutters and mats. I use these for everything. I cut out my patterns, and some quilting. The scissors I use are for clipping the loose threads after I have sewn the seams together. The cutting table is top on the list. I have that which folds down out of the way with a mat that fits it from corner to corner. I also bought a ironing mat which I have used by not all that often. Summer
FREE FALLIN |
User: SummersEchos
Member since: 09-29-2004 Total posts: 884 |
From: Sancin
Date: 09-22-2005, 04:25 AM (4 of 22)
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When I was sewing last evening I was thinking how frequently I use a wedge shaped piece of bamboo. I believe it's original purpose is for turning corners out, but I use it like a Hera creaser and the point as an guide for fabric going through the machine needle and even to flatten (with the broader end) fabric that has a tendancy to ruffle. I use it more that the little cheap wooden piece I have to finger press. Now if I could only find a fabric marker as handy. I think I have every type of marker ever used by any sewer and none are perfect for every situation! I would also like to find a hand sewing needle that every time I picked it up it would be the right one for the fabric and thread. Dreaming more I would like to find a thimble to find over my arthritic nobs, which are really big! I would have a hard time living without my little desk Ott light which I can move around anywhere I need to on my sewing table and is much better than my machine light. I would like a rear view mirror for my sewing machine. *~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 09-22-2005, 07:26 AM (5 of 22)
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My cutting table is up all the time -- I haven't folded it down since I got it. It has an ironing pad on it and I slide cutting mats to the side, leaving about a foot and a half, when I'm ironing. I couldn't do without it. I certainly couldn't do without my rotary cutters. Like Summer I use them for everything. I think I would just quit sewing if I had to go back to scissors. I know I would quit if I had to go back to a low table. My pressing ham and seam roll get a lot of use. I use my little hem gage a lot. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: LadySloPokes
Date: 09-22-2005, 08:59 AM (6 of 22)
I'd be lost without my handy seam gauge and ruler. I'm always checking, double checking and Triple checking all my measurements before I sew. I also can't have enough PINS!!!! I PIN everything, including myself sometimes!  Okay, can we say clutsie?! LOL
Cookie
LadySlo...yes am I, but hey, I'm gettin' there! Are you sure it's supposed to look like this?! Proud owner of Singer Quantum Decor 7322 & Singer Quantum Futura CE 200.. "A balanced diet is having chocolate in both hands!" |
User: LadySloPokes
Member since: 08-15-2005 Total posts: 198 
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From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 09-22-2005, 05:42 PM (7 of 22)
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Don't laugh ! ! My Dollar Tree reading glasses.. I have them that live on my machine desk, my serger table, my desk, my computer, and of course, in my purse.. But I keep the best fitting pair next to the sewing machine.. I used to get so frustrated when I only had one pair.. But since I only need plain old reading glasses now, I love these.. When my eyes get worse, I have the next ones waiting in the drawer, and I will send these to a nursing home or some other place where they are needed.. They truly save my sanity when I am sewing.. In my book that makes them a sewing tool.. The best one.. LOL
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: patti2
Date: 09-22-2005, 05:56 PM (8 of 22)
| My favorite tool (at the moment, it seems to change!!) is my sharp pointed awl. It is so handy for helping fabric under the presser foot so it doesn"t bunch, and eliminates those false starts where your fabric is too small to move. I love it for holding trims and zippers in place. My second favorite has to be my sand pincushion that is attached to a scrap bag. It sits whereever I am sewing and is very very handy. I am a self confessed gadget junkie!! |
User: patti2
Member since: 05-28-2005 Total posts: 78 |
From: esrun3
Date: 09-22-2005, 10:20 PM (9 of 22)
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without a doubt, my needle threader for threading hand sewing needles. My old eyes are too old and too tired to see those tiny eyes in the needles anymore!! Even with my glasses.
Lyn
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User: esrun3
Member since: 12-02-2004 Total posts: 2345 |
From: Teri
Date: 09-22-2005, 10:37 PM (10 of 22)
I see so many of my favorites here, I confess the reading glasses are a must, even tho I wear regular glasses, I just slip them on over my glasses to find the needle size, or thread a needle, I must lok extremely attractive with 2 pairs of glasses on  I like the sound of the bamboo thingie. I wonder if a sharpened chopstick would work? I have 2 of the little measuring gauges, one with a red pointer and one with a plain pointer so when I'm doing curtains I can set one of them for the header and one for the hem. The spring loaded scissors and clippers are winderful ( did you know the same company makes these for gardening too?). Still searching for my tape measure that has 1-60 on one side and 60-1 on the other so you can grab either end. Today I managed to step on the end of the tape while the other end was in my mouth when I got up from my chair, twice! I have a wicked bad habit of using my mouth to hold pins and such.  Glad no-one can see me in my "sewing studio" (aka dining room).
Teri
"Where are we going, and why am I in this basket?" |
User: Teri
Member since: 09-14-2005 Total posts: 66
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From: ColleenNY
Date: 09-22-2005, 11:06 PM (11 of 22)
Definitely the seam ripper. I seem to rip as much as I sew. 
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User: ColleenNY
Member since: 08-16-2005 Total posts: 5 |
From: beachgirl
Date: 09-22-2005, 11:21 PM (12 of 22)
| Teri,yes you can sharpen a chop stick in a pencil sharpener & it works just fine. I have several plus a plastic one I bought ,an awl & some dental tools that work great for different things. If it helps me out I love it. I do get creative with things also. Instead of buying one of those little wood pressing deals for quilt blocks I took a spring clothespin apart & sanded down the ends & it does the trick. I have too many favorite things to mention. What ever I need at the time I suppose. It just popped in my brain, even though I have super good lighting in my sewing room I love my great 18 watt Ott light next to my machines. |
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615 
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From: bridesmom
Date: 09-23-2005, 02:24 AM (13 of 22)
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My favorite tool is my Janome needle threader for the serger. I liked it so much I got another for my sewing machine as the little needle threader I have on it doesn't work very well any more. I also love my bamboo thingie. And my rotary cutters. And my minature ironing board that folds up when not in use. Note on sharpening the bamboo with the pencil sharpener. My MIL gave me a tip that after sharpening it, use a piece of sandpaper to take off the sharp point, and then also put a few coats of clear nail polish on it to make it nice and smooth and slidey. She has used a piece of dowel to make a pointy thing to use and also uses these sharpened dowels for knitting needles, really cheap! Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: tiedyejudy
Date: 09-23-2005, 08:48 AM (14 of 22)
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Well, I have to say my rotary cutter and board have been my favorites lately, especially since I got back into crazy quilting. But I must put in a word for my old wooden spoon... the spoon part broke, but the handle has turned many things over the years! Alas, my spoon is hiding somewhere in my over-cluttered workroom, that right now looks like a cyclone hit it! I really do try to pick it up after I work in it, but there are too many things and not enough places to tuck them away! Judy Judy Sall Originals
www.angelfire.com/retro/tiedyejudy |
User: tiedyejudy
Member since: 08-10-2005 Total posts: 78 
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From: paroper
Date: 09-23-2005, 09:34 AM (15 of 22)
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My favorite things are the turners. I love the large clamp turner that looks like ice tongs it is so quick to use. I love the wire turner that I use for turning small straps and the Fast Turn set too. The other unusual thing that I think is really neat is the Simplex measuring device that is used to set button holes (and other things) and equal distance apart. The big thing that I'd really miss is my Cutting table and self-healing mat and T square. They are WONDERFUL!!!!! 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: suesodyssey
Date: 09-23-2005, 09:40 AM (16 of 22)
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If it weren't for my electric scissors, I would have to give up sewing. My right wrist is almost frozed from a bad break years ago. I can cut a few things, but anything involving twisting the wrist just can't be done! I can get the scissors into the right angle, but then I can't work the action to cut. I have a super long crochet needle I use for turning things that works great, just like your bamboo thing. That tape measure that reverses on each side would be great...I always grab the wrong end! Sue |
User: suesodyssey
Member since: 03-29-2005 Total posts: 86 |
From: Sancin
Date: 09-23-2005, 07:54 PM (17 of 22)
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I used to always have more than one tape measure snaking around my sewing table. Now I wind them. I use a snap on pill bottle top and spray the inside with temporary spray for quilts. When tape measures are stored that way they won't fall out and they tend to reroll when out on the table. I wind some with top numbers in and some starting with the #1 in, then I know which tape to pick up and which to use. I have some extra long ones which are a different colour which also help me in finding the right tape. I also like the little seam gauges that are square but have indents for 1/4, 1/2, etc seams. I was telling a friend who sews a lot how much I missed it and had to buy another and now have several and she had never heard of them. It is very handy when applying trim or marking special sewing lines. Keep those tools coming. I find this facinating. I was glad to see the flexible thing for placing buttons as I had wondered if it was worth the money.  FYI - I buy wooden spoons by the 1/2 dozen and have them in every room in the house. So helpful for so many things. I once had a visitor who commented on how naughty my children must be for me to have a wooden spoon in each room.!! 
*~*~*~* Nancy*~*~*~* " I try to take one day at a time - but sometimes several days attack me at once."
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User: Sancin
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 895
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From: HeyJudee
Date: 09-23-2005, 11:17 PM (18 of 22)
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My favourite tools are small scraps of fabric (approx 1"x3") which I fold and use to begin and end sewing when I am assembly line piecing my quilts. This eliminates those false starts when piecing. The lady who gave me this tip called it a "buddy". After sewing the last piece in a line, I end by sewing another "buddy". This will allow me to clip off the last piece sewn, and I will have a buddy sewn and I am ready to begin the next set. Saves me a lot of thread too....
TTFN from
Judy |
User: HeyJudee
Member since: 01-25-2005 Total posts: 1366 
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From: Chrysantha
Date: 09-24-2005, 12:32 AM (19 of 22)
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Took me awhile to think about this (weird for me....). My Fiskars spring loaded scissors and my embroidery scissors...I too have arthritis and those Fiskars are WONDERFUL... I also can't do without my JuneTailor ironing board...I can lay it anywhere and iron while I sew..(without gettting out my HUGE ironing board and tripping over it..) Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: fronno
Date: 09-24-2005, 05:00 AM (20 of 22)
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my favourite tool is a nail-file for to push that little thingie from a zipper down, when I am sewing a flat front zipper
With kind regards,
François |
User: fronno
Member since: 04-26-2004 Total posts: 79 
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From: gm23237
Date: 12-01-2005, 08:42 PM (21 of 22)
| Besides my sewing machine and serger (I love both-Both are Brothers) I woudl say cutting board and rotary cutter. Has saved me so much time and the quilt pieces are perfect. LOL, but I do not like quilting that much. |
User: gm23237
Member since: 11-03-2003 Total posts: 145
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From: Lindsweetie
Date: 12-01-2005, 09:54 PM (22 of 22)
 Well as silly as this sounds.....my favorite tool is my little sewing "tool belt." I made a fabric apron that goes around my waist while I sew. I put almost EVERYTING in it - scissors, seam ripper, tape measure, pen, point turner. Before I had my tool belt I was ALWAYS misplacing my tools and I would get so frustrated - my scissors would be on one end of the room, my tape measure would be on the floor, my point turn would be at the ironing board, my seam ripper would be in the couch cushion. I am a mobile sew - I never stay in my sew room - I kind of take over the whole rec room. My sewing tool belt keeps me organize and sane! 
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User: Lindsweetie
Member since: 07-13-2001 Total posts: 4 |
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