Tool Talk

What is the most indispensable tool in your sewing space? One item, that when you need it, can't be replaced by any other? How often do you open a drawer or a cabinet, without even thinking, to grab that one essential implement that always makes the task at hand go so much more smoothly? Goodness knows, as quilters we have, literally, no limit to the number and variety of the tools that we've amassed over the years; some large-ticket items as well as those we've shelled out smaller amounts for. If someone had asked me a couple of weeks ago what my favorite of all tools is I would have probably said my sewing machine or rotary cutter. But, the week before last, my dear daughter in law came in the sewing room to pick up Lynnleigh from Quilt Camp. She told me that she'd broken her seam ripper the day before. Without thinking, I reached in my tool drawer and handed her mine (I wasn't too concerned about being without, I have plenty more, or so I thought.)  After she left that day I started going through my accumulation of old seam rippers. Many of them were too dull to hang onto, they no longer deserved space in the drawer! Some of them were too large and some too small, these were the ones that I find uncomfortable in my hand. A few of mine were broken. Then and there they were all gathered up and went straight into the trash! This particular Clover seam ripper is my absolute favorite of all tools. I like the sturdy cover to protect the point when it's stored, the ergonomics are perfect and it stays sharp. By all means, though, don't hesitate to discard yours when it's dull; you can do more damage using a dull tool than a sharp one. Ask me how I know! So, I challenge you: what's at the top of your list when it comes to necessary, indispensable sewing tools; and why? 

Go!

We're all waiting...

Life is Good!

As Ye Sew...

...so shall ye RIP!

Original layout with outer
blocks bordered in brown. 

You might remember, if you've been reading about my progress with the Temecula Quilt Co.'s "Scavenger Hunt" sew-along, that I had two outer borders that didn't fit and that I decided I really didn't like, anyway. I laid everything aside before my trip up to Hampton, VA; deciding to tackle the dismantling of those twenty two blocks when I returned. One of the first vendor booths that I stopped at while visiting MidAtlantic Quilt Festival was Bucklebee Tools and Patterns. They were demo-ing the "razor ripper"; I stood in line to buy one right then and there!*

The demonstration was compelling (hence, the long lines to purchase!); folding flat the seam to be removed (see photo above, left) and placing the ripping tool at the top of the seam, holding firmly, one draws steadily downward and the tool smoothly removes the stitches (it feels almost like pulling down on a zipper). The photo directly above is from their website. They sell the razor rippers separately, or combined with this clever silicone-tipped wooden stiletto which effectively "erases" away the thread bits from the newly released seams. Knowing the job that I had ahead of me, I bought the set and an additional ripper!

I got to the task last week; before long I had made small work of removing the offending triangles and added my new setting triangles right away. This ripping tool** really did work well and I can recommend it highly. Also, that handy-dandy little silicone-tipped tool is perfect for holding back the edges when taking small blocks (like these) to the iron for pressing-- no more singed fingertips!

The newly bordered quilt: this is the final pieced row. 

An, ta-da, here is the finished flimsy, with its scrappy borders 

Those teeny-tiny blocks inside the borders finish to 1", I added multiples for effect.

Quilting has commenced. 

Life is Good!

Up next: Lessons Learned

* I bought the tools because of the awesome demonstration. If I had not seen these demo-ed I would have had NO IDEA what the tools were or how to use them. After that. I did notice them at other booths, at various prices, sitting idly in cups.

** I learned that the original use for these tools was as a "peach fuzz" shaver for ladies and that they come from the cosmetic aisle. Having said that, again-- there are all various prices attached to these tools, I can only vouch for the ones that I actually purchased as noted above. I have no idea if there are different manufacturers or varying levels of quality. 

Sew Berry Sweet

I had amassed a nice collection of various hexagons following our last block-of-the-month series. I knew how I wanted to set them together, and yet, they languished on the design wall. I had a stretch of a few days last week with nothing else on the calendar and began the process. I was excited about the prospects of this becoming a flimsy. 
Row by row I worked, since each block had been cut precisely using the Hex n More and the Sidekick rulers they fit together perfectly. I was on a roll. All of a sudden my roll was slowed; no, stalled... no, stopped altogether! This was my roadblock:

Where every other block measured 8.5", unfinished, this one measured a full 9"! What? How did this happen? I considered leaving it out and substituting another block. No, I loved this one just too much! I was stymied, where did I go wrong? I was left with no alternative but to take it apart, each segment of eight pieces each, and try to pinpoint my error. It didn't take long. 

My seam ripper got a workout. My Mom had gifted me with this a couple of months ago, a Clover retractable seam ripper.  She was cleaning out her sewing room and I became the lucky beneficiary of some really excellent notions. This little seam ripper worked extremely well, I highly recommend it, it fits nicely in the hand and has a sharp blade and won't poke when stashed in my portable sewing kit. Score!

So, here was the problem. I had completed each of the six triangle units but had failed to trim them down to size before assembling them into the block! Groan. I had been in too much of a hurry. See that little pile of trimmings above... something so small and seemingly insignificant was standing in my way! Once I got the problem identified and rectified it was full steam ahead! So, lesson learned. I know better.

One more product recommendation: (also a gift from my Mom) the Gypsy Pin Pal. It is adjustable to fit any wrist, it contains magnets and hold pins securely as I remove them when I stitch. This saves me numerous trips back and forth to my pin cushions or, even better, from retrieving dropped pins off the floor around the sewing chair. I love this clever invention. (I only recommend what works for me and am not promoting or receiving compensation!) If you are like me and have piles of pins placed on the flat surface around your sewing area after every row that's sewn you might want to look into this notion. It has not only made my life easier but my sewing space tidier-- win, win!

Speaking of the sewing chair-- look who waits for me between each trip to the ironing board as I attached the rows. My furry little companion. I sit on the front part of the chair, there's room for both of us!

"Sew Berry Sweet" ~ 76" X 76"

And finally, at long last, a flimsy. I had two yards of Cherrywood in a dark navy blue for the six inch outer borders all around to complete. Once I got that strawberry block fixed it was smooth sailing the rest of the way. I won't ever look at this quilt again without remembering. That pretty little strawberry block makes this almost-finish that much sweeter now, and contributed to this beauty's name!

Life is Good!

Froggin'...

 While on retreat this weekend I was able to complete the piecing on "Mountain Day". Or so I thought. Take a good look at this photo... look closely at the top row. Sigh. It needs to come off and be reattached, in an offset manner. Just when I thought I was making progress. 
This was the view from the back of the sewing machine after I took what I thought to be the final stitch; I was rejoicing then because I didn't run out of thread. There's no celebrating today. So, why is this post entitled Froggin'? Because I am talking like one today.

"rip-it, rip-it, rip-it"... and sew it goes.

Life is Good!