I attend many local seminars which are like infomercials for crafting tools, and I’m always tempted to get them, but reluctant to spend money on something that may turn out to be useless. Often I think it is so easy to use something I already have or use other methods to achieve the same result. However, I thought I’d share some of my better buys. Yes, there are other and cheaper ways, but I find these tools particularly useful.
I’ve included some links to the products, but a Google search will, of course, have many purchase options.
Pinmoores: http://www.pinmoor.com/
I don’t use these often, but they are particularly handy when I want to pin something that I need to be handling quite a bit without sticking my fingers. My pins seem to be really sharp, and I tend to bleed easily. I asked Santa for some in my stocking one year.
Dritz Quick Turn Fabric Tube Turners: http://www.joann.com/tube-turner-sets/8588634.html
I finally broke down and got an inexpensive set of these turners. Yes, I could have gotten a straw and a long skewer, but I never got around to corralling them in my studio. This set with three sizes just appealed to me and was discounted at an event I attended. They have come in very handy on a couple of recent projects.
Bias Tape Maker: http://www.joann.com/search?q=bias+tape+maker
A friend purchased this little gizmo for me when she asked me to make some folded fabric strips for her. It works without strips being cut on the bias. Mine is a 1” size, and I’m surprised at how often I find opportunities to use it.
Clover Fabric Folding Pen: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Fabric-Folding-Pen/34934863
I was amazed when this pen was demonstrated and felt it was a real impulse purchase. Since then, I have used it repeatedly. It was particularly handy when I was making crib sheets and needed to fold the long pieces of fabric over 1/4”. Using my quilting ruler on the cutting mat, I just drew along the fabric at 1/4" and then easily folded it over for pressing. Like magic!
I’ve included some links to the products, but a Google search will, of course, have many purchase options.
Pinmoores: http://www.pinmoor.com/
I don’t use these often, but they are particularly handy when I want to pin something that I need to be handling quite a bit without sticking my fingers. My pins seem to be really sharp, and I tend to bleed easily. I asked Santa for some in my stocking one year.
Dritz Quick Turn Fabric Tube Turners: http://www.joann.com/tube-turner-sets/8588634.html
I finally broke down and got an inexpensive set of these turners. Yes, I could have gotten a straw and a long skewer, but I never got around to corralling them in my studio. This set with three sizes just appealed to me and was discounted at an event I attended. They have come in very handy on a couple of recent projects.
Bias Tape Maker: http://www.joann.com/search?q=bias+tape+maker
A friend purchased this little gizmo for me when she asked me to make some folded fabric strips for her. It works without strips being cut on the bias. Mine is a 1” size, and I’m surprised at how often I find opportunities to use it.
Clover Fabric Folding Pen: https://www.walmart.com/ip/Fabric-Folding-Pen/34934863
I was amazed when this pen was demonstrated and felt it was a real impulse purchase. Since then, I have used it repeatedly. It was particularly handy when I was making crib sheets and needed to fold the long pieces of fabric over 1/4”. Using my quilting ruler on the cutting mat, I just drew along the fabric at 1/4" and then easily folded it over for pressing. Like magic!
