Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Tools of the Trade for those that Sew!

I am going to try and get back on track again with my blog.  I seem to go great for a bit than I loose it... I am going to take the advice of a team mate and friend about my blog.

I will be doing some posts about sewing as that is what my craft is all about and what I love to do.

Today's post is going to focus on the tools of the trade as we like to call them.


We need the basics like a sewing machine... I will not get into that one right now as that would be a post on its own but will start with the smaller tools we need"

Rotary cutters are a must for those that want to do precision cuts... nothing does it better. I love mine and have 3 different ones:

My full size one is a Olfa 45mm - available at any fabric shop or on line - I can not believe I use to cut all my fabric with scissors.  Never again... precision cuts every time and you can cut more than one piece!  I cut out 2 sets of potholders or 1 set of place mats in one cutting.
Rotary cutter from SanourrasFabricLove

Wavy blade - DivineDesignsbyBonni




I also have a wavy blade for it but I have not used it alot - still learning but told it is very useful - so I will continue to work with it.






I also use the small rotary cutter alot when only cutting single layers -
Small cutter - creativehobbytools 
And with those tools you are going to need a self healing cutting mat! These mats are a wonder... you can cut over and over and over with them... in time you will wear them out but it takes alot.  One thing to remember always leave them laying flat - I ruined my very first one by sitting it on the back seat of my car in the sun.. it formed to my seat.. not any good like that!~   I can not believe I started sewing with out this -
Self Healing Cutting Mat from the CottonSalon
 And to go with your self healing mat and your rotary cutter you will need rulers... I have one each of these:
Cutting Rulers from Nalomeli16  

 Also some templates for your quilting needs, I have a number of different ones for different quilts and I have made a few of my own as well:
Templates from GabbysQuiltsNSupply
Now you have a few of the basics but I am telling you there are lots more out there and I continue to find them... you can never have enough toys oops I mean tools!~

Wonderful Quotes to live by!

"Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you."

~ William Arthur Ward