It's spring and we are busy as bees here at Texas Quiltworks getting the shop back together after the Dallas quilt show and starting several new blocks-of-the month. There was so much to see at the show and so many methods to creating those beauties that it can be a bit overwhelming.
The longer I work here, the more I realize that there are so many useful tools and gadgets to help make the perfect quilt. I've also come across so many quilters with differing opinions on what are the best tools for the job. That said, we thought we'd share some of our favorites.
Betsy, our go-to girl for garment making, loves the Oliso steam iron and really, we all do. This iron actually lifts itself when not being used in the horizontal position. You may think that the only purpose for this would be to automatically shut-off but it will do so in both the horizontal and vertical positions after eight minutes. However, the other great things about the auto-lift system is the fact that it makes ironing faster, minimizes scortching, tipping and burns and also reduces strain on your wrist. Besides that bit of technology (Why didn't I think of that?), this iron has all the other great features you'd expect from a top-of-the-line iron. The icing on the cake about this iron is that it is self-cleaning! It makes you want to ask, "Is it an iron or an oven?"
Gwen, our newest worker bee, is a powerhouse sewer. She makes quilts, aprons, purses and embroiders all the above and some. One of her favorites is the 505 Spray which makes hooping your embroidery much easier. When she's quilting she likes to use Mary Ellen's Best Press Lavender Fields spray on her blocks. It leaves them looking crisp and neat with a fresh scent that is not overpowering. Another favorite is the Quilt Ruler Connector. This handy tool will connect any two acrylic rulers to create an even bigger ruler.
Judy, our queen bee, likes Clover's fabric folding pen. It comes in handy for needle turn or machine applique where you need to fold the seam allowance before sewing. Another favorite of Judy's is the LED Ear Lite that we sell that is great for providing extra light when traveling or at home.
As for me, I am a fan of all the things mentioned. In addition, I really love the Supreme Slider, Quilt Halo (Judy also loves these two) and if I may mention an attachment to the Bernina machines, the BSR (Bernina Stitch Regulator.) The Supreme Slider is a smooth piece of teflon that fits on the sewing table of any machine and relieves a lot of the friction caused when free-motion quilting allowing you greater freedom to move your quilt sandwich. Along with the Supreme Slider, the Quilt Halo is a hoop that is weighted perfectly so you don't have to clamp it to your fabric. So instead of clamping and unclamping, all you do is simply slide the hoop over to the next area to be quilted. These two gadgets together help create the best situation for the BSR to do it's thing! The BSR is an attachment that comes with some of the models of Berninas or can be purchased for the 400 series and up. The great thing about the BSR is that it regulates the stitch length as you move your quilt around. You have the option of using the foot pedal or not to make it go but to me, it's better in the mode without the pedal. So when you move the quilt, it starts quilting. Very cool!
You can come by our shop or check out our website, www.texasquiltorks.com , to try any of these gadgets for yourself!
Happy quilting!
Bridget
The longer I work here, the more I realize that there are so many useful tools and gadgets to help make the perfect quilt. I've also come across so many quilters with differing opinions on what are the best tools for the job. That said, we thought we'd share some of our favorites.
Betsy, our go-to girl for garment making, loves the Oliso steam iron and really, we all do. This iron actually lifts itself when not being used in the horizontal position. You may think that the only purpose for this would be to automatically shut-off but it will do so in both the horizontal and vertical positions after eight minutes. However, the other great things about the auto-lift system is the fact that it makes ironing faster, minimizes scortching, tipping and burns and also reduces strain on your wrist. Besides that bit of technology (Why didn't I think of that?), this iron has all the other great features you'd expect from a top-of-the-line iron. The icing on the cake about this iron is that it is self-cleaning! It makes you want to ask, "Is it an iron or an oven?"
Gwen, our newest worker bee, is a powerhouse sewer. She makes quilts, aprons, purses and embroiders all the above and some. One of her favorites is the 505 Spray which makes hooping your embroidery much easier. When she's quilting she likes to use Mary Ellen's Best Press Lavender Fields spray on her blocks. It leaves them looking crisp and neat with a fresh scent that is not overpowering. Another favorite is the Quilt Ruler Connector. This handy tool will connect any two acrylic rulers to create an even bigger ruler.
Judy, our queen bee, likes Clover's fabric folding pen. It comes in handy for needle turn or machine applique where you need to fold the seam allowance before sewing. Another favorite of Judy's is the LED Ear Lite that we sell that is great for providing extra light when traveling or at home.
As for me, I am a fan of all the things mentioned. In addition, I really love the Supreme Slider, Quilt Halo (Judy also loves these two) and if I may mention an attachment to the Bernina machines, the BSR (Bernina Stitch Regulator.) The Supreme Slider is a smooth piece of teflon that fits on the sewing table of any machine and relieves a lot of the friction caused when free-motion quilting allowing you greater freedom to move your quilt sandwich. Along with the Supreme Slider, the Quilt Halo is a hoop that is weighted perfectly so you don't have to clamp it to your fabric. So instead of clamping and unclamping, all you do is simply slide the hoop over to the next area to be quilted. These two gadgets together help create the best situation for the BSR to do it's thing! The BSR is an attachment that comes with some of the models of Berninas or can be purchased for the 400 series and up. The great thing about the BSR is that it regulates the stitch length as you move your quilt around. You have the option of using the foot pedal or not to make it go but to me, it's better in the mode without the pedal. So when you move the quilt, it starts quilting. Very cool!
You can come by our shop or check out our website, www.texasquiltorks.com , to try any of these gadgets for yourself!
Happy quilting!
Bridget
