Welcome, everyone, to my day on the Queen of Gadgets Blog Hop. I have certainly enjoyed seeing everyone’s gadgets so far on this fun hop that is hosted by Carol of Just Let Me Quilt! Our instructions were to use our favorite sewing tool to create a project, and then tell and show why we love it. Well now, I don’t think there is just ONE gadget that I love more than the others. I have several and I have a saying, “She who dies with the most fun toys, WINS!!” Well, I’m hoping I don’t win anytime soon, but I do have a lot of fun toys, so let’s get started!!
There are two that are my absolute top of the list. First, EQ8, in which I design all my quilt projects. I love using EQ8 , and have learned a lot about using from the EQ8 blog, as well as Kari Schell, On Point Quilter. I can honestly say those lessons were money well spent! (no affiliation with either.)
Second is my AccuQuilt GO!Big electric cutter and the Qubes, Angles and Companions dies! I love, love, love the ease and precision of cutting pieces for my quilts with these tools!
Our July box of goodies from Island Batik and industry partners included an alpaca wool pressing mat from Prairie Spirit Alpacas. I have used wool mats for a while but I really love this one! Seams lay really flat! I have put away my other wool mats!
I usually press my seams to the “dark” side but in addition to the pressing mat, when I have to press seams open, as with small pieces of blocks, I love using this Seams-Flat Pressing Bar that has a solid wood core covered in wool to help those open seams lay extra flat! This one is by Maywood Studios and I found it on Amazon (no affiliation.) Look how flat that open seam is!!
And here are a couple of gadgets from Purple Hobbies. I am not affiliated with Purple Hobbies, but I love their tools! Here are a couple that I purchased and use a LOT!! You who know me, know I love purple, but yes, they do come in other colors! LOL The thread cutter uses used rotary blades in the “flower” – a great way to recycle those blades! I have another binding tool that I used to use, but this one sits easily on my table beside my machine and rolls out that binding smoothly!
And here’s a really high tech gadget! I love to use paper plates to hold the “pieces” after cutting them out. A slip of paper and a clip and you are all organized!
Another tool I don’t LOVE to use, but is very handy when I HAVE to use it is my seam ripper! Meet Jackie the Ripper!! Do you name your tools and machines? This name just seemed very fitting! LOL I love that it has an awl/stiletto on the other end…when I remember to use it!
Besides my rotary cutter and rulers, of which I’m sure we all have many, my last share is a new to me ruler that I have recently used and love – the Corner Beam ruler from Deb Tucker Studio 180 Designs, along with the technique sheets she offers. This wonderful tool was sent to me in our July Island Batik ambassador boxes also. This is my first time using one of her rulers, but will definitely not be the last. I actually just purchased two more from The Quilt Ramber, who just closed her online store. I’ll miss your shop, Karen!
Here are a few pics showing how this tool is used.
And here is the quilt I made with this ruler as part of the September Island Batik Challenge and Tool Talk Blog Hop. There are 100 squares in this quilt, all made using this one ruler!
Of course, there are MANY more gadgets in my quilting arsenal, but these are ones I use the most! No, Carol, I couldn’t pick just ONE!!
How many gadgets do you have in your studio? Ever how many you own, I hope you enjoy using them, and use them a lot!! Please visit my fellow bloggers today and see what some of their favorite gadgets are. Who knows, you might just find something you can’t live without!!
September 21st
Inflorescence
Selina Quilts
Samelia’s Mum
Just Sew Quilter
That Fabric Feeling
Songbird Designs YOU ARE HERE!
Just Because Quilts
Until next time…
Happy Quilting!
Brenda
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Those are great gadgets, and I must admit I am tempted to add the electric GO! cutter to my collection………….. I even dreamed the other night that one of mine suddenly had a button to press instead of having to crank it 🙂 I also love the idea of paper plates and clips… I will definitely try that out! xx
The Accuquiit Go is definitely on my wish list. So many useful gadgets for sure.
thank you for sharing today. I too love to use paper plates. I had two wool mats. One of our kitties would always hop up on the ironing board to sit on my wool mat. So since the bookcase where she likes to sit between my sewing machine and the window was empty, I put one wool mat there and she loves to sit there and watch me or look outside. No more jumping onto my ironing board Happy kitty happy mom.
Great ideas and great gadgets – just right!
I like the paper plate organizer also. I’ve been seeing the thread cutter on several sites lately. Good gadgets show up quickly.
Love all of your gadgets especially the thread cutter and the very clever use of the paper plates and clips, brilliant.
We use a lot of the same gadgets! I will have to get some paper plates! What a great idea! And I love your quilt! Aren’t Studio 180 tools fantastic! Happy Quilting! 🙂
So many great gadgets! And I love the tip about using the paper plate. Good idea! I had to laugh when I heard you named your seam ripper. Sadly my Jackie the Ripper lost his head recently and needs to be replaced. Thank you so much for sharing.
Beautiful quilt Brenda and I use almost all of the same gadgets which make quilting so much easier and fun!
So many great gadgets. I love EQ and my GO!Big as well, such a great pair. Still love your quilt, it has an antique feel but clearly modern.
Love all your gadgets and your quilt is beautiful!
It’s okay, Brenda, I wasn’t able to pick just one favorite either. LOL EQ8 is a tool I use daily, but you’ve got a few I don’t have (I may have to fix that.) Purple Hobbies…how have I never heard of this? Purples call my name! I love, love, love your gorgeous quilt! Thanks for sharing so many fun gadgets.
What a great group of gadgets ! I love and use almost all of them – although corner beam may have to jump into one of my shopping baskets soon! The alpaca mat and rotary blade cutter are among my recent favorites!
What a fun group of gadgets! That ruler, though, looks very handy! I might have to look for one of those!
Your quilt is a wonder for the eyes! Pretty colors giving off a happy feeling. It’s so awesome that we have so many great gadgets to work with in this modern age. Thanks for sharing yours.
(I wasn’t done–somehow the comment went anyway!) As I was saying, I would love to have the electric Go! cutter–and I could still use all my CE dies with it. No more tired/sore arthritic thumb joints. Win, win! Thanks for sharing, Brenda!
I love your quilt and I like seeing all your gadgets. I like my Crossover II but I am drooling to have the electric Go
Your September challenge quilt is absolutely gorgeous. Those fabrics make it sing. I won a Purple Hobby thread cutter a few years back on a blog hop. I LOVE LOVE LOVE it! I had to chuckle over your Alex Anderson seam ripper/stiletto combo. I was at a taping of the Quilt Show a couple of years ago and it had been a long day for them. As we were leaving they were trying to crack open some beers for themselves and no one had a bottle opener. I happened to have one on my keychain and she traded me that tool for it. I still laugh every time I use it. It’s a great tool.
What a great collection of gadgets! And your quilt is stunning!
Beautiful quilt, and great gadgets! I like the paper plate idea too. Thanks so much for sharing!
Brenda, I use paper plates for things too and I have that same combo seam ripper/stiletto (I got mine at a de-stash sale last year for $1). I would love to have an electric die cutter! Your quilt is just gorgeous!!!
Oh, Brenda, what a beautiful quilt. Love the name too. You have great gadgets and they all look like fun. Thanks for sharing them.
You are the second one in this hop to mention EQ8. I really must spend some quality time with mine. Thanks for the reminder. I have a wood pressing mat, but I’m not so happy with it so I guess I must get one of those Alpaca ones! Nice blog
Love seeing all the gadgets.
Sounds like you have lots of Awesome gadgets! I don’t have any of your quilting gadgets, as I only have quilted on baby blanket panels. Your wool mats sounds super neat and I have been considering getting one.
Lot’s of great gadgets in your sewing room and I love that you use paper plates to hold your cut pieces.
Brenda, you stay so busy. I love seeing what you are up to . Well you shared some nifty gadgets. I am going to have to snatch me up one of the blade thread cutters. How clever and cute. Have a great day and happy quilting.