Tag Archives: Connecting Threads

LED Needle Threader
9.27.2016

Featured Tool: LED Needle Threader by Dritz, Item #82260

LED Needle Threader

What is this typically used for?

Increased visibility while threading needles.

What was your first impression of the LED Needle Threader?

“This looks so sturdy!”

How did you use it?

You put the filament part through the eye of your embroidery needle. The button illuminates a small LED light at the end so you can see better. Then, you insert your embroidery strands through the filament. Pull the LED needle Threader back out of the needle and voila, the needle is threaded.

How long did it take you to learn how to use it?

It was very intuitive!

What did you like best?

The LED light! It’s a really nice feature. I really love this tool.

Why do you NEED it?

When you are working with multiple embroidery thread colors and switching between colors a lot, this tool saves you time and frustration. Once you start using the needle threader it will become habit and it makes embroidery or handwork more enjoyable.

Who would appreciate the soft comfort thimbles most?

These are perfect for:

  • Anyone using a sewing needle by hand
  • Beginner, intermediate, and expert quilters
  • Embroiderers, paper-piecers, hand crafters
  • Anyone acquiring the essential quilting/sewing tools

Thimble Pad
8.16.2016

Featured Tool: Thimble Pad by Colonial Needle, Item # 80561

thimblepad

What is the Thimble Pad typically used for?

This is a thimble for people who hate wearing thimbles.

Why did you decide to give the Thimble Pad a try?

I normally can’t use thimbles. I have never been able to find one that is comfortable and usable. I can get by with one for about five minutes and then I get frustrated, take the thimble off, and hope my finger callous holds up.

What was your first impression?

“Ugh, I have to use something let me give this a try.”

What was your experience using the Thimble Pad like?

I was on a road trip binding a rather large quilt when my finger callous gave out and it was becoming quite painful to bind the quilt. Luckily, we drove by a small quilt shop and I had to get something. They had these little leather-like discs (the Thimble Pad). Many had recommended using these since I don’t like thimbles, so I thought it is better than nothing at this point. I LOVED it! I stuck it on my middle finger where I push in my needle and it was perfect. It was comfortable and the adhesive lasted all day even though I took it off and on from time to time. I have tried other adhesive disc thimbles, but this is by far my favorite.

How long did it take you to learn how to use it?

I had to position it a few time to find the “sweet spot,” but once I found the right spot for me, it was easy and natural to use.

What did you like best? Least?

I like the flexible to mold to my finger curve. The adhesive lasted all day, even through hand washing. The only thing I regret is that I didn’t try these sooner. Sometimes my thread would wrap around the disc, but it saves my fingers.

Why do you NEED it?

If you don’t like using thimbles, you need this. It will save your fingers.

Could you see another potential use for the tool?

The Thimble Pad also works great to grip a needle that is hard to pull through.

Who would appreciate the Thimble Pad most?

This would be perfectly suited for:

  • Beginner Quilters
  • Intermediate Quilters
  • Expert Quilters
  • Embroiders
  • Paper-piecers
  • Someone acquiring the “basics”

Stack ‘n Store Bobbin Tower
7.19.2016

Featured Tool: Stack ‘n Store Bobbin Tower by Clover, Item #81920

stack n store

What is the Stack ‘n Store Bobbin Tower typically used for?

It’s an innovative tool that organizes and holds your bobbins.

What was your first impression?

I liked how compact it was and that it holds the bobbins in such a way that they don’t unwind easily while stored

What was your experience using it like?

I ended up getting two of these–one for my Juki and another for my Pfaff. It was just easier to have one for each kind of bobbin–I even color coded them, using all dark green for the Juki bobbins and the light green for the Pfaff. The way it’s designed makes it easy to pull one section off and pop into my binding bag. That way, I have a ready selection of thread colors on hand to as well as an easy way to take bobbins when going to quilt retreat. It works great and I have no more tangled threads!

How long did it take you to learn how to use it?

No time at all.

Why do you NEED it?

I’ve tried other organizers and tools to hold the thread ends. This combines both ideas, works beautifully, and doesn’t take up much space.

Who would appreciate the Stack ‘n Store Bobbin Tower most?

This would be perfectly suited for:

  • Beginner Quilters
  • Intermediate Quilters
  • Expert Quilters
  • Anyone acquiring “the basics”

Fons & Porter Mechanical Fabric Pencil
7.12.2016

Featured Tool: Mechanical Fabric Pencil by Fons & Porter, Item # 81861Mechanical Fabric Pencil

What is the Mechanical Fabric Pencil typically used for?

This pencil allows you to make washable and erasable marks on dark fabric. I used it to mark my seam allowance and keep a steady line while hand-sewing.

What was your first impression?

“It’s a mechanical pencil–how is this supposed to leave any mark on fabric?”

What was your experience using the Mechanical Fabric Pencil like?

It was awesome! The white lead in particular made following everything so much simpler–the line was right there! It also comes with a darker lead color for when you want to use it on lighter fabrics.

How long did it take you to learn how to use it?

Not long at all. The first time using it, I just went over the original line I had made to ensure I was good to go.

Why do you NEED it?

It makes hand sewing SO MUCH easier! This helps keep your lines straight and consistent, which is absolutely necessary when hand-sewing. You could also easily use this to mark fabric for quilting and embroidery–it’d be a handy tool to have in your sewing room.

Who would appreciate the Simple Foundations Translucent Vellum Paper most?

This would be perfectly suited for:

  • Beginner Quilters
  • Intermediate Quilters
  • Expert Quilters
  • Embroiderers
  • Paper-Piecers

Translucent Vellum Paper
7.5.2016

Featured Tool: Simple Foundations Translucent Vellum Paper by C&T, Item # 20712

vellum

What is Simple Foundations Translucent Vellum Paper typically used for?

This vellum paper is extremely handy for paper piecing. Can be used with any photocopier, inkjet or laser printer or trace patterns without a light-box – the design shows through the paper

What was your first impression?

I liked the texture and the sheerness of the paper. You can see the placement of fabric pieces before you sew!

What was your experience using the Simple Foundations Translucent Vellum Paper like?

I loved the vellum as soon as I used it, from start to finish. It went through my printer well, the ink dried quickly and didn’t smear. I could see the lines clearly through the vellum and it ripped out like a dream.

How long did it take you to learn how to use it?

Learning to use the paper was quick – the paper piecing part takes a little longer!

Why do you NEED it?

I’ve become a little addicted to paper piecing so I need to have this on hand at all times!

Who would appreciate the Simple Foundations Translucent Vellum Paper most?

This would be perfectly suited for:

  • Paper-piecers at any level

Clover Mini Iron
6.28.2016

Featured Tool: Mini Iron by Clover, Item # 81912

Clover Mini Iron

What is the Mini Iron typically used for?

It’s handy for applique and crafting; I use it for freezer paper appliqué and pressing small pieces.

What was your first impression?

I feared it wouldn’t work. It’s just so small I didn’t think it would get hot enough.

What was your experience using the Mini Iron like?

It is extremely effective in making the seam allowance on even the smallest pieces stay and the folded edges nice and crisp, and smooth. Just what you need for beautiful appliqué. I now use it all the time for preparing freezer paper appliqué pieces and liquid starch.

How long did it take you to learn how to use it?

The technique takes patience to perfect, so I will say a few days.

What did you like best?

I loved how well it pressed, but especially the smooth edges of even the smallest of appliqué pieces. I will only use this method of appliqué and the Clover Mini Iron.

What did you like least?

The iron gets extremely hot so I have to be very careful not to burn myself.

Could you see another potential use?

It would be fabulous for making doll clothes or having to press in very small places on garments.

Why do you NEED it?

I wouldn’t appliqué without it. If I don’t have this iron, I don’t appliqué (and I love to appliqué).

Who would appreciate the Mini Iron most?

These are perfect for:

  • Intermediate, and expert quilters
  • Paper-piecers
  • Those making small garments (such as doll clothes)

Pssst:

Want to protect your surfaces when using the Mini Iron? Try the Mini Iron Wooden Holder, available here.


Dritz Soft Comfort Thimbles
5.31.2016

Featured Tool: Soft Comfort Thimbles by Dritz, Item #82343

Soft Comfort Thimbles

What are these typically used for?

These tools protect your fingers as you do handwork.

What was your first impression of the soft thimble?

They looked comfortable, and I was intrigued by the air holes.

What was your experience with them like?

You simply fit a thimble onto the finger you most use to push the needle into your fabric. They come in three sizes; the large size fit me best. I loved using them, they’re so smooth and comfortable. The air holes allow for a really great fit.

How long did it take you to learn how to use it?

Instantly!

What did you like best?

I liked the feel of the Soft Comfort Thimbles. I don’t have long nails, so that wasn’t an issue for me either. The small, dimpled tips catch the needle and prevent it from slipping.

Why do you NEED it?

I love to embroider, so these are a must-have. Also, doing binding with these is a snap! It’s comfortable and I didn’t notice it was on after a while. My fingers were protected from accidental stress or needle jamming.

Who would appreciate the soft comfort thimbles most?

These are perfect for:

  • Anyone using a sewing needle by hand
  • Beginner, intermediate, and expert quilters
  • Embroiderers, paper-piecers, hand crafters
  • Anyone acquiring the essential quilting/sewing tools


Dritz Needle Storage Tubes
5.24.2016

Featured Tool: Needle Storage Tubes by Dritz, Item #82338

Dritz

What is this typically used for?

This tool is used to store and dispense all of your needles.

What was your first impression of the needle storage tubes?

How cool! It looks helpful in keeping me organized, and definitely clever!

What was your experience with them like?

I currently have my needles in wooden tubes right now and all the sizes are mixed up between two wooden tubes. I can’t see them either. With these tubes, I’m going to be able to re-organize all my needles! Wahoo! I can’t wait because I have needles for appliquéing cotton and needles for wool appliqué and ones English paper piecing, not to mention all the regular needles in my collection.

How long did it take you to learn how to use it?

No time at all–I figured it out immediately.

What did you like best?

I like that the needles don’t all come out at once and are contained by the magnet. For me, tools must fill a measurable need for me to buy them and this one definitely does!

What did you like least?

It takes some skill to manage the little needles. I threw the tube with the same force I use for the larger sizes and all the little needles flew out of the tube and all over my desk!

Why do you NEED it?

I do a lot of handwork, and I do mean a LOT! It is so frustrating to go through my wooden tubes trying to find the perfect needle. I also don’t know what sizes I have because once I’ve removed the needles from the original packaging, there is no way to tell. These tubes come with labels! Now I know what to buy next.

Who would appreciate these the most?

These are perfect for:

  • Beginner, intermediate, and expert quilters
  • Embroiderers, paper piecers, or anyone using hand or machine needles
  • Anyone acquiring the essential quilting tools

 


Clover Hot Ruler
5.17.2016

Featured Tool: Hot Ruler by Clover, Item #82301

Hot Ruler by Clover

What is this typically used for?

This tool is used to accurately press hems for anything! You can use it for anything that has a straight edge and is turned up–just press and sew.

What was your first impression of the hot ruler?

I used to use something like this for sewing clothes. Can this be used for quilting?? (Spoiler:  YES!!)

What was your experience with them like?

Perfect! I used it to turn up a 1/4″ hem and then a 1/2″ hem on a tea towel that was looking pretty wonky before I used this. Next, I used it to turn up the seam I was going to sew on a pillowcase, first 1/4″ and then 1″. I didn’t even have to use pins! No more wavy, uneven edges and I didn’t burn my fingers trying to hold the area I wanted to turn up and press.

How long did it take you to learn how to use it?

Maybe five seconds.

What did you like best?

I like that the ruler itself doesn’t get hot. The old metal rulers for turning up hems tend to sweat, slip, and get too hot to touch.

Could you see another potential use?

The hot ruler could be used for any type of sewing–strips, straps, handles on bags, pillowcases, large mitered corners, hems on clothes, curtains…anything you want to turn up that has a straight edge.

Who would appreciate a hot ruler the most?

These are perfect for:

  • Beginner, intermediate, and expert quilters
  • Anyone acquiring the essential quilting tools

Clover Patchwork Pins
5.10.2016

Featured Tool: Patchwork Pins by Clover, Item #82201

Patchwork Pins

What are they typically used for?

These are used for pinning fabrics before sewing–pins keep fabric in place. I use the .4mm regularly for pinning cotton fabric before piecing and sewing. The .5mm needles work better for multiple or thicker layers (like making bags, etc.). 

What was your first impression of the pins?

I liked how thin they are (the .4mm size in particular) and the glass heads.

What was your experience with them like?

These pins work great! They worked well from the start. I did learn to use the thicker pins with heavier fabric or additional layers to minimize any bending of the pins. They’re so thin and sharp that they glide easily through the fabric.

What did you like best?

These pins worked great for precision piecing–these pins distort the fabric less. In addition, glass heads mean the iron won’t melt them! The thin pins glide through the fabric well and the .4mm pins bend instead of breaking sewing machine needles if you miss pulling a pin out in time.

Were there any negatives we should know about?

They bend a little easier than thicker pins, but this didn’t matter to me because the benefits of use far outweigh having to straighten out a few crooked pins.

Who would appreciate these pins the most?

These are perfect for:

  • Beginner, intermediate, and expert quilters
  • General sewists
  • Paper-piecers
  • Anyone acquiring the essential quilting tools