Tag Archives: review

Thimble Pad
8.16.2016
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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”
4 Comments
 | Tags: _, Staff Picks, Tool Review Tuesday, Tools

Clover Mini Iron
6.28.2016
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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.

6 Comments
 | Tags: _, Staff Picks, Tool Review Tuesday, Tools

Wonder Clips
6.14.2016
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Featured Tool: Wonder Clips by Clover

What are these typically used for?

These tools can be used in place of pins to hold several layers of fabric together.

What was your first impression of Wonder Clips?

I was skeptical at first about how useful they’d actually be.

What was your experience with them like?

The first time I used them was for binding. They really helped keep the fabric in place so I wasn’t constantly wrestling with it. Next I used them to hold layers together when I was sewing in a zipper. I also tried them in place of pins when I was making bags with vinyl. They worked well in all situations. With binding they helped press the binding down so once I took them off the fabric still held that shape and my binding went even faster! They also work really well in place of pins, especially with the vinyl since they didn’t make holes in it. I could see them working well with thicker fabric that might bend pins.

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

Instantly!

What did you like best?

They are cute, multi functional, and have less potential to draw blood than pins. Plus they come in all sorts of colors – personally, I love the rainbow pack.

What did you like least?

They aren’t as easily stored in a pincushion. However they do fit nicely in my glass jars so it’s not all bad.

Could you see another potential use?

They would probably work well for organizing and keeping groups of fabrics together when cutting multiple shapes or sizes out. You could write the letter or Fabric 1 on a paper then use a wonder clip to clip the paper to the fabrics. They would probably work with English Paper Piecing as well to hold the shapes together as you whip stitch them.

Why do you NEED it?

I keep thinking of new ways to use them! They seem to be endlessly useful. Wonder Clips are like potato chips–you can’t have just one!

Who would appreciate Wonder Clips most?

These are perfect for:

  • Beginner, intermediate, and expert quilters
  • Anyone acquiring the essential quilting/sewing tools
6 Comments
 | Tags: _, Staff Picks, Tool Review Tuesday, Tools

Clover Hot Ruler
5.17.2016
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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
6 Comments
 | Tags: Staff Picks, Tool Review Tuesday, Tools

Clover Patchwork Pins
5.10.2016
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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
3 Comments
 | Tags: _, Tool Review Tuesday, Tools, tutorials