A few years ago I came across a forum on the web which had great input from members on which quilting tools really worked, and which were just waste-of-money gimicks. Naturally, I haven't been able to find the site again. The only thing I remembered of the advice was to get the Kwick Klip pin closer, and it's been awesome. Is there a thread on this topic somewhere on the site....and if not....can we start one? I searched but never found anything like this (which doesn't mean it's not here in plain sight.)

Have any of you bought a tool thinking you HAD to have it because it had great advertising or because you were new and didn't know better, and never used it or didn't like it? Or, have you found the Holy Grail of quilting tools and would like to share it with us?

Naturally I can only think of one thing right now that I bought and wished I didn't - binding clips. Sheesh, they're just hair clippies in a more expensive package. I know there's more, but my mind has gone completely blank right now. :oops:

The funny thing is, you will find totally contradictory reviews because we all work differently.

For instance, I can't stand rulers with a lip or rulers that have ridges on the back that prevent it from sliding smoothly across the fabric when I want it to! I don't like rulers with the extra 1/2" added to them (except for the 12 1/2" square). But some people love all those things!

I love my big white cutting mat because it is 30" x 36" instead of 29" x 35" like the green ones.

Hi Quilters,

Absolutely love the new frosted rulers - you can really see the measurements on any kind - or color of fabric. And the yo yo makers are another great tool. They work well. Have made more yo yos since purchasing them that I ever have - made enough of those things to make a flag for my daughter-in-law.
Sue in PA

umm - what's a yo-yo maker? I don't think I've seen one of those.

I TOTALLY agree on the Olfa Frosted rulers. They are incredibly easy to read and my measurements are far more accurate because the lines are not so fat as all the others.

The ugy? Anything by June Taylor. She should have stuck with choreography!! (Don't think she's really the one of Jackie Gleason fame, though.)

Well, I got my rotary cutter for my birthday, and I haven't used it much :roll: The fabric I have, is pretty much scraps so... I should've waited.

I agree with you about the 1/2 extra, it confuses me. I have one that has it on the very beginning and hate it. I am always cutting say 3' and end up with 3 1/2 because I forget so there is another half inch I have wasted. Sometimes this doesn't make a difference but when you are down to X amount of fabric, there is no more anywhere and you can't afford a mistake, well need I say more?

Lets see in my long list of buying gadgets, what have I bought or gotten that I never use or hate... My hubby bought me for my birthday one yr a hoop on a stand. Now I know that sounds great and some of you may use them. But I don't hand quilt so much yet, have used it on one quilt and found it to be very ackward. Even taking it off the stand its hard you can't reach from end to end, and its too long that way to hold comfortably. So I never use it.

Rita

I was given the Clover threader and it works great for me, not being able to thread my hand sewing needles anymore.

I have a 6 1/2 inch ruler that I love. I dont know if you can tell from the pic, but at one corner it starts out with whole inches with the extra half on the end. From the oppisite corner it marks the half inch at the beginning. Plus you can flip it to either have black or yellow lines.
http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.c...021_1267575120

As for duds....I'd say my fabric pens/pencils/chalk/whatever. I can't seem to find one I like.

My most expensive mistake was the Flynn frame. It sits against the wall and is useless.
Also many marking tools that dont work well.
My best tool is the Quilt in a Day flying geese rulers and the square up ruler.