What is your must have item ?
 

Hi, my husband and daughter are coming to New York from England soon as she is performing with her show choir...all very exciting, but my husband has suggested that I try and buy some items that I cannot get here in the UK , have them sent to the hotel and then they can bring them back, saving on international postage.
What I want to know is what do you think is your must have item, things like rulers, glues, pressing aids......anything that if you were coming to the UK to live you would have to bring with you and which online shop would be best to get it from.....of course he has to be conscious of weight allowance, he won't be bringing back a long arm for me.....shame !!

to help us help you, what do you have and what do you think you are lacking? Or what do you wish for but can't get where you are?

1. little red Wonder clips by Clover...get the 50-count package. The smaller package of 10 is not enough!

2. Quilt Dome by Clover. It is a gadget for holding ten needles that you have threaded yourself. Comes in handy when you are hand sewing something such as binding, and you don't feel like stopping to thread a needle.

3. Desk Needle Threader by Clover - a great gadget for cutting the thread and then threading the needle. Just put the needle with the eye down into the slot. Place the thread across the slot and press the lever. Presto, the needle is threaded for you.

These items are not heavy and can be found in local fabric and quilt stores. They are available online from usual sources as Joann Fabrics, Connecting Threads, Amazon, Walmart's website, etc.

You mentioned glue...I am partial to Elmer's school glue which is wonderful for basting, etc. and it is washable. And the cost is reasonable.

Your husband is a real gem to have thought of doing this for you! I have no idea of what is available and not available in UK but those came to my mind.

How exciting!!!
My daughter is going to the USA in January next year and I am going to get her to bring me back fabric, fabric and more fabric LOL. I might also see if I can get some silk thread for applique as well as it is hard to get here in Canberra.
Most things I have seen in the American magazines and online quilt shops are available here in Australia, usually only sightly more expensive than here, but the fabric here is around $20 to $25 per metre so that is what I will be concentrating on getting.

Im a gadget junkie so any 'quilty' thing is on my list..

What about a new rotatory cutter?
Rotary blades
fabric
rulers and templates
fabric
Quilting needles
fabric
Gingher scissors or nippers
Fabric
spools of neutral thread
Fabric...



As for locations to purchase.. Try:

Connecting threads- I like their fabric and their threads
Fabric.com
Keepsake Quillting- a lil pricier but beautiful fabrics

My guess is most supplies she can get there and might already have, if it was me I would fill my suitcase with fabric, since the cost is so much less here. Maybe some Bali Batik Pre- cut Jelly rolls. Nice high thread count extra wide muslin backings.

The bloc-loc rulers. Helps to square up hst blocks. And saves me 1/3 the time compared to regular rulers. They are a bit pricey but i ask myself how much my time is worth when i have to sq up 100's of hst.
Caution: if flying have them carry rulers in their carryon. The extreme change of temperature where they store luggages can crack the all rulers.

Ok.....let me think, things that I am interested in, and don,t have here
Rulers, like flying geese, or anything that helps making blocks more precise. Here most shops have straight rulers but anything different is hard to get
Fabric glues
Easy press? Anything that will help make seams look better.
Any scissors that are amazing, here most are fiskars....is there something better.
Fabric I will sort...and yes I want him to bring back most of his allowance in fabric

Oh scissors. My favorites gadget to collect. My favorite an d inexpensive is the Kai. Dovo are nice but very price.

I think I would look in magazines and online for any specialty rulers I think I might like (if you aren't going to use them it isn't a deal). Scissors - I think the best find I have found is the Kay Buckley scissors. Easy Press - I think you are thinking of Best Press and I am not sure I would put that in a suitcase, there is a big possiblity that it might leak as it is in a regular spray bottle - main reason I have mentioned that is I have had issues with that leaving it in my car for a day or two! Fabric Fabric Fabric - make sure you see which lines you like and then look at shops near where they are going to be. Possibly you could do some on-line looking and even pay for it, mentioning that your husband is going to be there on such and such day and will pick it up.

Oh and I forgot how about thread? If you like a certain brand like aurafil, is it cheaper here?

I second the blocloc rulers. They are wonderful! Also, if you do a lot of chain piecing, the cutting gizmo is great to have:
http://www.walmart.com/ip/The-Gypsy-...Gizmo/17337904

Freezer paper? I heard it was hard to find out of the US.

Not quilting related at all - I would ask for a pressure canner for bottling vegetables and meat and a Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving to go with it. With the savings I would enjoy from putting food back I could buy more fabric.

rotatory cutter?
Rotary blades may not be allowed on plane

When I visit USA I buy a lot of rotary blades for my self and my friends ( they are $18.00 each here) with a 50% coupon I can buy a packet of 5 for the same price, I buy as much fabric as I can, we are only allowed 23kgs each on the aeroplane, last year I had to post some home .and rulers once again with coupons

I'd buy fabric if that is hard to get or expensive in the UK.

As for the red wonder clips. I remember taking a binding workshop and the nationally known teacher said jokingly: 'you only really need just one and keep moving it, then share the rest with 9 friends." I usually only use 2. So if you buy more ... share.

When I have to do a lot of HST I tend to use Thangles the most. Less squaring up and things go quicker for me that way.

I expect you can get most rulers in the UK. My favorite specialty ruler is the 8 inch Bias Square [up] ruler by That Patchwork Place.

Rotary blades and maybe try out rotary cutters if there isn't much choice in the UK.

From my LQS I buy a 100 needle box of sewing machine needles. You might want to compare the prices on those also.

I love my new Kay Buckley scissors. what is it you want most

Can you nget color catchers there if not they are really good to have

There is a ruler called "add a quarter" ruler for paper piecing. It really makes paper piecing much easier and faster. I would get the bigger one. Look into special sewing feet for your machine. I got the quarter inch foot with guide and it makes piecing so much easier. I also hope to buy the ruffler soon too.

I haven't bought scissors in YEARS, haven't needed to. I have my Gingers that I've had for 20 years and have only needed to have sharpened once in that time because someone cut a pin with them (it wasn't me!). You can get them at JoAnn's with a coupon. If they're still the great quality they were when I bought mine I'd go with those. If you need/want pinking shears you could get those too.

Other than that I'd go with what others have suggested. Needles, thread, fabric, rotary cutter and blades. Just whatever is hard for you to get where you are, things you find yourself wishing you could get if not for the shipping charges. :)

You mentioned flying geese rulers. This choice comes down to personal preference, but I love Quilt In A Day and have all her specialty rulers. I have every size of flying geese, the triangle in a square. The fussy cut and triangle square up are part of my everyday use rulers. Go to her website if those are what you are interested in. Other stores carry some, but few carry all her rulers and templates.

I also use QIAD rulers. My best investment was the triangle square up ruler. ONE cut to square up half square triangles.

the 'add a 1/4"' and the 'add a 1/8"' rulers for PPing..without them..omg......wouldn't want to think about it

binding clips...can't do without and a weird little item...bandage scissors I got free when in the hospital...they will give them to ya if you ask...they are so sharp and blunted on both tips, use them for everything from applique to piecing

The blades would be allowed in your suticase, not in your carry on.

Hope you get all the items you really want & need.

Alex Andersons 4 in 1 tool is a must have, plus thread thread thread

The best quilting notion I love, is the washable lint roller

Don't forget if it has metal in it, it may be difficult to get back through customs. and also any liquids.

As long as they're in checked luggage and not hand-carried, it's fine.

I really thiink you also need to know where to go in New York to do this. This weekend New York is closed down because of a blizzard. Tell us where you will be so we can find shops for your daughter and husband that will not be that out of the way. Most American fabric and quilt shops have the rulers you will want. Also the Needle threader is must when you are binding your quilts. Below are some links to help you decide what you may want.

http://www.missouriquiltco.com/shop/browse/23

http://www.missouriquiltco.com/shop/...ies+On+Sale%21

http://www.hancockfabrics.com/Sewing...egoryId=539589

http://www.joann.com/sewing/


Joanns and Hancocks are usually in every major city. One or the other. I hope this helps.

I would also suggest Elmer's school glue and 2 sets of fine tips for glue-basting.--From Michael's .

Sent you a pm....
I would stick to fabric and maybe rotary blades...stay away from anything liquid.
I have been know to leave some of my clothes (undies) or deoderent in the hotel garbage to make room (weight-wise) for things I want to bring home. A friend of mine who cruises once a year, brings clothes with her that she doesn't really want anylonger....she brought her daughter's bridesmaid dress for the formal evening and left it onboard, with other clothes that she would have donated otherwise.....she had more room for goodies.

Gadgets are just that, gadgets. The main things that I use are a self healing mat, a rotary cutter, and a 6 x 12 ruler. Anything past that is a gadget that I like but do not NEED. I would have him get fabric. As much as he can. Every time I see the prices that you are forced to pay I cringe. I often wonder how you can afford to quilt. Get a catalog and pick the fabrics that you like, and then he can get similar. Can you bring back color catchers? That might be something to have him get.
Sue

I would not like to be without my June Tailor shape cutter. http://www.junetailor.com/shapecutvideo.htm

It doesn't cost a red cent. PATIENCE! That's all! Just Patience. Edie

I fabric is expensive in the UK, I would suggest she check out Fabric.com and select some fabric for you to have taken back for her. You can get very nice prints for $7.50 /yd on sale. Again, cheaper that LQS.

Second the motion for Clover Wonder Clips (red ones). Another can't do without - instead of a thimble I use *** on the soft pad of my right hand, middle finger, to help push the needle when hand quilting. I've drawn a blank on the name and no longer have the packaging. Use these all the time, they come about 20 or 24 to a package, cost about $5, please someone help and supply the name. They are very small felt circles with adhesive on one side. Wishing your family a wonderful time in NY!