Go Back  Quiltingboard Forums > Tutorials
Helpful tools for  both longarm and standard machine quilting >

Helpful tools for both longarm and standard machine quilting

Helpful tools for both longarm and standard machine quilting

Old 10-20-2011, 06:29 AM
  #1  
Power Poster
Thread Starter
 
debcavan's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Spring Green,WI
Posts: 14,637
Default

Some things save me time, others frustrations, others expense. There are also a couple of techniques to help me when backings are too small in width and stabilizing when doing several colors.

This is a friend's quilt and will require 3 colors of thread and had the backing too short.

The purple article on the left is an eye brow shaper, it has a razor blade protected by metal with slits. This is easy for ripping and does not cut into the top. I found them in the beauty department of any pharmacy store or store like Walmarrt/ There is another brand that is longer and better. Next to it you can see the batting and then a piece of muslin sew onto the sides of the quilt. There was only two inches extra given on the backing and with my wonderful long clamps from Calico Kitten, I need more. I was able to sew this on with the longarm
[ATTACH=CONFIG]274297[/ATTACH]

Starting on the left, is a plastic dish with a cover for my chalk. I use a foam craft brush to apply chalk to my stencils. Put brush into chalk, knock off the excess on the sides of the dish. Next to it is baby talc which I use in place of chalk. It is fine and much cheaper, I also use it in my pouncer. A pencil sharpener with two sharpeners, one large enought for the chalk sticks is the red artcle and nrxt is the chalk board chalk I use to mark parts of my quilt. Next to that is a black handle with a little crocket hook in it for getting thread out from under the quilt top when they have been quilted in and finally on the edge is a ballpoint awl by Clover. If you are ripping out from the top of your quilt especially just a few stitches, the ball head is wonderful
[ATTACH=CONFIG]274302[/ATTACH]

The pearl heads on the pins show up well. When I am doing several colors and need to stablize the quilt sandwich, I pin every six to eight inches with these very visable pins.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]274303[/ATTACH]

These are GENERAL pastel chalk pencils. I have used white and grey and both have washed out well. But they do have to be washed. They don't just brush away. I found them at Walmart and many other craft departments in stores.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]274308[/ATTACH]
Attached Thumbnails attachment-274244.jpe   attachment-274249.jpe   attachment-274250.jpe   attachment-274255.jpe  
debcavan is offline  
Old 10-20-2011, 06:37 AM
  #2  
Super Member
 
PegD's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: New York
Posts: 1,056
Default

Great tips. Thanks.
PegD is offline  
Old 10-20-2011, 06:39 AM
  #3  
Power Poster
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 41,431
Default

I will definately be looking for an eye brow shaper. Thanks Deb!
Tartan is offline  
Old 10-20-2011, 06:45 AM
  #4  
MTS
Banned
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 4,134
Default

Great tips and information!!
I like the idea of using baby powder.
Thanks!
MTS is offline  
Old 10-20-2011, 06:49 AM
  #5  
Power Poster
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: NY
Posts: 10,590
Default

Thanks for these helpful hints!! I will surely use them.
feline fanatic is offline  
Old 10-20-2011, 07:10 AM
  #6  
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: abbeville sc
Posts: 279
Default

thank you
emmamarie is offline  
Old 10-20-2011, 07:18 AM
  #7  
Power Poster
 
Lacelady's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Ireland
Posts: 12,281
Default

I don't think I have ever seen an eyebrow shaper here, I'll have to go and look. Thanks for the tips.
Lacelady is offline  
Old 10-20-2011, 07:23 AM
  #8  
Member
 
Shelby's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Lauderdale, MS
Posts: 86
Default

I just got one of those eyebrow things, it works great! I also use a mustache trimmer...9.99 at WalMart and if you need to rip what seems like umpteen miles of stitches, it works wonderfully!
Thanks for the tip in the baby powder.
Shelby is offline  
Old 10-20-2011, 07:30 AM
  #9  
Super Member
 
tuesy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Home!.. Why? Where are you?
Posts: 2,019
Default

Wonderful tips! Thank you. :)
tuesy is offline  
Old 10-20-2011, 07:31 AM
  #10  
Super Member
 
jdiane318's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: springfield, MO
Posts: 2,033
Default

Deb, you are so clever and creative. thanks for sharing.
jdiane318 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Prism99
Main
6
10-10-2013 01:06 PM
DannyValentine
Main
40
02-20-2010 04:55 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


FREE Quilting Newsletter