I'd love to try the large Quilter's Slidelock ($46), but ground shipping charge to me is $24! That's crazy. I guess I'll just have to hope I see it for sale at a LQS or quilt show someday!

Latest gadget I have bought (2 weeks ago) ,but haven't had a chance to use yet, is Creative Grids Log Cabin Trim Tool. I watched a video on it and I love that the ONLY piece you must measure is the center one. AFter that, you call pull strips of odd sizes and simply trim them to the right size. Everything stays square. I bought the one that does both 6 and 12 inch in one ruler.

2 other gadgets I adore: the "Peels" that hug around your spool for storage. No more loose threads hanging off my thread rack. The other one is the little spring-loaded clamps called Tulips that keep thread on bobbins from getting loose in storage. I try to match peel color with hugger color and keep them on the same peg.

https://www.amazon.com/Prevents-Unwi.../dp/B00X037FGQ

https://www.amazon.com/control-Ergon.../dp/B00TTK44B8

I have a few of the metal 1/4" circles used to mark around templates to add the seam allowance. I think those would work too. They sure are easy to get lost. I find one every now and then in my sewing room in odd places.

I love the Marti Michell corner tool. It takes all the guess-work out of where to place triangles.

Folding ruler and folding cutting mat -- great to take to class.

My next purchases are the folding rulers and mats. It's awkward toting the long rulers and big mats.

Save .28 a day and you will have the cost plus shipping in one year. I break down the price of something I want (not need) into daily cost and then decide how many years I can expect it to have value to me once paid for. It works for me. I broke down the price of a new top of the line sewing machine. Not enough value there at all. So I bought a less expensive one and feel good about it.

I do have a very small rotary cutter so I am prepared in that department and they did say to use a small cutter on the tutorial I used. Thx for the advice.

I mean the tutorial I watched--not used!! I have only had one cup of coffee :) so far.

Onebyone, you're right. I can try to make myself think about it that way. But it doesn't sit well that I have to pay an extra 50% of the item's full MSRP value just to get it here. I will probably wait to see if it's ever available more locally.