Helpful "tool" for turning.
 

Several months ago I hunting for something long enough to
help me when I was turning a wall hanging that I had made.
Not finding anything that I deemed "good" for the job I went
to my kitchen and spotted the mug where I keep all my chop
sticks from chinese take out (I don't know how to use them to
eat with). I use shop sticks at my coffee stirrers, so I thought
maybe these would work.

Well they DID work but still not quite long enough. Than I went
back to my sewing room and found a piece of wooden dowel that
was left over from another project. Since this dowel was longer
I knew it would help even more.

I used my electric pencil sharpener to taper down the end of the
stick than used some sandpaper to smooth the stick (so there are
no splintering). I don't make the stick a sharp point like you do
with a pencil but take it to a flattened tip.

Next I wrapped some flexible cohesive bandage around the stick
to have something with "grip" so the stick doesn't slip through my
fingers.

But I also had the discovery in finding out that the end with the
wrap on it also help "push" out the seems.

I purchased 60 rolls (in 5 colors) of this flexible bandage wrap to
use in the "Bird First Aid Kits" that I made for the Bird Expo I went
too.

Here is a picture of the sticks I made. The sizes of sticks I have
in use right now are 8", 9" and 12" I need to make one about 18"
and 24".


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wow. thanks!

I use chop sticks. My husband carves his own for cooking. They're extra long, so I one of those if I need the extra length.

thanks for taking the time to post your tip

I love using what is called "That Purple Thang". It has so many uses and made by the Purple Lady:Lynn Graves. She is the first person who developed a 1/4" foot for quilters before manufacturers caught on to include it with their DSM. It can be found on JAF website.....

http://www.joann.com/that-purple-thang/2004257.html

I have SEVERAL (at least 4) of the "Purple Thangs"... but they are not
always long enough for me.
But I do love them too.

Knitting needle?

Fairfield batting use to put wood turning tool in each package of stuffing. The wood was strong and didn't bend easily. It had a rounded end and a slanted end. They are great for poking out corners.

Another turning tool I saw demonstrated lately was a bodkin. I definitely need one of those. Look it up to see how to use it.
Also, thanks so much for sharing your tip about the chopsticks. I live that wrap for my horses, now have another use.

how inventive quilters are. These look great.

Yes, and the " wrap" is cheaper if you do buy from farm supplies section

I don't understand why they have to be so long. You need to leave an opening big enough to turn (birth) the item, so that should be big enough to get your hand into. Anything a few inches long should work.

And yes, knitting needles would work fine. Fat needles for heavy fabric, thiner needles for thin fabric.

I bought the wrap on ebay 30 rolls to a box. My co-worker said that
this stuff was always used/needed by bird owners. None of it sold at
the Bird Expo a couple weeks ago.


As for why I want them so long because the way I work the project
that I am turning I don't keep my hand inside I want the project to
remain as flat as possible and with my hand in side it doesn't.

Every one has there own techniques for doing things sometimes what
you discover just MIGHT be helpful to others, some times not.

Yes I imagine knitting needles would work IF you are a knitter. Since
I don't knit the of wooden dowels are much cheaper for me to buy an
cut to the length that I want than buying the needles.

I like using wooden spoon handle down and bowl for handle.

For making tiny little 90 degree corners, I really like the Alex Anderson wooden tool... I glued down the other cap that covers a metal stylus. I like the Purple Thang for use at my machine - I wouldn't want anything metal.

I LOVE your idea of using the cohesive bandage for a grip. I can already envision several more uses in this way! Thanks!

I covered one of the turning tools I saved from the Fairfield stuffing.
The wrap works great. The longer size is needed when turning tubes and need to poke out the corners.

Thanks for the tip, I never would have thought of using that tape as a quilting tool. Thanks for the great tip.

Thank you for posting your great idea!

I have several knitting needles. I don't knit so they make excellent tools for turning things.