My very favorite tool ever!
 

Nobody ever talks about this tool and it's my favorite ever and I don't ever see anyone talking about it. A few months ago I bought a second one for the Secret Santa. I was so excited to give this to whoever I was lined up with, but I was too late to join. So, I gave it to my good, good friend here on the Board. She has written me quite a few times and thanked me for it, saying how she doesn't know how she got by without it.

It's the Gypsy Cutting Gismo. It's for chain sewing. And if you chain sew, you will love this thing so much. It takes so much time off of chain sewing. You can find it many places. I'm showing you one place that has a picture of what it actually does. You can find them cheaper. Here's the picture: http://www.cozyquilt.com/Aspx/Produc...productID=1583.

Please, give it a shot. They are wonderful!! It's my best friend when I'm chain sewing. I put it to the left of my sewing machine and use it right when I'm done chain sewing, then head to the ironing board. Anyone else have one and agree?:thumbup:

Looks like it would be a timesaver.

Ooh! Never seen this before - looks as if it would save quite a bit of time. Thanks. *Googling to see if there is a UK stockist*

First time I've seen that. I just use the cutter that is built into my machine. IT works the same way.

Fons and Porter has something similar to this. It holds a seam ripper so you could rip seams without holding the ripper and use it to snip chain sewing threads. It is very useful.

Does it really stay standing? Is there something that grips to the table? Looks like the downward movement would knock it over!

I have one and love it. It does stay pretty steady. i found the best price for it was at WalMart, of all places.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/17337904?a...l5=pla&veh=sem

I just got this a few weeks ago and I love it! Really is a time saver. I was using the auto thread cutter on my machinery this is so much better for me as my pieces were always falling to the back of my table.

Looks like it would really save time.

I have one and love it too! Yes, it's steady and the best part is it takes just a regular old blade to refill.

i have a ladybug that attaches to my sewing machine its about the size a dime but its 'mouth' has a razor- same principle as the gizmo but mine was less than $5.... and I love it- the only BUG ill ever love.. lol..

the 'idea' is great.. I have a machine cutter built in my sewing machine but i can apply this anywhere. It definitely IS a timesaver..

Never saw this before but I can see why it would be a useful favorite tool! Thanks for posting!

that would be handy but I'd have it misplaced all the time.

My sister made me a similar tool. In fact, she made one for everyone who took her Beginning Quilting class. Here, let me take a picture of it. She melted wax and put it in a small ceramic bowl thing, then stuck a seam ripper in it, standing up. I guess she held the seam riper up until the wax hardened...not sure about how she did that. She let us select which one we wanted, and I picked one that was in an "Easter egg" and therefore had a lid that closed. Now that I think about it, all of them had lids. This one's lid just stayed attached. She bought all the bases at one of the dollar stores.

I love mine, by the way. :)

Dina

Those tools for cutting the thread between chained pieces are great. Years ago, my DH made me one out of a empty fishing line spool...just over half an inch thick. Then he placed an extra seam ripper with the sharp point sticking up. He used nuts (for bolts) around it and then used thick glue to keep the whole thing together. It has held up great over the years. He offered to paint the base, but I just love the industrial look so we left it that way. Didn't cost anything....

I wish i was your partneer, looks great.

It's never tipped over on me or even tipped for that matter. It's very large so you wouldn't misplace it. It's bright purple and tall and wide so you can see it from afar. Very sturdy. Have had it for a year and am on the same blade it came with.

Guess I'm the only one not interested in speed. I snip mine apart at a pretty good pace. Even at $5.00, that's a yard of fabric on sale!

I have an inexpensive seam ripper that stands upright in a block of wood my husband cut for me. He smoothed the edges and drilled a hole to put the seam ripper in. I keep it capped except when I am using it. Minimal cost, and works great.

Oh....I didn't know you could replace the razor blade. Mine is already dull. I bought it specifically to use for the Bonnie Hunter quilt mystery and it saved a ton of time. I love the idea of making your own though. I think I might make those for friends!

A QB pal just sent me one. Love it!

I have one and it's GREAT! Everyone that sees mine wants one.

I made one using one of the small seam rippers glued into a wooden bead which is glued to a small wooden block. Stays up and has a cover, so works for me.

Thanks for posting this. I found you can actually get one cheaper on Ebay once you figure in the shipping and handling cost.

I love mine. I put it in my lap when cutting the chain pieced squares apart. It keeps the cutter steady and doesn't cause as many back problems because I'm not "reaching" with my arms.

I have this and keep it on my machine table. Love it... I am impressed at all the home made ideas!! You guys ARE so creative!

My quilting buddy 'gifted' me with one and I love it.

I am getting ready to go to retreat next weekend and will be making a king size log cabin quilt.....lots of chain piecing, so it will be very handy.

This looks like a great tool, but I am truly impressed with the make your own ideas. The one in the egg is precious. You've used it for a while and the was has held up? I was wondering about using plaster of Paris. I've got to give this a try. I am getting to make a quilt that will have many pieces chained together and this will be perfect. I can't wait to show this at my next guild meeting.

I have used the purple cutter for quite a while, they have a nice "gripper" bottom and are very sturdy. I have one in my bag to go to classes and one at home and have given them as gifts. I wouldn't want to sew without it right beside me...I also like that you can replace the blades, but so far I haven't had to do that.

I am so glad that you recommended this tool. I have looked at them several times but couldn't decide.

I have one. It's a good tool to have.

I agree, I have had one for a long time and use it all the time. Its very useful

I saw the one from Fons and Porter, so got a block of wood, about 3 inches square (I'd guess) by 1 in high, glued a wooden spool on it, and put my seam ripper in the spool hole. Works just fine, and was cheap!! Hubby does a bit of wood working, so the block of wood was easy for me to find.

have one like it

Tend to use th cutter on the side of sewing machine exactly the same method.

I am SO GLAD to see this reviewed! I've been looking at this and thought it made great sense. Now to read the good reviews and especially the one where she holds it in her lap only makes me want to run out and get one. I'm thinking if there are stability issues, just place it at the edge of a table and use a carpenters clamp to hold it in place.

I received one for Christmas and LOVE it!

What a fabulous idea! Especially when I'm chain piecing items that have to stay in order, it would be a HUGE help to have a hands-free option. Thanks for the link!

Thanks for the link ... this is going on my list !
I bought a wood handmade version of this at a quilt show a few years ago, it's a help but smaller and doesn't stay put well. I had to put double stick tape on it to hold it down. This looks a lot better