Nontraditional tools for quilting
 

Sometime back I found a section or thread dealing with nontraditional items for quilting tools (e.g. post a notes for a seam guide) but I can't find it again.

Does someone know where it is?

Thank you.

Was this the one you saw?
http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...y-t109077.html

I use a chop stick as a stilleto. Works for me.

My two grandmothers quilted all their lives and didn't have any of the gadgets we have now. I wonder if everyone would continue to quilt if we didn't have all of our "stuff". I know I would. It would probably be a little wonky, but I'd do it anyway!

I wouldn't cut fabric for a quilt with scissors using templates or hand sew seams. I'd go back to embroidery or crochet. Part of the fun of quilting to me is using all the new fun tools. I'm not that passionate about making quilts, just like doing it. Everyone needs a creative outlet and I chose quilting.

Boy you made me feel 'old'...and I'm not, not even close. When I started quilting in the 70's, we used templates and scissors...that's just how it was done...and it wasn't all THAT long ago. :)

when I started making quilts in the mid 70's, I used scissors, templates and did it all by hand. I loved it! My husband was a draftsman and made all my patterns and templates for me. I did'nt buy my rotary cutter, mat and ruler until 2004. I now do most of my sewing by machine, because I realized if I did'nt I would never get all the quilts I want to make done. Not that I will anyway, but will make alot more!!

When I started quilting we made our own template out of cardboard and sandpaper, and yes used scissors for everything....didn't get near as much done as I do now.....anything to make me go better and faster.....

i learned to quilting the mid-90's and we were taught to make templates and cut with scissors before the lesson on rotary cutting and strip piecing. it gave me a better understanding of block construction i think.

i use both methods depending on what i am doing. and i'm about to learn how to paper piece! each quilt i have done has involved learning a new skill. it's how i roll :)

aileen

I need my rotary cutter and basic rulers, but I like having special templates/rulers as timesavers. Don't think I'd be quilting if I had to go back to scissors and a protractor!

Ditto! I can remember cutting templates out of cereal boxes! Then I'd trace around them, add the seam allowance & cut them out. Man, I'm a dinosaur! LOL!

im a gadget junkie.. There are things I will splurge on like, rulers and templates, and im forever misplacing Jack (seam ripper) so I have quite a few of Jacks cousins all over. As far as a stiletto is concerned, i was gifted a few but my favorite is my handmade one.. A food skewer in a clear pen casing ( after it was empty hubby tossed it, but i saw something and reclaimed it.. ) .. it just comes down to what your willing to spend... Me? I prefer the convenience over the cost..

I love gadgets. But the feel good factor when I discover to buy a car pulling metal tool clamp I stead of the quilters ruler holder to cut from a quilt shop is cheaper does same job. Or using an macdonald straw as a piece turner.

I use orange stick from beauty supply stores.

I do not know if you are asking about the post notes as a guide or just fo many hints, but I sent the one about using the post note, I was working on a project and it was a dim day and I was having trouble seeing the line on the ruler. I am a senior citizen) and I just happened to have a post note pad and thougt it would work if I just cut off the sticky part and put it on my ruler, I love the way it works especially the yellow one it is very visible.
Hope this helps.

I use the skewers and a few other things that are not traditional. And Harbor Freight is my son' s favorite store and is fast becoming on my list too. I'm going there today to see if I can find a dental type mirror to help me put a new needle in my machine.

I use chopsticks as stilettos and just sharpen one end in a pencil sharpener.

A friend of mine got a bag of bamboo skewers at the DOllar store and gave each of us in our group one.

I have the pattern of a quilt my grandmother made. It is made from newspaper and a Kellogs box. I also have the quilt.

I think that it is us gals who started out making the quilts with templets and sissors that appreciate the cutting mat and cutter all the more. I know, my quilting experiance has improved since I got mine. A long time ago...LOL.

I have to give a big heads up to all of those wonderfully intellegent generous women that figured out specialty quilt rulers, strip piecing and the newer way of constructing or sewing quilt blocks. Man, what a difference that has made to me. Bless thier hearts for sharing with the world!

I would quilt if it was all taken away, but it sure wouldn't be as much fun.