Tools/gadgets..what is your experience with these?
 

I recently received my first Keepsake Quilting catalog.
OMG...I want almost every tool and gadget!
I want the Supreme Slider, the Sew Steady Quilter's Wish Table, Quilter's Polly-Paper, Wrappable Light, Karen Kay Buckley's Perfect Pins, Porta-Trace Light Box, Goddess Sheet (to protect surfaces from fusibles), Thangles, Mighty Bright Sewing Machine Light and on and on! LOL!
I feel like I did when I was a kid with the new Sears Christmas catalog!

Since I am not rich, I have to pick and choose.
So what should I have?
What's your experience with Supreme Slider?
Is the Polly Paper the same thing as freezer paper?
Does the Sew-Steady Table work well? It is $120 and I have to pay extra for shipping to Canada.
Which Thangles size would be best.?..I am thinking 2.5" but I also use 3.5" HSTs.
Are the wrappable light and the machine light a necessity?
Decisions, decisions, decisions!
Thanks.
Looking forward to hearing from you.

I had to look up Goddess Sheet on Amazon to see what it is. I iron freezer paper to my ironing board to protect the cover when I am fusing, and I use parchment paper underneath and on top of fusibles while ironing to protect the iron and the ironing board. Both freezer paper and parchment paper are inexpensive, last a long time, and I can cut them to whatever size I need. Can't see the advantage to using a Goddess Sheet.

Will be interested to see if anyone has used Polly Paper for applique. I have used freezer paper for years. Freezer paper doesn't leave a residue that I have been able to detect. For $9.99, I could buy an awful lot of freezer paper.

Some people like the Supreme Slider, some don't.

In my opinion, the Sew Steady table is tremendously over-priced even without shipping. Creating your own table a la the Youtube videos on how to do this with styrofoam (I can post links later, if you like) would be both much less expensive and better for quilting.

I have a lot of Thangles. I do like them for creating triangles, but now that I have an Accuquilt Go! it's less work to make triangles that way. I would use Thangles now only for complex patterns that require exquisitely perfect piecing -- not something I often do.

Not sure about the lights. I have been able to light my sewing areas without any specialty lighting.

To be honest, I have gotten past buying a lot of stuff from catalogs. I have drawers full of gadjets and specialty items that I never use.

IMO any and all sizes Karen Buckley scissors are a must they grip the fabric. Calla

Gosh, I don't have any of those things. Maybe I should go shopping too!

I have never heard of Polly Paper. Maybe someone can explain.

I love the Crayola Tracing Light pad. About $20. It's lightweight, uses batteries and has bright LED lights.

http://www.crayola.com/products/ligh...-girl-product/


I have the wrap light but it gets in my way when fmq on my machine. Never tried the Polly paper so will have to check that out. K Buckley scissors are excellent.

There are printable "thangles" on the internet.

I have the slider but since I don't FMQ I haven't really used it.

I have a light box but never use it. Usually my kids are using it.

I had a fusible sheet like the Goddess sheet and used it for placing my applique shapes before fusing it to my project. I use seam a seam now though, which is sticky and does the same thing. It is still handy for protecting my iron from fusibles but I usually can't find it and use parchment paper instead.

My machine is inset into my table w/ an insert so I have never tried the sew steady table. I used to want one when I had to keep my machine on top of a desk though.

I've heard nothing but good things about the mighty bright light. I opted for the LED lights instead and am happy with them, but they aren't aimable.

I am off to look at the Karen Buckley stuff...

You might try shopping on eBay. Sometimes you can get some of the things you need on sale rather than paying full price. I would always buy Thangles during a sale. Buy what you need and give hints at Xmas what you want. Maybe Santa will help you with your wants.

I really like my Supreme Slider for fmq. I got it on ebay for less.

Many of the things you mentioned can be bought at Joanns with coupons. Try Allbrands.com for the Sew Steady table.
I use a cheap piece of canvas or muslin on top of my ironing board when using fusibles. Parchment works good too. I actually have a silicone pressing mat which is great. Fons and Porter has one they sell. Amazon has several and better prices.

agreed. couldn't believe i actually went and bought a couple duplicates of the smaller sizes. i need them anywhere i might sit and stitch! and the mighty bright. expensive but a must have ..so i buy them on sale anywhere i see them on sale. i have one for my fw, my janome 1600 & my pfaff...the main machine i use. i attach w command strips hook & loop in such away it's moveable but stable & out of the way. i have even bought the buckley scissors & mighty bright light as gifts for friends ...who love them and find them as indespensible as i do. i have the super slider. it works well. but i wouldn't buy again. awkward and time consuming to set up for quilting.

Thanks for all the info.
There is no Joanns here but I will check out Amazon, Canada and allbrands to see how prices compare.
Allbrands ships from the U.S. and that adds to my Canadian price.
I am tempted to get that Supreme Slider. My machine opens in the front and the piece that comes out, isn't flush with the rest of the machine bed. As I sew, the fabric sometimes hooks the edge where it isn't flush...jerks the fabric and needle a bit to one side. Do you think the Slider would help with that?

Prism, all that info is good to know.
I would appreciate the link to the Youtube videos about making the styrofoam tables.
Thanks.

I enjoy the Debbie Tucker rulers. All instruction can be seen on her web site under video tutorials.

Supreme Slider is good. More work than I imagined to keep it clean ... it's time to go buy more Baby Wipes already. ugh!
If you're going to get that, you should also own a pair of Machinger's (or at least some kind of grip-y gloves). If not, I would get the gloves first. I love my Machinger's. They make a huge difference in the consistency of my FMQ stitches. The Supreme Slider is nice ... especially for reducing muscle fatigue, but I can still FMQ okay without it.
Also, make sure you tape it down so you don't ruin it because it can slip & slide and I know some people in my quilting guild said they chewed theirs up within days of getting it (and then never bought another one because they are kinda pricey).

To be honest for me the fewer gadgets the better, I have tried a lot of them over the years and wasted a lot of money I have found easy, cheep fixes, ideas from other quilters. I do have some gadgets I love and use regularly. I have never used the Supreme Slider but have not found anyone who used it more than a couple of times. I personally use a good furniture wax (must use as directed) on my sewing table, have no problem moving fabric around on it. Freezer Paper is cheaper and does the same thing, some people think it is better, The sewing table I have never seen, my DH built my table for me. Thangles are again not worth the money, it is a one time use item, check out U Tub for ways to make HST. I have a ruler by Creative Grids that I like and can use it over and over makes multi sizes. I have older machines and my eyes are not what they used to be, I use a goose neck lamp that I can bend and twist until it hits just right. Not sure the brand name but I can easily move it from by my machine to by my chair in the other room, or even take it to retreats.

Gosh, I'm going to be able to save you a lot of money... I'm an addict junkie. :/
Supreme Slider did nothing for me. After a few tries, I gave up - not worth getting out and in position as I saw no difference.

Polly Paper is freezer paper - but comes in flat sheets rather than on a roll. True, when it comes off the roll it does have a little curl - so tear some off and weight it down for a bit; it'll be nice and flat and less expensive.

Thangles - Once I started using Triangulations, I got rid of my Thangles. Triangulations is software that allows you to print any size hst you need, as well as flying geese. I buy doodle pads @ the dollar store, cut to size if needed (I stack several sheets and use an old rotary cutter). The paper tears much easier than the triangulations, I can make whatever size I need in whatever quantity desired w/out having lots of partial packages hanging around

An LED light is nice, but you can probably find something that will work for you in many local shops - hardware/home improvement or crafts. One additional caution: If you do attach to your machine, consider placement of the stick on pieces. I didn't, and when I tried to pack my machine, the case didn't fit!

My sewing table is made from two inexpensive cabinets (under $40 each) with a board over them. Cut a hole in the board to fit my machine, made a shelf that fits under that and is attached to the cabinet back on each side. I have the large surface and storage in the cabinets. They say a picture is worth 1,000 words...

Here are the Youtube videos for building your own quilting table (parts 1-3 in order, and update):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g14govA4pIM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAS25v3ZTk0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0lk7UBQgZY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwrA...F28BF9&index=6

Thanks so much. I appreciate it. Will watch them tomorrow.

I use garden gloves with sticky fingers for FMQ (in the spring Costco has a 6 - pack for sale that DD and I split, but sometimes the dollar store gets them -- the stickier the better). I LOVE the Karen K. Buckley scissors -- they are my go to scissors in every size. I got a sew-steady type table free when I bought my machine and I use it all the time for piecing and quilting. I have been doing a lot of my shopping on Amazon or Ebay for gadgets.

Wow! I like peaceandjoy's sewing table. Looks a little high (which is good since I'm 5'11") -- might do a similar set-up for a cutting table with taller cabinets.
I found a simple sewing table tutorial that I plan to do for Christmas -- with a little help -- using a cheap Ikea table & a couple basic tools. It is the most beautiful DIY sewing table I've found yet. :)
http://frommartawithlove.com/diy-ike...able-tutorial/

FYI to all the Karen Kay Buckley scissor lovers-they seem to be a pretty decent price on amazon. I might try a pair.

You can, with a little ingenuity, figure out how to make or find some of the items you mentioned. A light box, for example, can be made from a plastic tub (clear) and a lamp or a glass-topped coffee table.

I have the Supreme Slider. It stays on my machine to protect my extension table and it works great to have a smooth surface to sew. It stays in place just fine. I made the cut out bigger to be able to use all the stitches and feet on my machine. If it needs to be resticky just run it under warm water and pat dry. Mine is almost ten years old and still works like new. I have no idea what I paid for it but I've gotten my money's worth.

I'm not one to make do when I can buy a product that is made to do the job and will give years of good service. When I make do I usually end up frustrated with the whole thing.

You can make your own light box for next to nothing. All you need is one of those square plastic boxes that some use to store scrapbook paper and a tap on light. Turn the light on, put it in the box and trace. I do it this way all the time.

Keep in mind that our grandmothers made quilts with only fabric, scissors, a pencil, cardboard for templates and if they were lucky, a sewing machine. You really don't NEED any of those items, so pick one or two that you feel you will use most and try them. Let me tell you, some are worth the chips and some are a disappointment and a waste of money. I've bought both kinds. Some will serve more than one purpose and some are truly worthless, so go easy and pick and choose. I have a plethora of things I thought would be really useful and have never, or seldom, used them. The ones that really work for you will be your necessary rulers, rotary cutters, and mats.

I tried this and the clear plastic boxes I could find all had center indentation or sunken center. Making it frustrating to use. The box that was level and smooth plus the cost of the light I could buy a nice tracing pad.

I like the idea of a supreme slider but not the price!! I bought teflon sheets on Amazon; they're designed to go on the bottom of your stove. You get two per package, each is double the size of a Supreme Slider, and it costs about 1/3rd as much. So what is that...12X cheaper? I bought a total of four of them and they cover most of my sewing surface. Drawback is they aren't sticky on the back; I stuck mine down with double-sided tape. They're also black so not as pretty. But they work great!

Don't get stuck in the trap of buying gadgets just for the sake of buying gadgets. Be selective and get the ones that solve problems you're actually having.

I LOVE my sew steady! Finally, I am able to get nice straight seams. Worth every penny. As has been said, shop around and you can find better pricing.

I do not spend money quickly on stuff. I bought the sewing mates table from sewing-mates.com because it will fit any machine (I have a Bailey Home quilter and different vintage Singer machines, fits them all). It is made much better than the plastic leg sew steady. I had one and had to get rid of it because the Pfaff I had died and nothing else will fit it. I bought the biggest sewing mates It may be a lot of money upfront, but I use it everyday, changing it to different machines as needed. Made in the US. Saw it on Bonnie Hunter's quilt cam and am very, very pleased.

My Most very favorite tool is my Quilter's Sidelock. It is truly the best investment I made. Wish I would have had one years ago. Using this, you can't have fabric that shifts as you cut.

http://quiltersslidelock.com/

Absolutely love Karen K Buckley scissors!!!!

I use a silicon oven liner in place of the supreme slider. Tape it down with painters tape. It is the same thing at a much better price. Line it up with your machine and pit a small hole in it for your needle. Works great.

I use my queen supreme slider all the time. My husband made me a light box which I also use alot. Karen buckleys scissors are okay but pricey. I bought her thin pins but have't used them yet. Good lighting is a must: my newish sewing macine has stadium lighting. I have a applique pressing sheet that i like better than parchment paper. I don't use much freezer paper.

I am also a fan of the Teflon oven sheets - they work beautifully and are relatively inexpensive. Have to remove to change the bobbin though.

I love my Sew Steady table. Right now Sew Steady is having a holiday sale. I have no affiliation, just noticed it when I was checking prices. Just google "sew steady table sale."

I have a pair of Karen Buckley scissors, and they are not my favorites. Prefer my small, pointy Fiskars for that size of blade (which is small). Next pair of scissors I buy will likely be Kai, from their website.

ditto this, makes all the difference when free motion quilting.

I also have this. Does the job for me when tracing applique pieces.

Peaceandjoy---that table is a great idea and you have the cabinets for more storage and surface area.

I LOVE my Supreme Slider! Whenever I have FMQ or machine applique to do my Slider comes out. I just wish I could get a bigger one to completely cover my Sew-EZ table. They are a bit spendy, but worth every penny.
I have a small external flexable light for my sewing machine. I found that the light in the machine is just not bright enough (especially when using black thread on black fabric). It is removable for when I am doing FMQ.
As for the Sew Steady - I am not familiar with that one. I have a Sew-EZ, again a bit spendy, but perfect for portability. I am sewing in my dining room and have my machine in the Sew-EZ so I can still use the table as a dinner table. It goes with me to classes and when I travel (and have enought time to sew).
I love tools and gadgets and if you are like me, Whatever you decide to get, you will enjoy. Have Fun.