I also use a surge protector to keep all my 'doin's' in one place. When I close shop I turn it off and unplug it. I thought it might not protect my stuff from power surges if it was turned off and plugged into the wall outlet still. So I unplug it from the wall. Does anyone know?

I guess I would have to say the Rotary Cutter is the all time best notion I have!
All Time worse is the rotary blade cutter, it was around 20 plus dollars and totally worthless.

I agree I bought a sharpener also as I use a few blades a week.
doesn't do a thing!

The notion I enjoy the most is the shape cutter by June Tailor. It lets you cut multiple strips of material in increments of 1/2 inch while not moving the ruler. I like it particularly because the cutter is guided through the channel and thus does not slip toward the right or left. Very accurate.

What a great thread! (pun intended! :-D) I mostly lurk here (love reading all the great tips and information and opinions!), but had to weigh in on this one! I love, love, love my Clover extra fine patchwork pins. I'm a "sew-over" gal, and these pins are so thin that I don't have to worry about going over them with the machine.

Love my OmniGRIP rulers; they don't slide around.

Love a pair of serrated scissors that I have. Their edges grip the fabric, so they are wonderful for applique shapes.

And I should buy stock in Gingher. Like Cat-On-A-Mac, I have duplicates of all my gingher scissors (especially thread-clipping size) -- in my applique take-along basket, beside the ironing board, beside the sewing machine, in the case of the machine I carry to classes, etc. It seems that having multiples ensures I don't lose any!! :-D

Best investment ever? A hand-me-down white, twin-size flannel sheet (my Mom gave it to me so it was FREE!), that I tacked up in my sewing room and use for a Design Wall. Not only do I use it to "design" but also to "store" works in process to stay motivated. My Circuit Rider Quilt applique blocks are on there now to keep me working on my needle-turn applique.

www.cheaperthantherapyquilting.blogspot.com/

Wow I thought that I keep old sewing things. I still have my seam ripper from freshman in HS ...44 years ago. I think that older is often better, and don't go for all the new things on the market

Love my rotary cutter, my "purple thang," and my Rowenta travel iron.
Used the Clover once and probably won't again.

I bought that new Alex Anderson (I think) tool that is made from wood and has several tools in one. The wood has changed sizes, and now the "lid" won't stay on the end that has a sharp point (can't think of the name right now--like a bamboo skewer). Seemed like a good idea at the time, but it was an expensive tool (relatively) and a waste of money IMHO.

Best: Love my magnetic pinholder. I can just toss the pins in its direction when I'm sewing and they all end up in the right place!

The table needle threader is funny: when I first got one, it didn't work at all. I put it into the drawer with all of the other useless items, but got it out again when I started English paper piecing (a lot of hand needle threading) and it worked like a charm! I bought another so that I could take it places with me.

Worst: I agree about the Clover mini-iron. I thought it was such a good idea, but find it worthless. Also - I can't seem to get the knack of using the needle threader on my Janome...I think we've had a discussion on this topic in the past!

Best: Pincushion/thread catcher I made for my sewing table.
Altos fabric cutter, makes cutting more accurate.
Turntable for equipt/notions next to machine.
Large cutting table.
Rotary Cutter
Seam Rippers, a good friend
Worst: Clover mini iron.
Darice Mini Iron-comes unplugged
Rotating mat...never opened (must try sometime)

I have the Sidewinder and another bobbin winder I bot from
Nancy's Notions that will hold large cone spools. I love them both but I too plug them in and do not use batteries. I use them for my Pfaff machines and they work great

I bot one of those needle threaders and I can't get it to thread the needle either. Other people love them. Is it me or did I get a bad one?

I love my little Rowenta Travel Steam Iron . It works great.

I got the Altos fabric cutter for Xmas but haven't used it yet. Do you really like it? I hope so because I wanted it so badly and hope it wasn't a mistake. Finally got sewing room straightened out so I can use it

I have the Simplicity Bias Maker, it is a stand alone machine that operates by current or by battery. It comes with 2 or 3 tips for various sizes of tape, however, I had to purchase the 2 1/2 inch separately for about $10. What it does is iron the tape and roll it onto a spool. It does NOT cut. I love it, it presses either single or double fold, depending on the tip used.

Sounds like something I could use.I love cutting,piecing blocks & making tops.There it stops.The quilting & binding isn't enjoyable to me,so end up with piles of UFOs.I'll look into the bias maker. Thanks for the explanation & I'd also want the 2 1/2" tip. Pat

"I have the Simplicity Bias Maker, it is a stand alone machine that operates by current or by battery. It comes with 2 or 3 tips for various sizes of tape, however, I had to purchase the 2 1/2 inch separately for about $10. What it does is iron the tape and roll it onto a spool. It does NOT cut. I love it, it presses either single or double fold, depending on the tip used."

MY BEST FRIEND!!! I took the clear thing off the top and place my thread and bobbins that im using for projects, holds my rotaty cutter, pencils, pens, pins tape measures, lost buttons.... and countless other small items

With 5 kids, I always tied a piece of yarn on the handle of all "paper-cutting" scissors. They wouldn't think about my Gingher's...for fear of penalty of death. The yarn trick still works with all of them...they are 37 - 52!!!!

It's not exactly a "notion", but I think a wonderful tool is the computer and the internet. When I started quilting last summer, I was amazed at all the information that was available online. And connections to other quilters ... like this web site ... are really fun and helpful and inspiring.

Essentials: Rotary (Olfa) cutter, 18x24 cutting mat (though I would LOVE to have a bigger one!), a loop turner, my 4x8" Omnigrid ruler with 1/8" markings, and my inherited gold thimble which is the only one that I have found that fits.

Could have done without: A 9" circle wedge ruler. I have used it - just doesn't fit into my game plan very frequently.

I just had to read what everyone else considered their favorite tool. I would say first is my rotary cutter. I have several different sizes and brands and I use them all. My very favorite tool is my Eleanor Burns Flying Geese Ruler. I have 2 sizes but use the smaller one to make 6 1/2" variable stars and tons of geese, my favorite block. This ruler makes perfect geese every time! Then, of course, I couldn't live without my Gingher's or my ripper. Worst tool -- not really a tool but those long yellow head pins. They bite big time every time I use them so tacking something on my design wall they usually stay in the box.

My favorite notion/tool is my stiletto. It's just a cheapie with a plastic handle but I have very fumbly fingers and it really helps me guide fabric under the presser foot, move around threads, etc.

Wasted or unused notions: several kinds of chalk markers and pencils that didn't work.

Yeah me too, except mine kept coming unplugged. :thumbdown:

My favorite small scissors is a Finny it is very narroew at the tip and cuts right to the tip. I also like my dish magnet from the hardware store. I uae my clover iron only for 1/4 bias tape. The Iron I take to retreats is a iron that is bigger then a clover with a wedge end and long handle. I never seam to find a travel iron that heats enough. I also like a silicone iton pad to put my iron on when I am using it often

Hey gals I never said my typing or spelling was good

too bad that battery operated bobbin winder doesn't work with my Viking bobbins! I sometimes use with my other bobbins, but its more of a pain to use.
Some quilting notions are a good idea in theory, but not as useful in reality.

They are in a very safe place. lol I love my Ginghers, have 2 pairs and the family knows that if they use them, I will make them pay for such transgressions.

I have a herd of sewing machines, they get used at some point. All of them have a use.

Does anyone have experience with the Accuquilt Go. I can't decide if I should get one or not. My dh wants to get me one for my birthday, but I don't want him to spend the money if it is not useful and worth it. He knows I find cutting somewhat frustrating. Although I enjoy the whole quilting process, that is my least favorite part.

That draw full of must buy notions which we use once if it was lucky and are stuck wawy for ever. i have a small wheel which is supposed to draw a 1/4inch seam. still in its wrapper.


oh is that what that tool is for! I had no idea what that was for!

I have a Clover brand desk top needle threader and I love it, even though I do not do much hand sewing. My instructions specified a particular eyed needle. Don't remember if it is the round eye or otherwise and I lost the instruction sheet. Most of the time, if it doesn't work the first time, I just try another needle with a different eye .. no problem!

[quote=mlaceruby]clover iron thought I needed it but used it once and
was a waste of money
Me too have never used it.

[quote=DOTTYMO]i am excellent at breaking seam rippers. I usually break them in my finger.

:XD: :thumbdown:

Just HAD to buy a Fiskars 24" rotary cutter and ruler in one a few years back-tried it once, put it back in the box and haven't had it out since. Maybe I should give it another chance. I also bought several sizes of Clover bias tape makers, and can't get the hang of them!! I went back to making them by hand. I bought bicycle clips to hold the borders/raw edges of my quilts while quilting, kept falling off-maybe for machine quilting they are better, but I hand-quilt-so they are somewhere in the abyss at the bottom by my Stanley tool chest. Various stableizers (tearaway and water soluble) I THOUGHT SOMEDAY I might need, are still un-opened. What I can't live without is my OTT light, my 102" tape measure, my Brother sewing machine (love it) and my 25 yard roll of Steam a Seam Lite fusible.

What brand of Double Wedding Ring templates do you have and like?? I saw some at a quilt show, didn't buy them, and misplaced my note on the brand, or designer. I LOVE DWR quilts!!!

I

Whoops - try again! I probably have too many items purchased that aren't used but one that comes to mind is an item - like a half embroidery hoop that you use when FMQ - it has little raised edges to hold onto. Well, I have never used it and figure I never will when the gloves work so well!
Can't live without my seam ripper or my magnetic pin holder.

Mine is not a quilting notion but the sturdy plastic 81/2 by 121/2 sectioned off pencil or artist carrying case that I carry all my notions in.

My husband bought the AccuGo. Still not sure it's worth the price since all dies are extra and run $75+. I wouldn't
have spent the money but HE insisted it was worth the money. I now let him cut all my 2 1/2" strips. If you have money to spare and feel that money isn't an issue, you MIGHT consider it.

Sara in NC

I bought a lot of stuff at an auction. Have no clue what most of it is for or how to use it. I am glad to read all the other post to learn what not to buy and what I should consider. Its a jungle out there and a beginner can get lost in all the notions suplies and such.