So funny, I LOVE the add-a-quarter ruler. It makes pp so much easier. But it is actually wider than 1/4", so I wonder if we're talking about the same ruler.

Most useless gadget I've gotten was the pretty necklace that is supposed to also be a thread cutter. My teeth do a better job...but it is nice with my costuming for the Renaissance Faires. So not a complete loss.

I just picked up a large ball of fabric strips at second hand store, what do you crochet? I thought if I do not use it will look good sitting in a basket?

Funny, I know these little gifts are not cheap, but it is the thought that counts, you need to have a list and suggest he buy something on it you would like and use. Sounds easy, I know!

I disagree about dritz quality. I have recently purchased several dritz items that more than meet my expectations. I like the big flower head pins because they are easy for me to pick up - I'll put up with a lot for that.

I really love my dritz rotary cutter. It's much better than any of the other brands I have bought and used - but not for long - especially the pricey 'safety' rotary cutters where the safety catch slips while you are cutting. Nearly cut the tip of my thumb off when that happened.

I think it's really kind of a 'hit or miss' with any brand these days.

One thing I never or rarely use - my "spinning" cutting mat.

The super slider was the pits for me. I ended up throwing it out!
The bicycle clips to roll and clip the quilt-not!
The big red rubber fingertips things, not.
could probably think of more, I do love the Fons & Porter brand and the Clover. not disappointed so far there.
I do like the sidewinder, it is great and use it all the time.
The genie bobbin washers work well and then I got to where I don't even use them.

I love my walmart - Brother - sewing machines! I bought my first one simply because it was inexpensive and I wasn't sure how much I'd like sewing. It was a work horse, used it for 5 years. I stopped using it because something fell on it while we were traveling. We tried to fix it, but the damage from 'internal injuries' it sustained was fatal. The second, a pricier one, is also great. I haven't used all of it's features yet - and the manual is fabulous!

There are brands other then what WM sells, but that doesn't make them better. The best machine is always the one that meets your sewing needs at a price you can afford.

The twister template...I discovered how easy and much less wasteful it is to cut your own pieces, to any size.

Hated the Simplicity strip cutter, bought the Go! and love it. I would have never tried the Drunkard's Path without the Go! I have use all sorts of marking pens and the best to me is the Fons and Porter with the white lead and the colored lead. Also have used the cheapie washable markers at Dollar Tree and tested first, they work great. The blue or purple markers for $3-5 really don't work well for me, they always seem to be dried out. Dislike all pins but the glass head Fons and Porters...too many blunt edges. I don't like any rotary cutter but Olfa, the rest I have managed to load incorrectly or just plain break. Likewise, I dont like Fiskars cutting mats, definitely not June Tailor, only Olfa. I found the largest cutting mat was a waste of my money because I really didn't have a cutting surface big enough to hold it.

ot of my "stuff" might be useless but I had fun buying it and love to haul some of it out and try it again... Some day you'll buy it all at my estate sale!

My thoughts exactly!!! So far, besides that, all of the misc. gadgets I have bought over the yrs have not been a waste...some may be specific to a certain design/pattern, but, they make that easier. Actually just bought a Curve ruler...hope that one works!

I too like many of you used to be a impulse buyer, I have really been trying to get stern w/ myself and if I still feel I want it after walking away then I make sure it has a place in my sewing, not stuck in a drawer or closet never to be used again.
1] add a 1/4 thingy
2] pinking shears-I bought them yrs ago because my mom always had a pair-never use mine
3] pattern weights-might be a neat idea, never remember I have them...in a drawer-lol

Just goes to show we don't all think the same! I wouldn't be without the "Add-a-quarter" ruler for paper piecing. If your teacher was having you mark a line with it, that was not the way to use the ruler. You butt it up against a card to cut the quarter inch seam allowance. If I didn't have the ruler, and the little ledge that's built in to it, my rotary cutter would always slip - sometimes I even forgot to add the quarter inch! But, hey, to each his own!

I have a stack of rulers I bought to go with my Sweet 16 which are useless. (I like the simple meandering pattern). I also have the chalk marker to mark patterns with and a stack of stencils. I guess I should ebay all that stuff.

I love my add a quarter rulers! Isn't it funny how different we all are?

If I can make do with something else until I find something not so pricey I will. Depending on what it is and if I still have the receipt so I can return or replace, it gets pitched in file 13.

I bought a Kaleidoscope Triangle Ruler a few months ago, But the directions for how to use it really don't help much. I need a pattern for a block to practice on.

I bought the Genie Bobbin Washers also and they work in my embroidery machine and my other machines with a drop in bobbin but not in my Expression 4.0 due to the fact that it has a low bobbin sensor that will not work if I have a bobbin washer in the bobbin case because it raises the bobbin just a very fraction of an inch and confuses the sensor.

I bought "label/signature writing pens" packaged/sealed. I had a feeling as I paid that I bet they wouldn't write. When I got ready to "use | write" with either pen, they wouldn't write. I had lost the receipt.

I think it would be kind of you to let us know the pattern name so we don't have to struggle with mistakes. I always advise my new quilting students to go to the website of each book or pattern before they begin cutting to check for pattern corrections. Twice I have started patterns that had errors, so now I know to check first.

1. Any ruler that is not a Creative Grids ruler. These are amazing! I threw my old Olipfa ruler (with the lip that is to be used on the edge of a mat) away several years ago...I didn't want to curse someone else with that thing! The "lip" was not glued on straight, and so it was impossible to get a straight cut.

2. Fons & Porter quilting gloves, with the rubber dots. Threads stick to them, so you MUST take them off before trimming threads off your quilt. I use Machingers now, the Fons & Porters are in the drawer.

Flynn's quilting frame!!!!!

I so agree. The simplicity rotary cutting machine is worthless. I bought mine. Never got it to work right. I"m not sure if I would even try and cut any scraps with it. Mine was a dud from the beginning. I was so tempted to get the thingy that holds the binding but looked closer and it didn't hold up to the width of binding I use. I'll just keep using my toilet paper holder and ribbon. Works great and is a lot cheaper. Yep another thing was the basting gun. I used it once and it pulled holes in the quilt. I'm so glad they went back together when I washed the quilt. Never used it again. I know it has to put holes in the quilt to use it. But these were pretty large holes and I sweated it out until I finished the quilt and washed it. Now I admit I"m a gadget junky!! LOL Ever with that said some of this stuff is really awful.

I bought a used Flynn's frame from a lady on board and have a problem using it because of my lack of space. I demonstrated it at our grooup but when ladies saw how used didn't want it either. Only does quilts up to 54" wide.
Never used my 1/4 " ruler but I am going too. Probably have more things but not costly ones.
Love my "Lippa" ruler and wish I could buy other sizes.

I have bought pins before and some were blunt, I contacted the manufacturer by email and they sent me 2 packs of 2 1/2" glass head pins that cost $25.00 per pack in Australia. I also contacted Moda Fabrics about charm packs that were not the right size and got replacements plus extra. If you don't contact them when things don't work properly they will never be able to fix the problem. Just my thoughts!

Excellent idea. Usually "gadgets" work so well at quilt shows is because they use them all day, everyday. With practice they may work as well for you. Given that, some really are junk!!

Please be careful cutting the thread with your teeth. My grandmother did this for
many years and it ended up putting thin "cuts" in her teeth. Was surprised that thread
would do this, but over the years it added up.

I bought binder clips to use for binding the quilt. They worked well at first, but as i aged, they became harder to open. Plus, they became cat toys, and they aren't fun to step on when the cats leave them everywhere. I'm still looking for those bendable hair clips to try instead, or I may buy the clips everyone's talking about. This isn't quite a boondoggle, though, because they are still useful as binder clips, if I can find out where the cats hid them.

Maybe the round headed pins are a boondoggle. Who ever expected to buy pins that melt if the iron touches them. I was very disappointed in that.

I have an add-an-eighth ruler. It's very useful for trimming as you're paper piecing. I have a bobbin winder. It was much cheaper than having my machine's bobbin winder fixed, and easier than using my drill, and it works great. I have very few other things - one reasonable size cutting board, and one very small, several rotary cutters, one long ruler (too long - doesn't fit in my carrying case), and a Starmaker 5, 6, and 8. Also have spring loaded scissors, which I use, but find a little hard to squeeze.

I haven't bought an accuquilt. The hardest thing for me in using it would be the weight in moving it around, so it would have to have a dedicated place to sit. I'm still not sure I would make full use of it. I like to make larger blocks, and to have only a single size available would make it less useful for me.

Those miniature little triangle head irons sold as essential for ironing tiny applique fabric pieces onto freezer paper, sounded great as I am forever burning my finger trying to maneuver the big iron. Worthless it never gets hot enough to iron anything.

[QUOTE=Diannia;5977131]One of those red gun thingies for basting a quilt. Got it at WalMart...what a waste (at least for me).

I totally agree on this one. The little plastic things that you "shot" through the quilt were toolong to keep all the layers in place. I tried it a few times and the layers kept shifting. Another great idea shot to hades!

Even though I don't use it all the time, I love my Accuquilt GO. It was a surprise gift from DH! It's really great on triangle cutting with the dog ears gone so matching is a breeze. I just bought the Drunkard's Path dyes so I am looking forward to trying that out when I clear my current projects. I cut in bulk on my screened porch in fall and spring. I have a table on bed risers with two big Olfa mats out there and cutting is a joy! I keep it covered with some upholstery vinyl between times so DH can set his "mess" on it. He's more than happy to clear out for the week or so I need it in the transitional seasons.
I second the Creative Grids plug for rulers. They are so fantastic. I have just bought the expensive rotary blade sharpener. Tried the hard blue hand held one. SAVE YOUR MONEY THERE! Now my current rotary blade won't go dull so I can try it but if Bonnie Hunter says it works, I'm pretty sure you can bank on it, LOL!
I haven't had much luck with purchased pin cushions but have loved the handmade ones I've found to use. I can't imagine buying pattern weights. Mama used cans, salt shakers, dinnerware knives, etc. so I do as well when needed!
I have put good money into a nice sewing chair and lights and been glad that I did over and over. I also don't mind buying a new sharp seam ripper along since they seem to be such an essential part of my sewing experience but that's telling on myself.

My turn I think, I bought a bobbin winder. WHY???? I took it back . Then there is the little gadget that cuts strips up to 2" wide. YUCK!!!! That sucker never worked. Supposed to fit on your table. Nope. Tried it on a milk stool. Yep it fits there. NOpe still it sucks. Pins and needles I now get from England. A friend lives there and keeps me in stock. Yea for friends. Thats my story. NOt that its all I bought that is useless...... And ya know , sometimes those things that are useless to me , another person swears by them. SO each to his/her own.

I don't have the add-a-quarter ruler;the ruler I love to use when trimming the seams for paper piecing is OMNIGRIDS
1INCH X 6INCH. The ruler is marked 1/4, 1/2,3/4.and then 1 inch. It is small, but still wide enough to hold in place for trimming the seam. Just love it. Got at Joanns with a 50% coupon years ago.

I had boughten glue sticks they were dried up, didn't get to use them. Rulers are my down fall, not real rulers but speciality rulers. My friend had bought me one* to go on my machine so I could keep my quarter inch...is was a waste of money....:(
Easy patterns are bad for me too...
oh well like another said it is all in the lessons we learn ...but sometimes I keep going back.....

What are creative grids plugs?

You should be able to get these in a Dollar store or Walgreens etc. There was a whole thread about the Clover Wonder Clips - I got some as a gift - I'm a convert!

Add me in for another Bobbin winder dislike. This was the one item I spent the gas to go return it to get my money back on. Same with the strip cutter from Simplicity, and the white cutting mat from Joann's

Hi Freckles. I am so with you on that tool.I bought one too that you could put your quilting spool on as you hand quilted ----I spend most of my time untangling it.I always now advice new comers to patchwork quilting 'Don't just buy, ask an old quilter first' One or two rulers, as big a cutting board as will fit on your table, good thin pins,good rotary cutter and scissors, good machine and hand quilting thread. Last but not least on or two pincushions.I always keep one pin cushion just for my hand quilting needle -- if it's not there at the end of my sewing session ---get out the extending magnet. I'm sure I've missed out one or two things but I do think some tools are designed to fund the inventor when a simple use of a normal ruler will do.By the time I've figured how to use the darn things I could have been well on the way to finishing my work. x Letty

I think she just meant that she was putting in a recommendation for the creative grids rulers.

See now that's funny. I bought little foot papers for paper piecing and so I HATE the way paper piecing is done now! With Little Foot you sew with the lines on top ... no upside down sewing. Haven't made the lone star one though. Loved it for Pineapple Log Cabin, and especially loved it for snail's trail ... won a Best of Show on that one!