I had to chuckle when I read this. What I do now, after getting gagets I wouldn't use from hubby, I have a *special* drawer that I put *special* items in that I would like as gifts. Everything from sewing to jewelry. He loves it! Sometimes I even forget what I've put in it so it is a surprise. Win win situation. Easy shopping for him and I get what I want/need. Guess it all comes down to what works best for each couple.:D

Me too! I use it daily

If you put some alcohol in it it will soften up, don't throw those away, but if new take it back.

I took a year long class to learn how to use my then new sewing machine. Every month we were told to use a certain technique on the machine, which was fine but. The didn't really spend much time showing how to use it plus we had to buy attachments and more special thread and other stuff to make each block. They never mentioned how much this class was really going to cost. I stopped going after 6 months and the only thing I learned was how to applique with my machine, which I could have learned on my own. I have to say I don't take classes any more. Most of what they teach I can figure out on my own.

I don't like it when it is a requirement to purchase the fabric from the shop where the class is being held.
Some times I like to use from my stash. Or buy from a different source.

Ditto that one. It only cuts up to a 2 1/2 strip, and I wanted more. One of the first to buy this, tried it once there it sits, keep thinking I should giveit one more try.
Pat

But can't you do that just as easily with your machine winder?

Glad to read your post, I had hovered on the brink of buying these when I decided to do something myself, first tried earring backs, too large, then got the bright idea to buy 1/4 inch craft foam and cut it with rotary cutter into 1/4 inch strips which I then cut into little 1/2 to 3/8 inch pieces, these work fairly well, some come off and occasionally I get stuck but overall work ok for my quilt as you go projects, I bought the bright neon orange so it was easy to see the little pieces which I store in a baggie.:)

EQ6... Never used it, lent it to a friend who has not used it in a year's time. Would like to sell it. When I bought it I specifically asked if it would help me design non block art quilts and was told YES. I took a class (after a few months of not being able to figure it out on my own) and, before signing up I asked if they would be going into making one's own designs, as in art quilting, and was told "yes". Well, before the third class (I paid $50 for the 3 classes even though the first one had already been done... that's how desperate I was) I asked again if we would be getting some non-block instructions and was told yes... but it didn't happen. So I printed out all the manual pages and tried again to figure it out. I couldn't do it. What a waste of money!!!! I've asked for my friend (who hasn't used it) for it back because I want to sell it. Someone who does blocks might really get a lot out of it, but it is useless to me. I must add that I'm in my 70s and get frustrated with electronics, especially computers and cell phones. Ironically, I did programing in the 80s.... those were the days you could easily go into the gut of the computer and change things. Now it is all done for us and every week there are new terms (words) for us to learn and I've decided I'm simply electronically challenged! AAAAAAGGGGGH!

I know what you mean, mine was the Table-Top Bobbin Winder. It works for all machines but the Pfaff. And of course, that is all I have. Waste of money I could have bought more fabric with!

A cheap rotary cutter from WW. Looked good, worked once or twice, can't stand the thing now. Won't roll, and I did try taking it apart and cleaning it

I agree - plastic cone holder is a waste of money and if I remember correctly, it was not all that cheap. So many other solutions that work better.

I have the EQ6 as well. Lots of frustration. It is not user friendly and I spend most of my time figuring out how to find my work and drawing at the various levels. I suppose if you used it all the time you would begin to understand, but the truth is I prefer graph paper and pencil. And, you are right, if you are making something other than fairly traditional blocks, it is of no help.

I bought one of those independent bobbin winders....what a boondoggle that is! Used it a couple of times and NEVER again!

Same here! What I found most difficult was watching the video of the instructor who is left handed. Sorry lefties, but I just could not wrap my brain around the left handedness. But I love the Martelli Rotary Cutter and mat.

Agreed, my husband and I think the same thing. It eventually costs more to buy the cheaper things than buying the good one in the first place. By time you figure in gas and time it took to buy a replacement you could have bought the better one in the first place.
My husband says the same about his tools he has.

The one I'm having problems with now is the adjustable bias tape foot found on Amazon and other sites. I can't keep the quilt binding feeding straight. The foot has a top groove and bottom groove which the tape edges feed through but as they're sewn through they keep sliding out of the grooves. Also it seems the opening where the quilt is sandwiched between doesn't want to open far enough and the quilt works it's way out of location. I don't know if it's me or the foot. I would sure like for it to work so I could use one stitch around the quilt and it would be bound. If it's me and any of you use it successfully let me know your technique.

It does not work on on the green Viking bobbins. They do not fit on the spindle.

Like Diannia, I bought one of those gun quilt basting things several years ago, and used it for a few minutes, and took it back for a refund! I did not like it, and knew I would never use it again.

Yep, me too. But mine got hot, but the on/off button broke the first time I used it.

Ok lets look at a positive side... we all have bought things we thought we just could not live without lesson learned. Now let me tell you how to replace some of those things with items you have at home already.............first the binding spool around the neck I never liked that so lucky I didn't buy one but what I do have and can't live with out is a Cheddar Ball Jar. You know the kind that you buy at the store full of puffed chesse or popcorn, well I bought one, the kids ate the puffed cheese and I kept the jar. Hubby slit a square on the plastic lid. Now I take it to the ironing board as I iron my binding it falls into the jar then I pull the last end of binding through the hole he cut and snap the lid back on......wala.....I put the jar on the floor next to me and sew the binding. It doesn't get turned around or choke me either and it also serves as a container to save your bias strips to make blocks. The only thing that I wore out on my jar was the lid so I just go buy another one and I am happy again. Now about the pins........I don't like the teeny tiny pins but I do like the flat head pins or the one's with the yellow head and at times they do get blunt so I just run it through my hair (works really good it you have an oily head) and this resharpens the pins. Grandma use to do this all the time. I also like the binding clips that you buy at the hair salon supply store but I have gotten very spoiled and like the new clover clips. Have I ever bought things I shouldn't have or didn't need yes I have but as everyone sometimes we just get carried away with the gusto of quilt shows and sellers. Hope this helps. Live and learn.

Ahh Mackenzie! Did I ever get a great laugh out of your post. WOULD that we COULD put our butts on the guild auction! How wonderful......get rid of your unwanted butts! Lol.

I have to say that I bought one of the fabric covered pressing sticks and if you are talking about what I bought it is one of the best purchases I've ever made. As a matter of fact on Pinterest you can see how to make them for yourself. I am in the process of making about 30 of them to give as gifts at a quilting retreat I am part of. I can hardly wait to give them away because I know the participants will be so thrilled to have them after they see how they are used and how beautifully a seam can be pressed open or to one side!

My daughter has the Aqququilt and we both enjoy using it. She has the tumbler which is difficult to cut without the aqququilt go. It is a little pricey but save so much time and is so accurate. I have bought some of the other dies from
"Sew for Less" and their prices are very reasonable. Consider the Half square triangle, 1 1/2" strip and the 2 1/2" strips which we use alot. Good luck with it. Joanne

I bought the Accuquilt Go. I have the die that came with it and the tumbler die. Although I have used it and do like it...the dies are expensive. I keep waiting for the 2 1/2" strip die to go on sale, but it doesn't ever seem to do that. I think that is one die that I would use on every quilt for the binding. I think people that do a lot of applique probably really like it.

I love Pinmoors! If you can't get a pin into with ease then your pins are probably the fault. I use glass head fine patchwork pins for all my pinning and they go in the Pinmoor like butter and stay there until I take them out.

Good thread! Useless purchases for me were the Flynn frame, Quilter's Calculator and gift of a cutter called something like an Accucutter or Accuquilter??? I love my Sidewinder. Several rulers were duds. When I first started quilting a new quilter friend pointed out several times that gadgets I wanted to buy were just like things I already owned, but were used in a different way, for example. I started to really check things out before purchasing and I saved a lot of money. I really appreciate how clever and careful she is with gadgets. My biggest money waste has been books or patterns which I have not used.

I too use an empty toilet paper roll, but use a neon green shoelace to hang it around my neck. It works great.

I think that I would have asked for my $$ back rather than buy more fabric for the class. What is wrong with a person who thinks that only his or her taste is good? The quilt class teacher wasn't going to have to live with the finished product - you were.

Same here so I gave it away. Sometimes it will work and sometimes not. Won't work for my new Viking anyway.

Thanks for your comment. I think we all have different criteria for a 'good' product based on our own personal needs. I recently bought another dritz cutter with a small ruler and 2 extra 45mm blades because it was cheaper than buying a two pack of 45mm blades. I don't need the cutter or the ruler, but 3 blades - what a deal!

My spinning cutting mat gets an occasional spin, but, like you, my big mat and cutting table get the most use.

Can you give a link or a tutorial? Sounds very intresting.

I bought a seam ripper thing made by Martelli. I forgot how to use it, so asked at their booth the next time I went to a show. Watched her use it numerous times and then have promptly forgotten how again. I too bought a plastic cone holder. After struggling with trying to use it and have it move around while trying to get the thread to come off it and into my machine, I gave up, threw it away and ordered a heavy metal one, which I use almost everyday. Another thing is probably the most expensive thing is an Easy Quilter 3.1 & Tracking System. I used it once and just couldn't get the hang of moving the machine instead of the quilt when fmq. I also didn't like only being able to stitch in a small row and all the extra fabric and batting you had to have for the edges and to wind on the rollers. I do have some rulers I've never used, but someday I will use them. I bought a couple diamond rulers 10+ years ago and just used them a few months ago for the first time. You never know. I'm also a sucker for buying books and then deciding I don't like the pattern once I can read all about it. I probably liked the fabric colors, in the first place, and that's what made me want the book.

What kind of shaped wood are you using? Are you covering them with canvas?

I love gadgets. If I can't use I give them to my quilter friends, they do the same.

I would love to have Machingers, but they have latex in them. I have an allergy to latex, we even have to be careful with bandaids, because the latex in them will scar me worse than most of the cuts they're meant to cover. I'm stuck with F&P or garden gloves.

My biggest "mistake" so far seems to be geting intersted in the vintage machines, I spend so much time rehabbing and rehoming them, that I don't seem to find the time to quilt.

I purchased the hair clips for binding at the Dollar Tree. I think I have enough now to go all around a big quilt. The metal ones are better if you have the choice.

I agree, the basting gun I had broke without getting too far, and I didn't like the big holes it made in my fabric. Hancocks was good about letting me return it as defective, which it was. Good idea, just not engineered very well i think.

those self threading needles "As seen on TV"...ugh...won't even go through a single layer of fabric.

Oh just my thoughts. But a friend always says she wouldn't be without hers. There must have been either a good batch made or a bad batch. I know where mine came from