LA favorite things . . .
 

Hi All,

I am a new poster, and finally came up with a question worth asking! For those of you with a LA -- what would be your top three favorite tools, notions, or accessories? I am only using my LA for personal or charity quilts -- so came here for expert opinions on expanding my abilities using tools.

I cannot doodle worth a darn -- so lately I have focused on using Pantographs. However, before the end of the year, I swear I will try some ruler work using the extension table and rulers I already have.

My top three would be my Red Snappers, Red E Edge Clamps, and Towa bobbin tension gauge.

Liz

All longarmers are different. Like quilters in general, we tend to start off in different directions and wind up with different habits and skills. I have never seen the need for a Towa gauge. But I love my Red Snappers and Red E Edge clamps. I don't do pantographs. I do mostly free motion but also ruler work, so I use straight edge rulers and a few circles, hearts, curves, etc. I think my favorite longarm tools are actually my books and the internet, where I find more ideas for designs.

Thread snips that are magnetically attached to the machine head-they're always easy to find
My husband, he does the trouble shooting and talking to the company
oil, it drinks oil.

Colonial Centering Tape. Wouldn't be without it, use it on EVERY quilt. SID ruler. Use it all the time. Prewound bobbins. Love them!

I wouldn't be without my pantographs and my straight edge ruler for stitch in the ditch and my round rulers fordoing the curves on the sides of squares. I am anal and like them all very neat.

Red Snappers, my Quilttak, and the HQ versatool are my go to things.

I found the Red Snapper edge pieces way too hard to use. Instead I made my own side leaders with ticking folded over 2 paint stirs. I can pin on the sides to the leaders and then clamp the 2 paint sticks [one on top of the other]to the machine.

I have the centering tape but since my new leaders are now with measurements I don't use the tape anymore.

Red Snappers, light and patience!

Red Snappers, Red e edge clamps, Snips. I also have to agree with books, and the internet!