EasyPeezy

If there is one, I must have missed it. LOL

quiltingcandy

I think my most extravagant purchase was my Viking Embroidery/Sewing machine - went to the shop to have my FW serviced before giving it to my sister (I had three and she needed a small machine to take to classes and have a back up for her Brother). The owner of the shop asked me if I ever considered an Husqvarna machine and my response I didn't have $4K to spend on a machine. When he showed me the floor model of the Designer Topaz for less than half of that and all it could do I was hooked. I LOVE it! And yes, it is a money pit - I had to up grade the program it uses, and I keep buying different designs, threads ,and stabilizers - but it is so much fun!!!

The next purchase is my Accuquilt Go - yes, the dies are expensive but after using them & getting such great cuts - it is worth every cent. I just bought the storage boxes for my 6 x 6 dies and the 6 x 12 dies. Not sure about the 10 x 10 size yet since I don't have as many. The boxes are very sturdy and take less space than the racks I use for the 24 in. long dies. I also like the embroidery designs for them - it's a double win!

I did buy the Sew EZ2 table for me embroidery machine - it's very sturdy and easy to set up. I got the insert for when I want to use it as a sewing machine and the filler for when I want to set the machine up for embroidery only. Since it has wheels I can take it places easily.

Last but not least are my silver thimbles from T J Lane. The best thing about them is you buy them to fit. I had so many thimbles that were worthless and would fall off my fingers I didn't know if it was me or the thimble. When I bought and used my first silver thimble - I was back for more. Keep thinking about buying a thimble cage to wear - but not sure I would ever use it since most of my hand sewing is done at home. I do have 4 - 3 are in my sewing baskets and one is a bit larger for when my finger is puffy.

Jennifer23

I have a few...

My Cutterpillar Glow light box/cutting mat - this thing is amazing! I had suggested to my Mom that she should get an LED light box for tracing embroidery patterns. Instead, she got it for me for Christmas. Someone at my quilt group said it would be good for paper piecing, so I gave it a try. I will never paper piece without it again! Being able to see through to check fabric coverage, and cut right on the lighted surface is amazing. It also has a built-in battery, so I don't need an extra outlet to use it at quilt group.

I also love my Martelli products (cutter, mat, fmq hoops) and the Quilter's Slidelock - all worth every penny!

SusieQOH

Prism,since you started this thread I've bought two new toys- a Stripology ruler and a rotating mat. Thanks for nothing haha! You're not a good influence on me

Make that 3!! I got the Roxanne glue

Prism99

I hear you, SusieQ! My goal this year is to do more quilting and buy less stuff -- especially patterns. I have enough books and patterns to last me several lifetimes. Still, I just *had* to have the Antelope Canyon quilt pattern featured in another thread. The QB is definitely an enabler!

The Roxanne glue I got is in the EZ squeeze container, which I absolutely love. It is the accordion-pleated bottle. I always had trouble squeezing the Elmer's glue bottles. The accordion bottle is just right -- not heavy, truly easy to dispense with my thumb, and gives me absolute control over how much and where the glue goes. I might still use the Elmer's bottle for bindings, but this accordion container was a lifesaver for glue-pinning blocks that require precision sewing.

Which Stripology ruler did you get? They have two. The one I have is the earlier version, rectangular like the JT. I think they made a design error with it, as it is not tall enough to consistently be able to cut strips all the way through the selvedge ends. They fixed that in their newer version, the Stripology Squared, by making the cutting strips taller. It is a smaller mat, however, so you cut fewer strips at a time. If I had it to do over again, I would get the Squared. I like my JT mats just fine, though, so I will stay with them.

It's tough to figure out in advance what will and will not work since people are so different in how they use and view tools.

onaemtnest

I bought the Matilda's Own Rotary mat a couple of years ago and fortunately found it on sale online about the same price as what Craftsy has it for now. No bow in the center it is very solid. Ball bearing turning, as with all ball bearing cutting mats there is I believe a bit of a learning curve when cutting on them as the spin easily. With that said, I'm very, very pleased with my Matilda's Own. I noticed that Jenny Doan has used the Martelli turning mat with a few of her tutorials, I like the white grid on the Martelli.

soccertxi

My most extravagant is my Innova long arm and recently the Intelliquiter (add on computer). I always said I would not use a computer, I am loving this one! Still alot to learn but whittling down my top pile into completed quilts! Win!

I splurged recently on a wool pressing mat. It will fit into my large suitcase, so I am ready to travel when DH retires. I like the flat blocks I am making!

Martelli's cutting mat. I was not sold on it , but I can leave it in my hot car (not indefinitely but at least while I have a meal in a restaurant!) it also fits in my large suitcase. Guess I will be washing clothes more so I can fit my quilting supplies in there! Ha!

GingerK

I love love love my Bloc Loc rulers. DH surprised me with a set for Christmas. Sometimes that man actually does listen to me!! I have an Olfa rotating mat and wish I had bought the bigger one. It was very handy when I was squaring up disappearing hourglass blocks. I adore my Pffaf 5.0. I know I really didn't 'need' another machine because my Janome 4900 works just fine, but she is my 'go-to' and I miss her terribly when she needs a spa day.

I wish I hadn't spent the bucks on my June Tailor strip cutter. In my opinion it is flimsy and I almost cut right thru the end on my first use. Just not user friendly.

onaemtnest

Prism99 I'm so glad that you posted about two versions of the Stipology as I have I surmise one of the earlier versions, thought I just didn't know how to use it properly.I too have no interest in owning a LA machine, I've read to many issues with loading, tension issues etc. I do think there is an artistry to knowing what design will look best on a quilt pattern an 'eye' for an overall end result. I have a very reasonably priced LA person locally so I let him use his artistic 'eye' and I have yet to be disappointed. I would do more completed donation quilts if I was talented enough to quilt on my small throat machine and had the talent to do it.

onaemtnest

I surely agree with the embroidery machine comment. 20 years ago my sister encouraged me to trade in my Husqvarna #1 and purchase the Husqvarna 1+ which is embroidery capable, in the 20 years since, I've used the embroidery function I think maybe twice. I didn't like 'babysitting' to change the thread colors. Because both machines are awesome work horses, DH and kids bought a #1 off eBay as a backup about 3 years ago. Because all the feet and computer cards are interchangeable between the two machines that is a bonus too, so I'm still doing the happy dance.