A new use for an already handy tool!
08-19-2016, 01:36 PM
#1
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Upstate NY, north of Syracuse Area
Posts: 6,003
A new use for an already handy tool!
I am so excited I just have to share this new use I found today for my long Quilters' Slide Lock Ruler!!!
When I am putting my layers together, I put my very large cutting sheet on my bed for a firmer surface, then I smooth the fleece backing over that.
Next I place my flimsy on the fleece and smooth the layers together doing my best to keep them straight together and all lined up. I have always done this smoothing with my hands and often had to keep redoing it as one swipe caused a new ripple. Very frustrating!!
Today I had just finished using my Slide Lock Ruler to cut some fleece strips and it was still laying on the bed. I grabbed it and swiped it over the fleece... wow, three swipes and the fleece was smooth and flat!
I put my flimsy over the fleece, grabbed the Slide Lock again and, after lining the edges up where I wanted them, very firmly used the ruler to push the fabric from the center out to the edges. Every ripple went before the ruler and vanished, leaving a perfectly flat and smooth flimsy behind it.
I pressed from the center up, then down, then out to each side. Then I pressed from the center to each corner!!! It looked like I had steam ironed it, it lay so flat.
Pinning it was easy, because everything stayed right where it was. It felt like I had done magic!!! I was so happy I just had to come right here and share!!!
When I am putting my layers together, I put my very large cutting sheet on my bed for a firmer surface, then I smooth the fleece backing over that.
Next I place my flimsy on the fleece and smooth the layers together doing my best to keep them straight together and all lined up. I have always done this smoothing with my hands and often had to keep redoing it as one swipe caused a new ripple. Very frustrating!!
Today I had just finished using my Slide Lock Ruler to cut some fleece strips and it was still laying on the bed. I grabbed it and swiped it over the fleece... wow, three swipes and the fleece was smooth and flat!
I put my flimsy over the fleece, grabbed the Slide Lock again and, after lining the edges up where I wanted them, very firmly used the ruler to push the fabric from the center out to the edges. Every ripple went before the ruler and vanished, leaving a perfectly flat and smooth flimsy behind it.
I pressed from the center up, then down, then out to each side. Then I pressed from the center to each corner!!! It looked like I had steam ironed it, it lay so flat.
Pinning it was easy, because everything stayed right where it was. It felt like I had done magic!!! I was so happy I just had to come right here and share!!!
08-19-2016, 04:34 PM
#3
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Upstate NY, north of Syracuse Area
Posts: 6,003
Originally Posted by Onebyone
Thanks I'll try my Slidelock when I glue baste. It's not easy using my hand to smooth a large surface and keep it smooth.
08-20-2016, 10:24 AM
#6
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Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Southern USA
Posts: 15,951
I tried it this morning. It worked great. My quilt top and backing is smooth as paper and my hand is not rubbed sore. Thanks so much for this wonderful tip. Now there is no excuse for anyone not to have a Slidelock for safety and for usefulness.
08-20-2016, 11:16 AM
#9
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Upstate NY, north of Syracuse Area
Posts: 6,003
Originally Posted by BETTY62
Love your quilt top. Your choice of fabric is awesome.
08-21-2016, 03:31 AM
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Beautiful Oregon
Posts: 320
I don't have a sidelock and never thought I needed one, but you have me intrigued. I went to Nancy's notions and there is a video there that showed me how to use one other than the idea you have posted. Now I really need one for both purposes! Thank you!
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