Wendy’s Favorite Marking Tools

Oct 19, 2020 | Tips and Tricks

Over the years, Wendy S. has tried so many marking techniques! Here’s a few that have filled her tool drawer in her sewing room, and notes from my experiences.

Chalk Pencil Cartridge Set by Dritz – $14

 

PROS:

• The set contains 9 colors, which allows you to mark light and dark fabric.
• Comes with chalk sharpener and chalk pen to hold while using.

CONS:

• Couldn’t get the chalk sharp enough to get an accurate line in fabric.
• Hard to remove the chalk.

 

Triangle Tailor’s Chalk by Clover – $3

Available in red, blue, white, and yellow.

 

 

PROS:

• Great line.

CONS:

• If you press too hard, the chalk is difficult to remove.
• Will be permanent if ironed.

 

Blue Water Soluble Marker by Clover – $5

 

 

PROS:

• Sharp lines.

CONS:

• Quilt needs to be thoroughly washed to remove markings; spritzing it with water just makes the marks sink into the batting.
• Heat makes the lines reappear.

 

WINNER – Disappearing Ink Pen by Ditz – $7

 

 

PROS:

• Marks fade quickly.
• Marks don’t return, even with ironing (which isn’t recommended by Dritz)

CONS:

• Although Dritz says the marks last 24-48 hours, they usually fade within a few hours.

 

Thanks so much Wendy S. for sharing these marking tools. If you have any tools or tricks you’d like to contribute to the blog, you can do that here.

 

Barb’s Favorite Tool – Folded Corner Clipper by Creative Grids

Feb 21, 2020 | Tips and Tricks

Barb discovered this awesome tool while attending Quilt Market for a Quilt Store I worked in many years ago. The Folded Corner Clipper by Creative Grids can save you time when making half square triangles, cornered rectangles, flying geese, diamond in a square, snowballs, binding, and mitered corners.

What Is the Tool?

Folded Corner Clipper by Creative Grids. Many local quilt shops carry Creative Grids, but if you can’t track one down you can order it on Amazon.

How Does it Make Quilting Easier For You?

No need to draw lines …which saves time!!! With this tool you trim first and use the raw edge as your seam guide. The fabric that you trim off is a bonus … all ready to be sewn into a Half Square Triangle Block. The tool has gripper texture around the edges and in three circles on the ruler which eliminates slipping!

Thanks so much Barb for sharing this tool with us! If you have any tools or tricks you’d like to contribute to the blog, you can do that here.

Claudia’s Favorite Tools – The Steady Betty Mat and a Wooden Dowel

Jun 28, 2018 | Tips and Tricks

Claudia’s Favorite Tools – The Steady Betty Mat and a Wooden Dowel

Claudia shared two tools that she uses for pressing seams and shows how the right tools can improve precision. And one of the tools she uses is pretty unexpected!

Please note: This post contains affiliate links. This means that, at no cost to you, the Boulder MQG will receive compensation for purchases made after clicking the link.

What are the tools?

The Steady Betty Pressing Surface* and a wooden dowel. The dowel is 3/4 ‘ in diameter and 30″ long.  The larger the diameter the better, especially if you can get it.  Length is not that critical.

 

What do you use this tool for?

 

 

Both items are used for pressing seams of blocks and strips. The mat has a nice toothy surface that grips fabric, and minimizes distortion when pressing, even if you carelessly run the iron on the fabric. The dowel I use to press open seams for fabric strips. One can even use steam with both of these tools. and both prevent seam allowance impressions on the right side of your quilt.

 

When did you discover it?

About a year ago, I learned about the Steady Betty mat from a promotional video on the Quilt Show. The wooden dowel rod trick, I read about in Threads Magazine as a tool for pressing seams open in garments.

 

How does it make quilting easier for you?

 

Since these tools minimize distortion, my precision in matching points and seams has improved tremendously. Since I prefer to press all the seams open in a quilt block, the seams are easier to match. In the photo of the 1.25″ fabric strips samples, the swatch on the left was pressed with my tools, and the swatch on the right just pressed on an ironing board. I think you can see the difference in precision.

 

Where can these tools be purchased?

I bought the Steady Betty mat from Amazon*, but Joann’s, Hobby Lobby and even Target claim they carry this item. The wooden dowel I bought at Home Depot, but you can get this item at a hardware store or even on Amazon*.

 

Thanks Claudia for sharing about these tools!  If you have a tip or tool, we’d love for you to share it with us! You can do that here.

Barb’s Favorite Tool – Add a Quarter Ruler by CM Designs

Apr 19, 2018 | Tips and Tricks

Barb’s Favorite Tool – Add a Quarter Ruler by CM Designs

At the April evening meeting Barb presented on foundation paper piecing and one of the tools she used was an Add a Quarter Inch Ruler from CM Designs. Today, we have Barb sharing why she loves this ruler and how it makes paper piecing easier for her.

Please note: This post contains affiliate links. This means that, at no cost to you, the Boulder MQG will receive compensation for purchases made after clicking the link.

 

What do you use this tool for?

The Add A Quarter Ruler is used for Foundation Piecing/Paper Piecing. CM Designs is one of the companies that makes these rulers. The Add A Quarter Ruler comes in 3 different sizes; 6″, 12″, 18″ and two different colors; yellow and pink.

When did you discover it?

I first learned how to use this ruler while taking a Paper Piecing Class at Quilt Market in Houston, TX. This is a “Must Have” notion for Foundation Piecing/Paper Piecing.

How has this tool made quilting easier for you?

This ruler has a 1/4″ lip along one side, underneath the long edge of the ruler. This lip automatically adds a 1/4″ seam allowance and provides a straight edge for your rotary cutter. The lip butts up firmly against the template or folded edged aids in trimming the excess fabric leaving a 1/4″ seam allowance. After the fabrics trimmed to 1/4″. It provides a straight line/edge for placement of the next fabric piece.

It also can be used to add the 1/4″ seam allowance to your piecing templates.

Where can this tool be purchased?

Local Quilt Shops, Amazon, Joann’s, and other online quilt stores.

Barb says “Let’s just say Paper Piecing without this tool is not a good idea!!!” If you have any questions about the Add-A-Quarter Ruler*, ask Barb to show you why she thinks it’s so great!

Thanks Barb for sharing about this ruler.  If you have a tip or tool, we’d love for you to share it with us! You can do that here.

Laura L’s Favorite Tool – OmniGRIP 3.5″ and 8.5″ Square Rulers

Mar 22, 2018 | Tips and Tricks

Laura L’s Favorite Tool – OmniGRIP 3.5″ and 8.5″ Square Rulers

In our Meet a Member post with Anne, we introduced you to a Boulder MQG member. Now we are kicking off another new feature where a member tells us about their favorite tool, tips, or trick. These are things they’ve found useful and we are hoping they will make quilting just a little bit easier for you too.

First up we have Laura L. sharing her favorite tool -OmniGRIP 3.5″ and 8.5″ square rulers.

Please note: This post contains affiliate links. This means that, at no cost to you, the Boulder MQG will receive compensation for purchases made after clicking the link.

What do you use this tool for?

I use these rulers for trimming blocks and block components. I also use these rulers for fussy cutting.

When did you discover it?

Several years ago I needed to replace my large ruler (6×24) and found the OmniGRIP version of Omni brand rulers. I have since added the 3.5″ and 8.5″ squares to my ruler collection.

How has this tool made quilting easier for you?

These two rulers are my most commonly used rulers. The 3.5″ square seems to be a common size for units and components of quilt blocks that I sew. The 8.5″ ruler is a perfect larger size without being cumbersome; a 12.5″ ruler may feel too large for a lot of the things I cut.

These rulers have 1/4″ markings throughout and also include a 45 degree angle line that makes trimming HSTs and FG quick and easy.

The grip part of the ruler is just a little extra “stick” on the underside of the ruler to help prevent sliding on your fabrics while cutting.

Where can this tool be purchased?

I purchase my OmniGRIP rulers at Joann’s when I can use a 50% off coupon. I have also purchased from Amazon.* On a recent trip to A Quilter’s Corner in Erie, I saw that they now carry the OmniGRIP rulers. In the past they only had Omnigrid on their shelves.

Thanks Laura L. for telling us about your favorite rulers! If you have a tip or tool, we’d love for you to share it with us! You can do that here.