Tuesday, December 31, 2013

The BEST of 2013..

Let’s talk tools here…quilting tools! 

For ME, the best tool that I bought in 2013 was the June Taylor ruler…the Shape Cut Ruler.  P1110941

Siena introduced us to this ruler during an impromptu demonstration at Clubhouse Quilting last January!  After her demo we all promptly ordered one from JoAnn’s online store!

P1110942

You can see Siena’s full tutorial on how to use this ruler HERE!!

P1110943

Do you see how you just place your 45cm rotary ruler in the slots and cut…done! 

This year I did not get out my GO! cutter once to cut strips…the June Tailor was faster!  She was easier to get out, there was no setting up and there was NO fabric wastage!!  AND she is cheaper to buy…WAY cheaper than buying one strip die cutter from Acuquilt!!  I paid about $23 for my ruler (she was on sale) and let me tell you…it was the best $23 that I have ever spent!

P1110952

One tip though…if you order one, go for the 18” or bigger.  You get more cuts per placement and it’s less fiddling!! This size makes it easier to handle a bigger piece of fabric…and it’s just better…This ruler cuts MORE than just strips…she cuts blocks as well, simply by turning the ruler.  Her only flaw is that she only cuts in 1/2” increments…so if you need 2 7/8” strips…she can’t cut it! 

P1110953

On the whole…she is a real trouper!!  I use her all the time!  Of course she comes with me down south…I store her in the flat cardboard box that she arrived in. 

As you-know-who would say… “She’s a good thing!!” 

What about YOU??  What was your best tool for 2013??  We quilters REALLY want to know!!  Come on SPILL…

Tomorrow I’m writing about what MY worse tool for 2013 was…can you guess what that might be??

Have a WONDERFUL New Year and all the very BEST for 2014! 

Hugs all around!!~P

14 comments:

  1. Well so far the newest tool is Jodi Barrows Square in a square ruler. She' did a demo and trunk show that my BFF got to attend. I had the ruler for several years and never really knew how to use it. I bought her book and got a free DVD. Well so far it is fabulous.. She has so many stories and is so funny. If you ever get a chance to catch one of her demos, you would love it.. Happy New Year P
    Maggey

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have two new tools I discovered in 2013 that I love. The first are the Clover clips that are awesome for binding. I suggest purchasing the 50 pack from Amazon it was a fraction of the price at $13. Also the Splash rotary cutter is totally worth the money! Happy New Year's Eve!

    ReplyDelete
  3. My best buy this year are the Frixion pens. I love these for applique, marking quilt designs, transferring embroidery designs, etc. You just iron the ink out. It could not be easier.

    Happy New Year.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Mine isn't a tool,. but I love the frixion pens....oh and my new Kai rotary cutter.
    I have one of the rulers you show in my closet, maybe I should give it a second chance.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Last Christmas my Phil gifted me with an 18 x 24 Olfa cutting mat and Olfa rotary cutter. I'd been using another mat that slivers of the cutting surface were coming out each time I made a pass. Very frustrating indeed.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I would have to say my best purchase of 2013 was my little Steam-Fast iron I bought on Amazon.com. Perfect for pressing all those little pieces we quilters seem to need!

    ReplyDelete
  7. I have one of those rulers too! I always forget to pull it out. Thanks for the reminder. Also, thanks for the inspiration! You always make the most beautiful things and by doing so, you make the world a prettier place! Happy New Year to you! XO and cheery wave from Bev

    ReplyDelete
  8. I have a couple of quilting tools I love to use. The Clover desk needle threaders is a gem, love it for threading my Milliners needles while doing appliqué.

    I also love my Roxanne thimble for when I'm hand quilting, in 2012 I invested in a sterling silver one only to find I had bought the wrong size. This year I went back to Houston and brought it back and they refitted me to the correct size...no questions asked!

    My third tool are my Karen Kay Buckley serrated scissors, I have them in three sizes and love them all. They are great for cutting wool and cotton. Depending on the size of the pattern I change size of scissors. My favourites are the aqua handled medium ones.

    Happy New Year, all the best in 2014!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Mine best thing from last year isn't a tool, and without sounding too mushy, I must admit that it is YOU. Somebody inspirational, generous,fun, knowledgeable, helpful, determined and a great friend. Thanks for all you do.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I get confused with fancy rules, lol. I hope you have a wonderful New year.

    Debbie

    ReplyDelete
  11. Your the second person who has told me they love this shape cut ruler. I got the clover binder clips. I love them so far, no more getting poked by pins while binding. I also use them to hold two hexagons together when stitching them together. It makes them easier to hold and no cramping in my hand since the clamp holds the pieces tightly and my hand doesn't have to. Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  12. I have this ruler too, and it is the best thing ever! I have been using it to trim up my hourglass units, and it is by far the easiest way. I am looking forward to the chance to use it on HSTs too.

    Happy New Year, Paulette!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I would have to say my favorite tools that I used most this year. Would be my Fons and porter 1/4 inch seam ruler .. I use it to mark my half sq triangles . Then I've used the piece of cake sand paper board to work on my lap while watching tv. I do my tracing of freezer paper on the white side and marking any fabric on the sand paper side. It holds the fabric in place making it easier to draw a line ...with my sew line pencil which I just love too .. It makes great lines that don't pull or distort the cotton as you mark Then my favorite basting glue is quilters choice. It does not clog up. Those are a few of my favorites ..

    ReplyDelete
  14. I bought a new sewing machine this year...I think she would have to be my most favourite thing!

    ReplyDelete