mimisharon

that's what it's called, has a pointer end and a 1/4 inch measure on the other and it's color purple.

http://www.createforless.com/Big+Foo.../pid39080.aspx

I use mine a lot, but the skewer works well too and you can cut it if it seems to long.

Sharon

craftybear

At my sew day the ladies uses a piece of fabric (called leaders) when they start to sew and when they end off.

Here is a link that talks about them:

http://www.quiltville.com/leadersenders.shtml

Karen

cjaye44

A straight stitch plate is a big help also.

MamaHen

A starter leader of material is good, also a pair of tweezers to hold the ends together as you let the machine feed the triangles in, that way your fingers are out of the way, you are not pulling or pushing the fabric through. I would be lost without my tweezers, I use them all the time.