b.zang

Wendy,
You showed us that drafting/cutting table before. I was jealous then and am still jealous!

I have a tiny pair of scissors that I use all the time. They last about 2 minutes in a drawer if I actually put them away.

elizajo

An impulse buy online has become my favorite notion-- a pair of cheap spring loaded thread snips. I wish I could remember where I ordered them from so I could order enough to keep by each of my machines.

My least favorite notion is the Sidewinder. Thank goodness my old Bernina can wind bobbins perfectly for my Singer 15-91, too because I can't ever remember the trick to get the Singer to wind correctly.

Bobbinwinder

Love my Creative Grid rulers. Love my Gingher rotary cutter. Love those flat flower head pins. I've sworn off being the first to buy another gadget...someone else has to guinea pig now...there's just too much out there that I can do without...sure wish I had learned that sooner!

Sandy1951

My DH told me a few weeks ago that his school had just thrown out several drafting tables just like yours. He could have gotten one (or more) if he'd known I wanted one. :cry: :cry: :cry:

I'm still too new at this to know which tools are good, bad, or ugly for me, but one item I'm going to buy before I use my rotary cutter again is a Klutz cut-resistant glove. I cut with my right hand and I have severe lymphedema in my left hand and arm, which is worse than it's ever been, and I'm terrified of cutting my hand or finger(s). It takes forever for little cracks to heal; I can't imagine how long it would take a major cut. Not to mention the hassle of getting all the blood that would be involved out of the fabric. And I am a bit of a klutz, so I'm sure it's not if I have an accident, but when. Christmas Day I tried to use my DH's pocket knife to open Barbie doll clothes packages and cut two fingers before I had a chance to use it on the packages. :roll:

I told my DH about the glove last night and he said if he'd known, he would have gotten me one for Christmas. (Maybe then I could have safely used his knife.)

zkosh

Hot glue sounds like a good idea. I know it rolls off if you don't want it on something. I'm going to try it and let you know!

bizybess

For the people who are having trouble with their OLFA blades skipping, make sure you do not have two blades in the cutter. It is easy to do because they are so oily and tend to stick together. Be careful though, don't cut yourself. Hold the blade with your thumb and finger on opposite sides and push in oppossing directions.

Marjpf

My favorite quilting tool is a queen sized flannel sheet that I nailed to one wall of the sewing room. Large enough to lay out any quilt I've done yet, and cheap enough that if it ever gets too dirty, I can throw it away and start over!

BellaBoo

I love the Simplicity Bias tape maker machine with 2 1/2" attachment. It works great. It can spit out binding for a king size quilt in no time.

The Simplicity 2 1/2" bias ruler takes all the frustration out of cutting bias. I'm glad I bought it.

The Go die cut machine is the best quilting tool I've bought other then my sewing machine.

I really like Inklingo. I use it more then I thought I would. It's great for hand piecing.

The one item that wasn't worth the money for me is the Alto Quilt 2 cutting system. It's great for cutting strips but I never get accurate squares or triangles using it.

jljack

I LOVE:
Sidewinder....fast, fully wound bobbins. My sewing machine stops winding before the bobbin is full.
4 Pincushions..one in each work area, so I don't have to move just one or two around.
Bamboo Chopstick...turns things and helps push corners out.
Lanyard...keeps my little thread cutting scissors around my neck so I can't lose them!
Old kitchen canisters...they hold my scissors, marking implements, and cutters on my work table..everything in sight!
12.5" square ruler...I use it a LOT...squaring up quilt corners is so easy with it.
That little metal seam gauge...I use it to check my needle position to get scant 1/4" from edge of foot. I don't like the 1/4" foot with the metal guide.

I could do without:
A bunch of specialty rulers we bought at a quilt show a year ago and have yet to use.
A small travel iron that can only be used for 15 minutes at a time, or it will self-destruct...or something. It says don't use it for more than 15 minutes. ????

I haven't bought a whole bunch of extra gadgets due to money. I usually am pretty careful what I buy to be sure I will use it.

mary quite contrary

I really like my magnetic pin cushions.