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Post by motdaugrnds on Mar 24, 2016 22:16:22 GMT
Kiwi, thank you for that information. It is very helpful. Can you add the "brand names" you have found last well? (I did find the "Olfa" cutters looked good, especially well thought of by those putting out the videos.) There was also a type of "holder" ?? that I saw on one of the videos that I neglected to save the URL to. It had a handle sitting on top to hold it and some rubber balls that would come down to hold the fabric when you put weight on the handle. I sure did like that because, this time when I was cutting the fabric, it kept moving around. Have you heard/seen this tool? (I remember there were two sizes.) I also discovered some cutting mats are "thicker" than others and, thus, hold their shapes better. Seems the "Alvin" brand was one of these. I know it will take awhile for me to get all these tools to play with; yet am hoping I can do this by next winter when I won't be able to work outdoors as much. And this, of course, gives me plenty of time to find tools that last well and work best.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2016 23:16:13 GMT
My cutting board is an Olfa as well, motdaugrnds, but my small rotary cutting mat is a Fiskars. It's more rigid than the Olfa and I suspect more like what you're looking at with the Alvin (although I've never seen that brand here). The 14" one will be a Fiskars as well, although Olfa does put one out. But I like the colour difference between the two - the Olfa is green and the Fiskars is grey. Just easier because I put the rotary mat on top of the big one. I don't really have an opinion yet on which lasts longer - the Olfa mat I've literally had for years and have been using the back of it for a couple of years already. It really needs replacing so I'll try and save up for the really big one. The Fiskars I don't use quite as much but so far, looking at how the surface is holding up, I suspect it may not last as long as the Olfa. The Fiskars 'self healing' doesn't appear quite as good as the other, i.e. the ridges are more noticeable. There's a reason Olfa's been around a long time. There's no need to rush out and buy a heap of stuff yet. But a cutter, mat and a couple of rulers will see you through until you get a feel for the type of quilting you like doing. One other thing I didn't think about but it's because it's so much a part of my set-up, and that's my June Tailor combination cutting/pressing mat (one side's the cutting mat and the other is the pressing side). I use the pressing side all the time by having the iron and pressing mat set up alongside my cutting mat so I can cut and press without moving my chair. Another hint: get a spare cutting blade when you buy your cutter. It's a pain to work with a blunt blade and not have a spare on hand. And don't use your cutter to cut paper or cardboard (use an old blunt blade for that) - quickest way to dull them. Ask me how I know... I had to think a bit about what you meant about the holder. Do you mean a handle that fits on the Perspex rulers to hold down the ruler while you cut? It's supposed to reduce the risk of cutting yourself if the ruler slips. I don't have one but the quilt shop I buy most of my fabric from insists their staff use them all the time. Personally, I think I'd find the handle annoying, but there's definitely merit in having something rough stuck on the underside edges of the rulers to stop them slipping while the cutter's running alongside. Nothing worse than stuffing up a perfectly good piece of fabric by having the ruler slip and cutting the fabric the wrong size. If you're just starting out, you'd probably find you'd get used to a holder quickly, whereas it would take me a while because I'm not used to using one.
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Post by motdaugrnds on Mar 25, 2016 1:12:48 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Mar 25, 2016 1:24:35 GMT
That's really interesting - hadn't seen that model before. Thanks for posting the link motdaugrnds.
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Post by pauline on Mar 25, 2016 2:30:32 GMT
kiwi if you get your fabric let me know what i need to find to go with it I think my piece must have decided to take a long vacation on it's way to me as I still am without and I want to play this weekend.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 25, 2016 2:36:53 GMT
Sure pauline - will do. Just finished this month's fabric arty postcard swap. Procrastinated big-time over it, but in the end it went together really quickly. Thought you guys might like to see it. Edit: Link deleted because of advertising content. See below.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 25, 2016 3:13:19 GMT
What? Oh my goodness - I'm so sorry. When I clicked on it just now it had pictures of cars and boats (without accompanying models...) How embarrassing. Tallpines , could you edit your above post to delete the link? I've done it with my original post. Thanks so much for letting me know. Never had that happen to me before - definitely not what I intended. Obviously I have no control over the advertising content by the image hosting company, but as I said this is the first time this has ever happened. Won't use that host again.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 25, 2016 11:09:33 GMT
Thanks Tallpines ! I've been in touch with the image hosting company to raise the issue of how to control the advertisements they post. Waiting to hear back.
Edit: heard back and they apologised for the embarrassment I faced. Said they're aware of the questionable content their advertisers use and are working to fix the issue - won't be until the end of April, but I was impressed with the seriousness they viewed the matter. So all good. I'll just refrain from posting any more pics until they've done their techno bits.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 25, 2016 15:09:39 GMT
Oh! I always wanted to do this at The Other Place and kept missing sign up. Can I still get in? Are there enough pieces left?
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Post by Melissa on Mar 25, 2016 15:31:35 GMT
krisinmi, Can you let us know how many pieces are left?
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Post by krisinmi on Mar 25, 2016 15:57:37 GMT
@erinp, you are in! PM me your addy and I'll get your piece out in the mail right away. Melissa, we have four pieces left. Anybody else want to join in? Our fabric donor has let me know that if there is time, she can supply more fabric once all the pieces I have are claimed.
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Post by wvterri on Mar 25, 2016 16:34:38 GMT
motdaugrnds, I would suggest buying the largest cutting mat you can afford. The one I use is 36x60. My first one lasted for 20 years although after about 15 it was starting to get a bit rough. I don't know what brand it is, but I bought it a JoAnn's. I found a link to one that looks like mine(and is a really good price). www.matsandstuff.com/index.htm For rotatory cutters, go with what feels comfortable for you to hold in the 45mm size. The two rulers I use the most are a 3 1/2x24 and a 2 1/2x8. The one other thing that I wouldn't be without is my iron. I have all kinds of other tools, but these are the only one's I really use. That slidelock thing is a neat idea, but I know I'd never use it. The reason is that it doesn't have measurement lines on it and I wouldn't want to bother with having to use it and a ruler to cut my fabric. Also, I do quite a bit of hand sewing/applique and my go to tools for it is the John James gold'n glide needles and the heat resistant template plastic. I like the 100% cotton thread from Connecting threads and they have it on sale quite often. They're a good place for fabric too. JoAnn Fabric always has their supplies on sale or coupons that will help with the cost, if you have one near you.
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Post by motdaugrnds on Mar 25, 2016 20:53:46 GMT
Terri that's welcome information. I remember JoAnn Fabric from many, many years ago. Mother and I bought a lot of sewing materials from that shop. (When I grew up and was developing a professional career, my stupid pride sent me to shops where I could purchase foreign fabrics. OMG What a mess I was!)
I went over to look at that cutting mat. It stated it was "durable", useful for "rotatory cutters" and "rolled up"; yet it did not mention anything about being "self-healing", which I thought was important. Does the one you have used for so long heal itself or is it now full of cuts/ridges?
I'm thinking I can build myself a "work table" out in that part of the barn under my loft where I have stored so much. My animals cannot get in there and it is quite cool during hot summers. It also has electricity in there; so would make a great place to create. (Still have plans to use part of it as an outdoor kitchen.) Oh dear! I'm getting ahead of myself. Will stay with just the exploration of different tools for now and see what this year holds for me.
Thanks for the list of tools you found useful Terri. That helps a lot as I'm quite ignorant about making quilts.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 25, 2016 21:55:08 GMT
No, no motdaugrnds, getting ahead of yourself is good!!!!! Shows you're excited about this new hobby.
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Post by wvterri on Mar 25, 2016 22:18:49 GMT
motdaugrnds, my mat is not self healing. Those aren't as durable to me. They will all get cuts and ridges after a while. That's one of the nice things about the large size. There's much more of a cutting area to spread the cuts around. I generally leave mine on the dining table and cover it with a table cloth when we eat. I'll echo what Kiwi said, the larger mats are nice when having to trim quilt edges. Just make sure you get a mat that is large enough to lay the width of fabric across it so that you don't have to fold it to cut. By that I mean that I can lay fabric on my mat with how it comes off the bolt so that it only has that one fold in it. When you have to start folding fabric to cut it you're more likely to end up with wonky pieces. This applies more if you do strip piecing.
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Post by motdaugrnds on Mar 26, 2016 0:01:54 GMT
ROFL OK, I am indeed anxious to do my next square! ROFL However, slowing down is good for me at this time.
Glad to know about those self-healing mats. I'm thinking maybe I need to explore what other types of mats are available....actually even the exploration is fun!
Tallpines, never thought much about it before; however, now I know why mother kept so much "unused" fabric in her sewing chest. ROFL
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Post by manygoatsnmore on Mar 26, 2016 6:11:49 GMT
I got mine on Tuesday - it's beautiful.... @kiwifarmgal, you're gonna love it! Nothing like starfish and salt water fish to make your day! Or was it...hehe.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2016 7:04:10 GMT
manygoatsnmore - I expected better of you, you witch! But I have broad shoulders. I can take this.
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Post by motdaugrnds on Mar 26, 2016 13:09:02 GMT
ROFL Kiwi just a few more days until you get yours. Didn't you say you expected it Tuesday? That is just 3 days to go after this one. Getting some good practice in patience.
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Post by motdaugrnds on Mar 26, 2016 20:04:28 GMT
Oooooooo what fun! I've been doing some googling and video watching about the different types/brands of sewing machines...in case mother's is not repairable. I found a "Brother CS6000i" that is quite reasonably priced and seems to do everything I would want it to. Seems it can even be seen at my local Target store. Yeah, what fun. Next time I go into town...probably sometime in May...I'll drop by (with a few pieces of fabric) and see if that store has this model.
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Post by manygoatsnmore on Mar 26, 2016 21:11:35 GMT
@kiwifarmgal, hehe, I only tease the folks I like! I can't believe those of you that have already finished your blocks and sent them back! I keep looking at my fabric and wondering how I'm ever going to choose out of all the many patterns I've found so far. Dither, dither, dither, lol.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 26, 2016 21:16:47 GMT
@kiwifarmgal , hehe, I only tease the folks I like! I can't believe those of you that have already finished your blocks and sent them back! I keep looking at my fabric and wondering how I'm ever going to choose out of all the many patterns I've found so far. Dither, dither, dither, lol.
I know that - just joshing ya, babe. I'm just hoping that the fabric does arrive on Tuesday so I can get the block made and back in time to meet the deadline.
Am really, REALLY looking forward to seeing the block pics.
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Post by mzgarden on Mar 27, 2016 16:31:16 GMT
manygoatsnmore, I don't know about others but I think it was easier for me to make my quilt block because I have absolutely no idea what I'm doing, so I didn't have too many patterns to pick from.
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Post by motdaugrnds on Mar 27, 2016 16:38:26 GMT
ROFL mzgarden that is exactly what I thought! ROFL Since sending my "finished" (Dare I say finished?) block in I've been watching quilting videos. Oh dear! I'm definately hooked as those look like so much fun; yet did, indeed, put my piece to shame....Can hardly wait to find out if my mother's sewing machine is operational.....
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2016 20:53:36 GMT
mzgarden, and motdaugrnds, I feel like the Cheshire Cat personified - you should just see the grin on my face!! Know what you mean about getting hooked. I used to do cross-stitch and hardanger embroidery and thought that nothing would ever dull that addiction ... until I went to get some thread from a quilt shop. BIG mistake. Saw a quilt that I liked and they were doing a class for it. Joined up but bummed out big-time because I had no idea what I was doing. But it was enough to ignite the spark and my first quilt was one for one of the cats we had at the time. There was no stopping me after that and, despite people's best efforts to sway me towards spinning and woolcraft (well, with sheep you'd think it was a given) I've remained a quilter ever since. I know I'll never get to the end of my stash, but when I eventually do kick the bucket, I'm willing the remainder to our local women's prison quilt group. They have tutors that go into the prison and teach the inmates how to quilt things for their families. Brilliant project, but they rely on donations from those 'on the outside' to function. I couldn't think of a better place to leave my fabric and tools.
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Post by mzgarden on Mar 27, 2016 21:46:13 GMT
Yes, I'm holding you ALL accountable for this new distraction. Since I did the square and watched umpteen quilting videos I've made another square for no apparent reason; decided to create a lap sizedmemory quilt for a friend's 35th wedding anniversary and I practiced first the Quilt as You Go method by making a quilted ironing cloth. Hunting for 1/4 yard of about 10 different fabrics that carried some element of meaning or memory for my friends (whales and bears for our Alaska Trip, Coffee pots/cups, Churches for the church we remodeled together, etc.) has caused me to spend far too much time looking at all the very cool fabrics. Daggone it - you're all responsible and I'm giving you the stink eye.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2016 21:53:04 GMT
That stink eye is just SO COOL!!! What a picture. Love it!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 27, 2016 23:06:21 GMT
THE FABRIC ARRIVED!!!!! DH just went into town and cleared the mailbox on his way through. Woohooo! Beautiful - just beautiful. Great choice for our first block. pauline, UNLIKE the others (and I haven't forgotten who you are...), I won't tease you. It's getting late in the swap so in order that you can start pulling colours and meet the deadline, the fabric is small tightly packed flowers made up of shades of blue (the prominent colour), orangy/red, yellow and white, with green stems/leaves. There is a very small element of either very dark blue or black. It's one-directional (although with the small size of the flowers that doesn't matter too much), if that helps choose a pattern. Thanks so much, Kris - I'm off to get working on my block. Hope to have it in the mail tomorrow. Happy, happy, happy, happy, happy.....
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Post by krisinmi on Mar 27, 2016 23:37:30 GMT
@kiwifarmgal , I'm so glad you have your fabric. pauline , any sign of yours yet? Has anyone else not received their fabric at this point?
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Post by Deleted on Mar 28, 2016 4:41:16 GMT
Block's finished. Will get it on its way back home tomorrow.
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