I use pins when I baste my quilts, and have been using the Kwip Klip by Paula Jean Creations* to make it easier for years. If you'd prefer polyester thread, my favorite is Gutermann Sew-All thread* ![]() I make sure I always have plenty of neutral colors on hand, my most used colors are 20. I can get my piecing to lay extra flat this way. It's a finer weight than most threads, so it takes up less "room" in your seam. They come in so handy, and any type of small bowl will do!Īurifil 50wt cotton thread* is one of my favorite for piecing, especially for half-square triangles. I use them to hold pins, catch threads, hold wonder clips, machine feet, or wound bobbins. I always keep a number of these little bowls from Anthropologie (which seem to be no more, boo!) in my sewing room at all times. Now for a few general notions/tools that I love! First up is a stack of tiny bowls. Michael's desk is right next to my ironing board, so he appreciates the scentless when we are working at the same time! I also use this spray when using the triangle square up ruler, helps prevent potential distortion! This is an awesome all-around quilting tool. It comes in lots of great scents, but my favorite is the scentless. I went through a few bottles working through the book quilts. It's a starch alternative spray, than does the job without leaving crunchy residue. ![]() When making half-square triangles using the four-at-a-time method or when working with really large pieces of fabric, I love setting them with Flatter by Soak*. ![]() The base is nice and sturdy with a rubber grip, it has never tipped over or slid when I'm using it. It uses a regular razor blade, which can be easily replaced when it gets dull. This tool is the perfect height, and really saves a lot of time when cutting apart long chains. I love to chain piece, and do it as much as possible, so I get tons of use out of this tool. It is a quick and easy way to cut apart chains from chain piecing. This is useful for all types of quilting. My second favorite half-square triangle tool is The Cutting Gizmo by The Gypsy Quilter* (The most current model is slightly different than mine!). You can get refills* for these pens, which makes them a little more economical! I was constantly loosing the lids, and it's just one less thing to do when I'm ready to use it. the ones with the cap), and I really like them. I recently picked up the clicker version* (vs. They are nice and smooth so I find them easier to use than pencils, but they are still nice and thin. My favorite one is the black Frixion pens*. Since they have a second layer they are a bit thicker than a traditional mat which is nice when you aren't sure what kinds of tables you'll be working on at a retreat or event.įor drawing those pesky half-square triangle lines I like to use either a pencil or a marking pen. They really come in handy and I love traveling with them. I have two, an 8" Fiskars mat* and a 12" Olfa mat*. Rotating cutting mats are another great tool to speed up your half-square triangle trimming. There is no slipping and sliding around when you make your cuts! It comes in many sizes, and they make rulers for other types of blocks too. It also comes in 4 1/2 inch* and 9 1/2 inch* sizes.Ĭontinuing on with another ruler, the Bloc-Loc rulers* are awesome! If you press your half-square triangle seams to the side, this ruler locks right into the seam and makes trimming a breeze. I don't know how I would have been able to trim all the blocks in the book without this ruler. You do have to be careful not to distort the block when pressing, but if you are making a lot, it's worth the risk. Instead of having to do four cuts, you're only doing two. It cuts your cutting per half-square triangle in half. This ruler has you trim down your half-square triangles before cutting them apart or pressing open. ![]() The 6 1/2 Triangle Square Up Ruler by Quilt in a Day*. I want to dive right in with my all-time favorite half-square triangle tool. These would make great gifts for any quilter (or yourself!). These are the things I grabbed for over and over. Since I was making so many half-square triangles, I tried out lots of different methods and tools. I wanted to share those with you here as well, plus a few of my favorite general sewing tools. Happy Monday! I have a fun post for you today! In my book, Patchwork Essentials: The Half-Square Triangle, I provide a list of some of my favorite tools and notions for making half-square triangles (in the back).
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