Tools of the Trade

A short post today to discuss the supplies we use in quilting.  Buying fabric and tools can be, well, pretty expensive!  How do you handle these purchases?  I usually wait for sales, especially on consumables like thread and stabilizer.  

However, my new interest in EPP has led me down a REALLY expensive path-- thread, needles, glue, templates, and the papers.  Oh, the papers!  Already I have purchased a lot of them.  And I also cut out a lot for the project on my wall:


It seemed to me that cutting the paper triangles would be no problem, and yet this is what I ended up with---


I was not at all accurate, which is very plain in this picture.  

All this to say, sometimes, we need to know exactly where to place our efforts.  The work in a quilt, whether hand or machine pieced, is pretty intense.  I would rather spend my time designing the quilt, cutting the fabric (always a joy) than I would cutting paper pieces.  

I do feel this way about everything I create--I love the best tools that I can afford to purchase.  Anything to keep me on track with what I really love to do--sit at my machine!

And now, if I could just find a simple tool for basting, sigh!

Have a safe and creative week!   What do you think about the tools of the trade?

Sew fun,
Debbie

Comments

  1. I had a similar problem when I tried cutting my own paper shapes for EPP--they didn't fit together well. Now I buy all of my EPP pieces.

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    1. I don't feel as bad since they are reusable for a few times. I'm glad someone feels like I do!

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  2. I've been cutting my hexie papers and I know I'll have an issue when I start to stitch the pieces together. You're right - It's good to know exactly where to put our efforts. Buying papers would save me a TON of time....

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    1. Thanks Beth--you know how precious your time is, right!

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  3. I just bought some fabric to try my first EPP project. Thanks for the warning about being accurate with the papers. I really like all of those hexies though.

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    1. You will love love love doing EPP. So many beautiful patterns out there. Honestly, sometimes it is just better to break down and purchase what you need!

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  4. EPP is so exact, it seems a shame to waste all that effort and not be happy with the results.

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    1. It really is exact isn't it! While I am very displeased with my template cutting, I am finding that I can ease some of the pieces in. After pressing and joining I may be all right! We keep learning!

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  5. I get my EPP papers from my friend, Cathy at http://eagleswingsquilts.ca. Reasonable prices and great quality! I love all your hexies!

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    1. Thank you for the compliment and I really appreciate the link. I love to have new resources!

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  6. Your hexies look wonderful! I have tried cutting my own, but I have found I'm not accurate enough, and I end up very annoyed with myself - so to spare me the grief I buy my epp papers. I glue baste all my epp using the Sewline glue pen. The glue refills are quite expensive, but I have found it to be the easiest way for me. Enjoy your epp :-)

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    1. Do you think glue basting is faster than thread? I have thread basted all of mine so far. I really agree with you on the papers though. Even a little bit off and you have to deal with the inaccuracies.

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  7. Hey Debbie, While tools of the trade may be pricey your EPP sure does turn out looking nice!!!

    I handle fabric and other "tools" purchases by doing a bit at a time and spending time searching for the best deal... I want quality fabrics but for discounted prices if I can find them! lol

    So I search and that takes time and gives me time to budget just what I will spend each month on tools.

    Thanks for sharing hte struggle I feel we all must have!

    Kathi

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    1. I love your comment! I really try to buy everything on sale (I do try) but since fabulous fabrics are so very worth the money, I concentrate my savings on things I have more control over. How do you feel about buying things like rulers? They can cost a lot but having the right one is so important to me.

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