Fons and Porter Triangle Trimmers

Well, just so you know, I'm sorting through all my gadgets and getting organized.  During this process I'm coming across many gadgets that I have been using for quite awhile so I decided to get started with some of these.  The first thing I picked up were these neat little triangle trimmers from Fons and Porter. 

The purpose of trimming your triangles is twofold.  You eliminate the dog ears -- you know, those little extras that hang off your corners and cause bulk -- but I think the best reason is to help align triangles and squares when creating blocks. 

 

If you've ever made a square in a square block without these trimmers, it means you've done a lot of guessing in attaching those triangles to the square block.  You would think that attaching a triangle to a square shouldn't be a big deal but that little extra fabric on the corners of the triangles make it almost impossible to align them properly on the square.  Trimming the triangles eliminates the need for guesswork.  I was going to try to do a set of pictures to demonstrate these but I found a fantastic video at http://www.fonsandporter.com/aspx/fonsandporter/Videos/ViewVideo.aspx?v=1889

Check it out and see how these trimmers work.

You can purchase these trimmers at quilt shops and also at chain stores that carry Fons and Porter products.  They cost about $10.

When I first started using the trimmers,  I tried using them for all of my triangles.  To be quite honest, it became a bit tedious.  But I do use them faithfully when attaching triangles to squares.  I find that my blocks are much more accurate and my points are more consistent.  This means it takes less time to assemble my quilt top and I don't lose my points -- a factor that is very important to me.

So try these out and let me know what you think!

Bendable Light for Sewing Machine

My first gadget is the bendable light.  You can purchase these lights in most quilt shops but I haven't yet seen them in the chain stores like Joann Fabrics.  They range in cost from $35 - $50.  So shop around!

To be honest, I've been using this for a looooong time and I do LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!  I'm a lighting fanatic!  My DH is always telling me that he needs sunglasses just to walk into my studio so it is really no wonder that I love it.  The reason that I'm reviewing it here though is because as much as I love it, I was getting irritated with it.  Let me explain. 

This dandy little light comes with a mounting bracket.  It is notched so that the light can only go into it one way.   When I first mounted it, I thought I was mounting it like it is in the picture.  Unfortunately, I didn't have the bracket turned properly so I couldn't curve the light around to the front of the machine.  Because the light comes with only one bracket, I was stuck for awhile.  You can buy a separate mounting kit for the Bendable Light for around $9.95 and I kept intending to pick one up, but we all know what they say about intentions...  Anyway -- it was very hard to put the light in a good spot.  I was constantly running my hand into it as I guided my fabric, especially on small piecing.

I finally got the new mounting kit so I now have the light mounted properly but there is one more thing you may want to know -- that little round mounting bracket was STUCK!  I don't know what the 3M company used for adhesive on this thing, but I couldn't get the darn thing off.  I was getting so frustrated I was almost ready to take a flat tip screwdriver and PRY it off!  I had to walk away before I scratched, dented or otherwise damaged my machine.  I tried WD40 -- didn't work.  I tried nail polish remover -- didn't work either although I must admit that this attempt was a shortlived one.  I finally took Goo Gone to it, liberally I might add, and worked it around the bracket and wobbled it until I got it loose.

So -- that's my take on the Bendable Light.  I hope this bit of information is helpful to someone and feel free to let me know what you think!



Who Has Quilting Gadgets?

I've been quilting for about 15 years now and you would NOT believe how many quilting gadgets I've collected over that time -- or maybe you have skads of quilting gadgets too!  I recently went through a major rearrangement of my sewing studio and I was astonished at how many gadgets I own and -- even more astonishing -- how many of them are still in their original packaging!

Since the rearrangement of the studio involved some heavy lifting, my dear hubby was much involved in the process.  Now, he's never complained about how much I spend on my quilting passion but as my single tote of quilting gadgets expanded to two and then three plastic totes he felt he had to address this addiction of mine.

Needless to say, I then felt the need to defend my NEED of all these items.  Of course my argument failed because sooooo many of these things were still in the packaging.  So -- in order to avoid a GAI -- Gadget Addiction Intervention -- I told my husband that I would actually use each and every one of the gadgets in my collection.  I also had to agree that if I purchased any new ones, they must be utilized within one week of purchase or suffer the consequences!  (Fortunately we didn't discuss any of the consequences.)

So -- here is what I'm going to do.  I am going to blog my way through this experience.  I'm going to use each and every one of my gadgets and I'm going to share my experiences with you.  I'll give you my honest opinion on the gadgets and I hope you'll share your opinions with me.  After all, I may be using it incorrectly or need some other kind of gadget attitude adjustment!

So come along with me on this run through the gadget gauntlet.  You might find something new that you absolutely can't live without or you might think I'm completely off the mark about your favorite gadget.  If that's the case, you can correct me!