Results tagged “Quilting tools” from Fabric.com Blog

I remember few years ago I was watching a quilting show in which they demonstrated a Fons and Porter pressing sheet. I had never beheld a tool such as that before and my eyes lighted up! When I discovered that Fabric.com carried them...well, needless to say there was much jumping and clapping. I am not much of a quilter. I have aspirations but very little opportunity. But I do love to appliqué and any tool that can help me to be more creative and at the same time keep my iron gunk free is for me! I decided to start with something simple to start with and get comfortable with the pressing sheet.

I am making another kid tent for some boys who are big hunting fans. Since every hunter needs a few deer head trophies, deer head appliqués were on the cutting table. I found a free coloring sheet with a shape that I liked and printed it out to use as a pattern. I started by tracing the pattern pieces onto the back of my fusible and basically cutting it out. Then I fused the pieces onto the wrong side of my quilting cotton and cut out the appliqués. Then using my pressing sheet (and removing the fusible backing) I was able to perfectly line up and combine my appliqué. Once my appliqué was complete, I could fuse it to my background and stitch around it. It was so easy and there were no mistakes. I felt a rush of excitement and a surge of ideas flooded into my brain.

*Edited- You use the pressing sheet as a base to build your appliqués. After you have cut out all your appliqués pieces and added fusible (Like Steam a Seam) then you peel the backing off all your appliqué pieces (I have 2 pieces: antlers and the head but I could have added more like the round nose you see below and the ears could have been separate as well). Then using your pressing sheet as a base you place your appliqués pattern underneath the pressing sheet. The sheet is transparent so you can see where to place your appliqué pieces and make sure you are assembling correctly. You can place your appliqué pieces on the pressing sheet and fuse them in layers. Once the appliqués is cool, carefully peel it off the pressing sheet and you can then place your completed appliqué in its finished location whether that be a hoody or a quilt. The pressing sheet allows you to assemble and reassemble your appliqué while checking placement. Then you can assemble without attaching it your finished article. Using the pressing sheet lets you see your finished appliqué before placing it so you can determine where it will fit and look best. 

The pressing sheet can be used to solve another of my dilemmas. Whenever a pattern calls for you to cut pieces from fusible interfacing as well as fabric pieces to match, inevitably my fusible pieces and fabric pieces never match as much as I would like. Sometime the discrepancy is as much as ½ in. So usually I cut the fabric piece first and then fuse it and then cut the whole deal out of the fusible interfacing. However, this leads to gunk on my ironing board or iron. With my pressing sheet, I can pull off this feat without the mess. I am super pumped about this. The pressing sheet also comes with a color coded, tulip quilt block appliqué pattern for free! It would also be really great on the front of a messenger bag or backpack.

Let us know what you do with your pressing sheet on our Facebook page or twitter. You can follow Fabric.com to find out the latest deals and you can follow me(@tdangermiller) and get the inside dish on my projects.

 

I hope that you all enjoyed your Memorial Day weekend as much as I did. I lazed about Chef Bubba's pool while he barbecued, of course!  I did bring the potato salad. As I rested, I thought that it was nice to be right once in a while. I know this because it doesn't happen that often. I have been trying for a couple of years to introduce the Martelli ergonomic rotary cutters into our product line-up. I have been using a "Martelli" for at least 5 years. If you cut fabric often, this rotary cutter is a heaven-sent tool for your hands. Kathy, in our purchasing dept., says that she can cut 25 layers of fabric at one time. I don't usually try to cut that many layers. The rotary cutter comes in 2 sizes- 45mm and 60mm. It is also designed for right handers and left handers. I call this rotary cutter the "Cadillac" of rotary cutters.  Quilt Home reviewed rotary cutters in their magazine last year. They did not give the Martelli the review it deserves. Every quilter and sewer has a tool they love. This is my all-time, cannot live without this rotary cutter.

I was introduced to this fine tool and the Martelli family at a Sewing Expo event in Atlanta. My sister had come to visit me and we decided to go to the show. After meeting the Martelli family, I soon left half my bank account with them. They demonstrated all of their products and I bought everyone of them. They put on quite a show with their products. I have never regretted my purchases. I can truly say I use my Martelli everyday. If you want to preserve your hands for your tennis playing and still sew, the Martelli is the way to go. As a special treat, we are having a notions sale starting today. Try the Martelli and let me know how you like it.

In a video recently Victoria talked about precuts and how they are such a time saver if you want a quick start to a project. You can view Victoria's video at Youtube.com. Well, the August issure of American Patchwork and Quilting magazine has finally agreed with Victoria. A large part of this issue is devoted to quilts designed around precuts. So check out the August issue for some great ideas. They also have great interviews with Alice Kennedy of Timeless Treasures and Me and My Sister Designs from Moda Fabrics.

Summer is a great time to slow down a little bit and enjoy the sun! I am also planning my Christmas projects. Feel the chill in July! This is the perfect time to start those big projects so you will have everything done by November so you can enjoy the holiday parties,  Start planning now!