More Favorite Tools

Barbara wrote: One of my favorite tools is a Ginsu knife that I got free at a home decorating show. On those rare occasions when the thread tangles in the bobbin seem to attach my embroidery hoop permanently to the sewing machine bed, the long thin blade of the knife slides easily under even my largest hoop. The serrated edge slices through the thread tangles and I can remove the hoop from the sewing machine without disturbing the fabric in the hoop. Once the bobbin area has been cleaned out and extra threads removed from my design, I can almost always get back to the exact spot and finish my design.

Susan wrote: I was going to tell you that my most favorite tool was my double curve scissors, but then I read the rest of your newsletter and saw that they are among your favorites as well. My next favorite is a ruler that measures from the middle ... it has 0-6 on each side (as well as 6-12), so you can easily find the exact center when you measure.

Andrea wrote: My favorite tool is my Precision Screwdrivers (not a regular type screwdriver). It is a must tool for my embroidery and I keep three sizes on my work table. I found it difficult to remove some of the stabilizers (tearaway, iron on etc) from the small areas on the back of my designs. Scissors were too big, seam ripper too sharp, so I mentioned it to my husband telling him I needed a tool that had to be small at the end (to slip under the stabilizer in small areas), but sturdy and long enough for me to hold and be able to lift up and tear the stabilizer away. He brought three different sizes of his precision screwdrivers. They are just the perfect tool for slipping under the stabilizer to pull it up and tear from the small areas of the designs. They have really made removing stabilizer easier for me.

Lorraine wrote: I find a really long handle tongs (like you have for BBQ's) very handy for all the things (bobbins-thread reels-scissors etc) I drop down the back of the machine and can't reach without moving the sewing cabinet.

Wow! I received so many emails that there will be more on Sunday. As long as you keep sending them in, I will publish them here. If you have questions about a particular tool, email me and I will forward your question to the original author. Thanks to everyone for sharing!

Next issue: underlayment and fill stitches

from Mary Jane Allen of Perfect Little Stitches

Animal slippers are fun
to make and fun to wear.
Available for the
4x4 and 5x7 hoops.