Old and New Tools

      Beaded Stilettos

      I love seeing the pretty beaded stilettos that are being swapped on the Quilting Board.  I got one in a swap a couple of years ago.  I usually use a bamboo double pointed knitting needle as a stiletto because I have a ton of these.  I also have these porcupine quill that I bought because they are so pretty.  I don't always use a stiletto when I'm sewing, but I should.  I moving my stiletto collection to my handy tool box that I keep by the machine.

     Here's my stiletto collection.  

 

      And guess what?  I found a tutorial on how to make beaded stilettos at this link. and I'll be adding that idea to my projects list.

   
    Wooden Ruler Holder

     I just got this cool wooden ruler holder from a seller on etsy.  I've been wanting one for a couple of years, but I needed so many things, it always got pushed to the end of the list.

   

   Mini Quilt Frame

    I had to have this mini quilt frame.  I bought it from Connecting Threads.  I like the scrolly feet and the wavy pattern all the way around the frame.  So cute.  The piece that is draped on the frame is my attempt at a mini quilt that I make last week but I don't love it.  Yesterday while I was reading quilt blogs I found a tutorial to make a small 5" snail trail block, (link here) and I'll be pulling fabrics for that soon. My mini quilt frame deserves something pretty on it.

My Sewing Notions Tool Box

   This tool box is my favorite place where I stash miscellaneous notions like my extra scissors, old broken sewing machine needles (they are in the orange pill bottle), my seam rippers, new sewing machine needles, serger tweezers, porcupine quill stillettos,  sewing machine brush, a tracing wheel, measuring tape, silicon finger protectors, needle threaders, and a couple of seam gauges.

   My favorite part of this tool box is the accordion trays that open up but they stay on the box, you don't have to lift them out.  I can't find a tool box like this anymore.  I wish I had three more just like it for various sewing supplies.

Pretty Tools Make Me Happy !

     I love a good, sharp seam ripper.  Today I found and bought a beautiful wood handled seam ripper at this etsy shop.  These hand carved colored wood handles are super cool.  I have one seam ripper with a hand carved handle that my daughter bought for me a couple of years ago that is the sharpest seam ripper I have ever had.  I try not to use it too much because I want it to last forever.  This seller carves the handles and injects them with color resin for a pretty look.  His shop is full of pretty tools and accessories.  I love that he also carves beautiful handles for awls and crochet hooks as well as carving the entire crochet hook.  I wish I could buy them all.

One My Favorite Cutting Tools

      It's my ergonomic handle rotary cutter from Martelli's.  I bought one of these rotary cutters a couple of years ago and I fell in love.  These rotary cutters come 45 mm and 60 mm sizes and in right hand and left hand models, which is kind of cool.  The company even has a video on it's website on how to hold it.  The demonstration on that video is pretty amazing because he cuts layers and layers of fabric.

   Here's the link to the website so you can see what I'm talking about.  Link to the Martelli rotary cutter page is here.

  Oh, and I just ordered a second one for my sewing room.  While I'm thinking about rotary cutter, I've resolved to change the blade more frequently so my cutting might be more accurate (and goodness knows I need all the help I can get).\