What tool is your favorite?

**frugalfranny** · 11-08-2009, 12:50 AM

I thought it would be fun to find out what other quilters thought the best quilting tool is.......EXCLUDING the regular rotary cutters and mats since we all know we couldn't live without them.

I have a favorite iron for piecing and like it much better than Clover's little mini iron, as it gets much hotter. Also, I sew upstairs and my big ironing board is downstairs.

Here is a picture of it.......mine is about three or four years old and it was about $30. Have seen them as low as $25 and as high
as $45. Mine came with a wood/metal holder.

http://www.quiltersreview.com/articl...t/020527_a.asp

What is a quilting tool that you couldn't live without?

**mauimagic** · 11-08-2009, 01:30 AM

Mahalo for that info FF - I have no special tools that I use, but I think that I do need to invest in your iron - love the write-up with all of the reporting on the different heat settings. Terrific!!

I'm looking forward to seeing what other people have as favorite tools - great topic FF!!

**Contrary Housewife** · 11-08-2009, 11:16 AM

I have very few quilt gadgets, for a while I could not afford them, and then after a few years realized I did not need them. But I have one triangle ruler template that I use for everything. Between that and my Olfa cutting mat I can make any shape I want, square up blocks, cut perfect strips, etc. And just having a sturdy straight edge is invaluable.

**stinkbug** · 11-08-2009, 12:33 PM

My 120" measuring tape. I just got this and I don't know how I lived without it!

**frugalfranny** · 11-08-2009, 01:22 PM

Originally Posted by Contrary Housewife

But I have one triangle ruler template that I use for everything. Between that and my Olfa cutting mat I can make any shape I want, square up blocks, cut perfect strips, etc. And just having a sturdy straight edge is invaluable.

Thanks CH.......yes, the rulers/templates.......hope more people post about those. I am real curious.

I have the 24" ruler with the LIP on it....forgot the brand name...but I love it. When I first started I COULD NOT get all my cutting done without my ruler slipping........it was soooo frustrating. This ruler has literally 'saved my quilts'.....I love it.

**peanut** · 11-18-2009, 07:56 AM

I agree, the 120" tape measure was a great buy! The tool I like the most though is my 6"x12" ruler. I don't use it a lot, but my hands are smaller and any time I can use this instead of the 6x24" one, I will. I have much better control of it.

**tervsforme** · 11-18-2009, 09:22 AM

I also like my iron, it is a cordless Maytax. It's nice because there is no cord to get in the way. I also have this raised table like thing that came with my sewing machine it is maybe 18 x 24 and slip right up to the arm of the sewing machine giving me a nice table area so my quilt lays flat while sewing and I also lay out fabric on it while sewing. I look forward to hearing other people's ideas as well! I'm a fairly new quilter and I love gadgets!