Equipment Love
I now own the holy trinity of rotary cutter, cutting mat and huge plastic ruler, the latter courtesy of Mr Joleo, who cunningly wrapped it up with a pair of pinking shears and then wrapped the lot in a towel before wrapping it in paper and putting it under the tree.
I’ll probably get over-excited about the pinking shears another time.
The big basket bags I make are, somewhat unsurprisingly, made from large pieces of fabric, and right up until fifteen minutes ago it’s always been such a faff to cut out, because I only had a 12” ruler. The list of big pieces that need to be cut is long (fabric for the shell, and for the lining, several kinds of interfacing) and I often find myself putting it off as long as I possibly can. Well, I did. But now my ruler is so big I don’t even need the pattern piece.
I can measure on the cutting mat and whizz right along with the cutter.
I’m so excited by it I actually want to cut something else out, which is unheard of. The right equipment really does make a difference – who knew?
Bonus question: what’s your favourite ‘can’t live without it now I’ve got it’ tool?
I have to say I felt similarly evangelical when I bought my first yard stick a couple of months ago…the difference is amazing (and I am having rotary envy for I am desperate for one of those!). I really think for me it is still my propelling chalk pen though – it has made life so much easier. Lucky you though, Mr Joleo certainly knows the way to a girl’s heart!
Thank you so much for your sweet cheering words that you left, by the way…you are quite right, so onwards and upwards and enough of this maudlin Eeyore behaviour! x
From: Florence on 3 January 2008, 13:16 #Like Florence my favourite item is my trusty yard stick that is so very old now, it even has my name scratched on from college days! But have been looking at the huge ruler too for a while as they look so useful and a rotary wheel to cut must be brilliant not having to mark and then cut.
From: two hippos on 4 January 2008, 20:15 #At the risk of being pelted with rotten fruit and bag making mishaps, I have a rotary cutter that doesn’t like me. I can’t get to grips with the thing AT ALL. Maybe I’m doing it wrong.
My other half bought me a metal yard stick that I use all the time and it’s great.
My best friend in the sewing romm … the unpicker and stitch ripper!
Hi! I’ve just found your blog which I think is lovely and congratultions on getting married. I don’t use a rotary cutter, but my big fabric shears that I ‘acquired’ from where I worked years ago are my favourite. And my overlocker (how did I ever manage?), and patternmaster, and my unpicker (I was traumatised when I lost it for a week)and I have a favourite tape measure and only that one will do!
From: Sharon on 6 January 2008, 19:53 #
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I love sewing gadgets and got a rotary cutter and mat from my husband for Christmas. Guess what I went off and spent Christmas money on … a bit plastic ruler! Hope this will make cutting out less of a chore/bore. I’m sure these will become my ‘can’t live without it’ tools, though at the moment, I love my walking foot best of all.
From: Helen on 3 January 2008, 09:53 #