tools

Circle Skirt Calculator

After sewing my Emmy dress, the mere thought of hemming a circle skirt—especially one made of satin—is enough to give me nightmares for a week. But, even though it's a giant pain to evenly hem all of that fabric, there's still no denying that circle skirts are incredibly flattering and incredibly versatile. So, if you're feeling brave enough to take on a whole lot of folding, pinning, and stitching, you should check out this awesome circle skirt post from Patty at The Snug Bug, which includes a downloadable circle skirt grading calculator to help you get the right waist-to-circle ratio, whether you're going for a half, 3/4, or full circle skirt!

Circle Skirt Calculator

by Haley Pierson-Cox

in Fashion,Sewing,tools

The Portable Needlepoint Tool Kit – One Woman’s Essentials

by NutsAboutNeedlepoint

in Nuts About Needlepoint,tools

In my recent epiphany about organizing my studio I realized some things about me and stitching on the road. I have optimized many of my choices for tools to be portable. The stuff goes into project bags or my purse and comes with me.

Here’s how I deal with my essential stitching tools.

First off let’s talk about needles. I lose them constantly. I also tend to use mostly one size of needles (22) and so about a year ago I stocked up. John James makes 25 packs of needles you might be able to find. Many of them live in a little tin that goes in one project bag. It’s the size of an Altoid minis tin and I bought it on Etsy. Usually there are a couple in every project as well, but not always. I was stick waiting someplace in the car and lost my needle. Usually there is one on the floor, but not that day.

So now I have a second, zippered needle case in my purse. I keep it there stuffed with even more needles, just in case I run out. It doesn’t take up much space and I know I’m always ready to stitch.

Scissors are another important things. You need to have them, but many scissors have points that will pierce even a reinforced project bag. I like these little titanium scissors. They are small with sharp, but not too sharp points and big comfy fingerholes. I have four pairs of them and usually they all are in project bags.

Since I found the little flat Lantern Moon ORT container (reviewed here) I take that with me. I’ve looked at other portable ORT containers, but this is the one that works for me. Another one might work for you.

The newest edition to my traveling kit is my iPodTouch. It has several stitch dictionaries on it and so I can look up stitches easily on the go.I also use the note pad for ideas, Weave (a free to do application) to keep track of projects, and if I had time to do it, thread inventories — all in the size of a small notepad.

These things sound small, and they are, but they have changed my stitching life. I can be organized, I don’t worry about not having a needle, a stitch idea, or a place to put my ORTs. I know my stitching will stay neat and I will be organized and that peace of mind is worth so much.

Go here to read the rest:
The Portable Needlepoint Tool Kit – One Woman’s Essentials

How To: Change a Saw Blade

by Brookelynn

in tools,Video

Jimmy DiResta posted this great video showing how to quickly and safely change a saw blade. I'm overly cautious when I work with power tools, but I think I'd be confident trying this technique.

How To: Change a Saw Blade

by Brookelynn

in tools,Video

Jimmy DiResta posted this great video showing how to quickly and safely change a saw blade. I'm overly cautious when I work with power tools, but I think I'd be confident trying this technique.

Printable Bias Tape Maker

by Haley Pierson-Cox

in Sewing,tools

Something magical happens when a scientist switches out her lab coat for a sewing machine. When creative sensibilities are combined with a scientific approach to problem-solving, you get ideas that are at once innovative and completely logical. This printable bias tape maker by Carla from the Scientific Seamstress Blog is a perfect example of what can happen when you bring a science-based skill set into the studio. By thinking through all of the details required to make even, usable bias tape, she created a simple, straight-forward tool that anyone can make—and it only requires sheet of paper!

Printable Bias Tape Maker

by Haley Pierson-Cox

in Sewing,tools

How to Buy a Magnifier

by NutsAboutNeedlepoint

in Nuts About Needlepoint,tools

I got a question recently about buying a magnifier. I can’t use these because they aggravate my vision problems, but if you are considering this, take some time before you go looking to do some research.

No I don’t mean poke around looking at sites for products, but think about how you will use them. Ask yourself some questions:
What I can tell you is that you should think about how and where you will be using it in order to narrow down the options.

Ask yourself questions such as this:

Will I be using it at home only or when I travel to guild meetings and classes?
If you will be using it for classes, you’ll need one that’s portable.
When I’m at home do I have a table nearby for holding the magnifier?
If not, I’ll need one that hangs on my neck, sits on your nose (glasses), or sits on the floor.
Will I need light as well?
If so, look only at magnifiers with lights attached.
How much magnification do I need?
Different lamps have different amounts, so some might be too weak or too strong.
Do I need color matching?
Then I should consider true light bulbs/lamps only.
Do I get migraines?
I know some people who have problems with some brands of light because the flickering causes migraines for them.

Whatever lamp you consider, try it out first to be sure it works for you. This is especially true for more expensive models. Some shops will let you try out the models there or borrow ones from your friends to try.

When you try them, do so under the conditions you normally stitch, in your regular chair. with your regular lighting, and with the mesh size you usually use. This is the best way to determine if a magnifier will work for you.

Once you have narrowed down your list, it’s time to do the fun thing — shop!

See the original post:
How to Buy a Magnifier

Needlepoint Clippings

by NutsAboutNeedlepoint

in Nuts About Needlepoint,tools

When I got back to my computer on Wednesday morning I had over 800 blog posts piled up. After marking as read all the obvious too bog piles, I was down to about 400. But that’s still a very big pile.

So today I’m taking a page from my daughter’s blog and doing a Clippings post. This is a collection of various interesting things she’s found.

Click through to read each full post.

From Craft Gossip blog an Denise Felton:

– Start a charming needlepoint sampler with this free series by Kathy Shaw of Shawkl. She also has some additional samplers and posts about needlepoint, found here.

– On Happy Zombie there was an amazingly clever and simple method for labeling floss if you use bobbins.

– You can download a free ebook of stitching tips from Bustle & Sew. I have.

– Here’s a little tool from your local home improvement store you can use for your needlework. You can see in the post, the many ways to use it.

– This adorable felt ornament from Bits & Bobs, pictured here, could easily be turned into an outline to make a charming Winter House Ornament or small stand-up. You could make them in many colors and stitches to make a whole village.

From Crafty Pod:

– A great round-up post on needlepoint. It shows some things from Flickr albums, and pictures and ideas from a vintage plastic canvas book.

From Lines across my Face:

– A clever idea for using up uncut skeins of thread by wrapping a frame with them. Since I have some of these IKEA frames in my drawer, I’m trying this one.

from Trish Burr’s blog:

–Interview with fellow stitcher and South African Gay Booysen

– Here are her instructions for finishing the case with a lovely beaded edging.

Read the original:
Needlepoint Clippings

New Needlepoinr Products – Threads, Tools, & Things

by NutsAboutNeedlepoint

in Nuts About Needlepoint,tools

Crescent Colors has new shades in both silk & floss. Belle Soie has added Beach Grass, Velvet Rose, Porcelain Pink, and Spruce. The new colors of floss are: Brwon Hen, Eggshell, Polliwog, Pebble Beach, Wilderness and Honeycomb.

HiyaHiya Puppy Snips are tiny little snips (squeezable scissors) that are less than 2″ closed. They come with a cover and chain. If you have problems with traditional scissors, take a look at these.

Another tiny clever thing is the Ott Light Mini Flip Light. It can clip on your belt or purse and has 12 LED lights. Perfect for shops with poor lighting.

Puffin & Co has three seasonal designs for their accessories:a snowman, a star, and a mitten. There are also rumors of some Santa pieces as well. The Graph Gripper is a two-ended clip. One end goes onto your frame while the other holds your chart or instructions.

The Lint Remover Sticky Book has 50 large sheets of a special paper that can pick up your stray fibers.

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New Needlepoinr Products – Threads, Tools, & Things

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