Note: This picture has something to do, but is only remotely related to this post... But I have a standing rule of no posts without pictures, so there you go.

I think I maybe have talked about this before... Sewing tools? Can't remember. But I have a couple new ones that I have decided I absolutely can not live with out and I must share the news.

Let's start here... and only because I held out for so darn long:  A 1/4" foot for my machine! 

My friend Janis has been telling me for a year that just using the guide on my machine isn't good enough. But typical to my stubborn nature, I figured I had my seams down pat. Why get a 1/4" foot when quarter inch is marked on the machine? 

Well, now that I've been making these quilts, it became painfully obvious to me that quite possibly I could use a quarter inch foot. Even if you are the tiniest bit off you can end up with seams that don't match. Which is very, very annoying. (And causes the need for the next tool I'll be telling you about).

During the Thanksgiving break I had my poor tired machine serviced which gave me an excuse to go into The Sewing Machine Shop and finally get one. I got the kind with the guide on the edge. I'd recommend getting the one without the guide too because if I'm not doing a 1/4" seam I have to change the foot. So, I'm going to have to say it aloud... Janis, You Were Right. 

Just a thought...What's worse? Running out of bobbin thread mid-seam or having to change your foot several times during a project? 

Next up... Throw out your cheap blue seam ripper. You absolutely Have to Have one of those scalpel type seam rippers. No two ways around it. It's the best invention ever. Although, do not let your kids any where near it. That sucker is Sharp.

Another life saver... A desk needle threader. I'm only 39 years old, but between my shaky hand and my squinty eyes, I hate threading needles already.This baby has saved mucho gusto aggravation. It takes a couple times to get the hang of it, but when you do, it's heavenly.

And today's favorite goody... Machingers. I didn't know that free motion quilting was killing my hands so much until I tried these fabby things. They help you grip the fabric and make it Oh So Much Easier! And btw, that's how the above picture is related to this post... the tree up there was done using my trusty Machingers of which I now own two pairs. I turned up to my Monday morning drop in sewing at the quilt shop w/o them and immediately bought an extra to keep in my case. That's how important these guys are to me... Although Super Husband came in yesterday when I was using them and thought I'd gone all cootie-phobic because I was wearing gloves. He also had the odd notion that I was going to sew into my fingers because of them... I'm not sure what that was all about. 

So, now you tell me... what sewing tools can you not live without? You know I need an excuse to visit the sewing notions section again. I tend to gravitate to that area... and I do have several things that I could have lived without because of it... hint...At Joann Fabric you've got to check out the baskets underneath the wall of stuff... sometimes there are all sorts of wonders to be found there.

Have a nice weekend, and happy sewing!