| Not so long ago, the big box craft store who's name starts with a "J", had an online notion sale. I needed a few things, and to qualify for free shipping, I perused the notions pages for other items that sounded interesting. Don't we all love new-to-me notions?  |
| I had read about these fork pins and decided to give them a try. The pins are supposed to be great for securing either side of a seam instead of using 2 pins. I found they worked pretty slick keeping the long yardage together that I was sewing together for a backing. They don't fall out, and seemed to keep the layers of fabric more stable. I like them! (I did remove the selvages after sewing my seam in case you were wondering.) |
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| I had never seen this notion, but after trying other methods of cleaning the bottom of my iron that didn't work, I decided to try out this iron cleaner stick. I forgot to get a "before using" photo--the stick is much prettier when it's new! |
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| I'm surprised there is this much of the product left after cleaning my iron. It had a big job to do after all the wool fusing I've been doing all summer! |
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| Looky here! This sole plate hasn't been this shiny since it was taken from the box! Bohn Iron Cleaner is going on my "always have on-hand" list--love it. FYI: It is messy--the iron is on the wool setting and the gunk drips right off like melted butter. You need to cover your pressing surface with an old cloth to catch spills and polish the sole plate. |
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| This handy little tool wasn't from "J"'s. I won it during a Notion Commotion blog hop from Kristine Poor of Poorhouse Quilt Design. Check out her blog Quilting at the Poorhouse HERE. She also sent me a kit for one of her Fold 'n Stitch Holiday Ornaments-hopefully I'll get it finished before Christmas! Anyway, this precise tweezers works great on getting the last remnants of the dreaded paper piecing removal paper bits. I don't remember what it was I paper pieced (blocked from my memory--not a fan), but this tool was invaluable--the Dritz Soft Grip tweezers! |
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| During the Notion Commotion blog hop, I also won this Brilliant Bindings long arm ruler (1/4" thick as opposed to the usual 1/8" thickness of regular rulers) from Debbie Wendt. It's to be used to attach binding to the quilt while still on the machine. I haven't had the I'll give the binding a try soon! |
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| Debbie also sent me her regular (non longarm) ruler to give away! She has a video on how to use the tool. To win the Brilliant Bindings ruler, leave a comment on this post. Note: if you subscribe via email, you will have to click through to go to the actual blog post. If you reply to the emailed post, I have no idea where the reply goes, but I can assure you I never receive it. I'm guessing they are floating around out there in outer space with (spoiler alert) George Clooney in Gravity |
I have never heard of any of the tools you mentioned in today's blog and will definitely look for them. I could really use the binding tool, not my favourite thing to do and I must admit don't always take the time to do it properly so any help would be great.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance.
The tweezers look like something from outer space!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review of tools - always good to learn about them from talented quilters! I know where to go when my iron needs a good clean :)
ReplyDeleteThe binding tool sounds fascinating. I have a pair of similar tweezers to those. Not a fan of those pins but I think that maybe if I persevere a little longer I could fall in love with them
ReplyDeleteI have wondered about those fork pins. Your iron looks great. I will be interested to see how the binding ruler works on your machine.
ReplyDeleteIve not seen those natty pins here in UK, must keep an eye open for them in November at the next show I go to.
ReplyDeleteThat binding tool looks superb, I watched the tutorial and it looks to be such a useful and innovative gadget!
I follow by email : )
I think those pins look like a great aid. I'm going to have to buy some of those!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your notions information and video link and waving my hands wildly me me pick me I really want to be a winner just like you !!!!
ReplyDeleteColleen in dry California
colleen1990atyahoodotcom
It looks like you got some great notions! I need to get one of those iron cleaning sticks. Those fork pins have interested me for awhile, but I wasn't sure how they would work. Thanks for the testimonial. I could really use a good binding tool. Thanks for the chance to win one.
ReplyDeleteThanks for showing some of your favorite notions. I've been looking for an alternative to iron off and recently came across the Bohin iron cleaner on a website. Now I know it works! Thanks for all the tips. The binding tool is also on my wish list. Thanks!!!!!
ReplyDeleteOh such neato notions! Love the look of those pins--thanks for the chance..Hugs, Julierose
ReplyDeletegreat review on notions, I need that iron cleaner to have on hand. glad you like those pins I have been wondering about those myself. The tweezers would be handy to have I use them to pull lint out of the bobbin area as well as paper piecing to rid of stuck paper. would love to try this ruler, I am fan of rulers!!!! one that would help with binding is a good thing to have in the collection
ReplyDeletethanks for the chance to win
Kathie
These look like some great notions. I thing (know) I need to try the iron cleaner. Thanks
ReplyDeleteI've only come across the iron cleaner before - all the others are new to me!!
ReplyDeleteLove your blog! Just a note about iron cleaning. I use Mr. Clean Scrubby white thingies (I can't think what they are called). Just dampen with water and the gunk just comes right off. After wiping the iron dry, heat it up and then iron a dryer sheet! Works like magic!
ReplyDeletePerhaps you blocked the memory of your houses from scraps?! I am doing them now - that's how I found your blog - and I need those tweezers!!
ReplyDeleteI have fork pins and use them all the time. I use them when I have to match seams in piecing. Perfect points every time!
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