# Fellow sewing Dopers... **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 30, 2007, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-sewing-dopers/390057 "2007-01-30T02:15:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2007, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-sewing-dopers/390057/21 "2007-01-30T20:31:44Z")
[QUOTE=AuntiePam] I think it’d be a good investment. A rotary cutter is about $12 and replacement blades are $6. You can cut through three or four thicknesses of fabric with it. Assuming you’ll be cutting straight lines, it’ll save wear and tear on your hands. I think they’d be great for aprons. Same with the ruler. When I started quilting, I bought a cheap flimsy 12-inch ruler and wondered why my long cuts weren’t straight. A heavy ruler, 6" x 24", made all the difference. ) [/QUOTE] I’m buying it. I didn’t realize it was so cheap! I’ll be buying one…erm, Thursday, as I get paid tomorrow. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![dangermom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@dangermom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dangermom)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2007, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-sewing-dopers/390057/22 "2007-01-30T20:54:58Z")
Oh yeah, a rotary cutter and mat is essential. You can actually cut out other things with it–if, for example, your apron is going to be made out of a simple rectangle of fabric, you can get yourself a perfect rectangle with your rotary cutter and proper ruler use. It’s not so good for sleeves, obviously, but a lot of skirts are just large rectangles too. I had a blast the other day cutting out fabric for a quilt–it’s one of those simple patterns where you mostly appreciate the fabric, and it was a lot of fun setting out my fat quarters, zipping them into strips, and voila! A quilt is on the way! ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2007, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-sewing-dopers/390057/23 "2007-01-30T21:00:14Z")
[QUOTE=dangermom] –it’s one of those simple patterns where you mostly appreciate the fabric [/QUOTE] That is a delicate balance, isn’t it. Some fabric I feel bad cutting at all; once I got 10" squares from Keepsake and didn’t cut them at all, just framed them with sashing to highlight how beautiful they were. But simple patterns like Trip Around the World can have an amazing impact with the right mix of fabrics. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2007, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-sewing-dopers/390057/24 "2007-01-30T21:34:31Z")
I think it’s time for pictures. 🙂 I’m far from an expert quilter. I let the fabric do the design work. But I’d love to see your sashed blocks, **gigi**. Sometimes I buy fabric that I hate to cut, but I don’t know how to show it off. **dangermom** , I’d like to see yours too. I’ve done the Turning Twenty using 20 fat quarters, and Yellow Brick Road, but I could use more ideas for fat quarters. ---
**Author:** ![Lissla\_Lissar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lissla\_Lissar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissla_Lissar)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2007, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-sewing-dopers/390057/25 "2007-01-30T21:49:45Z")
I replace the blade on my cutter about once a year. I’ve used it on things from heavy wool through chiffon. It’s particularly good for chiffon and other fabrics that distort when scissors lift them. Some day I’ll have a really big cutting mat, too. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2007, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-sewing-dopers/390057/26 "2007-01-30T21:55:02Z")
[Here](http://s87.photobucket.com/albums/k140/gigisdmb/?action=view¤t=atticwindows-1.jpg) is one of my Mom’s, a take on Attic Windows meant to show off the Bali fabrics. Mine are all on non-digital photos but I will be able to upload future projects. **Anaamika** , is this OK to hijack? Or we could start a share-your-project thread? ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2007, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-sewing-dopers/390057/27 "2007-01-30T21:58:17Z")
[QUOTE=Lissla Lissar] Some day I’ll have a really big cutting mat, too. [/QUOTE] Ooo, like the [36" x 48"](http://www.cutting-mats.net/cutting-mats-1011.html) version? Drool. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2007, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-sewing-dopers/390057/28 "2007-01-30T22:09:12Z")
[QUOTE=gigi] [Here](http://s87.photobucket.com/albums/k140/gigisdmb/?action=view¤t=atticwindows-1.jpg) is one of my Mom’s, a take on Attic Windows meant to show off the Bali fabrics. Mine are all on non-digital photos but I will be able to upload future projects. **Anaamika** , is this OK to hijack? Or we could start a share-your-project thread? [/QUOTE] Please have at it! I was going to show some off, too! ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2007, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-sewing-dopers/390057/29 "2007-01-30T22:11:52Z")
Has anyone used [electric scissors](http://sewing.about.com/library/sewnews/library/aathis6b.htm)? I’ve been tempted to buy them, since my hands aren’t as strong as they once were. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2007, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-sewing-dopers/390057/30 "2007-01-30T22:46:11Z")
Here are a few more of Mom’s (I feel like a cheater, but I also feel like showing off Mom and she’s a great inspiration!): [1](http://s87.photobucket.com/albums/k140/gigisdmb/?action=view¤t=metallicstars.jpg) [2](http://s87.photobucket.com/albums/k140/gigisdmb/?action=view¤t=metallicgreens.jpg) [3](http://s87.photobucket.com/albums/k140/gigisdmb/?action=view¤t=crazysquares.jpg) [4](http://s87.photobucket.com/albums/k140/gigisdmb/?action=view¤t=autumnleaves.jpg) As you can see from 1 and 2, her slogan is “I never met a metallic I didn’t like!” Oh, and I made [this](http://www.sirblah.com/photo/view.php?album=Misc&mode=&pic=Misc030.JPG&picindex=29) for Hal Briston’s girl from some embroidery panels he sent in the White Elephant. Adding a fabric tape measure to a baby wallhanging pattern is a great idea, for a growth chart. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2007, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-sewing-dopers/390057/31 "2007-01-30T22:47:16Z")
**gigi** , that’s lovely. Great color choices. Good design choice for fabrics that are too pretty to cut. [Here](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/AuntiePam/kimquilt22.jpg) is one I did for a friend, using batiks. I have yet to master quilting on a frame or hoop, so I just pin the layers and work on a table and hope for the best. This one wasn’t quilted when I took the photo, so it looks pretty wrinkly. [This one](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v66/AuntiePam/ChunkyChurndash.jpg) is my favorite. I don’t have a clue how to quilt it, so when I get some spare money, I’ll have a pro do that part. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2007, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-sewing-dopers/390057/32 "2007-01-30T22:47:16Z")
[QUOTE=picunurse] Has anyone used [electric scissors](http://sewing.about.com/library/sewnews/library/aathis6b.htm)? I’ve been tempted to buy them, since my hands aren’t as strong as they once were. [/QUOTE] I haven’t, but that’s because I’m terribly uncoordinated and am afraid they will take off on their own! ---
**Author:** ![dangermom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@dangermom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dangermom)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2007, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-sewing-dopers/390057/33 "2007-01-31T00:51:11Z")
**AuntiePam** , is that first batik one from that “Beautiful Batiks” book, I think it’s called? Very nice! What great quilts everyone has made. I have to admit that my current quilt is Yellow Brick Road–I’ve never made it before, but I’m having fun. I’ve only got the blocks finished–haven’t sewn them together yet. I just finished a top, which I sent out for quilting today, and I’ll post that picture later if I can. It’s all batiks, and I’m very pleased with it. ---
**Author:** ![KatieCats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/54ee81/32.png) [@KatieCats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KatieCats)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2007, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-sewing-dopers/390057/34 "2007-01-31T01:02:58Z")
[QUOTE=dangermom] What great quilts everyone has made. I have to admit that my current quilt is Yellow Brick Road–I’ve never made it before, but I’m having fun. I’ve only got the blocks finished–haven’t sewn them together yet. [/QUOTE] I love Yellow Brick Road! I’ve finished two crib size tops using this pattern, and have started cutting the fabric to make a full size quilt. This one is with all black and white (and white and black) fabrics. It’s a great pattern for a beginner, which I very much am. ---
**Author:** ![Czarcasm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/czarcasm/32/4050_2.png) [@Czarcasm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Czarcasm)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2007, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-sewing-dopers/390057/35 "2007-01-31T01:47:00Z")
Moving arts and crafts thread from IMHO to Cafe Society. ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Tiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Mama\_Tiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Tiger)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2007, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-sewing-dopers/390057/36 "2007-01-31T02:27:05Z")
If I can warn those who haven’t used a rotary cutter before to please, _please_ make sure you know where all your fingers are at all times when you’re using one. A moment’s carelessness can end up causing you a serious injury. I narrowly escaped a few months ago when my attention wandered and, lickety-split, I sliced a diagonal chunk off the end of my little finger and fingernail. If it had been 1/4" further over I’d have lost half the tip of my finger. So I now consciously make sure I’m aware of where my fingers are every time I start using the silly thing. I’m not going to give it up just because of a little blood! ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2007, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-sewing-dopers/390057/37 "2007-01-31T02:48:22Z")
My son sliced his hand quite badly while misusing my rotary cutter…and he was maybe 15 at the time. Keep them put away! I don’t use my rotary cutter for garment cutting because there are too many fiddly bits like notches to cut around to make it worthwhile, plus the danger of all those pins holding the pattern to the fabric! But I do use it for most of my quilts. I have the hardest time with the pattern pinning and cutting out process in garment making, and am so relieved when it is over. But the worst part is getting myself to throw away the scraps of fabric. I don’t need to save them for doll clothes and craft projects anymore, but my mother’s Depression-Era mindset of “throw nothing potentially useful away” has rubbed off on me, and it’s a real strain to throw away even small, useless scraps ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2007, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-sewing-dopers/390057/38 "2007-01-31T03:29:47Z")
[QUOTE=dangermom] **AuntiePam** , is that first batik one from that “Beautiful Batiks” book, I think it’s called? Very nice! [/QUOTE] Thank you! Yep, that’s the one – Batik Beauties. The woman who did the book was on Simply Quilts, and she made it look so easy. I think the book shows one in earth tones, but my friend asked for bright colors. Batiks are so easy to work with – maybe because they’re kinda stiff. (I don’t pre-wash.) That’s good advice on rotary cutters. They’re like razor blades, and I’ve cut myself more than once, but never badly. ---
**Author:** ![dangermom](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e274bd/32.png) [@dangermom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dangermom)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2007, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-sewing-dopers/390057/39 "2007-01-31T03:40:46Z")
Yeah, that was her. I love that book, and someday I will actually produce a quilt from it. Miraculously, I have never cut myself with my rotary blade. I don’t know how that has happened, and by writing this down, I am inevitably dooming myself to slicing my hand open in the near future. I will probably need stitches. Oh, and I do agree that cutting out is the hardest worst part. If you mess it up, there’s no going back! ---
**Author:** ![Lynn\_Bodoni](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e47c2d/32.png) [@Lynn\_Bodoni](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lynn_Bodoni)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2007, 4:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-sewing-dopers/390057/40 "2007-01-31T04:13:57Z")
[QUOTE=picunurse] Has anyone used [electric scissors](http://sewing.about.com/library/sewnews/library/aathis6b.htm)? I’ve been tempted to buy them, since my hands aren’t as strong as they once were. [/QUOTE] Fiskars Softouch scissors might be your answer. They have cushioned handles, and a gentle spring so that it’s not so hard to open the scissors after a cut. I love mine. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-sewing-dopers/390057.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fellow-sewing-dopers/390057.md?page=3)