Monday- New Tool Review

So I skipped a couple of weeks on the new tool review, but I'm back with a few basics that have been hanging around the OTS studio for a while. I figured even if they're not new to us, they might be new to some of you.

A Plethora of Small Scissors

One of the most important tools we use here are scissors. Of course, you need to remember that there is a huge variety of cutting implements to enhance your scissoring abilities.
The scissors we tend to use most are the little ones. From trimming thread to clipping corners, there is something for every job. The most important thing about choosing a pair of scissors is not how much or what material they are made of. It is actually how they feel in your hand. Favorites include the little black and green pairs shown on the left side of the photo. Made in Japan by Elan, they are lightweight and great for right and left-handed folks.



Omnigrid Rulers

Omnigrid Rulers

Another common tool of most quilters are the Omnigrid Rulers. These also come in a wide variety of sizes. Besides being used to measure and cut strips and squares, they are terrific for squaring up finished blocks as well as completed quilts. If you are starting up and trying to figure out just what you might need in the Omnigrid department, Jeanette recommends the 6"x 24" and 12 1/2"x 12 1/2". As your collection grows, you can add the various sizes such as the 6 1/2" square and 6"x 12" ruler. You'll need to be sure to have an

Omnigrid Mat to use with the rulers.



Olfa Rotary Cutters

The last item I wanted to mention, especially since I just talked about the Omnigrids rulers and mat, would be rotary cutters. Olfa Rotary Cutters are the brand of choice for OTS. Once again, there is an almost unlimited variety of these to choose from. We tend to use the 45 mm size the most although we have found a number of uses for the different sizes available. Another thing about the 45 mm size is that they now come in purple as well as aqua. Even though they do the same work as the original yellow, these new colors are fun to use!

Next week, I plan on digging through the tool drawers to discover what other things we can share with you. Until then, keep your rulers straight and your cutters sharp!























Flashback Friday- Auction Quilts

Two years ago, we had the opportunity to make a series of auction quilts for Alta Vista Elementary School in California. The teacher in charge of the project sent us the squares that had been drawn on by the different classes. We then found sashing, border, binding and backing fabrics to go with each. After we had sewn the quilt tops together, we then machine quilted each one on the Handi-Quilter using a design to match the theme. Once that was finished, we bound them and sent the completed quilts back down to California for what would prove to be a successful auction.

The process of sashing each square

Sashing completed and top almost sewn



A close up of the Beach Pal Kids

One of the quilts ready to auction off





Our New Arrival

We've got a new arrival here at OTS,

and it doesn't need changing or feeding

unless you're talking thread, oil and needles.

A bit of background~ We've been quilting with a Handi-Quilter Avante longarm machine for a few years. It has been a joy to work with, especially as we've continued to learn more of all the things it can do. It has helped us to design and quilt so many beautiful creations. With the added help of the Pro-Stitcher, there has been almost nothing we haven't been able to accomplish...except for larger quilting designs and multi-rows. From today on, that will be a thing of the past. How, you may ask?

A new arrival appeared at OTS yesterday.

It's larger, it's longer and it's got a new name.

 

The New Arrival in hiding

Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce to you {insert drum roll here}...

The New Arrival revealed

THE HANDI-QUILTER INFINITY!!!!

It's quite an amazing machine. Very similar to the Avante but much bigger. It has a quilting depth of 26 inches! Yes, 26 inches! This means we will be able to do up to 24 inch designs or two rows of design in one swoop on its' 12 foot long frame. Needless to say, we are quite excited around here!

We do have one little problem. We haven't come up with a name for it! What we'd like to propose is a contest. That's right, the first contest in the history of OTS. All you have to do is comment below with a name suggestion for our new arrival. We will then draw a winner at random on April 1st (no, this is not an early April Fool's Day joke). Not only will you get to name the new machine, but we will send you a gift pack of sewing goodies from OTS. So, put your creative thinking cap on, and come up with a great name to help us welcome our new arrival here at On The Stitch!