It has been nine weeks since Heidi’s Trip On The Road was cancelled.
However, since then, Heidi has returned to her happy place – The Sewing Room.
A place where Heidi can leave the world behind. A place where she lets her imagination run wild, play around, experiment and creates the beautiful patterns that she has in her range.
The view out of the window is peaceful, overlooking nothing but trees and the birds.
While sitting in the room, she is surrounded by all the things she loves. Photos of her favourite people on the wall, the trinkets that she cherishes up on the shelf, her beloved sewing machines and overlockers and meters and meters of beautiful fabric just begging to be sewn.
Any sewer can tell you that after a while, you become a collector of gadgets. Gadgets that make sewing easier. The first trio you must have is a rotary cutter, ruler and cutting mat. Then you need to gather more rulers to cut different shapes, more rotary cutters in different size blades and more mats, one bigger and one smaller.
The four gadgets that Heidi can’t live without and always at her finger tips are probably the simplest and least expensive of them all.
Sewing Gauge
The Sewing Gauge – is a slide ruler that will measure the precise increment accurately. It is a no-fuss tool, less awkward and more accurate than using a tape measure for the small things.
You can set the marker on the exact measurement that you need and the measurement will be the same all the way along.
Perfect for measuring hems when folding up and pressing, measuring the distance between two marks e.g. buttonholes or snaps or the distance and depth of pleats.
I keep one by the ironing board and one on my cutting table.
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Fabric Control Tool
Fabric Control Tool – This tool, as the name suggests, controls the fabric as it goes under the foot and close to the needle. It goes where fingers don’t dare and I never sew without it by my machine.
The main reason that I use it for is when I sew three or more layers of fabric together, like binding on a quilt. Often in this case, the top layer will move as it goes under the foot. Simply lay the tool down on the fabric and guide it under. When sewing with an open toe foot, you can hold the fabric right up to the needle. This method will also stop the fabric from stretching if it is cut on the bias. It will hold the gathers in place when attaching them to a straight fabric.
Another amazing use for this tool is when you are using a hot iron. It’s steel and won’t melt when it comes in contact with the iron. If you have ever been pressing an applique, you will have discovered that the heat from the iron can move the pieces just as the iron is about to touch. You can hold the piece in place and touch down with the iron. It is also great for fusible bias, e.g. stained-glass windows. With the point of the tool, you can fold a mitre corner in the tape and then press it flat with the iron before you remove the tool.
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Curved Snips
Curved Sewing Thread Snips – Snips are designed to trim threads after sewing. These snips are my favourite, they have a small, sharp, curved blade. This enables you to cut away the thread very close without the risk of snipping the fabric. Perfect for machine embroidery if you have visible threads. Great to trim away frayed edges in small sections.
The sharp points and fine blade also make it easy to unpick stitches.
I also use mine to clip notches in seam allowances. This is probably a bit naughty but the high quality of the steel stands up to it.
I keep them in front of my machine at all times.
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Wonder Clips
Wonder Clips – the wonderful little clips that replace pins. You can use wonder clips in replace of pins in any situation. Some ladies like them for the simple reason, they don’t spike you.
Pins can cause damage and leave holes in fabrics like vinyl or laminated fabrics or pull threads in soft silks.
Wonder clips don’t leave a mark. Plus, they are quick and easy to put on and pull off when sewing.
The times when you definitely do need to use the clips are when you are sewing a project like a bag. This could mean that you need to hold together two layers of foam or heavy batting with a layer of fabric on each side. Pretty serious pins are needed to hold that together or just pop some wonder clips on instead. They are especially great for holding the binding in place before sewing.
Always have my box of clips handy.
I hope you enjoy your Sewing Room as much as Heidi does!!
Keep Smiling and Happy Sewing
Heidi Ho
