Review Tuesday -Dritz Quilter's Slip "N Grips

Of course I'm always late...This was supposed to be posted last Tuesday and I didn't make it.  Time gets away from me so easily.

Today I'm reviewing the Quilter's Slip 'N Grips by Dritz.  I'm not sure where I purchased them.  It was probably JoAnn's or Hancock's when they went out of business. The price on the back shows $3.99

They feel like sandpaper with sticky on the back.  Each dot is approximately 3/8 inch across.  They are easy to peel from the backing and they stick to my rulers and templates fine.  I've not had one come off yet.  I peeled one off and it came up easily with no sticky residue. I was able to re-position it stick it back down.

I've placed two on the back side of the Sue Daley 1 1/2 inch Hex template.

Initially one of my biggest concerns was because they aren't clear, would they get in the way of seeing the fabric.  I think for the most part those fears were unfounded.  Unless I'm fussing cutting something, I don't think this will be a problem.

So my initial review would be these work great...but....I recently watched an episode of The Stitch TV Show on You Tube where Lynn and Pam happened to mention sandpaper grips.  It was just a quick blurb at around the 23:48 mark in episode 308.  They briefly discuss not using the sandpaper grips because it can damage the fabric fibers.  I never thought of that, but it makes sense.  Now, I don't go rubbing them around on the fabric.  I try to place them and not move them so I'm not sure how much damage I'm actually doing, but I'd rather not take the chance. 

Because of the fear of damage to my fabric I'm rating these 💜💜💜 out of 5. 

Let me know if you've used the Slip 'N Grip and what you think of them.

Happy Sewing,

Lori

English Paper Piecing

How is it I keep finding more projects to start, but can't seem to finish many??

Hubby and I are planning a trip this fall with several days of driving.  I've been thinking about what I could do to pass the time.  I don't like to read in the car because we can't chat.  So, I starting thinking about what type of sewing project I could do.

Last time we took a road trip, I made lots and lots of yoyos.  I still have them somewhere and can't think of anything to do with them.  I'm sure someday I'll pull them out again and figure something out.

I've been seeing videos and tutorials on English paper piecing and always thought that's not for me, it takes way too long.  But...I've always wanted to make a Grandmother's flower garden quilt.   My great grandmother made one and it's in pretty bad shape.

After watching several different techniques, I decided to go with Sue Daley's way.  Her way looks simple and very accurate.  So I bit the bullet and ordered most of the supplies.  I forgot to order the thread she suggested, but I got the glue pen, paper pieces, needles and the template.  I'm going to use fabric from my stash.

I ordered everything from Fat Quarter Shop, they seemed to be one of the few places in the United States with everything in stock!  Sue Daley must be pretty popular!


I've already decided I think I ordered the wrong size of hexies.  I ordered the 1 1/2 inch.  I think that's going to be too big. My thought was I didn't want to do tiny ones and it take forever.  But, after looking at them, I think they are too big.

Now my dilemma is do I go ahead and make a quilt or maybe something else with the bigger ones or order smaller ones.   Tough decision. 

I've decided to make at least one complete flower and then decide if it's too big.  So I got started cutting them out. 

And gluing them.  So far it's going well.  It's actually pretty easy!

All the gluing done for my first complete flower.  Now for the part I'm not so sure about...the actual hand sewing.

I have the first round completed and it doesn't look half bad!  I've already figured out I need to get different thread.  I know to use polyester, but the only polyester thread I have is embroidery thread.  I struggled using it so I think I'm at a standstill until I can get the proper thread. 

But I do have to admit, it is rather fun.  I have decided to go ahead and go with the 1 1/2 inch hexies, it will make a big flower, but I guess it won't take as many to make a nice size quilt!

I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Have you tried English Paper Piecing?  Do you enjoy it?


Happy Sewing,

Lori

A New Feature-Reviews!

I don't get to sew often enough to feel like I have something to post each week or even every month!  So, I decided to try a weekly post reviewing a sewing/quilting item or pattern.  These will all be things I have purchased or received free for a minimum purchase.  I will attempt to post each week on Tuesday.  I plan on using purple heart emojis to rate what I'm reviewing.  I'll go from 1 to 5 hearts 💜💜💜💜💜, one being the worst, five being the best.

The first item I'm reviewing is something I received for free from Fat Quarter Shop.  I ordered several Sue Daley items to try my hand at English Paper Piecing (that will be the subject of several future posts) and the Ruler Grip was a free item.

I wasn't expecting much for a free item and when I received it, it was smaller than I expected.  I kind of wondered if it would even work.  It is approximately four inches long.  It has one suction cup on each end.

I put it on my 21/2 inch by 121/2 inch Creative Grids ruler. It was easy to attach and comes off easily by squeezing the suction cups.

It is the perfect length to hold between my thumb and middle finger.

 I love how it makes it much easier to pick up and move the ruler.  I chain pieced blocks for my Phoebe's Flower Box quilt and the grip made cutting the chain pieced blocks apart much easier.


I ended up really liking the Ruler Grip.  I think it will work best for smaller rulers.  I'm not sure it would stay attached to a larger, heavier ruler, although I did try it with my 5x15 inch ruler and it worked fine.  So maybe it's small but mighty!

I was pleasantly surprised.  I may actually purchase another one in the future. I'm giving the Ruler Grip from Fat Quarter Shop 5 hearts! 💜💜💜💜💜

Let me know what you think of your ruler grip.  And if you have ideas for future reviews, comment and I'll try to review it soon!

Happy Sewing,


Lori