Queen of Gadgets Blog Hop

/ quiltinggail

Oh me, oh my! What a blog hop this promises to be!!! Gadgets, gadgets, gadgets … I have a few! Do I need to pick just one??? Carol, from Just Let me Quilt, organized this blog hop and I signed up right away!!!

But before I started, I decided that I needed to actually define what a “gadget” is. According to Mirriam-Webster a gadget is “an often small mechanical or electronic device with a practical use but often thought of as a novelty.”

Hmmm, to me, I have always considered a gadget something that makes my quilting easier. Sometimes the “gadget” is electronical, sometimes mechanical, but always is practical and useful. Hence, I’m going with my own definition of “gadget.”

I will show you the gadgets that I used for this project. I doubt this will make me the Queen of Gadgets, but even I was surprised at how many I actually used!

Gadget #1

EQ8

I used EQ8 to design this quilt using Island Batik’s “Pumpkin Spice,” a signature collection for Sarah Fabian, designed by Kathy Engle. I had received a 10″ stack, along with a 2 yard cut of “Celery” (which I used for the background) and a 2 yard cut of “Bluegrass” which I used for the binding.

And yes, just in case you were wondering, I recently upgraded from EQ7 to 8. A tiny learning curve, but lots of features I really really like! Well worth upgrading! Wish I’d done it sooner!

Gadget #2

Prairie Spirit Pressing Mat

Initially, I used the  Prairie Spirit Alpacas alpaca/wool mat to press the 10″ squares prior to cutting them. The mat worked like a charm. The creases came out easily without the use of water. I continued to use the mat for all pressing as I assembled the quilt.

Gadget #3

Accuquilt Cutter

My Accuquilt Cutter was given to me as an Island Batik Ambassador. When I received the cutter, I was given the 8″ Go Qube dies. Of the Qube 8 dies, I used #3 for the larger half square triangles (shown); #1 for the 4.5″ squares, #6 for the centre of the square in a square and #5 for the outside of the square in a square. The 2.5″ strip cutter was used for 2 of the borders.

Gadget #4

Shape-Cut Ruler

I use this ruler to cut the 3.5″ and 5″ strip sizes of “Celery” (background) I needed for using in the Accuquilt.

Gadget #5

Cutting Gizmo

This is used to quickly separate units when I chain piece. I chain piece a LOT, so this is used LOTS!!!

Gadget #6

Magnetic Pin Cushion

Picks up the pins when they are lying near the machine, or fall on the floor. It also keeps the pins from spilling onto the floor!

Gadget #7

I received these Klips for a project that is due in October. They are WONDERFUL!!! When webbing a quilt together, I find that you have to “anchor” one end or it gets twisted around. (Picture on the right). The Klips are a great width and hold the pieces together very well! I also use them when holding the binding in place. (picture on the left.)

Gadget #8

Hera Marker

I used this marker to mark the center of the block. It leaves a crease or small groove in the fabric. It’s quick and easy and the marks are usually gone by the time I’ve finished quilting it!

Gadget #9

Quilting Rulers

I used a variety of Silly Moon rulers. Mostly 3 different sizes of Beanie (curves) and Rocket (straight lines).

Gadget #10

Tweezers

I use tweezers to pull up my bottom thread when I’m quilting.

Gadget #11

Seam Ripper

I was really really hoping that I wouldn’t have to use this gadget! But alas, I don’t think there’s been a single quilt in my quilting life that the seam ripper hasn’t been used at least once! Those curves were suppose to meet in the middle! It’s extremely obvious that they didn’t!

Gadget #12, #13 & #14

Rotary Cutter, Cutting Mat and the Gipsy Gripper

The first picture is trimming the quilt. I absolutely LOVE the extra stability that the Gripper provides. The 2nd picture is cutting the binding. I cut my binding at 2.25″, so the shape cutter doesn’t work for that.

The Finished Quilt

Quilt Stats:

  • Size: 48″ x 48″
  • Fabrics: Island Batik “Pumpkin Spice”, Celery (background), and Bluegrass (binding)
  • Backing: Flannel from my stash
  • Thread: Piecing Aurifil #2000, Quilting Glide “linen”, and Binding Aurifil #4129
  • Batting: Hobbs 80/20

Visit the Blogs that are Gadget Hopping!

September 19

September 20

September 21

September 22

September 23

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

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76 thoughts on “Queen of Gadgets Blog Hop”

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  6. So many wonderful gadgets. Some of mine I couldn’t live without. I got the cutter for chain piecing as a gift and couldn’t believe how much I liked it. Surprise! An old dog can learn new tricks. Great quilt!

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  8. I love your gadgets and love your definition of gadgets, too. I agree with almost all of them but there a few new ones; I must give them a try, too. Thanks, Quilting Gal.

    Liked by 1 person

  20. Such a pretty quilt. What a great way to showcase quilting gadgets. I, too, live in the Lower Mainland. Can you tell me where you got your Cutting Gizmo? I could use that.

    Liked by 1 person

  26. Yes, yes, yes to all of those gadgets. Using them definitely made a beautiful quilt! I love my EQ8 and can’t be without it. Thank you for sharing your gadgets and that amazing quilt!

    Liked by 1 person

  28. Your quilt looks so wonderful! The colors are so pretty. Aren’t we lucky to have all the great gadgets we need to create such beautiful quilts and other items.

    Liked by 1 person

  30. What a beautiful quilt and fun post. I love seeing what you used, to make it all come together. I think that cutting gizmo is a stroke of genius. I love mine. The hera marker is something I tend to forget about. It would be so much easier than marking fabrics for all the half square triangles I seem to make all the time. Thanks for sharing your favs with us!

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  34. Oh my! What a nice blog about gadgets. My grandmother would be so excited to see all the new things out. All she had was some sandpaper for templates, scissors, needle and thread and a pencil for drawing out the pieces for the sandpaper templates! Thanks for sharing all of those. I have had EQ 6, 7, and 8 since they came out and I just can’t seem to get into it long enough to actually learn it. I must do that. Thanks for the encouragement,

    Liked by 1 person

    • Hi Pamela! I remember starting out with cereal box templates! When I met my first rotary cutter & mat, I couldn’t believe how much easier it was to make a quilt! And yes, you need to work on EQ!!! There’s lots of free tutorials … check them out! That’s basically how I learned!

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