Queen of Gadgets Blog Hop Day 2
Welcome to my stop on the Queen of Gadgets Blog Hop Day 2. I want to thank Carol of Just Let Me Quilt for organizing this Hop. I hope you’ve visited the Day 1 bloggers and are ready for another set of inspiration today. Here’s today’s list:
September 20MooseStashQuilting
For The Love Of Geese
Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life – You’re Here! Food for Thought
Karrin’s Crazy World
Patchouli Moon Studio
The first quilting gadgets I ever used, back when I was still in grade school, was a piece of cardboard (template), a pencil, and a scissors. I spent hours cutting squares of fabric for the church ladies to use in their mission quilts. I enjoyed that process, much to my mother’s delight. I’d sit at the dining room table and trace and cut while a favorite show was on television.
Times have certainly changed, haven’t they. But while the methods have changed, we all still have those gadgets in our quilt rooms, those workhorses that help us from the beginning cuts and stitches to the end of a beautiful quilt, right?! I’ve enjoyed reading Day 1 posts and learning about what gadgets other quilters use, and seeing the fun projects they make with them. Hopefully we’ll find something new to add to our quilting gadgetry as we read the blogs each day!
Here are the gadgets that are never far from my sewing machine:
Clockwise from the top, my Fiskars 8″ rotating cutting mat; my thread snips; my 28mm Olfa rotary cutter; my Creative Grids 1-1/2″ x 6-1/2″ ruler; and my small wool pressing mat measuring approximately 5-1/2″ x 9″. I’m not affiliated with any of these companies, I just enjoy these products.
Today I thought I’d highlight my little rotating mat. I have larger rotating mats, but this is the one that is always close by and gets used the most. I particularly like it for trimming HSTs and other small blocks. It has a hard cutting surface and holds up well to all the use. Here are some little HSTs I found some tucked away that I trimmed up. That little 2-1/2″ Creative Grids square is something I use more than I thought I would, too!
Once the HSTs were trimmed, I was delighted to find that I had enough in each of the right colors to make a little quilt block of fall colors.
This little mini measures 12″ square, a perfect little table mat for those small places that beg for a touch of color. I found a scrap of fabric for backing and a scrap piece of batting, then did quick crosshatch quilting using orange thread. Add the binding, and done!
Our quilting gadgets make the whole process of quilting so much easier and enjoyable, right?!
Thanks for stopping by and reading my post. I hope you stop in at the other quilters listed above for the Queen of Gadgets Blog Hop Day 2!
Oh, and Carol has a giveaway – so don’t miss that! You can find Carol’s post right here.
Wendy
Batik Runner and a Winner!
42 Comments
Pamela Meyers Arbour
Those are really must haves! I have a 3-1/2″ square but use it for the 2-1/2. Not sure why I didn’t just buy the 2-1/2! Your little table mat is perfect for that pumpkin.
Sally Johnson
I love your little fall mat and pumpkin! 🎃
Vicki in MN
Your project came together so nicely and I think you might have given me an idea to use up some of my HST’s! Thanks for sharing on this fun hop;) I have the larger rotating mat and a 2.5″ Bloc Loc that I use quit a bit.
Elizabeth Coughlin
A very useful group of gadgets, and your little mat is really beautiful!
texasquiltgal
I love your story about cutting for the church ladies. I’ve not seen a cutting mat that small – how convenient! Love how your fall table mat turned out, those little HSTs found a home!
Tracie
I agree with all your choices and the best is your little quilt! How nice that you were able to stitch it up with your stash. (I might add that 2.5” square ruler to my collection.)
Diann@ Little Penguin Quilts
I keep wanting to get myself a rotating cutting mat, and have put it off! You’re reminding me it’s really time to do that. Love your little fall mat – pretty colors and design!
Joan
Oh, I’m so in love with your fall mat. Those colors just tickle my toes this time of the year. Stitching from my stash is my favorite! All your gadgets are a must and it’s nice to have smaller sizes to take with you with you stitch with friends.
Cocoa Quilts
Those little HSTs are perfect colors for the fall mat. I don’t really have fall colors in my stash, may need to pick some up. Love my rotating mat but it is the larger size. I like that little one, may need to watch for it on sale.
Karen
I don’t think I realized there was an 8″ rotating mat – I have a 12″ and use it often – love the table topper and the pumpkin on it
Danette C Stankovich
Wonderful gadgets for making the little Fall colors quilt! Little quilts are fun to use around the house. Plus, they can be easily put away for another time.
Annie
All great gadgets, of course. The Fall mat is adorable.
TextileRanger
Your gadgets are so dainty! I never thought about it before, but this post made me realize I go for the larger sizes of everything. I have a 17″ rotating mat and a 11 x 17″ pressing mat, and I think the only 2.5″ squares around here are ones that someone else started and then donated. 🙂 But I am 5’10” so maybe my gadgets are proportional. 🙂
This is such a fun hop, I am enjoying visiting all the participants!
Susan the Farm Quilter
Rotating mats definitely make life easier when trimming blocks down! I have a few different sizes and use them all!
sewswift
I’m so glad you’re posting your gadgets today, Wendy! That little rotating mat is something I’ve never seen. I have a big one and use it, but small like that would be great by my sewing machine. I love your fall mat in those pretty colors…cute pumpkin, too! Thank you for sharing!
Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting
Cute little mini for your pumpkin!!!
Cindy Berry
Thanks for the links Wendy – those were great sources of knowledge and experience – I definitely learned something and will give a few things a try. Have a great week.
Sandie@crazyboutquilts
I love the mat you made with your gadgets!
Laura
What?! No Jack close at hand? Ha, ha!
Love the autumn table mat! 🙂
Daryl
The mat is sweet. I never got a rotating mat as I wasn’t sure I would use it, but I can see how it would be handy. I also learned to trace around template and cut with scissors back before the rotary cutter was invented. That rotary cutter sure changed our quilting lives for the better!
Karrin Hurd
Great gadgets. I love your fall table mat! Thanks so much for sharing!
rl2b2017
Hi Wendy! What a fun post. I love the little table mat made with some leftover HSTs. It was meant to be since you had exactly what you needed. The little pumpkin looks so cute on it. {{Hugs}} ~smile~ Roseanne
Carla
Love your fall mini. That rotating mat is a great size. I have one, but a smaller one might work better for me.
Rochelle Summers
I’ve never seen a rotating mat that small. I do have a small non-rotating mat I keep by my machine. I started using a wool mat when my ironing board cover got so stained and I really like it. Your little table mat is so nice. My son wants me to make some hot pads to put serving dishes on and I’ve been saving my small blocks for that project.
Mary
Cute little fall mat! Yes, the right tools make our life so much easier.
Lj Meyers
Great gadgets! It’s outstanding that you love to use them. It is the ordinary things that make quilting so much more fun. Your little table topper is perfect for this time of year.
selina
Wow, I own all of your gadgets but I don’t know where my mini cutting mat is currently stashed. I really liked using it and now that you have reminded me I need to start a search because you are right it is a very important gadget to have and to use.
mspdesignsusa
What a handy set of gadgets for your sewing station! Thanks for sharing the fun.
Bernie
Cute fall mat Wendy! I don’t have a spinning mat but often have wished I did. Guess I should put it on my list of Terribly Important Things I Need. I am curious about the 1 1/2” ruler. How does this come in handy? I don’t have one quite that small.
marissthequilter
Shall I admit that I had never heard of a rotating cutting mat, let alone used one. I will certainly be on the lookout for one now that I have read your post. The ‘little mini’ that you made as a demonstration is delightful.
Vivian B.
Love your Fall mini and pumpkin jar! I too had never seen a square revolving mat that small. I have one of the old round Brooklyn Revolvers but admit I’ve never really used it. Maybe I will pull it out now and give it a whirl…..
Brenda @ Songbird Designs
That is such an adorable mini from the HSTs, Wendy!! Your first quilting gadgets reminded me so much of my grandmother! She used to draft her templates on the empty candy cardboard boxes from their little country store and the cut out her patterns using them. Great memory! I, also, have a few different rotating mats that I love. I have a round one from Martelli that sits by my machine. The others I get out as needed! Thanks for sharing.
Charlene McCain
What a great gadget! I might have to find one for myself! It certainly helps to perfectly aligns your quilt block. Thank you for sharing.
quiltinggail
You made a very pretty table topper! Gorgeous!
You’re totally right – your gadgets are different than mine! I do have a rotating cutting mat, but unfortunately it seldom comes out … perhaps it should make an appearance more often! 🙂
Debbie
Perfect mini quilt! I absolutely love your colors and design. Yeah for gadgets.
joymcd305716439
Oh I love your project for this hop and all the must have gadgets you used to make it! Thanks for sharing them with us! xx
Leah
Your mini quilt is perfect for fall. I really like that tiny pressing mat. I haven’t seen one that small before. I may have to get one of those for myself!
Kathleen McCormick
I love your mini for your mini pumpkin! And, I am wondering about a mini rotating mat. I have a 12″ one that I love to use, but the mini would be quite handy…will have to keep my eyes peeled for that when I am out and about.
Danice G
All wonderful gadgets. Your little quilt is really cute too.
Denise
Awe I love your pumpkin and mini quilt. I would love to have a rotating cutting mat, instead I am on the lookout for a lazy susan to make my own.
Colette LeFever (@Siouxzq64)
I have very similar tools next to my machine also, except my mat is a wee bit bigger. Cute little quilt that you made.
Carol Andrews
Great gadgets Wendy. I really like that little mat and your cute pumpkin. 😉