Dayย 10….It is nice to see all the great comments about how much you love these posts…at least I know I am not wasting anyones time…so keep commenting!
I want you all to know that I am NOT a gadget person…I only buy what I know I will use…unlike my friend Nancy who has to have everything, but she loves her quilting stuff…and if you ever need something she has it! ย She also is fun to shop with she gets so excited about something new and then makes 12 of them before she can stop and move on to the next thing….Got to love the Nancy’s in the world…
The next item up for discussion is The Strip Stick…hmmm…now I have to say I use this in just about every block I make and especially if I am making a tiny quilt where MOST of the seams need to be press open to distribute the bulk…so here is why we need this….When pressing seams open:
1. ย Does not mess up the other seams around it.
2. ย I don’t seem to burn my fingers trying ย to separate the seam- with the hard stick under it they sort of flop to the side easier…
3. ย You can also press them to one side too….
4. ย They come in 3 sizes…45″, 18″ and then mini which I think is 6″…
The 45″ is great for rows that need to be pressed open, also sashings, borders and large strip sets selvage to selvage…as well as all blocks…this is the one to get if you only want to buy one.
The 18″ is great for any open seam pressing in blocks or small strip sets..
Now… I don’t need the mini, because I can use the 18″ for any smaller seams…but maybe someone requested it for traveling ย for mini blocks…my guess is there was some waste and they just covered it and now there is a mini too!!!
But ย seriously…I only had one of each of the 45″ and 18″ and I have several spots I stitch in…so I found myself cussing that I did not remember to get another set of these for the Lakehouse and the Gathering…so because of this post…I now have that second set. ย I talked with Richard who sells them and he advised us the cheapest way to ship them …also,ย if anything every happens to your stick…its has a Warranty: ย Return the Strip Stick at any time for any reason and receive a new one of the same size free…
I have put both of the sticks on sale here on our website: ย STRIP STICKS
For yesterdays winner…we have a 6×12 omni grid along with some more 5″ Charm pack of Floral Gatherings Shirtings…The winner is..
A quilter can NEVER have too many rulers! I love Creative grids rulers, wish I could buy them all!
Debbie…please send me your address at primitivegatheringsquiltshop@yahoo.com ย and we will send out your prize! ย PS…Nick is picking numbers for the winners…if you look at the comments each one has a number….
219 responses to “Day 10…Needful things for Quilters”
Peggy Dalberto
Lisa, wow, this makes sense. I am so tired of burned finger tips (I need my fingers for pottery) when I am pressing. This could make a “chore” less so. And thanks about the tip with pressing open seams on tiny quilts. hmmmm
peg
Lisa, these strip sticks look like a “must have” in every ones sewing room. Well, I know I need some. Looks like no more burned fingers. Thanks for these posts about notions.
Awesome! I sew in a small space and using the ironing board gives me no room to move in my sewing room! This would be great to have to use on the table! !
WOW, What a great idea Lisa, I have not seen this before but sure looks like something that would be neat to try. Keep the needful things coming, you have such great projects!!!
I may look into this. I have been pressuring more seams open lately to get a flatter finish. It reduces the bulk and humps for me. I am not a gadget person either as I think buying fabric is a better use of my $$$. My sister is a gadget person though so may check to see if she has used these. I hope Santa doesn’t bring Nick coal for his stocking for not picking me!! ๐
I’m not a gadget person either but this tool makes sense to me – anything that makes pressing seems easier and more accurate. Looks like a good gift for my quilting buddies.
Okay this is a great post for two reasons first is I am mostly a self taught quilter so reading the quilting blogs has helped me so much and now I know you don’t always iron your seams to one side and this is why my smaller stars have so much bulk and are hard to quilt yay, thank you so much for that. So on that theme this tool looks like the greatest thing can’t wait to get it and try it out. These posts are very helpful.
My friend was just recently telling our group about this method of pressing. I am a gadget gal and probably need one of these. Sounds like 18″ is very versatile.
Congrats Debbie thanks Lisa I am a got have it person as you already probably know but never heard of these like your friend nancy I’m the go to so this will be joining my list of what to get from the 12 days . Hope you’re over your sick stuff. Can’t wait to see what comes tomorrow!
Wow. I have never even heard of these. And I’m just working on a project where I’m opening seams and can’t wait to try these. Getting tired of burning my little fingers…
I have never heard of these before but they sound great. Now,which size to try first. My sister is like your friend Nancy. If she finds something she likes she is on a roll making 10 or more at a time.
First let me say I love your 12 days of Christmas. I have never heard of these but think I might have to get the 18 inch one, small projects are my passion.
Another great little tool! Thank you for the tips and tricks – I always learn something new here! And thank you for the 12 days of specials and chances to win one of these goodies, Lisa!
I’ve never seen these either but they look handy to get a deep crease. It’s snowing slow here, just like the snowflakes on your blog. Those make me smile every time they start coming down!
Never heard of this stick BUT I make little Jo Morton repros a lot and open seams all the time. It looks terrific. Thank you for the chance to win and Happy Holidays to you and your kin.
Glad to hear I wasn’t the only one that hadn’t heard of pressing strips before today! Talk about needful things! In fact, I hadn’t heard of the first or second day products. Good thing I get your blog! Judy
I am a “gadget” person and have never seen these! Looks like I will have to get one of these as I do a lot of small piecing. Love your blog! You are so inspiring!
I’m not a person that irons. Until quilting my husband ( a marine) did all ironing. 1st quilt class my instructor told me I needed to learn how to iron. I.was in my 50s and not ironing had worked for me so far. Now I only iron my seams and blocks. These will be very helpful.
You had me at, ‘does not seem to burn the fingers’. It seems I’m always sporting a burn here or there. What a clever idea. I also decided I had to have the seam ripper with the magic end, especially since I had an absolutely hellactious day yesterday sewing and ripping seams, over and over, because my brain, such as it is, was on overload and not processing properly. Today I am baking, taking a break from sewing.
You are certainly not wasting my time….as a new quilter I can use all the tips, hints, and inspiration I can get. I have never heard of the strip sticks either. If they save burnt fingers then they are a needful thing. Thank you and these tips are much appreciated.
Wow… never heard of them. And I’m like your friend Nancy… I LOVE gadgets. With my Mom it was kitchen gadgets and I have plenty of them too. ๐ I’m keeping a list so I can order at the end! Thank you!
I definitely see the usefulness of the strip stick. You can’t imagine how many times I could have used one of these in all my years of quilting. It could take away those frustrating moments of pressing some seams!! This is a for sure MUST have item!! Thanks for bringing this to our attention!!
At my last quilting sew in one of the gals there had one of these. Imagine a group of ladies standing around watching someone press seams open! But it really it amazing. Thanks, Lisa, for another great post!
Wow, I love this. I haven’t heard of these either, what a helpful, “needful” notion. Besides saving my fingers from burns, it looks perfect for pressing strip sets so they stay straight. I struggle to keep strip sets from going “wonky”.
Oh my goodness! I have never heard of the strip stick so thank you so much for showing us that tool. Pressing my finished quilts is usually a pain and so I can see how that tool could be very helpful!
I was pressing seams open one day and said someone needs to make something to make this easier. I didn’t know about these sticks, thanks for sharing about them. I will be buying one or two.
I have never heard of these before! But I can now see it is a must for my sewing notion collection! I am a lot like Nancy, always looking for something new to make life easier….lol…..
I have to admit I’ve never seen this before. I obviously need one as I’ve burned my fingers on more than one occasion. Thanks for showing me something new, and on sale besides.
A guilting gadget that I have never seen! I have to have this, I am making a list for Santa, I have not been naughtily this year…….well maybe just a little but ……..whose counting!
Wow! I never knew such tool existed!. Looks handy! I definitely need one to finish the PG tumbler kit I just completed! All it needs is to have the rows pressed!
OMG Where was this gadget last week when I really needed it…I’m still nursing one of my burnt fingers…lol! The strip stick is going on my after Christmas list. Keep the tips coming, it’s always fun to learn something new.
Enjoy your day,
Leanne
Wow, what a great idea after I havealso ‘burned’ my fingers opening many of the seams on some of your small fabrics. Getting ready to sew the seams in the nine patch as I have all strips cut.
What a great idea! I am always having to repress all the seams with every row or block I add because I have gotten them all “catty-wompous”. I’m all about the gadgets that can speed up the tedious parts of the quilting process!
I am really enjoying your posts Lisa!! I have never heard of this product and I can see why they would be so helpful! I can see that I am going to have to invest in a set also. Merry Christmas and thank you for all that you share:)
LOVE the strip sticks! I have the two larger sizes but would adore the mini for retreats. And also to not take up so much real estate on my ironing board when working on tiny blocks!
I’m not a gadget person either, but I’ve never seen these strip sticks before and will have to check them out at my local shops. My hubby bought me something from your list last year, and I just love it – Rowenta travel iron.
I’ve been searching for these strip sticks for over a year now–ever since Kimberly Einmo blogged about them. I keep googling, hoping that some store I stop in during my travels will have them, or I’ll find a vendor at the major show. I guess it’s time to order them on-line, and wrap them up from Santa.
What a great idea the strip sticks are. I could have used these today. I have learned so much from this site I think my quilting has improved so much from all you tips. Sara
I was SO hoping you would do the Twelve Days of Christmas again this year! Love my little snips you recommended last year! Looking forward to Strip Sticks now! See you tomorrow – on your post. Thanks so much!
I’m in denial about being a gadget girl….hmmmmm but I think I might be. They all seem so useful to me. I have never seen a strip stick but oh my I need one. Love this 12 days of gadets.
I am such a huge fan of Primitive Gatherings! I have always been a gadget girl…almost 30 years! I have never seen these Strip Sticks but am positive I HAVE To have them! very soon!
I have never seen this product before but I’m sure they help to keep the blocks/seam line straight. If you praise the use of them, they MUST be a useful tool. When I first started quilting, I was also a gadget person. Now, I need to justify how much I will use the new tool before making the purchase. This Needful Thing will be a new addition to my wish list.
Never seen these either. I went to my quilt guild party yesterday, and what did I receive but a seam fix. Had never heard of that either until I read the 12th day of Christmas. How cool for me. glad you seem to be feeling better
A quilting buddy told me about the strip stick, but this is the first time I have ever seen one. Seems like the perfect tool to keep me from burnt fingers. I wait all year for your Christmas hints and tips about your favortie products!
Wow – in the past 3 days you have given us very helpful hints to make quilting more fun! I love the finished quilt but sometimes the “getting there” is a real pain in the rear. Thanks, I look forward to each of your tips every day. Merry Christmas and I hope you are feeling better.
My mother and your friend Nancy need to get together, my mother has every gadget know to mankind and then some, and she just can not understand how I can make one thing without all those gadgets and is always trying to buy me some kind of gadget, I love the simplicity of my sewing, would go crazy with all the stuff she has. I do think I need one of those strip sticks though, as I too love to make the “mini” quilts. Thank you so much for sharing all the great things that you have learned a long the way.
I have never heard of this either, and what a great idea! I’ve been making a lot of tiny (3″) blocks lately and those open seams can be a real PITA!! Thanks once again!
I haven’t seen the stick before but can certainly see where it would come in handy! Love this series of handy gadgets, thanks for doing this!
Barb in the Midwest
My local quilt shop has “Strip Club” every other month and I really could have used these all year! I have
never seen these before but it’s going on my wish list. I love the 12 days of needful things, we get so many great tips and tricks from you. Keep up the good work and Happy Holidays to you and everyone following these posts.
I love your gadget suggestions and look forward to them. I got quite a few from your last years list and use them all the time. Thanks for your suggestions.
I was pressing long strip sets last night and I thought to myself that I wish there was something to help keep the seams from getting the little puckers. This looks awesome. Definitely will be ordering this tool.
I have never seen or heard of such a thing! Thanks for bringing it to my attention, it sure looks handy. I think Santa is done shopping for me but I may have to treat myself after the New Year.
I have been pressing seams open for a long time. This item sounds like a great idea! I like making small blocks and might give this a try. Thanks for the tip.
Wow, the strip stick looks like a really handy tool. I did not even know that they existed. Thank-you Lisa. Hope you are continuing to feel better every day.
Hmmmm…never heard of a strip stick…what a great idea…always impressed when someone comes up with a great idea which we all find so helpful!!! Thanks for the info and sale!!
About a year ago I read about these, so my DH and DS cut a broom handle in half and then did some sanding and alterations on it. I don’t think it works as well as the original but is better than nothing. Mind you I still have not covered it, I lay batting over it when needed. Maybe that is why it doesn’t work as good as it should. The 45″ would be useful. Hope you feeling better.
I so…so…so…agree with you. I too own these wonderful sticks and LOVE THEM!!! So glad yo are feeling better! Merry Christmas to you and Nick and the boys and family! Give your mom a hug from me! Gloria
I have heard about these sticks but have never had the opportunity to use one. It sounds like just the thing to press my seams open without burning my fingers.
Are you kidding, Lisa? Who could NOT want to read your great messages! I have a strip stick and think it is the coolest gadget out there! Keep your posts coming!!
THis is the first I’ve heard of these strips! I like the looks of them! I’ve been wishing for a “ham” for when I press open pillowcase seams–wonder if this would work!
I wish I weren’t a gadget girl, but I think that is what I have become. This is something I’ve never seen before.
Thanks for all your great tips, I love them.
Whoa! How fast can I order these? What genius came up with this idea – is she/he a quilter – or just tired of having scorched fingertips! Keep the great ideas coming Lisa – glad you’re watching out for us.
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December 14, 2013 at 6:46 pm
A quilter can NEVER have too many rulers! I love Creative grids rulers, wish I could buy them all!
Debbie…please send me your address at primitivegatheringsquiltshop@yahoo.com ย and we will send out your prize! ย PS…Nick is picking numbers for the winners…if you look at the comments each one has a number….