Made my own rotating cutting mat for under $10 from a lazy susan from the Dollar Store, a piece of no slip shelf liner and a 10" cutting mat I already had. Works like a charm! :)
Props to you for promoting your local store for buying a sewing machine. They have the expertise to help you find the machine that really works for you. Most stores have lesson(s) in the use of the machine with purchase and if we don't support them, then soon Amazon will be the only choice and frankly, I would rather keep my neighbours employed rather than more profit to Amazon.
I have a vintage 1969 Singer, and its bobbin winder no longer works. When it quit I was in the middle of a big time-sensitive project and couldn't wait for a winder to be delivered. So I put a pencil into the chuck on my cordless drill, and shove a bobbin onto the sharpened end of the pencil.
I've been sewing for more than 60 years - no kidding! I thought I had every possible thing, but had not seen that ruler guide device. Now I NEED that! Thanks!
I got my clapper in 1968 in a college tailoring class for making suits and jackets. We pounded the fabric to make creases permanent. Thanks for showing how I can use it for seams in cotton! What I can't live without are the tailors' ham and seam roll (also from tailoring class) for pressing all kinds of shapes.
Hi Timothy! Just passing through and saw your gorgeous fabrics in the background. I'm a fashion designer and pattern drafter from the early 1980s, working in the high end of the industry, and wanted to share that we never store fabrics standing up. It's not something they told us about in college, but it sure was something they told me about once I got my first job. The problem with storing fabrics standing on end is that not only can droopy wrinkles form (and if there's any sun exposure, that'll leave visible marks), but the fabric will also eventually go off-grain. It needs to be stored flat, with the whole width of the board or roll supported. Even our fabrics don't escape the punishment of gravity! :)
Ok, I am so glad I found your quilting site. A couple of things I wanted to tell you. My dad was in the Navy for over 20 yrs gone every year for 10 months, so every 10 months we moved. My mom made my sister & my cloths till we learned to sew ourselves. One day I walked in & my dad is hand sewing a shirt. I put my stuff down & said "dad, I can do that for you", he said "honey, on the ship we learned to sew ourselves", never knew (he would get so pissed when I didn't pick up all the pins I must say ~ maybe he should have worn slippers). Anyway, years ago, I would make my great nephew long pajama bottoms because he was so tall & thin. He came over one day when he was like 8 & asked if I could show him how I sewed. YOU BETTCHA!! So he asked "where do you know where to cut". I explained (pretty well I thought) how the black lines show where to cut. I went to fix him a drink & YEP, came back in the sewing room & he had cut all the patterns on all the black lines. Not his fault, all me. But he decided to go back next door to his grandmas house (my sister). Last, it is almost 3:00 in the a.m. here in Live Oak FL. Waiting for more news about the storm DEBBY (bitch)! I was born in FL, lived on the East coast for over 50 years, but this will be our 2nd in a year. BUT, me & the dog were watching your video on the 5 things you are glad you use. I am so sorry, but when you tried to move the camera so we could see, & everything fell down, I busted out laughing. OH MY GOSH!! This is my life!!! Didn't mean to wake the dog up, he should be up being nervous & all with me anyway, but I almost fell out of my chair. Not at you babe, just because I am known as the klutz of the family to where I am not allowed to set the table if knives are involved. Thank you so much for the info, the memories of men sewing & the belly laugh. I won't bore you anymore but my family has been thru, well doesn't matter, just some wonderful news after this same great nephew that was diagnosed with cancer at 11 & everything was removed except a bone & nerve in his arm. Yep, he broke the arm but they think, after over 40 years, his arm might be growing bone. I'm done, I just wanted to thank you because you may not know how the joy you bring, the laughing you didn't mean to bring & best of all, the memories!! Stay safe my new best buddy!! Joyce
Was just listening to a Marine telling being taught in boot camp to sew so he could fix holes in his socks. The phrase was you don’t live at home anymore.
12:35 I always get 2 spools of thread, and fill as many bobbins as it will fill with one of them. Keep those little darlin's on standby, and when the first bobbin goes dry, pop the next one in. 👍🏻 Also, I ordered one of those rotating mats with your link 😉👍🏻
My son-in-law made my clappers out of some wood left over from a home repair project. I just needed sandpaper to smooth them down. Not fancy but they work perfectly.
I do not use the portable bobbin winder. It doesn’t wind the bobbins tight enough and then I have trouble with my piecing. If a person just spent a little more. Maybe 5-10 dollars you could get an industrial one that will do even more size. Probably about 40 dollars. They are the best. I have mine for 8 years already. It’s been flawless.
I returned the bobbin winder because of the same issues you mentioned. Could you tell me more about the industrial one you mentioned and where to get it? I would appreciate it so much.
@@happyheidishow-2s268 I bought mine at a sewing/vac store. It was the kind they use to wind all bobbins including long arm size M. It was made by a larger company and sold for 100 dollars. I was able to get it including when I purchased my sewing machine.
First, they're called "bobbins," not spools. Second, I like to rescue sewing machines from my local second-hand stores. I recently bought a 1950 Singer for $14; it's now with a local machine repair guy for a belt replacement and cord lengthening (the foot pedal doesn't reach the floor all the way!). I've rescued three machines and was able to gift one to one of my granddaughters. Thanks for your product review, Timothy!
your grandaughters are surely happy. though if you look at the old machines they dont have what the new ones have. i do not mean the computerized ones. i mean the ones that have simple standard sewing machine that does simple straight stitching. i have for 20 years and im so happy. why would i want anyone of the ones from the 50's those are so not advanced
I have had my bobbin winder for many years! I love it. I have 31 sewing/serger/longarm and I fill my bobbins for all of the sewing & longarm machines. I am a vintage machine lover so it truly comes in so handy to get bobbins wound without unthreading the machine all of the time.
I love your videos! Yesterday at an estate sale ( last day 50%off!) I found a brand new wooden clapper! For ironing ! It was still in the sealed package for 2 dollars! Score! ( I didn’t tell hobby that I went! He saw it on my sewing table and asked me what it was! I told him he said that was a nice heavy piece of wood! ❤️
Love that 4 in one tool. It's my birthday weekend so I'm ordering the 4 in 1 tool and the rotating cutting mat which I have been wanting for a while. Happy Birthday to me and a thank you to you!
For years I worked part time in a fabric store (mostly because I loved helping people with their sewing adventures). I often had a person come in looking for a gift for their mother or grandmother who sewed a lot. I told them I was not a gadget person and most serious sewing people are not but this item changed my sewing life - the bobbin winder! I could not recommend it more to people. When starting a quilt, I preload several bobbins and let them sit on the holding in in the case. There are times in my sewing room that I want to do something but really not sew, I will take a couple of my most used thread colors (grey, taupe, beige, white, black) and just wind a bobbin. I keep my threads on a wooden spool holder with the bobbin first and then the thread so this way I always have an oft used bobbin color ready. I have been using mine for years and never had a problem with it.
This was the first sweing project i ever did. A broken needle and hours of detangling later I finished my boyfriends Christmas present!! Im so glad how it looks, it has a plaid green fabric on the outside, with a robust brass zipper, and super shiny satin on the inside. Thank you for showing all the steps and the mistakes. Can't wait to keep sewing more!
the 4 in 1 is actually a 5 in one... you can use the sharp edge of the flat presser to make temporary marks on your fabric, for example when you are mitering a quilt binding and you need to stop 1/4" from the end. The tool will make a little crease in the fabric that will disappear when you iron or wash it.
I have the bigger bobbin winder and use it to wind my bobbins for my longarm. It is a great item for and I have no problems. I have been using it since 2006!
My bobbin winder plugs into the wall or uses batteries. That tall arm is not part of the machine. It also shuts off when the bobbin is full. My winder is made by Singer.
@@LindaLRosario I would never waste my money on such a cheap flimsy piece of plastic as he demonstrated. I also have a sturdier bobbin winder and it also stops when the bobbin is full. That piece of junk is clumsy to load and will not last. I believe I paid around $40 for mine and although not a Singer works very well. I do not know how I sewed for 50-some years without one. Spend the money and buy a decent winder. The saying the cheap comes out expensive applies in this situation. If one is demonstrating tools and bobbin windes buy quality products.
@@lonisykes5113 Has anyone ever told you you are annoying? My guess is you have had that told many times and are a know-it-all. I am glad you know so much. So long and stop commenting. I am also entitled to my opinions.
@@LindaRaeSchenk No ma’am I have never been called annoying. But my comments seem to have struck a nerve with you and for that I apologize. I’m sorry you have been burned before by flashy cheap products and want to warn others. But you go about it in such a way that can be called…well…annoying.
Always interesting to see what other tools sewers/quilters buy. Years ago I bought a rotating cutting mat. 🙃. It leaked ball bearings and grease. Love the four in one tool. I'll use one of my cats as a clapper. Cat fur? I don't see any!
I have used a bobbin winder since the first Simplicity one was introduced and I LOVE it. Mine is battery operated or can be plugged in. You couldn't pay me to part with it. I also love that you don't edit out your bloopers, as we all have our moments of frustration and errors when we sew.
Some of these I know about and use but that #1 I haven’t even seen that type! I like that you can move it as needed. What I’ve been using is either painters tape or the ones that are some kind of plastic soft material and sticks to the ruler, they work great but do lose the sticking strength after a while.
Enjoyed this video. And yes, I did laugh when everything dropped on to the floor. Information was sorely needed by me. I especially loved the 4 in 1 tool. Very clever. Especially appreciate the square body so it can’t roll off table when sewing. Your number one tool looks interesting, but I hope they sell shorter ones, along with the long one. I use smaller rulers a lot along with my 24” one. Thank you for all your time and videos. I look forward to them.
I have 2 bobbin winders. I bought a bunch of spare bobbins and spend evenings winding them. For crazy quilting the bobbin colors don't matter and I can just fill them. Takes much less time and no unthreading a machine to change bobbins and stopping a project.
My son made me some clappers from red oak off cuts. I don't use them as much as i should. They DO make a difference. I LOVE my bobbin winder (battery operated). I use it all the time as I dislike having to rethread my machine unless necessary. Sometimes forget to use the rotating mat.
Thank you for presenting these items. My favourite is the 4-in-one tool - what a great idea! I have been sewing many years (over 50) and just recently purchased a magnetic seam guide. Since my eyesight isn't quite as good now (even with glasses haha) to see the markings for the seam guide lines on my machine's throat plate, I have found this to be something that I wished I had all along. What a difference it has made for achieving a professional even seam and great top-stitching results.
You can make a cheaper clapper with a small wooden chopping board from a home store… screw on a drawer pull or door knob on top if you need a handle. You can also buy another chopping board, cover with tinfoil, a layer of batting and your choice of fabric for a great small portable ironing board as well (you can staple the fabric on, easy to change later too if gets dirty or you want a new fabric.) I also found a round lazy Susan wooden board alongside the chopping boards so that’s handy if you need a rotating cutting and/or ironing board In short… diy with cheaper (and better quality in most cases) things from home reno stores rather than overpaying for cheap plastic from craft stores or Amazon
Yes, just got a bobbin winder a few months ago (15.00, might've been on sale for 9.99 - mine does stop automatically) - kind of like a VCR rewinder from years ago - who knew - so much faster! And less wear and tear on your machine.
Great bargain! I made the mistake of using a new one I wasn’t familiar with for this video. I figured out a few days later how to set it up so it would stop automatically. Lol
I love my rotating mat. I have three. A six inch one, a 12 inch one and a 16 inch one. For me, they are a must have. You can also buy a smaller 20 inch mat and just turn the matt. Also if your mat gets a lot of lint in the lines, use a white school eraser and rub it over the mat and it will clean it up perfectly. Your cutting matt will look like new again.
I love the bobbin winder and have one that I have used for years. The 4 in one tool is a must for me since I have difficulty holding the small seam rippers.
I love my little bobbin winder. I noticed when you were using yours that you didn’t pull the spool up to support your thread reel. They are stiff to begin with but they do pull up out of the machine to about the size of the thread reel you were using. 😀
My 4-in-1 multi tool is old and broken, only the seam ripper’s left. I thank you so much for letting me know they’re still on the market. Great quilting gadget, and essential all around the house! Thanks for mentioning the bobbin winder does Pfaff bobbins, I only heard of the Singer winder, which won’t fit!
The bobbin winder changed my life and saved so much time. I did hear awhile back that.maybe they changed it a bit. I bought it at Walmart with a work gift card
I have the 4 in one tool. The seam ripper is one of the best I have used. It can rip through a seam quickly. I've been having a problem getting my covers back on, but it's a great tool. I also have a smaller clapper and it's also a great tool. It came in handy with my Nebula quilt. I have a rotary cutting mat from Martelli. I had a bobbin winder and didn't care for it - could have been operator error. I haven't tried your #1 item.
Love my bobbin winder. Quicker than my machine and can do it while I sew. Got mine years ago and always does a beautiful job. The winder one of my machine has issues with slipping. Rotary mat is a favorite item of mine.
Quilters Clappers: They don’t need to be heavy. They need to absorb the heat quickly from the fabric. Heavy clappers take longer to flatten the seam. My husband makes them. I love them.
Excellent video and products. I vent live without my point presser which is a great help for pressing open seams (even in narrow places) and helping to ensure nice, sharp corners when turned. My older model is hinged, and includes a small circle for small curves, and a larger curved area that forms a sturdy base when the other sections are used. A clapper is excellent for making sharp creases by giving the item a good shit if steam, then adding the clapper with pressure, and leaving the clapper to sit until the fabric is dry. This also works with a damp ores cloth instead of steam. Permanent creases often occur when the fibers are broken, and is why sometimes folds will not press out. When that sharp crease is desired, that is when a clapper or another heavy item can be applied and left overnight or until the fabric is dry. This is importante in shirt making and tailoring, but is excellent for bag making.
I have a hd singer sewing machine 44xx i think and i detest threading bobbins ready so i bought the little electric winder and a bobbin tray that holds like 30 bobbins or something absurd like that and it has made the act of sewing so much more enjoyable.
My machine is Bernina 770 QE quilting & embroidery Tula pink edition I’ve had it for 5 years and I love it. I make quilts and table runners I love to embroidery clothing too! Love your channel!
I like your top five! Mine are 8.5"x24" ruler with the Ruler Upgrade, June Taylor Shape Cut Pro for cutting strips from fold to selvedge, Stripology Rulers for cutting smaller strip sizes and squaring up blocks. Wool Pressing Mat, Purple Thang instead of 4in1 tool. Seam tipper with thread eraser. Double sided foam tape to mark my quarter inch seam and guide for piecing. Last but not least Titanium blades and self healing mat 34x36". Least favorite sewing machine Brand is BabyLock. It didn't like my free standing bobbin winder. The older models made in the USA were great but the ones made overseas are junk all internal parts have been replaced and now the machine should be a boat anchor. Jazz II
I have gone through two of the Alex Anderson tools and they are pricey so I was disappointed when the seam ripper broke in BOTH of them. I was so annoyed, I tossed them out. Even the cheap plastic seam rippers work better. Love much of what Alex produces but these somehow missed quality control, or maybe I was unlucky but I liked the concept so much I forked out for the second and that was enough for me.
Tip for ya...Don't ever use seam rippers, they cause too much stress on the fabric, potentially leaving holes that are difficult to get rid of, especially in finer fabrics. That's not to even mention the inevitable tear or hole getting gouged out occasionally. The standard used by experienced, industrial and couture sewers is a good pair of embroidery scissors or nippers. Just nip the threads along the seam and gently pull the pieces apart. You'll never go back to a seam ripper! Cheers!
@@janegertrude9270sometimes it’s improper or hurried use of a seam ripper that cause problems. A couple of years ago I found a video on YT showing the actual correct way to just one. Who knew that I didn’t learn it correctly in Home Ec in 1975! 😂 But, yes, a good pair of small, sharp scissors is often a solution as well!
@@janegertrude9270 disagree with you. i have used seam rippers for years. if your very careful you wont rip anything. you gotta be really patient. i dont think a scissors can get in so deep like a seam ripper. its just my opinion. and you can disagree thats fine. for those chunky sweaters you want to open stitches i guess a scissors can help. anyway i am very happy with my seam ripper.
The clapper is very helpful when sewing a wool garment/quilt as the steam used to get a good press on a hem is retained in the cloth and it helps to really get into the fabric so the press is sharp. Please consider editing your videos--This one could have been 10 minutes or so rather than 17. Sometimes I like to watch instruction videos several times to make sure I get the content correctly, but trying to guess how long to fast forward through unimportant parts gets old. I do find your videos helpful. Thank you very much!
Quilting and sewing conventions are excellent places to get the newest machines at a big discount because they are used for the demos and workshops. My mom has snagged some amazing luxe machines for 50% or more. Of course you have to have “cash-in-hand” and be prepared to take it with you however it’s a way to get a higher end machine for a great price. Also, when investing in higher end used machines.make sure they owner has the pedigree, purchase receipt, and maintenance documentation reflecting the machine’s lifetime stitch count and to verify it’s been maintained at recommended intervals (yep…just like a car).
Im totally putting the ruler guides on my Christmas Giftster list. Thank you… and hey, Great job keeping your cool when you knocked the camera around the block. No cursing at all and hardly a frown line. 😂 lol I would have been mumbling and grumbling into next week.
“Talk amongst yourselves…” 😂 I had to buy a new bobbin winder from the one I had for years because my Husqvarna Viking bobbin did not fit. The one you showed is my new one and I would not be without it!. I love the multi tool and wood presser blocks!
I just bought a high-end Janome memory craft embroidery machine which cost in excess of AU$3500 and the dealer told me not to use metal bobbins in it because it wears the mechanism out that winds the bobbin and I should only use the plastic ones. He is also the mechanic who repairs the sewing machines and a really nice man and a friend so I trust him. Hope that’s of some help to anybody out there From. Joani in Australia 🇦🇺 🙏🏼🤗🌸❤️
I see people using a seam ripper the wrong way. Usually they have a red ball on one side. You put that on the bottom and the pointed end in top. It just glides through the seam.
I'm just seeing your video. Thanks for sharing. I have a bobbin winder, but not that one. It doesn't have the piece that stands up, but it still works. I paid around $20 for it
Thanks for posting the bobbin winder. I've been using a simplicity bobbin winder to wind bobbins to carry different colors of thread with me for english paper piecing. That model is missing two critical things: a thread cutter and a thread stand for cross wound threads like aurifil and wonderfil brands. It also doesn't have a USB plug. That means if I want to wind thread I need a thread stand adjacent to the winder, as well as scissors nearby. This one solves all of those issues and is ORDERED. Thanks so much!!!
The clappers were originally designed for the clothing manufacturers, in pressing; to absorb some if the moisture from the steam iron and or from a moist Pressing cloth, on WOOL WORSTED fabrics and a must, for Suiting fabrics, but excellent for 100% cotton also. It saves your expensive woolens, or napped fabrics from getting an "iron shape" pressed into your fabric, as you place the clapper on the seam instead, and hold it there for a few minutes.
I have a Husqvarna machine, thank you for mentioning the second bobbin pin that comes with the winder for those machines. It's hard to find that info on product descriptions sometimes.
Made my own rotating cutting mat for under $10 from a lazy susan from the Dollar Store, a piece of no slip shelf liner and a 10" cutting mat I already had. Works like a charm! :)
Great idea!! Saved a decent amount that way.
@@timothytotten9409 Thanks. :)
I wondered if you could do that! Thanks.
@grandmaeh2305…
You are a genius! Thank you for sharing!❤
Will you post a link or picture of the lazy Susan from the dollar store? I’d really like to make the rotating mat.
Props to you for promoting your local store for buying a sewing machine. They have the expertise to help you find the machine that really works for you. Most stores have lesson(s) in the use of the machine with purchase and if we don't support them, then soon Amazon will be the only choice and frankly, I would rather keep my neighbours employed rather than more profit to Amazon.
@cathleenaudrey7723 yes also a good idea. However, what if your store closed. Well there is another dealer. But I should have thought of that huh.
Good point! Thank you.
I have a vintage 1969 Singer, and its bobbin winder no longer works. When it quit I was in the middle of a big time-sensitive project and couldn't wait for a winder to be delivered. So I put a pencil into the chuck on my cordless drill, and shove a bobbin onto the sharpened end of the pencil.
I've been sewing for more than 60 years - no kidding! I thought I had every possible thing, but had not seen that ruler guide device. Now I NEED that! Thanks!
Awesome!!
I got my clapper in 1968 in a college tailoring class for making suits and jackets. We pounded the fabric to make creases permanent. Thanks for showing how I can use it for seams in cotton! What I can't live without are the tailors' ham and seam roll (also from tailoring class) for pressing all kinds of shapes.
Hi Timothy! Just passing through and saw your gorgeous fabrics in the background. I'm a fashion designer and pattern drafter from the early 1980s, working in the high end of the industry, and wanted to share that we never store fabrics standing up. It's not something they told us about in college, but it sure was something they told me about once I got my first job. The problem with storing fabrics standing on end is that not only can droopy wrinkles form (and if there's any sun exposure, that'll leave visible marks), but the fabric will also eventually go off-grain. It needs to be stored flat, with the whole width of the board or roll supported. Even our fabrics don't escape the punishment of gravity! :)
Thanks!
Ok, I am so glad I found your quilting site. A couple of things I wanted to tell you. My dad was in the Navy for over 20 yrs gone every year for 10 months, so every 10 months we moved. My mom made my sister & my cloths till we learned to sew ourselves. One day I walked in & my dad is hand sewing a shirt. I put my stuff down & said "dad, I can do that for you", he said "honey, on the ship we learned to sew ourselves", never knew (he would get so pissed when I didn't pick up all the pins I must say ~ maybe he should have worn slippers). Anyway, years ago, I would make my great nephew long pajama bottoms because he was so tall & thin. He came over one day when he was like 8 & asked if I could show him how I sewed. YOU BETTCHA!! So he asked "where do you know where to cut". I explained (pretty well I thought) how the black lines show where to cut. I went to fix him a drink & YEP, came back in the sewing room & he had cut all the patterns on all the black lines. Not his fault, all me. But he decided to go back next door to his grandmas house (my sister). Last, it is almost 3:00 in the a.m. here in Live Oak FL. Waiting for more news about the storm DEBBY (bitch)! I was born in FL, lived on the East coast for over 50 years, but this will be our 2nd in a year. BUT, me & the dog were watching your video on the 5 things you are glad you use. I am so sorry, but when you tried to move the camera so we could see, & everything fell down, I busted out laughing. OH MY GOSH!! This is my life!!! Didn't mean to wake the dog up, he should be up being nervous & all with me anyway, but I almost fell out of my chair. Not at you babe, just because I am known as the klutz of the family to where I am not allowed to set the table if knives are involved. Thank you so much for the info, the memories of men sewing & the belly laugh. I won't bore you anymore but my family has been thru, well doesn't matter, just some wonderful news after this same great nephew that was diagnosed with cancer at 11 & everything was removed except a bone & nerve in his arm. Yep, he broke the arm but they think, after over 40 years, his arm might be growing bone. I'm done, I just wanted to thank you because you may not know how the joy you bring, the laughing you didn't mean to bring & best of all, the memories!! Stay safe my new best buddy!! Joyce
Was just listening to a Marine telling being taught in boot camp to sew so he could fix holes in his socks. The phrase was you don’t live at home anymore.
Love your little newsy comment. You would be a great letter writer / pen pal.
My dad made me a clapper out of piece of oak 2x4. Doesn't have the finger ridges but still works. Been using it since 1968 college clothing class.
@ninapalmer7819 yes I have a homemade clapper. If you have a really stiff corner you can use a hammer. The one I use is rubber.
Thank you for sharing and demonstrate how each items work.
You are so welcome!
I have a bobbin winder. I wind 5 bobbins and when they are empty, i know i need to oil and clean machine. Just my maintenance plan.
You have a lot of good information. I love how you chatter at the start and at the end. It makes me laugh. Thank you for being you!
12:35 I always get 2 spools of thread, and fill as many bobbins as it will fill with one of them. Keep those little darlin's on standby, and when the first bobbin goes dry, pop the next one in. 👍🏻
Also, I ordered one of those rotating mats with your link 😉👍🏻
My son-in-law made my clappers out of some wood left over from a home repair project. I just needed sandpaper to smooth them down. Not fancy but they work perfectly.
So cool! And made by your son-in-law so they’re extra special!
I do not use the portable bobbin winder. It doesn’t wind the bobbins tight enough and then I have trouble with my piecing. If a person just spent a little more. Maybe 5-10 dollars you could get an industrial one that will do even more size. Probably about 40 dollars. They are the best. I have mine for 8 years already. It’s been flawless.
I returned the bobbin winder because of the same issues you mentioned. Could you tell me more about the industrial one you mentioned and where to get it? I would appreciate it so much.
@@happyheidishow-2s268 I bought mine at a sewing/vac store. It was the kind they use to wind all bobbins including long arm size M. It was made by a larger company and sold for 100 dollars. I was able to get it including when I purchased my sewing machine.
@@happyheidishow-2s268 you can find them on Amazon for about 40 dollars. Just get a good one and it will last forever.
ohmygawwd! the fabric measurement holder is a game changer! ohmygawwd!!!! i must get it!
ohmygawd...LMAO
First, they're called "bobbins," not spools. Second, I like to rescue sewing machines from my local second-hand stores. I recently bought a 1950 Singer for $14; it's now with a local machine repair guy for a belt replacement and cord lengthening (the foot pedal doesn't reach the floor all the way!). I've rescued three machines and was able to gift one to one of my granddaughters. Thanks for your product review, Timothy!
your grandaughters are surely happy. though if you look at the old machines they dont have what the new ones have. i do not mean the computerized ones. i mean the ones that have simple standard sewing machine that does simple straight stitching. i have for 20 years and im so happy. why would i want anyone of the ones from the 50's those are so not advanced
I have had my bobbin winder for many years! I love it. I have 31 sewing/serger/longarm and I fill my bobbins for all of the sewing & longarm machines. I am a vintage machine lover so it truly comes in so handy to get bobbins wound without unthreading the machine all of the time.
@Scrappyendings I have collected several machines myself. Some are treadles.
I love your videos! Yesterday at an estate sale ( last day 50%off!) I found a brand new wooden clapper! For ironing ! It was still in the sealed package for 2 dollars! Score! ( I didn’t tell hobby that I went! He saw it on my sewing table and asked me what it was! I told him he said that was a nice heavy piece of wood! ❤️
I just got the same bobbin winder last Saturday and I LOVE it. Now I can sew and can wind a bobbin at the same time.
Love that 4 in one tool. It's my birthday weekend so I'm ordering the 4 in 1 tool and the rotating cutting mat which I have been wanting for a while. Happy Birthday to me and a thank you to you!
Oh my goodness, happy birthday to you!!
Good products. I use blue tape on my rulers to show where I want I want to cut my blocks and or strips.
For years I worked part time in a fabric store (mostly because I loved helping people with their sewing adventures). I often had a person come in looking for a gift for their mother or grandmother who sewed a lot. I told them I was not a gadget person and most serious sewing people are not but this item changed my sewing life - the bobbin winder! I could not recommend it more to people. When starting a quilt, I preload several bobbins and let them sit on the holding in in the case. There are times in my sewing room that I want to do something but really not sew, I will take a couple of my most used thread colors (grey, taupe, beige, white, black) and just wind a bobbin. I keep my threads on a wooden spool holder with the bobbin first and then the thread so this way I always have an oft used bobbin color ready. I have been using mine for years and never had a problem with it.
This was the first sweing project i ever did. A broken needle and hours of detangling later I finished my boyfriends Christmas present!! Im so glad how it looks, it has a plaid green fabric on the outside, with a robust brass zipper, and super shiny satin on the inside. Thank you for showing all the steps and the mistakes. Can't wait to keep sewing more!
the 4 in 1 is actually a 5 in one... you can use the sharp edge of the flat presser to make temporary marks on your fabric, for example when you are mitering a quilt binding and you need to stop 1/4" from the end. The tool will make a little crease in the fabric that will disappear when you iron or wash it.
Clappers and bobbin winding machine are game changers.
Thanks Tim and I need all of the items you have shown especially the bobbin winder!
Thank you for sharing and enjoy all your videos!❤😊
I have the bigger bobbin winder and use it to wind my bobbins for my longarm. It is a great item for and I have no problems. I have been using it since 2006!
Nice video. I love trying new tools and gadgets!
My bobbin winder plugs into the wall or uses batteries. That tall arm is not part of the machine. It also shuts off when the bobbin is full.
My winder is made by Singer.
Nice to know, I get so distracted that I’ll surely over wind 😂😂😂
@@LindaLRosario I would never waste my money on such a cheap flimsy piece of plastic as he demonstrated. I also have a sturdier bobbin winder and it also stops when the bobbin is full. That piece of junk is clumsy to load and will not last. I believe I paid around $40 for mine and although not a Singer works very well. I do not know how I sewed for 50-some years without one. Spend the money and buy a decent winder. The saying the cheap comes out expensive applies in this situation. If one is demonstrating tools and bobbin windes buy quality products.
@@LindaRaeSchenk Wow, We get it! You hate his bobbin winder. You think its junk! It's a good thing you don't have to buy it if you don't want to.
@@lonisykes5113 Has anyone ever told you you are annoying? My guess is you have had that told many times and are a know-it-all. I am glad you know so much. So long and stop commenting. I am also entitled to my opinions.
@@LindaRaeSchenk No ma’am I have never been called annoying. But my comments seem to have struck a nerve with you and for that I apologize. I’m sorry you have been burned before by flashy cheap products and want to warn others. But you go about it in such a way that can be called…well…annoying.
Phaff Quilt Expressions, I wanted it for 20 years, and finnally got it 14 years ago! Love, love, love it!
Always interesting to see what other tools sewers/quilters buy. Years ago I bought a rotating cutting mat. 🙃. It leaked ball bearings and grease. Love the four in one tool. I'll use one of my cats as a clapper. Cat fur? I don't see any!
Hahahaha
I have used a bobbin winder since the first Simplicity one was introduced and I LOVE it. Mine is battery operated or can be plugged in. You couldn't pay me to part with it. I also love that you don't edit out your bloopers, as we all have our moments of frustration and errors when we sew.
Some of these I know about and use but that #1 I haven’t even seen that type! I like that you can move it as needed. What I’ve been using is either painters tape or the ones that are some kind of plastic soft material and sticks to the ruler, they work great but do lose the sticking strength after a while.
Enjoyed this video. And yes, I did laugh when everything dropped on to the floor. Information was sorely needed by me. I especially loved the 4 in 1 tool. Very clever. Especially appreciate the square body so it can’t roll off table when sewing. Your number one tool looks interesting, but I hope they sell shorter ones, along with the long one. I use smaller rulers a lot along with my 24” one. Thank you for all your time and videos. I look forward to them.
Never knew! I’ve ordered the bobbin winder and ruler guide. Thanks so much, can’t wait to use them!
Ty for showing all the items. The 4 in 1 tool it. Oops great.. I also like the fact it is square. It will not roll off all the time.
I was really hoping the bobbin winder would be of interest for me but you just convinced me how much easier it was on all of my machines. 🙂
It’s always good to learn whether something will work for you. Glad you figured it out!
My bobbin winder is different and works much better. It stops when it’s full and you can control the speed
Didn't know about the ruler guides. Pretty cool. I absolutely love my clappers!!
I love love my bobbin winder! Had it for years….cant find my cord,but I just use batteries
@@vickiporter2945 I like the cord but this one takes batteries too. I just couldn’t find any and forgot to buy some. Lol
I have a bobbin winder from years ago. I like that I don’t have to unthread my machine. I usually do 4-5 whites at a time.
I have 2 bobbin winders. I bought a bunch of spare bobbins and spend evenings winding them. For crazy quilting the bobbin colors don't matter and I can just fill them. Takes much less time and no unthreading a machine to change bobbins and stopping a project.
What an excellent selection of really useful tools! Thank you!
You're very welcome!
That bobbin winder is brilliant! Love the impromptu camera angle change ;)
I left that in because I figured people would laugh at it. Lol
My son made me some clappers from red oak off cuts. I don't use them as much as i should. They DO make a difference. I LOVE my bobbin winder (battery operated). I use it all the time as I dislike having to rethread my machine unless necessary. Sometimes forget to use the rotating mat.
Thank you for presenting these items. My favourite is the 4-in-one tool - what a great idea! I have been sewing many years (over 50) and just recently purchased a magnetic seam guide. Since my eyesight isn't quite as good now (even with glasses haha) to see the markings for the seam guide lines on my machine's throat plate, I have found this to be something that I wished I had all along. What a difference it has made for achieving a professional even seam and great top-stitching results.
I love the realistic vibe and love the echo...echo....echo♥️
You can make a cheaper clapper with a small wooden chopping board from a home store… screw on a drawer pull or door knob on top if you need a handle.
You can also buy another chopping board, cover with tinfoil, a layer of batting and your choice of fabric for a great small portable ironing board as well (you can staple the fabric on, easy to change later too if gets dirty or you want a new fabric.)
I also found a round lazy Susan wooden board alongside the chopping boards so that’s handy if you need a rotating cutting and/or ironing board
In short… diy with cheaper (and better quality in most cases) things from home reno stores rather than overpaying for cheap plastic from craft stores or Amazon
Yes, just got a bobbin winder a few months ago (15.00, might've been on sale for 9.99 - mine does stop automatically) - kind of like a VCR rewinder from years ago - who knew - so much faster! And less wear and tear on your machine.
Great bargain! I made the mistake of using a new one I wasn’t familiar with for this video. I figured out a few days later how to set it up so it would stop automatically. Lol
I totally love my bobbin winder! It was a gift from a friend.
my honey honey just got me the rotating cutting mat for our anniversary!! it's so great!!
Happy anniversary!
I love my rotating mat. I have three. A six inch one, a 12 inch one and a 16 inch one. For me, they are a must have. You can also buy a smaller 20 inch mat and just turn the matt. Also if your mat gets a lot of lint in the lines, use a white school eraser and rub it over the mat and it will clean it up perfectly. Your cutting matt will look like new again.
Great tip about the eraser. I’ll have to try that!!
You can also use the flat angled end as a wooden ironing finger! 5-in-1
I love the bobbin winder and have one that I have used for years. The 4 in one tool is a must for me since I have difficulty holding the small seam rippers.
I love my little bobbin winder. I noticed when you were using yours that you didn’t pull the spool up to support your thread reel. They are stiff to begin with but they do pull up out of the machine to about the size of the thread reel you were using. 😀
Thanks for the tip. I’ll double check it. I’ve seriously only used this one a few times.
New to seeing here so I find myself resourceful with house items; a rat tail comb works well or a skewer for getting those corners out.
Good ideas! Gotta be resourceful.
Chop sticks work great
Thanks for sharing some interesting tools with us all
I especially liked the 4 in one tool
My 4-in-1 multi tool is old and broken, only the seam ripper’s left. I thank you so much for letting me know they’re still on the market. Great quilting gadget, and essential all around the house! Thanks for mentioning the bobbin winder does Pfaff bobbins, I only heard of the Singer winder, which won’t fit!
Great specialty items, your demonstrations were very good! Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thank you for the info. Learned a lot.
The bobbin winder changed my life and saved so much time. I did hear awhile back that.maybe they changed it a bit. I bought it at Walmart with a work gift card
There’s no such thing for my Pfaff bobbins, as far as I can see. They seem like they would save lots of time, and keep you sewing continuously.
Great info and demo on what will make sewing even easier!!!!
Clapper is the only one I would like to have thanks for sharing
I have the 4 in one tool. The seam ripper is one of the best I have used. It can rip through a seam quickly. I've been having a problem getting my covers back on, but it's a great tool. I also have a smaller clapper and it's also a great tool. It came in handy with my Nebula quilt. I have a rotary cutting mat from Martelli. I had a bobbin winder and didn't care for it - could have been operator error. I haven't tried your #1 item.
That’s much better than the one I had ..I didn’t buy cheap but I’ll look again x
Oh goodness. You made me snort laugh when everything went flying. Thanks for demonstrating!
You’re welcome! Some people would have cut that part out but I thought it shows that sometimes things happen and you have to roll with it.
Love my bobbin winder. Quicker than my machine and can do it while I sew. Got mine years ago and always does a beautiful job. The winder one of my machine has issues with slipping. Rotary mat is a favorite item of mine.
"Talk amongst yourselves" hahahahaha . Thanks for the tips
Lol
Loved your video and had a great laugh when your lamp collapsed! It was a riot and didn't faze you a bit. I subscribed too.
Thanks so much!!
I have been thinking of buying a bobbin winder I could certainly use one.
I must get the 4 in 1 tool.
Quilters Clappers: They don’t need to be heavy. They need to absorb the heat quickly from the fabric. Heavy clappers take longer to flatten the seam. My husband makes them. I love them.
Excellent video and products. I vent live without my point presser which is a great help for pressing open seams (even in narrow places) and helping to ensure nice, sharp corners when turned. My older model is hinged, and includes a small circle for small curves, and a larger curved area that forms a sturdy base when the other sections are used. A clapper is excellent for making sharp creases by giving the item a good shit if steam, then adding the clapper with pressure, and leaving the clapper to sit until the fabric is dry. This also works with a damp ores cloth instead of steam. Permanent creases often occur when the fibers are broken, and is why sometimes folds will not press out. When that sharp crease is desired, that is when a clapper or another heavy item can be applied and left overnight or until the fabric is dry. This is importante in shirt making and tailoring, but is excellent for bag making.
I discovered the wooden seam pressing wheel…it’s so amazing instead of finger pressing and amazing when pressing small, curved, and awkward seams.
Amazing new tools. I want them all.
I just tuned in to you and I am very impressed. Thank you
I have a hd singer sewing machine 44xx i think and i detest threading bobbins ready so i bought the little electric winder and a bobbin tray that holds like 30 bobbins or something absurd like that and it has made the act of sewing so much more enjoyable.
My machine is Bernina 770 QE quilting & embroidery Tula pink edition I’ve had it for 5 years and I love it. I make quilts and table runners I love to embroidery clothing too! Love your channel!
I like your top five! Mine are 8.5"x24" ruler with the Ruler Upgrade, June Taylor Shape Cut Pro for cutting strips from fold to selvedge, Stripology Rulers for cutting smaller strip sizes and squaring up blocks. Wool Pressing Mat, Purple Thang instead of 4in1 tool. Seam tipper with thread eraser. Double sided foam tape to mark my quarter inch seam and guide for piecing. Last but not least Titanium blades and self healing mat 34x36". Least favorite sewing machine Brand is BabyLock. It didn't like my free standing bobbin winder. The older models made in the USA were great but the ones made overseas are junk all internal parts have been replaced and now the machine should be a boat anchor. Jazz II
thank you for your videos, love them.
I have gone through two of the Alex Anderson tools and they are pricey so I was disappointed when the seam ripper broke in BOTH of them. I was so annoyed, I tossed them out. Even the cheap plastic seam rippers work better. Love much of what Alex produces but these somehow missed quality control, or maybe I was unlucky but I liked the concept so much I forked out for the second and that was enough for me.
Tip for ya...Don't ever use seam rippers, they cause too much stress on the fabric, potentially leaving holes that are difficult to get rid of, especially in finer fabrics. That's not to even mention the inevitable tear or hole getting gouged out occasionally. The standard used by experienced, industrial and couture sewers is a good pair of embroidery scissors or nippers. Just nip the threads along the seam and gently pull the pieces apart. You'll never go back to a seam ripper! Cheers!
Oh no. I haven’t had that experience so I’m hoping it was just bad quality control in your case. Glad you found others that work!
@@janegertrude9270sometimes it’s improper or hurried use of a seam ripper that cause problems. A couple of years ago I found a video on YT showing the actual correct way to just one. Who knew that I didn’t learn it correctly in Home Ec in 1975! 😂 But, yes, a good pair of small, sharp scissors is often a solution as well!
@@janegertrude9270 disagree with you. i have used seam rippers for years. if your very careful you wont rip anything. you gotta be really patient. i dont think a scissors can get in so deep like a seam ripper. its just my opinion. and you can disagree thats fine. for those chunky sweaters you want to open stitches i guess a scissors can help. anyway i am very happy with my seam ripper.
Those tools are amazing! I used to buy from Nancy’s Notions, also amazing ones there!
I used to buy from Nancy's Notions. Love my bobbin winder
The clapper is very helpful when sewing a wool garment/quilt as the steam used to get a good press on a hem is retained in the cloth and it helps to really get into the fabric so the press is sharp. Please consider editing your videos--This one could have been 10 minutes or so rather than 17. Sometimes I like to watch instruction videos several times to make sure I get the content correctly, but trying to guess how long to fast forward through unimportant parts gets old. I do find your videos helpful. Thank you very much!
bought that 4 in 1 tool love it thank you
I’m glad to hear it!!
Fantastic! Thank you.
Quilting and sewing conventions are excellent places to get the newest machines at a big discount because they are used for the demos and workshops. My mom has snagged some amazing luxe machines for 50% or more. Of course you have to have “cash-in-hand” and be prepared to take it with you however it’s a way to get a higher end machine for a great price. Also, when investing in higher end used machines.make sure they owner has the pedigree, purchase receipt, and maintenance documentation reflecting the machine’s lifetime stitch count and to verify it’s been maintained at recommended intervals (yep…just like a car).
What a great tip!!
That's how I bought my Brother machine. I got around 1/2 price!
Im totally putting the ruler guides on my Christmas Giftster list. Thank you… and hey, Great job keeping your cool when you knocked the camera around the block. No cursing at all and hardly a frown line. 😂 lol I would have been mumbling and grumbling into next week.
Lol. I was annoyed right at first but then thought “this will be funny for the video”. Hahahaha
“Talk amongst yourselves…” 😂
I had to buy a new bobbin winder from the one I had for years because my Husqvarna Viking bobbin did not fit. The one you showed is my new one and I would not be without it!. I love the multi tool and wood presser blocks!
Great suggestions! Love the bingo bag in the background. Hoping to be able to make one someday. I'm a new sewer. Have a good day.
I just bought a high-end Janome memory craft embroidery machine which cost in excess of AU$3500 and the dealer told me not to use metal bobbins in it because it wears the mechanism out that winds the bobbin and I should only use the plastic ones. He is also the mechanic who repairs the sewing machines and a really nice man and a friend so I trust him. Hope that’s of some help to anybody out there From. Joani in Australia 🇦🇺 🙏🏼🤗🌸❤️
I see people using a seam ripper the wrong way. Usually they have a red ball on one side. You put that on the bottom and the pointed end in top. It just glides through the seam.
Great tip!!
The clapper is a key but little known tool. Especially important when sewing wools
Mainly used for suits and coats by tailors
@@ruthanneperry1623 Yes, that's what I came to say. Steam that fabric, especially if woolens, then press down or hammer the fabric to compact it.
Thanks for the review. My bobbin winder is number one for me.😊❤
The #1 product is expensive since it's fairly new. I hope to get one some day. Thanks for the video!
I use all those tools and like the winder best.
I'm just seeing your video. Thanks for sharing. I have a bobbin winder, but not that one. It doesn't have the piece that stands up, but it still works. I paid around $20 for it
Thanks for posting the bobbin winder. I've been using a simplicity bobbin winder to wind bobbins to carry different colors of thread with me for english paper piecing. That model is missing two critical things: a thread cutter and a thread stand for cross wound threads like aurifil and wonderfil brands. It also doesn't have a USB plug. That means if I want to wind thread I need a thread stand adjacent to the winder, as well as scissors nearby. This one solves all of those issues and is ORDERED. Thanks so much!!!
Painters tape can be used as a ruler guide. Multiple layers give you the same ledge experience.
The clappers were originally designed for the clothing manufacturers, in pressing; to absorb some if the moisture from the steam iron and or from a moist Pressing cloth, on WOOL WORSTED fabrics and a must, for Suiting fabrics, but excellent for 100% cotton also. It saves your expensive woolens, or napped fabrics from getting an "iron shape" pressed into your fabric, as you place the clapper on the seam instead, and hold it there for a few minutes.
I have a Husqvarna machine, thank you for mentioning the second bobbin pin that comes with the winder for those machines. It's hard to find that info on product descriptions sometimes.