What’s in your wallet?

I am pretty sure we have all seen the Capitol One commercial “What’s in your wallet?” So let me ask you, “What’s in your sewing room?” or even better — “What’s your most favorite thing in your sewing room?”  For me, this week I would have to say air conditioning, but since Kelley’s doesn’t sell or service HVAC equipment I will move on to my second favorite thing – my cutting table. I remember the days when I used to cut out everything on the floor,snagging the carpet with my scissor tips with each cut. Then I graduated up to one of those foldable cardboard cutting boards and I was in the big time. When I started making bridal gowns I purchased a real live cutting table – complete with self-healing board and life has not been the same since. There is something to be said for working on your projects in an upright position. I find that my cutting table is much like the kitchen table. It’s where all the action happens.  Every so often I have to dig it out to reveal the cutting surface but I honestly could not imagine sewing without it.  These tables, like technology, have really advanced over the years. There is one in the store that has a tape measure painted right on one of the edges.  Genius! I never can find a tape measure when I need one.  Our top of the line tables are sturdier, have better wheels, come equipped with electric machine lifts and fold to occupy minimal space, although I must admit I can’t even remember the last time mine was folded.  My table lives in the middle of the room where all the action is. My favorite table in the store right now is a KOALA combination cutting table and cabinet. I did not expect to like sewing at cutting table height, but it is wonderful. We even carry chairs to get you high. *wink*   Stop in for a test drive and let us help you find the right cutting table for your sewing space.  It will make your life SEW FUN. 

Donna K.

Teflon – it’s not just for the kitchen anymore

I purchased this pressing sheet from KQSC when I was embroidering quilt blocks for a red works sampler.  I apply Armo Weft to the back of my fabric as additional stabilizer and the weave is open enough that the adhesive always come through to my iron.  I used  a piece of muslin between the stabilizer and my iron -  that is until I found this little baby.  It is very deceiving.  Out of the package it looks like a piece of plastic – I think I actually closed my eyes the first time I put my iron on it – but it didn’t stick. WOO HOO!!  All of the stickies that weep through the armo weft are safely kept at bay by this Teflon baby.  Oh -  and it even makes a cool sizzle noise when you use it – so tell your family  you really are cooking in the sewing room.  Who knew a pressing sheet would be SEW FUN.

The Angler (a sewing superhero)

Pick one up at KQSC and try it out.

I have been piecing a border for a quilt and this tool rocks!!

 The Angler is a clear template that is taped to the throat plate of your machine.  It has a cut out that exposes the feed dogs and allows for perfect point to point sewing when creating snowball blocks, flying geese or triangle corners.  The last time I used this I was piecing larger snowball blocks.  I extended the guide line down the front of my machine using masking tape, and I made short order of those blocks.  It’s so much faster than marking the sewing line with a chalk pencil and so much more accurate than trying to “eyeball” the seams -  it really does make this kind of piecing SEW FUN.