quilt monday-sewing notions

I love looking through sewing and quilting catalogs. My mom always has a ton lying around her house and I read them when I go over there with the girls while she is at work. With Pete working at home, we often leave the house for the day because of all the yelling. So, I fantasize about all the notions and tools I want to buy, some I think actually would be cool and useful and some probably not so cool or useful, but you never know. I love the look of these pins, but it may be just the tins. I'm convinced that I need them. I'm sure it will help my sewing.

okay-I do seriously want one of these. Does anyone have one? Thimbles are so hard for me to use. I always try and then just use the next finger over to push the needle in, the one without the thimble, because the thimble feels funny on my finger, so I don't use that finger as much. sorry for the freaky photo.

this is a quilt book that sounds cute, although who knows, but I like the example quilt shown here with each block framing a vintage hankie. (hankie is such an odd word) I really like this idea. But where are all the cute hankies from? I never see any vintage ones this cool.

and this I would like to have, although can't I just make my own out of cardboard? It's a template set for making scallop edges. I love scallop edges on just about anything. Quilts, aprons, paper, tablecloths, you name it. I love them. So, this I love. there are 6 sizes, that's what I find so exciting. okay, that's all. I feel like I am on QVC.

 

Comments

[Nichola]

i love the tins the pins come in. It's funny you should mention vintage hankies, i saw a pile of them at the op shop the other day for a dollar each (AU), they were pretty cute and i considered buying them but then i couldn't think of what i would use them for. When i go past tomorrow i'll see if they're still there and i'll send them to you.

[joy madison]

I think its the tin!

what about a leather thimble? does that feel more natural for you?

I've seen a lot of hankies for a $1 or $2 at antique malls. They are cute, but not as cute as those:)

[amanda8]

I could buy all of that too! I love catalogues, although I rarely order anything from them! I especially like the quilt with the hankies - makes me want to keep my eye open for some!

[Strikkelise]

I see exactly what you mean about the tin! It's tempting. I don't like thimbles either, sometimes I use something else over the needle if the fabric is thick and dense. Myabe that one would be better, don't know.

[blackbird]

the pin tins I would display. I have a lot of crap I display. the thimble thing I would so buy.

[beki]

Okay, I NEED that scallop template. I love scallops on just about anything.

[Angela]

Those particular hankies are a set of kids' vintage repro hankies that you can buy from equilter of all places for about $25! I made a quilt out of them last year with old chenille.

[Grammie]

It's taken me years to get comfortable with thimbles. But now that I'm not hand quilting as much (well not at all really), I don't use my favorite thimble any more. It's funny, though. When I do use a thimble, I tend to move it from index to middle finger, which is unconventional according to some teachers. Angela's chenille-and-hankie quilt sure sounds fascinating.

[jenn]

The Keepsake Quilt shop is located in the lakes region in NH (about an hour from where I live). it is the greatest quilt shop in the world I think! And the lakes region is beautiful. I highly suggest it as a crafty/vacationy visit!!
I have a leather thimble like that but it slips around on my finger...

[moki]

I have a panel of repro vintage hankies I bought at Hobby lobby. You can look at ebay here for hanky fabric. So much cheaper than vintage hankies. Hope this helps.

[Giao]

Hi Amy! I think the tin has totally taken me in too...packaging is so swayworthy, isn't it? I also don't use thimbles properly, so I usually use my work table top to push the needle on through. =} My mom, who's the pro tailor of the 2 of us, pops in a tiny piece of thin suede fabric to help keep the thimble just right on her finger. She loves it!

[rebecca]

The only true vintage hankies I've seen that were that cute were $22+ PER hankie -- that could add up really quickly! I say definitely get the reproduction ones! In fact, you are tempting me to buy them as well . . .

[Kitty Kitty]

Well, I have really mixed feelings about that thimble. I own that one but the problem is my finger tip was to small for it so I had to use it on my middle finger. Not really the most natural finger to use for the task. Also if you have long nails it cuts the sides with that metal ridge.

I do really like it when I am beading leather or really hard surfaces, but as a general thimble it isn't my favorite.

The one that I couldn't live without is actually a really old leather and steel thimble. It is essentially a leather tube that is closed at the end by a little metal plate that has needle indents and extends down about a half an inch down the finger. It also has these amazing leather ties to keep it tight on your finger. I have seen it a couple of times with vintage sewing tools so it had to be a pretty common victorian tool.

[Kay]

You're much better than QVC. Or much worse, depending on how you look at it.

xox Kay

[Nadia]

The scallops are tres cute.

[Sarah]

I need those pins. I'm not sure why, maybe because they say they're "superfein" and I can relate to that. :) I'm not sure if I'd really like that thimble though. I'm pretty attached to mine and the way it works, although now people have told me that I'm using it on the wrong finger for hand quilting. Proving once again, I'm a quilting rebel.

[molly]

GET THE PINS! I, too, am a sucker for great packaging!

[jess hutch]

I love sewing and knitting notions. I'm always manage to convince myself that I can't go on crafting without that particular item... so I have lots.

[amanda]

I love all your gadgetry today...and yes, I can totally see how those pins (or rather, tins) could be life changing. Must have.

[Kathie]

I have the pins. They're good, but I had some better ones I bought while living in Philly...can't find them anymore...I could never get the hang of a thimble either so I use a finger bandaid instead. You put it on and go for it. You can reposition it when you go through the bandaid--which happens--and then when its no longer useful go on to the next bandaid...I can't wait for our weather to cool off so I can quilt some more!!

Kathie

[Alison]

You definately need all of them :) Can I have the manicured nails to go with the thimble as well?

[Julie]

Check eBay for vintage hankies - tons of them - cheap, too!

[Nicole Carlton]

I have a panel of that repo hankie fabric from Hobby Lobby and they are cute, but I think a really cute quilt could be made from Vera napkins. I occasionally buy a few of them when they go for cheap on ebay (and try to stay in the same color family) and reading your blog I just sort of put the idea together. So, thanks!

[Kate]

I can't get used to metal thimbles, and I wear through the leather ones too fast to want to shell out for them frequently. I started using vet wrap (that bandage stuff that sticks to itself--I buy it at the feed store, but I'm sure you can get it at other places). You can cut it into a little square or rectangle, fold it over & roll it into a little tube that molds over your finger. It wears out pretty fast, but you can make dozens from one roll of $3 vet wrap and I find it very comfortable.

[*jenny]

I want that quilt book with the hankie quilt! Great colors!

[vania]

hi! i'm a new blogger, and my friend at thimble recommended me to check out your site because i'm in the process of collecting vintage hankies (love the word) myself - to make a quilt. While they can be expensive, i can find them from $0.50 to $3 at antique markets, second-hand stores, etc. Plus, my mom keeps EVERYTHING, and since i find them so pretty, i'm thinking of posting them up on flickr. Stay tuned! i love your site

[Anita]

I've been using those pins for 20+ years! They are great for dressmaking. They are long and thin with a small head. They are really hard to find in shops around me and I live in a populated area. What's up with that? I think most people do quilting now, so different pins are required for that type of sewing.