This morning I decided to take the time to write a block about all the products I use to design and make the patterns for this blog. There are many things you can use in place of the ones I use, just in case you cannot find something.
Drawing a graph.
Line up your paper or cardstock with the lines on the board underneath, then use a pencil and ruler to draw the lines. When they are draw in one direction, turn to draw the second set.
The easiest way to line up one inch squares to draw is to lay your paper or cardstock down on a sewing grid cutting board. Most sewers or scrapbook people already own one and if you don't and do not have a lot of money, buy one with a coupon. I am always on a budget and when I need something I check on line sales ads at Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Hancock Fabrics or Joanne Fabrics before going shopping because you can usually find one or more with a 40% or 50% off coupon.
For tiny patterns I may ask you to draw a 1/2" graft. Once you have drawn a 1" graph, move the paper to line up half way between the one inch lines and draw again. It's that simple.
Tracing fabric.
Tracing fabric is made by several companies. It is light weight with dots marking one inch all over it. I prefer using it to paper because it doesn't wear out when used many times, unlike paper.
There are many tacky glues on the market so don't think these are the only ones out there. When I first became a milliner, I tested various glues to give me a strong bond within a reasonable drying time. I could not take a glue with fumes because I work in my house in air-conditioning. I can't open doors because of the Texas heat, so no fumes was a must.
I constantly remind you that I too am on a budget, because I want you to know I don't throw money away. My first bottle of tacky glue I bought at my local Wal-Mart. It was Aleene's and I loved it. A 4oz bottle was only $1.57. However, the store dropped their usual sewing department and a lot of the products that they carried and that was one of them. When I went to buy it again, I found it was double that price at all the other stores. You can't always get a coupon, so I shopped everywhere to come up with a better deal. In Hobby Lobby I found this 7.5 oz of Elmer's glue for $2.77 and had a 40% off coupon. I tried it and it is great. Now you choose what you buy and spend but if you already have another type, then use it.
A good stiff, heavy duty interfacing.
I used to own a shop and bought most products wholesale in bulk. I still had plenty of this in my sewing stuff and love this product. I hope it is still available, but if not there are others I am sure. I use it whenever I need a stiffener in my craft patterns and it is fusible.
No Sew Heat n bond
I found out about this product accidentally when Kim, my daughter bought a roll on clearance for me while I was away a year ago. She didn't know anything about it but because it was reduced to $5 for a roll for 10 yards, she thought it would be something I may use later. I wish I had tested it much sooner and bought all I could find because I love it.
When I began using fabric with my die cut machine, I tested various paper backed fusible and this one beat them all. I heat set it on the back of scrap fabrics and ran it through my die cut machine and it cut like a dream. The paper peels off the die cuts so easily and often fall off. Then I heat set them onto whatever I am making. It really is Ultrabond!
Thermal Lining
I hadn't bought this product in a long day, until last Monday. I used to use it when making book and album covers and a lot of other crafts. When I wrote the blog on how to make removable fabric book covers I was out of it, so last Monday when Joanne's had their 1/2 off interfacing sale for 4th July, I bought 2 yards at $2.50 a yard instead of $4.99 a yard. I will be using it many times throughout my blog.
Light weight fleece
I bought this product at Hancock Fabrics when they had it on sale 40% off, so paid $1.79, instead of $2.99 a yard. I used it in the placemat blog for back to school. I will also be using this many times in the future.
No comments:
Post a Comment