Welcome to everyone 'hopping' around Quilting Gallery's Blog Hop Party! You may not have met me before. I am a designer, author and teacher from Canada's West Coast. Perhaps you've seen some of my patterns in your local shops. I own Patchworks Studio, one of the longest-running quilt design companies in Canada.
You may have seen my patterns for Too Easy Stained Glass,
and my technique Give and Take Applique.
I am also the co-author of 5 books, including my most recent, Give and Take Fabric Applique, published by the American Quilter's Society.
I also 'star' in a DVD that shows you exactly how the Give and Take Applique technique differs from more common ways of doing fused applique. This positive/negative approach has NO WASTE and design opportunities are extensive.
I publish an online e-zine, Creative Expressions about every 2 weeks. It includes tips for quilters and fibre artists, On My Bookshelf reviews and other articles about my work and teaching.
Sign up to receive my e-zine on my website.
My latest venture: I will be writing a Product Review column for the Canadian Quilter magazine. There are so many tools and products for us to use. I'll tell you how some of them may be helpful for your work.
My Giveaway!
I'm giving away a copy of my Give and Take Applique DVD and Stencil Set.
To enter: Leave me a comment and tell me about one product or tool that you can't live without and why. The winner will be randomly selected on December 17th. I will send the DVD and Stencil Set anywhere in the world!
Looking forward to hearing about your best suggestions!
136 comments:
I can't live without my Olfa Frosted Advantage rulers. I love dark fabrics and had so much trouble cutting them out in the evening. Between the glare off the rulers and trouble seeing the lines I might as well have cut some of my pieces freehand! The frosted rulers make a HUGE difference.
wow that's quite a list of projects you have on the go - way to go you!
I am pretty simple - I absolutely couldn't live without my rotary cutter & rulers. They are probably my number 1 used notion.
Thanks for the chance :)
Sadly enough, the one tool I can't seem to live without is my trusty seamripper. It always gets brought our in nearly every project and I could never finish anything without it =)
Your techniques seem very interesting and I really do hope I win as I'd love to learn them!
What beautiful quilts. I'm kind of a no-frills quilter, but I guess I will be one of many quilters who will say their rotary cutter. How did I do without it all those years ago? Many wonky quilts, I guess. Have fun with the blog-hop. These are always a lot of fun and thanks Michele for putting it together.
This would be awesome to win!! I am a new follower and am discovering many Canadian bloggers in this blog hop! Woo Hoo! Thanks for the chance!
My rotary cutter is the tool I wouldn't like to live without.
Thanks for all the comments so far. I use those frosted Olfa rulers too. The lines DO show up very well on both light and dark fabrics.
Seam ripper - mine is right by my macine!
And rotary cutting equipment - definitely one of my most favorite tools too. I have started using some of the decorative blades as well. We'll be using them on my Caribbean cruise in January.
I would have to say my rotary cutter. Scissor would be so slow and not nearly as accurate. Thanks.
My favorite product is the Day Light Task Light. Without the light I would not be able to do my quilt piecing by machine. Thanks for the giveaway. Lana Drum
I can't live without bread, for then I will be hungry...but I guess for this give away you want to know what quiltersproduct or tool: Well I couldn't do without my sewing machine for patching, applique and quilting I do by hand. I am very curious to the contents of your book. I am busy blog hopping already and I am a participant as well! So much fun! Kind greetings from the Netherlands!
xx
uhhh I've been drooling over that give and take book! my favorite tool/ template ( apart from my go cutter) is a template for kaleidoscope blocks, called a smart plate, I have the book and template that go together, and it's a great tool to trim pinwheel blocks into kaleidoscope blocks!
The product that i can't live without is Ellen's Best Press. If I have a fabric that I cannot iron the wrinkles out of, a quick spritz of Ellen's Best Press and a press of the iron and I have a perfectly flat piece of fabric!
Despite the fact that I have collected all sorts of tools over the years, my trusty blue handled seam ripper is a constant companion right next to my machine.
He helps to make my projects the best I can do.
I love my Bendable light for my main mashine - also just got a bracket to put on another machine - no matter what machine, their lights are never bright enough - course I won't admit my aging eyesight is a factor - lol! Thanks for the giveaway, Daphne.
Hmm..rotary cutter. I can't cut a straight line without it.
Thx for the chance to win ^^v
Pretty safe to say that we all can't imagine not having rotary cutters and rulers and mats so, after that,I would be lost if I had to live without my quilting thimble. Thanks for the chance to win your awesome DVD and stencil set. Fingers crossed!
My favorite tool is unfortunately the seam ripper!! Mine is so old and the handle is cracked but is so sharp I can't throw it away. Thanks for the chance to win on your blog!
MaryPat
My new favorite tool is my rotating cutting mat. Honestly, how did I ever live without it.
I guess it would be my rotary cutter and seam ripper.thanks for the chance to win
I couldn't live without my rotary cutter (could if I absolutely had to)- life is so much easier with it
i would be lost without my rotary cutter. your work is gorgeous, thanks for hosting a giveaway
I guess it would have to be my "Olfa rotary cutter". Basic, but without question the biggest time-saver for any quilter. When I have to pull out the old scissors, I get a little shaky, because I am more comfortable using the rotary cutter.
Happy Holidays,
Nettie
nettiecrain@live.com
I'm another frosted ruler lover. They are awesome and your book and stencils look awesome, too. I LOVE applique, and would love to see how you teach it. :0)
WAY cool give-away! My favorite tool is my camera because my pictures are a jumping off point for many of my projects!
Love my rotary cutter
Hi Daphne, your patterns are just gorgeous.
I am one of your new followers.
I love my rotary cutter, and my Ott light.
Merry Xmas from Australia! Sandy.
i can't live with out my seam ripper
What a nice giveaway Daphne. My favorite tool is my rotary cutter and rulers. They just make quilting so much easier. Thanks for the chance to win such a nice prize.
Regards from Alberta,
Anna
Applique is one challenge my quilt club wants to tackle in 2012, so this would be an awesome win. I like my rotary cutter because I hate to cut with scissors and get better accuracy with it.
I couldn't live without a seam ripper and also rotary cutting equipment! I would love to win your DVD and stencil set, your applique looks so interesting!
I bless heaven when I discovered rotary cutters, cutting mats and rulers! Thanks for the giveaway.
Definitely could not live without a nice, sharp rotary cutter. The first one I ever owned was terrible and squeaky. Thanks for the great giveaway! :)
Hmmm, I would have to say the one tool I can't do without is my sewing machine. LOL. I've never really had the patience to hand sew much of anything.
I cannot live without the Clover needle threader. What a wonderful invention. Thank you for the give away.
Olfa rotary cutters and mats along with all the different rulers to help you cut your blocks accurately. Just bought Pat Sloans Sullivan ruler with the blade sharpener edge.Thanks for the giveaway, get chance to learn a new technique
Thanks for the chance to win!
I can't live without my rotary cutter! I use it every time I sew.
Thanks
kelly (at) mysimplewalk (dot) com
There are many tools you must have like the rotary cutter, but my favorite is my 12 inch Olfa rotating mat.
I love my Kwik Klip because it saves my fingernails from tearing up. Thanks for the giveaway! Merry Christmas!
I'm a new quilter so at the moment my "favorite" is my seam ripper. At least I have a good one.LoL. Thanks for such a generous giveaway.
missmoozie/at/gmail/dot/com
Thanks for the giveaway. I love my freezer paper! I love to applique and it is my method of choice. Happy Sewing!
Angie
I love my design wall! It's just an old blanket my mom had laying around, but it works perfectly! Very interesting appliqué you teach, I would love to check it out!
I couldn't manage without my rotary cutter! I can't imagine cutting all that fabric with scissors!
My blunt nosed tweezers! They assist in my sewing in many ways! Thanks for the chance, Dianne
I can't live without my rotary cutters, cutting mats and rulers. They are a must have. Thanks for the lovely giveaway!!!
I can't quilt or sew without my Havel's Easy Squeeze "Snip-Eze" Curved Blade Scissors. For snipping threads at the sewing machine, THEY ARE THE BEST! There a copy cat snips, but unless they say Havel's don't waste your money! I know, I've bought others and they're just not the same. End of story. Great prize. Thanks. Kd of www.KdQuilts.com
Like others, my favorite tool is my rotary cutter. It makes the work so easy.
Your work is absolutely beautiful!
I think the greatest invention for quilters has been the invention of the rotary cutter/mat.
Hi Daphne. My "go to tool" is my stiletto. It has really helped me with my accuracy when stitching.
i'm going to go with my rotary cutter!!
Hi, the tool that I can't live without would have to be my seam riper and next would be my rotary cutter, I know that is two but one goes with the other I make sure that they both are together at all times. Thank you for your giveaway and Happy Holiday to You and Yours.
Thank you for the opportunity to enter. I think my rulers and my rotary cutter I couldn't live without. But I'm a new quilter so I dont' have a lot of tools at this point. Thank you again.
My clover seamripper
My favorite is my rotary cutter and many rulers can't live with out them. What a great give away thanks. Judy
Of course over the course of years, the rotary cutter and ruler have become staples, but I have to say my Sewline pencils are my new can't live without tool!!! I hate it when I not only misplace one, but both of them!!!
WOW! How do you do it all! I love applique and would love to win these prises. Thanks for the chance. My favorite thing is my rotary cutter. Without it I couldn't cut a straight line. Joyce--ccarter132windstream.net
My favorite notion is my Clover seam ripper. It's getting a real workout right now as I'm ripping off the binding on a twin sized quilt to replace it...
I can't live without my seam ripper. I have good and then there are bad days and I really need to RIP IT. I recognize some of your designs and the name Patchwork Studio comes to my mind. Thank you for great giveway. I know I would enjoy it.
From Sonora, CA
sandit1@sbcglobal.net
I have my hand way up in the air! I would love to win your book!! I love fusible applique and would put it to great use!
Being a longarm for hire, I cannot live without the Accu-Glide Ruler by Donita Reeves! I use it 80% of the time when working on client quilts!
I couldn't live without my rotating cutting mat. It makes cutting 4 sides so much easier, just rotate the mat and everything stays in place.
I have many small scissors that are sharp all the way to the end. I need to take a pair to work, because the ones they have there don't cut the thread clean and I can't thread the needle.
Wow I loved your Victorian Window I bought the pattern. Would love this winning. I love my eze view.
Does my sewing machine count as a tool I can't live without?....I guess I can't live without my Iron Off hot iron cleaner. I'm messy when I applique.
I love my June Taylor Shape Cut ruler for cutting strips...makes cutting go a lot faster!
I'm on the blog hop too and giving things away daily...please take a look...I have an appliqued flower quilt on my post. Thanks for the great give-away!
Brenda...the Farmer's Dotter
my 6x24Ruller and my rotary Cutter
my favorite tool would have to be the rotary cutters! I cannot imagine quilting without a rotary cutter! How did all of our predecessors to it!!!??? Merry Christmas and thanks!
Daphne,so great to see you participating in this great blog hop! I do not personally know you but I have a friend out west who introduces you to everyone she talks to in our quilting circle.
The gift your offering is unique and I as well as all other visitors would love to have it.
I have a new rotary cutter that closes automatically when you are finished using it. LOVE it! Thanks for the great giveaway!
Linda
http://homesweetquiltinghome.blogspot.com
Definitely my rotary cutter. How did we manage accuracy before them? Your work is beautifu.
Tools that I use all the time are my rulers, mat, and rotary cutter-- but one that I've been using lately is my yo-yo maker! I have always wanted to make a yo-yo quilt, but thought that it just looked so time consuming and tedious. With the Clover Yo-Yo maker, it's quick, easy and fun and my yo-yo's come out so uniform! I love it! Thank you so much for this giveaway!! What fun! :-)
I can't live without my stiletto! I learned to quilt using one and I just feel naked without it in my hand when I am sewing at the machine! Thanks for the chance at your giveaway!
Nice giveaway! I cannot live without my pincushion. I use it the most of all my "tools". Thanks for entering me in your draw.
I can't live without my stiletto (or really sharp pointy thing). It helps me to ease things under the presser foot when they don't want to go and I've already removed my pins.
My favorite quilting tool is my credit card! Thanks for the chance!
Daphne, I love your work, and the new book looks fantastic. I think the the cover is fantastic. I am a realatively new Canadian designer from the east coast. This is a hard question, so many answers! I would have to say the really fine silk pins! I am also in the blog hop, hope you visit me.
I do a lot of machine embroidery and applique, so one of the tools I could not do without is/are my curved scissors. They are bent at the end, so they I can get them flush with the material, under the needle and snip the thread really close. They are invaluable!
I can't live without my seam ripper. We work well together at least once every day - lol!
Thanks for the opportunity to enter your great giveaway!
I just can't live without my wooden skewer, which I use as a stiletto. I steer fabric beneath the presser foot with it.
What a great giveaway and what a busy person you must be!! I can't live without my 1/4 inch presser foot! I get perfect seams every time with it!
Thank you for the opportunity to enter!
I would say rotary cutter. Nothing compare to this tool when cutting a straight line.
My favorite tool is the rotary cutter, I have been using one for sewing and quilting since the 80s when they came out. Thanks so much for the chance to win these wonderful prizes.
Yes! I have seen your patterns out there in blogland! At first they intimidated me, but now I think I have the confidence to try them. Thanks for the chance to win. The tool I can't live without for quilting is my digital camera. I like to take pictures of the layout and then piece it together. It's much easier than numbering all of the blocks by row. I also can look at it from a different view and look at color values. Have a great holiday!
My rotary cutter and mat. Gheez, I remember when all we had was a pair of scissors! OOPS did I date myself or what. While my kids think I invented the wheel, I'm not quite that old! :-)
wow!!! great opportunity to win. thank you. my tool is rotary cutter and mat too. hugs
I can't live without my labtop, everything I have learned about quilting has been online. I would be lost without it.
my trusty seam ripper is my can't live without tool...
You are a very very busy lady. Where do you get all your energy from? I have not met you but ironically I just saw the fabric for the Dragonfly by Moonlight and have just decided to get it after the first of the year. Hoping for those quilt shop gc's! for Christmas. thank you for introducing yourself and i have joined your blog just to keep track of all you do. i am Jeanne and I live in Missouri, USA. Nice to meet you Daphne
It is hard to mention just one tool but my wonderful sharp sewing scissors are my favorite. I use a rotary cutter much more now but my scissors, a gift from my hubby are still pretty special.
in addition to my rotary cutter and Cutting Edge rulers, I can't live without live without the Gypsy Gripper
Beautiful quilts!! I can't quilt without my rotary cutter. I use it every opportunity I get. When I learned to quilt we had to use templates and scissors, so the rotary has been a wonderful tool for me.
My must have is my tablet so I can go online and learn quilting tips from the masters.
I can't live without my mother's thimble!
nicolesender(at)yahoo(dot)com
My shape cut ruler I use it all the time!
The shape cut ruler!i love it!
I can't live without my rotary cutter.
Ive got your too easy stained glass and love how simple and effective it is, I couldnt be without my rotary cutter :)
I would love to try this technique. It looks really neat!
I love my rotary cutter.
Desi
weeshareblog@gmail.com
So glad I went blog hopping today...I had never heard of you. I would be lost without my friend Bernina. Don't know if my sewing machine counts, but I certainly wouldn't be quilting without her.
The one tool I can't live without, gotta be scissors. Where would I be without those????
I just can't live w/o my Bernina! If I did ... oh, I don't even want to think about that! Thank you for the chance to win :)
Wow - I'm getting lots of great ideas for favourite tools. Rotary cutting - yes, that's SO important and there have been some great new improvements on cutters over the last few years. I like my Olfa 'Quick Change' cutter - so easy to put in a new sharp blade. With all the cutting I do, this is really a time saver for me.
I also like those Olfa frosted rulers. My aging eyes appreciate the view on both light and dark fabrics.
I'm a BERNINA-girl too. Where would I be without my trusty machine?
Thanks for all the comments. I'm looking forward to seeing who the winner of the DVD and stencil set will be in the random draw. Be sure to check back after December 17th to see if YOU are the winner (and for a SPECIAL OFFER!)
Daphne
I can't live without my Olfa rotary cutter or my Bernina 440QE. Thanks for the chance to win this amazing giveaway.
My favorite tool would be my rotary cutter. Can't imagine quilting without it. Thank you for sharing with us!
What beautiful patterns, I can't wait to explore your website! As a new quilter I have to say that my 6x24 inch ruler is my favourite tool. When I first started quilting, earlier this year, I tried using my husband's carpenter square, needless to say I had some problems with that! I love finding a west coast Blog. Thanks from Merritt BC
My favorite or can't live without tool is my sewing machine.
You are such a talented woman. Very nice to meet you on your blog. Thanks!!
I love my "twisters"...I have so enjoyed making both big and little. Thanks for generous give-a-way. Happy Holidays.
One of my most important quilting tools is actually my computer. I have learned almost everything from blogs this year. Thanks for giving away Give and Take! Congrats on writing your book.
CanNOT live without my seam rippers. They are constantly with me.
I cant live without my clover seam ripper
While I have a close relationship with my seam ripper, I find myself surprised at how much I use my stiletto. I'm really glad to have it and can't imagine not using it now. Thanks for the opportunity!
I guess my most used tools would be the only ones i bring with me when I travel...seam ripper & scissors!
When I first started quilting I used scissors and cardboard from cereal boxes so I love the rotary cutter.
Rotary cutter and a big, long straight edge. I couldn't cut straight to save my life. Your DVD and templates sound great! I would love to take my quilting to the next level! Thanks for the wonderful giveaway!
Thank you for this great opportunity. I registered for your newsletter. Your applique technique sounds interesting.
I think the one tool I can't live without is my rotary cutter & mat. If not for these my arthritis would keep me from cutting very much fabric at all.
Rotary cutter. Mine is now old. Would love a new one.
Can't do a thing without my coffee!
I love my Bohin #10 milliners needles for hand applique. If you've never tried them, you are missing out--they are simply amazing! Thanks for the chance to win the Give and Take!
I've recently started using a thimble for all my hand sewing including applique and what a difference it makes. Now I couldn't live without it.
I can't live without my iron-use it constantly. Thanks for the chance.
I could not live without my 12 -1/2 square ruler.
Do I have to pick just 1? My Fetherweight sewing machine it's so cute and a real work horse. ;->
I like my little scissors. They follow me around my sewing room and I'm always having to remember where I had them last.
I can't live without my rotary cutter, so much better than scissors.
My rotary cutter, better than scissors
I can't live without my seam ripper
My ruler stand, hand-crafted, holds everything I am currently using in the way of rulers.It keeps them in one place so I can put my hand straight to them and not have to search about each time. I also have a place to put them back into once used.
as a new quilter my seam reaper is the most used. So for now that is my favorite tool. I know as I get more experience that it will be replaced.
Thanks
I love my rotary cutter - it is attached to a ruler - makes things much easier.
Give and Take - sounds like the perfect thing for fabric, and for marriage too:)
Thanks for the chance to win.
Cathy Byrd
byrd@gulftel.com
Just thinking about the dark days before rotary cutters and rulers makes me shudder.
Rotary cutter because you can not start with out it. lnb1191(at)aol(dot)com
what a great comment thread...I am learning about all the indespensable tools out there! so far mine is my seam ripper! thanks, Lori
I love the Frixion pens for marking embroidery and cut lines. The pen marks disappear with heat. Some people complain they come back with cold, but I don't plan on freezing my quilts!
I started to run through all the tools I have in my sewing room and realized that I could continue to create without most of my tools. Other than a needle and scissors, I suppose an iron would be difficult to live without.
Thank-you for the chance to win.
kario66@hotmail.com
The tool I can't live without is good, sharp pair of scissors - preferably two of them - a small pair by the machine and larger ones to cut fabric with. I get so aggravated when the scissors won't cut. But then I guess I could probably "live" without them. We are awfully spoiled, aren't we?
Well, the truth is, none of us would get very far without a seam ripper! Or reverse sewing device, if you prefer.
I can't live without my rotary cutter, because how else would you cut a big stack of fabrics? With scissors?? Nah. *grin*
Thanks for the opportunity to win! :)
sarita0818 at comcast dot net
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