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Ask Margrit Late Fall 2006
2006 Houston Quilt Market From Ask Margrit's Perspective
The e-Forum column is dedicated to you, the quilter. I would like to encourage you to participate in the e-Forum by submitting any events, thoughts, questions and hints to “Ask Margrit” and submitting your information via e-mail. If you submit information regarding quilting events in your area, we will post as many as possible. Please submit at least 2 months prior to the event.
In this edition of Ask Margrit:
I saw some fun and exciting new products, tools, and yes even toys for quilters at this year's Houston Quilt Market. I want to share a little information about some of them with you and give you my impressions. I have also provided website information for those of you that want to get more in depth information on the item you find of interest.
Janome Xpression
A needle felting machine, that works without thread on bobbin. Instead, a barbed five needle unit interlocks the fibers to create a blend of texture and color. It works with yarns, roving ribbon and more.
Three-in-one Snippers
The Three-in-one Snippers take the place of 3 separate tools. It is a snipper, a seam ripper, and an awl, all in one.
Masterpiece Thread
The Masterpiece Threads by Alex Anderson are #50 extra-long Egyptian cotton thread and come in a large variety of colors.
EZ Quilting has developed a small 18mm rotary cutter to be used with their easy circle template. The center of the cutter is flat (no screw) so it doesn't hit against the ruler or template. It has a retractable blade and safety lock.
Darlene Zimmerman has created two new rulers to make your quilt designing faster and more fun. The first is the Fat Cats Ruler to help you make cats of various shapes and sizes. The second is the Easy Dresden Quilt Ruler an acrylic ruler for making a variety of sizes of Dresden plate blocks.
imberly Einmo has created the Easy Star and Geese Ruler, which helps you make 9 different flying geese sizes and many different star sizes.
Bead Embroidery Tool
The old art of Tambour embroidery, using a fine hook on a fine cloth tightly stitched in a frame is simple using this new kantan Couture Bead and Embroidery tool. You can make a variety of motifs using sequins and beads.
"Quick" Yo - Yo Maker
A great tool to help you make those perfect yo-yo's for your quilts. They come in large and small sizes.
Magnetic Pin Caddy
For a safe and colorful way to store your pins, it's the Magnetic Pin Caddy. It comes in fun colors of green, pink, and purple, and has a cover so the pins can be safely stored.
Spring Action Scissors
The spring action opens the scissors after each cut reducing stress on the hands while cutting. They easily cut through multiple layer of fabric. A safety lock is provided for protection when the scissors are not in use.
Ergonomic Rotary Cutter
Fiskars has developed a new ergonomic designed rotary cutter with a longer handle for a more comfortable grip. In addition, the blade is easier to change as it has only two parts.
Cheri's Cool Tool
The tool has 5 tips for a variety of quilting and craft projects.
- An applique tip for freezer paper applique techniques
- Pressing tip for pressing seams and bias tape
- Large cluster tip for applying cluster of large crystals
- Small cluster tip for applying small crystals and individual large crystals
- Crystal tip for applying single crystals
Quilter's Preview Paper
With this paper you have the ability to see your design before you quilt. You can see if your thread will contrast or disappear. You perforate the paper to mark your quilt.
Quilters Dream Angel
This batting is made with 100% flame retardant needlepunched fibers. The batting contains no harmful chemicals and will not melt when it comes in contact with flames. The flame retardant will not wash or rub off.
Micro Beads
Micro Beads can be used for filler to make pillows and stuffed toys. It works great for stuffing stretchy polyester fibers.
Blizzard Snow Drift
Blizzard Snow Drift is great for stuffing, but it can also be used for adding snow drifts to your Christmas decorating, and it comes with glitter to give an added sparkle.
White Rose Batting
White Rose Batting is needlepunched 100% bleached cotton. It is soft and drapeable, and works great for hand, machine, or tied quilts.
Tagua Nut (Vegetable Ivory) Pendants and Buttons
Tagua nuts are a product from the Amazon Rain Forest, and are being merchandized to keep the trees from being cut down. The buttons and pendants are sliced for the Tagua Nut and then dyed in a variety of beautiful colors.
Quilt-EZ Templates
The quilt-EZ Templates are made for long arm quilting machines. The quilting designs are grooved into the template. The templates have a no skid backing, and require no clamping or taping to hold them in place. A stylus that fits into the groove of the template is attached to the quilting machine. The stylus is available for all long arm machines. The stylus does not have to be removed for free hand quilting.
Curve Master 1/4" Foot
Curve Master has a large assortment of new Just Curves quilt templates to help simplify the cutting of a variety of different quilts.
