(Part 2) Best quilting supplies according to redditors

Hello once more!

I'm back at the build game again after so much work and waiting, but another one is done. This time it's a Dimple 40% build, with DSA Scientific and matching Gat Yellows and Kailh Light Greens. I call it the TI-40Xa, paying homage to the original inspiration of DSA Scientific, the TI-30Xa calculator. Full build listed below:

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Dimple 40% Blue-Gray Case by LazyDesigners

Dimple Hotswap PCB

Dimple Brass Plate

MKUltra Foam

Gateron Yellow for Alphas (spring lubed with TX lube, stem/housing lubed with Krytox 205g0)

Kailh Pro Light Green for Mods (spring swapped to 68g and lubed with TX lube, stem/housing lubed with Tribosys 3203)

Zeal stabilizers (lubed with Krytox 205g0)

DSA Scientific Alphas + 40s kit

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Full album here: https://imgur.com/a/1G9ye2Z

Images captured and edited to taste with a Sony A7 III and Sony 24-70 f/2.8 GM, Sony 70-200 f/4 G.

Hopefully you all like it!


EDIT: It seems a lot of people have been asking for the mat I used. It's a cutting mat and you can get it from here:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0763YT9SZ/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_KkgRDb4CVTK1X

Howdy! I just got my printer today so this is fresh in my mind. I watched a lot of videos to understand what I needed and how to get everything set up. I would recommend checking out the 3DPrintFarm YouTube channel. There's a lot of great info in there. Here's a list of everything I picked up along with links to Amazon for the items I got off there. Hope it helps!

• Cutting Mat
  
  
• Microfiber Cloth for cleaning vat
  
  
• Activated Charcoal Mat to combine with printed bracket for better ventilation
  
  
• Link to bracket
  
  
• Paper Filter with Metal Mesh (Paint Strainer)
  
  
• Nitrile Gloves
  
  
• Funnel
  
  
• Metal Scraper
  
  
• Xacto Knife
  
  
• Sprayway Glass Cleaner
  
  
• Glasses Wipes to wipe bottom of vat
  
  
• Pickle Strainer
  
  
• Rubber Squeegees
  
  
• Sandpaper
  
  
• Precision pliers
  
  
• UV lamp for curing
  
  
• Toothbrush to clean prints in alcohol

Amazon sells a green version of that board. https://www.amazon.com/Hobby-Craft-Double-Healing-Cutting/dp/B00GEKIM8W

What else is green? Plants. What are plants on? Planets.

The next BGS game will have a planet in it!

Edit: Holy Todd! I found more of them. https://www.amazon.com/Healing-Cutting-Scrapbooking-Quilting-Crafts/dp/B01N7NTH88 Do you see what it says in the picture? Paragon! BGS is teaming up with Epic to re-release Paragon.

US Art Supply 18" x 24" GREEN/BLACK Professional Self Healing 5-Ply Double Sided Durable Non-Slip PVC Cutting Mat Great for Scrapbooking, Quilting, Sewing and all Arts & Crafts Projects https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00L5I8RII/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_yUD4Bb6S6APCS

I love this one....
https://www.amazon.com/Elbesee-Versatile-Frame-Suitable-Britain/dp/B00P0ZH8BY/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?keywords=Elbesee+Versatile+Seat+Frame+Suitable+For+Up+To+12%22+x+9%22+Made+in+Great+Britain&qid=1565140849&s=gateway&sr=8-1
It’s great to travel with and for everyday use.

In case you ARE speaking of a stand, I have used this one and loved it.

If you are speaking of a scroll frame, which can be square and also covered in a grime guard, any of the big box stores or local needlework shops sell them.

Glad you’re okay! Definitely always follow osha guidelines and cut AWAY!!!!!

Once you’re well enough to quilt, maybe get a fresh blade/ new rotary cutter. Much like good kitchen knives, the sharper knives are safer because you have to use less pressure. I barely rest any weight on my rotary and it easily cuts through two layers. I use an olfa. The cheapest on amazon is Olfa Splash Rotary Cutter 45mm Fairy Floss Pink if you don’t mind the pink.

Never skimp on changing the blade. Dull blades are more dangerous, just like your story shows!!!!

This is my work setup, so it’s mostly spreadsheets and general UI navigation. But it feels very accurate. I was afraid it was going to be too ‘grippy’ as I’ve read some users say while I did research on it before I bought. But it’s actually a very good surface and I’d say it compares to a Mionix Propus 380 mouse pad’s texture and not grippy at all.

Below is the mat I ordered, from not gripe is the blue wasn’t as the picture makes it out to be.
Dahle10693 Vantage Self-Healing Cutting Mat, 24" x 36", Blue, 5 layer PVC Construction, 1/2" Grid Lines, Self Healing for Maximum Durability, Perfect for Cropping Photos, Cutting, Sewing, and Crafts https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0039KNAC8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_tai_zUOIzbGVTD5X2

I’ve been bored at work so I planned out my cutting strategy for these quilt blocks. I made a cut list to make it simpler to me. If you just want to cut out a bunch of squares, go right ahead.

This includes a PDF of the blocks with cut list and layout and images of the same. There is also the Excel file if you want to play around with it.

I’m using a slightly modified Rainy Day Designs method of creating the blocks with fusible grid. She has links to Craftsy where she had posted the pattern but those links are dead. Looks like she also sold a kit on Etsy at one time but no longer.

She uses the 2" Fusible Grid and I’m using 1" Fusible Grid. My blocks finish at 8-inches and there are 24 of them for the front and three bonus blocks that I’m going to put on the back. Those are three characters from the Stampy Cat YouTube channel that my son loves.

Tools List:

Diamond Awl Chisel

Cutting Mat

Scratch Awl

Channel Groover and Beveler

Gum Tragacanth

Stitching Needles

Burnishing Tool

Rubber Mallet

Please note: These are all "bargain" options. They will get you started and will do its job.

My husband bought me a rotary fabric cutter for my birthday one year and it’s such an amazing tool, that it almost feels luxurious haha! I used to hate how much time it took me to cut out fabric for projects...this makes it a cinch.

Below are tools/materials I use all the time. I keep them super handy on my work station.

Stamps/Stamping Platform/Blocks: Clear cling stamps are going to be the most space efficient for you. I buy lots of clear stamps and metal dies on ebay to save money but the quality is not nearly as good as US-made brands. If you have wood mounted stamps you can unmount them for use with the stamp platform and for easier storage. There are tutorials online. I second and third other people's recommendations of the Tim Holtz stamp platform. I use it ALL the time. You can get placement perfect for stamps but I also love it because you can reink and stamp a couple times to get a more even and inked impression. Like /u/erwtje-be said, you can put a piece of craft foam on the platform and sometimes that helps get better impressions. I get the thinner craft foam at dollar tree and also use it to raise larger sections of the card up for some dimension. For the thicker craft foam go to Michael's or another craft store. I do use acrylic blocks from time to time too. I find the round/scalloped edge type are the ones I grab most often.

Inks: My two most used inks are VersaMark and VersaFine. I use VersaMark for most of my embossing but there are awesome other techniques you can use it with too. VersaFine gets the best edges and details IMO for all regular stamping. I highly recommend the full size. Don't bother with the itty bitty baby cubes. The great thing about both of these is they can be reinked.

Embossing Powder Tool: You use this to remove static from your paper before stamping embossing ink and applying powder so the powder only sticks to your sentiment and not to finger prints or other parts of the paper. You can make your own (tutorial) buy one like this or this. I have all three but use my home made one (6 years ago) the most often. I second /u/sm9406's powder list and point that it elevates the look and feel of your cards exponentially. You can do everything with black, white, clear, silver, and gold. Use the antistatic tool on the paper that catches your embossing powder to get as much of it back in the container as possible.

Scissors/Tape/Glue: I use my Tim Holtz non-stick serrated scissors everyday. They are for cutting adhesive tapes/double stick foam. They are great if you buy tape on rolls, not necessary if you use the plastic applicator double stick stuff. I find that much less versatile than buying rolls of double stick tape and foam tape. I personally buy mine from DAISO but you may not have that store where you are. They have all different widths and I find the quality cannot be beat for $1.50 a roll. Scor Tape is also excellent though it is much more expensive. My favorite glue is the ZIG two way glue pen. When it's blue and wet it is permanent or if you let it dry clear it can be used to temporarily bond things.

Tweezers: I never bothered to get tiny craft tweezers for a looong time and now I realize how much time and headache could been avoided if I'd only known how much I would use them. To remove double stick tape backing, to position small glued elements, to pick up and place tiny embellishments, etc. These are by far the best tweezers I've bought. I tried some knock off alternatives but they honestly don't even come close. If you're going to get tweezers, I highly suggest these by EK Tools.

Ruler/Layer Tool: I'm absolutely obsessed with this tool. If you like the clean look of layered/matted paper on your cards it is a must. It will look perfect every time. You use this with an Xacto or other craft knife. You will want a self healing mat or a tempered glass cutting surface. I prefer the glass mat over the self healing because you can glue on it and ink on it and then scrape or wash it off. That link is to the one I have, it is a bit large. I know they make smaller ones though. My favorite ruler is by Tim Holtz It has the metal edge so you can run your craft knife against it. I cut things by hand with the ruler and layer tools much more often than with the paper cutter.

ScorBuddy: Like /u/Mystery_Substance suggested, the ScorPal is awesome. They make a mini version called the ScorBuddy and I use that 99% of the time over my larger one. The big one is mostly useful if you're going to make your own envelopes which I don't really do.

https://www.amazon.com/PRYM-Quilters-Floor-Frame-Accessory/dp/B07DYF22ZH/ref=sr_1_6?crid=2HOCVZNR8SXLK&keywords=quilting+racks+for+hand+quilting&qid=1571680934&sprefix=quilting+ra%2Caps%2C230&sr=8-6
Amazon has this ...$99.99. Herrschners hand quilting frame. I have no idea if the link will works but easy enough to find on Amazon.com.

If you're going to take things with more than a few screws apart very frequently, I highly recommend something like this magnetic grid mat. It cures the missing screw that always happens :)

iExcell 125-Pack Yellow All Purpose Craft Clips - Best for Sewing Clips, Quilting Clips, Crafters, Crochet, Knitting https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KJGPS1R/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_xZDvCbANDCS83

These hold pretty well on 1000d cordura, would probably work better than tape.

In that case, I would skip using graph paper and if you don't already own one, buy a cutting mat like this

I know it's not the answer you wanted to hear. We would all love to have a 3D scanner that outputs CAD data seamlessly that doesn't cost $100,000 but they just don't exist yet. The technology is getting better, but it's just not an inexpensive one-click solution yet.

If you want to play around with 3D scans, check out /r/Photogrammetry
With photogrammetry you can use your cell phone camera to feed pictures into free or commercial software to create 3D point clouds. The point clouds are then connected and converted to meshes which are then processed into solid models.

If you're still a student, ask around. Many universities have laser scanners that could quickly create a 3D model like you're describing. Good luck and let us know if you find a satisfactory solution!

I bought EZ Quilting Template Plastic 12x18 (Thin) from my local Ben Franklin Crafts Store for about $3-4


Search 073077700517 will hopefully find a suitable local vendor for you.

else...

AMAZON x1 $1.49+$7 shipping : Wrights 670051 Plastic Quilt Template

OR

AMAZON x6 $14.99 Free Shipping Bundle of EZ International Quilting by Wrights Blank Plastic Template Sheets, 12in x 18in (6 Sheets)

 

video demonstrating its use - I just wish he'd used a darker background to highlight the anti-glare reduction better.

Something like this may be helpful. There's a bit of a trick to getting it right, and for the life of me I can't remember it fully. I feel like it requires leaving space and then folding the interfacing so that neat lines can be made. It's supposed to be super lightweight interfacing, so the added bulk shouldn't be too noticeable.

I use this one.

Its the spring steel piece from those sewing clips. My wife had these and I used some of them to secure filament to the spool when unloading my long bowden tubes. One day, when I crashed a nozzle into a bulldog clip, I thought there should be a better solution. One thing lead to the next and voila.

I was thinking of creating a drum shade but a good portion of the tutorials that I've found online involve an embroidery/quilting hoop. I haven't been able to find a hoop as large as I need it to go around the entire chandelier so I've ruled that option out.

My current idea has been to use template plastic for the structure and then attach fabric to it. I'm not sure about how I'd get it in that really round shape without some sort of hoop. Any suggestions on how to do that or alternatives?

I'm also trying to keep this a reasonable price since I'm only planning on being in this apartment for about another year. Thanks in advance!

I have this one I bought on Amazon and it's great. It covers my entire workbench which is fantastic, and it doesn't slip when I'm working large pieces.

Did you know Amazon will donate a portion of every purchase if you shop by going to smile.amazon.com instead? Over $50,000,000 has been raised for charity - all you need to do is change the URL!

Here are your smile-ified links:

scroll frame

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^^i'm ^^a ^^friendly bot

The most standard ruler to start with is a 6"x24".

It will do almost all your cutting, and will adapt to a surprising amount of work.

This will be my next one (cause it is just that cool). But honestly, you have to be able to read measurements off of this. Omnigrid makes the easiest to read, but take a look at different ones and see what is good for YOU!

Florescent Green Ruler

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No matter what ruler you get, you can always make them grippier! Try something like these:

Non Slip rings

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This is my favorite mat. It has lasted over 20 years. It is thicker than other brands. (and cheaper!)

Alvin Mat

Judging by the lines, it looks to be a self healing cutting mat. Not sure the brand from this picture as the text on it’s a bit blurry.

I did recently get one that looks very similar that is a cutting mat, it’s vinyl so it’s rated for like 100 degrees I think. Not quite a soldering mat but here

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0039KNAC8

Edit: looks to be a protek cutting mat

So what I would do is get a piece of magnetic imaging film [1] and survey the desk area for fields. Besides that I would introduce an insulator, for any development board I work on, I have used those green craft boards [2] which are seem to be great insulators. You might also try using a wrist connected grounding strap [3]. If there are any electrical posts built into the table, unplug them, and inspect the insulators and neutral & ground runs.



[1] https://www.amazon.com/Magnetic-Viewing-Film-Field-Display/dp/B00129CCGS


[2] https://www.amazon.com/Hobby-Craft-Double-Healing-Cutting/dp/B00GEKIM8W


[3] https://www.amazon.com/Anti-Static-Wrist-Strap-Grounding-Adjustable/dp/B002O6U65W

A few ideas:

• New scissors are always appreciated because they have to be VERY SHARP in order to be useful. There are lots of cute ones on Etsy and Amazon.
  
• A stitching stand can save your hands from cramping and change a stitcher's life by letting them try two-handed! I like this one that sits under your legs while you work.
  
• I love having a cute basket to put my stitching that is near the couch but doesn't mess up the living room decor.

Looks like a beveled applique tool. Used to roll the edges of fabric when making patches.

HERE is an Amazon link to something similar.

And HERE is a video showing how they are used.