Welcome to our third Sewing Tool Roundup. Each month we showcase new, or new to us, sewing supplies. Check out our previous Sewing Tool reviews here and here.
Aurifil 12 wt cotton is the perfect thickness for hand applique, hand embroidery, stitched embellishments, and for primitive style hand quilting. It can also be used in your sewing machine (with regular thread in your bobbin) for topstitching, blanket stitching, and machine embroidery. The thickness of the thread is equivalent to three strands of stranded embroidery thread such as DMC. I have been using Aurifil 12 wt cotton for some chicken scratch embroidery, for embroidered details on zakka sewing projects, and for adding details to crocheted toys with great success. I had less success with using it in my sewing machine but my machine can be pretty temperamental. Overall, I like the thread which comes in a beautiful range of colours and a has lovely sheen to it. I love that the Aurifil 12 wt is on a spool, unlike traditional embroidery thread, which makes it perfect for embroidery projects on the go. I was provided with a sample of the Aurifil 12 wt cotton from Sew Nana’s Place and purchased a pack from Massdrop.
Marilee’s Numbered Pins are the perfect solution for organising quilt blocks, rows, and columns, so that you assemble your quilt in the correct order. When quilting, I usually write numbers on scraps of paper and then pin them to the quilt blocks. Using numbered pins is so much simpler and easier. The pins are numbered from 1 to 20, with 130 Pins in total. They are stored in a handy two-sided compartmentalized container. The pins are sharp and long, with the numbers clearly displayed, so they will stand out well against the pattern of the fabric. I used Marilee’s Numbered Pins in a recent quilt and they ensured the clocks remained in the correct order when being transferred between the ironing board and the sewing machine. They are a great addition to your quilting tools. I purchased my set from Massdrop.
Flatter is a starch free smoothing spray, made by Soak Wash, that relaxes wrinkles and freshens fabric. I love steam and starch when ironing clothing, and pressing quilt blocks and applique shapes. I was keen to try this new alternative to starch to see how it measured up. Flatter has an amazing scent – I used Yuzu and really made everything smell fresh and clean. It comes in a handy pump spray bottle and it was great at getting rid of wrinkles. I have used it on clothing, and on fabrics, including fine Liberty lawn, with great success. There was no residue left on the fabric and the fabric was nice and soft. The manufacturer advised that it is recommended for sensitive skin. Flatter is available from Sew Nana’s Place.
Wiss Home and Craft Scissors cut paper, fabric, cardboard, craft materials and more. I have been road testing these scissors on a variety of craft materials recently and they are a great general purpose craft scissors. I have separate scissors that I use for fabric and these are being used for everything else. They have a lower serrated blade which helps them grip the material they are cutting to give a good result. The handles are comfortable to hold and they are good weight and can cut cardboard with ease. Quality tools really make a difference in getting a good end product that you can be proud of. If you are looking for some general purpose craft scissors, I would recommend the Wiss Home and Craft Scissors. Available from leading hardware stores (RRP: AUD $16.95). 
Karen Kay Buckley’s Bigger Perfect Circles come in ten different sizes ranging from 2 1/4 inch through to 4 1/2 inch. They are made from heat resistant plastic so they can be used with an iron. I use the starch technique for making circles for the centre of my Dresden plates and other applique projects. These circles save me from having to cut cardboard templates and they can be used over and over to achieve a perfect result. I have been using them for a couple of months now and love them. They are a great addition to your sewing kit, especially if you love to quilt and applique. You can also use them to audition different sizes to get the right size for your project. They are also available in smaller circles and ovals. I purchased mine from a stall at the Perth Craft and Quilt Fair.
Disclaimer: Thanks to the following brands and stores for sending us products to review – Wiss and Sew Nana’s Place. All opinions are our own.
Hello! I just stumbled upon your website while looking for inspiration and tutorials, and this is by far the best one I have reached yet. Keep up the good work! I love this site a ton so far, and I can’t wait to see what new designs you will produce next.
Thanks so much Kelly for your lovely comment – it was most appreciated. We are so gld you found us and will be continuing to follow us on our sewing adventures.