How to Spot Quality Quilting Tools and What to do with the Imitators

When we left last week’s blog, I had just given you a list of quilting tools I think merit having a second look at for this year, as well as a few others which are new to the quilt studio.  This week, I want to give you some ideas about what to look for when you shop for quilting notions and tools and how not to be taken in by the “knock offs.”

As I’m writing this, I’m taking for granted a few things.  First, we want to pay for quality notions and tools.  Unless they’re something consumable, such as freezer paper, we don’t want to keep re-buying seam rippers and stilettoes and such on a monthly basis.  However, we also don’t want to overpay, either.  And since the average quilter is somewhere around 65, we also want notions and tools which are easy to use and easy on the joints.  They should seamlessly into our quilting routines.

It Matters What It’s Made From

When purchasing quilting tools, it’s important to evaluate the material quality of the tool because good quality quilting tools work to greatly enhance your quilting experience.  Poor quality tools can make your sewing time miserable.  When searching for cutting tools, pay attention to what the blades are made of.  High-grade stainless steel or titanium carbide guarantee scissors and rotary cutters stay sharper longer, and will cut cleanly and effortlessly through several fabric thicknesses.  They also will have the durability needed for long quilting sessions.  Natural materials, such as hardwood, are also worth noting.  They provide a sturdy, but lightweight option, improving handling and precision.  Stilettos and pressing tools made from hardwoods are great, long-lasting options.

If the notion or tool you’re purchasing is made from plastic, go for the high-quality ones.  A self-healing cutting mat may be a bit expensive, but you won’t need to replace it for several years.  Rulers can be a bit of a tossup.  Personally, I like the clear acrylic for both cutting and measuring and quilting.  However, there is a fair share of opaque rulers purchased.  As long as they are thick and the measurements are clearly stamped on them, either is a good choice.

Pressing areas received an upgrade with the introduction of felted wool pressing mats.  These retain heat beautifully, allow you to press multiple fabric layers efficiently, and produce a smoother fabric.  If you need to replace your ironing board cover or simply want to upgrade that small pressing area near your seeing machine, a wool cover or mat is well worth the investment. 

There Should Never Be a “One-Trick” Pony in Your Studio

This one may be a bit personal, but in my quilting world, there’s only one uni-tasker in the room:

If you’re paying good money for quality tools and notions, they should perform more than just one job.  A rotary cutter should be able to easily slice through multiple layers of fabric.  Stilettos or seam rollers should be able to hold seams and manipulate fabric.  Those large clippies should have measurements marked on them.  And with rare exceptions, most of them should be portable. Lightweight and compact tools make handling and storage easier, especially when I’m working in small spaces and attending classes and workshops.  Which leads us to…

Size and Portability are Important

Tools which are six and twelve inches are ideal as they can easily slip into a bag or sewing kit.  Weight is also an essential factor.  I like tools which weigh less than two pounds (with the exception of my sewing machine) which means they are easier to handle, and this reduces fatigue during long sewing sessions.  And the more functions one tool can handle means you have less to carry and keep up with.

If you attend classes, retreats, quilt bees, or workshops, think about storage.  Tools which can lay flat, particularly cutting mats and rulers to avoid damage and maintain their shape, are easier to transport. 

Good Ergonomics and Common Sense are a Must

Quilters love when they have extended time in their studios or uninterrupted quilting time at a retreat.  It’s important to take the strain off of your back, arms, wrists, eyes, and fingers as much as possible and this means you have to pay attention to how a quilting tool is made.  Rulers with double color sight lines and large print numbers are really great additions to your sewing kit.  Rotary cutters with ergonomically designed handles can greatly reduce hand fatigue and strain, allowing us to cut for longer periods of time without discomfort.  When looking for tools, check to see if they have contoured grips and strategically positioned handles to enhance control. 

Weight distribution is also important.  Evenly distributed weight takes the stress off of wrists and fingers, feels more balanced in your hand, and makes quilting more enjoyable.  Non-slip surfaces are also a priority.  They improve grip and stability, ensuring precise movements and reducing the likelihood of accidents.

Softer, textured finishes are also important.  They provide tactile feedback and minimize pressure points.  Every quilter’s hands deserve a break and choosing tools that prioritize ergonomic design can make a world of difference.  By investing in these comfortable tools, you can focus on your creativity and less on fatigue, making the quilting experience more enjoyable. 

Now let’s talk about the common sense end of this issue.  I am of an age where I just like to pull the quilting tool – whatever it is – out of the box or the bag and it work.  I don’t want to spend a lot of time setting it up, or have a set of directions in three languages with thousands of pictures like Ikea.  I want intuitive functionality.  I don’t want to watch YouTube videos to learn how to use it.  The set up must be easy – and fairly quick. 

Precision and Accuracy are Crucial

Quilting is wonderfully creative.  It’s colors and textures and shapes.  It’s painting pictures with fabric.  However, any quilter who has been at her craft for a while will tell you accuracy and precision play a vital role in creating wonderful quilts. If you’re shopping for rulers, look for those which guarantee clean, straight cuts and accurate seam allowances.  Obviously every ruler is marked in inches or centimeters for measuring, and some of them even have angles on them, but make sure they’re accurate.  Personally, I think it’s always best to go with a name you trust, such as Olfa, Creative Grids, or Quilter’s Select – that way you know the product is good quality. 

Marking Tools that Disappear When You Need Them To

There are so many marking tools on the market.  We have pens whose ink disappears when you press the cloth with an iron.  We have pens whose ink disappears when you wet the fabric and  ink that simply disappears over time.  Then there’s always the good ol’ number 2 pencil.  Which one is best?  Which one should you trust?

Marking tools again are very much a personal choice.  I like the Frixion-type pens which disappear when you hit your cloth with an iron, and so far I’ve had really good luck with no “ghost” lines re-appearing.  But my experience may not be yours.  I believe marking tools are like rulers – stick with the name brands which have always worked for you. 

They Must Be Durable and Low Maintenance

It’s easy to overspend on quilting notions.  The quilting market offers so many options, it’s easy to think we need everything.  However, whatever we purchase, we want it to last for a while (unless it’s consumable).  As you shop, look for tools made of high-quality materials, such as stainless steel, heavy duty acrylic, or durable plastics.  These materials resist wear, bending, and rust and will last for years.

Regular maintenance extends the life of your tools, but it shouldn’t take an engineering degree to keep them in good working order.  Make sure your wooden tools stay dry and store flat to keep from warping.  When purchasing a rotary cutter, make sure the blade is easy to change.  We all know we should change our blades as soon as it begins skipping over fabric instead of cutting it.  But if the blade replacement is difficult, we all know we put off replacing that blade for as long as we can put up with a dull blade.  And when you change the blade, be sure to wipe down the inside of the cutter to get rid of any lint that could gum up your cutting experience.  Personally, I’m becoming a huge fan of titanium blades.  They cut better and longer than stainless steel ones.

Make Sure You’ll Get Your Money’s Worth

Quilting is, overall, not an inexpensive hobby.  Make sure what you purchase will not only last, but that you will use it.  It’s easy to look at a new gadget one of our quilting buddies has and think we need the same thing.   Then once it’s purchased, we never use it.  Make sure the tool or notion fits in your quilting style. For instance, if one of your friends has the latest version of Electric Quilt, and you’re not a computer person, chances are that, even if you purchased it and your friend helped orient you to the program, you may not use it a lot. It would be money wasted.

Multi-functional tools often provide better value.  A good ruler may not only measure inches and help you cut straight, but have angles printed on them too.  Some wooden stilettos sometimes have a pressing tool on one end.  Look for tools that give you more than one user option, if possible.

It’s also important to compare the total cost of ownership, which includes the initial purchase price and any necessary accessories or replacement parts.  This kind of falls under maintenance.  We all know our rotary cutters need blades replaced.  However, the cost of replacement blades isn’t so expensive or so often it negates the initial cost of a cutter.  Neither is replacing a sewing machine needle.  But if the sewing machine has a reputation of needing it’s bobbin mechanism replaced every two or three years, that may negate the introductory, low-price of the machine. 

Do Your Homework

I think it’s a good idea to pause and read the reviews before you purchase any tool from a manufacturer you’re not familiar with.  You can Google it or check on Amazon to read what people are saying about it. Keep in mind there’s going to be one person who didn’t like the notion or tool, and they will give it a negative review.  But if most of the review are good, give it a whirl.  Chances are it may fit well into your quilt studio.

And finally….

Everybody Hates a Phony

In last week’s blog, I discussed how quilters need to be careful while they are online – about quilt groups and sharing pictures.  This week I want to warn you about manufacturers who produce knock-off quilt notions.

One of the reasons I always encourage quilters to purchase from manufacturers and designers they know well or have heard of is this: Their products do what they say they will do and generally their customer service is also good.  Which means if you do have issues with a tool, you can contact customer service and they can talk you through how to use it, replace it if the tool is defective or refund your money. 

Knock-off, imitators, phonies … they can’t, won’t, and don’t.

Like those data collectors I warned you about in the other blogs, knock-off quilt tool manufacturers work in a similar way.  They peruse our Facebook pages and other social media to discover what tools we are raving about and using regularly.  Then they will produce a product so similar, we can hardly tell them apart – except by price.  The cost of these knockoffs is generally well below what we pay for them from our normal supplier.  And the quality is well below what we expect, too.

These imitations can be difficult to identify.  Sometimes the packaging looks identical to the real deal.  There is currently a ruler supplier online whose rulers look exactly like Creative Grids.  Directions and everything (I think they cut and pasted the directions from the Creative Grids website).  The only thing missing is the QR code which comes on the Creative Grids packaging (users can scan the QR code to get a video which gives instructions and tips when using the ruler).

Templates resembling those from Missouri Star are also floating around cyberspace right now.  They’re the same yellow color, but the packaging is simply a clear, plastic bag with no directions instead of the very nice packaging from Missouri Star with all their clear instructions.  And to add insult to injury, their ¼-inch seam markings are off.  Way off. 

These are only two of the many examples of knockoff supplies out there on social media.  I have a few helpful hints to avoid them.

1.  Don’t purchase anything off social media.  Unless it’s the supplier’s direct Facebook or Instagram which links directly to their webpage, don’t order.  As a matter of fact, I would close down the social media and go directly to the supplier’s website.
2. Be wary of emails from stores or manufacturers that promise you a great quilting tool, but you’ve never heard of them.
3. Watch for odd spellings of well-known names.  The fake Creative Grids dealer had his name as Creatives Grids.  They simply added an “s” to Creative.
4. If a deal is too good to be true … it probably is.  Avoid it.

Lastly, if you know the tool is a fake, what should you do about it?  Don’t buy it, of course.  And tell all your quilting buddies about it so they don’t buy it.  You can try to report it to the social media you found the fake thing on, but don’t expect the platform to jump through hoops to take the phony tool off its site and cancel the contract.  And finally you can report it to the real tool’s developer, but expect varying results.  Some may immediately begin tracking down the imposter.  Others may do nothing – it all depends on how successful they’ve been in the past with this situation. 

Be wise as you purchase new tools and notions.  Be open minded to new things and new manufacturers and designers, but do your due diligence.  A Google search only takes a minute or two but could save your hours of frustration and a few dollars, too.  Reading a few other quilters’ opinions about a product can help you make good decisions about what goes in (and what stays out) of your studio.

Until Next Week,

Love and Stitches,

Sherri and Felix