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| What's in your sewing "tool box"? |
I'll bet that your top ten list wouldn't include a spiral notebook.
I'll bet that you likely wouldn't think to include a notebook on a top anything list for sewing.
Yet over the past several years, my humble little spiral notebook has become an indispensable part of my sewing life.
Mine came as a little extra bonus in a 2014 Avon order; the company celebrated its one hundredth anniversary in Canada that year. But of course, you can pick up a notebook like this at your neighbourhood discount store for probably less than a buck.
My notebook serves two very different functions.
First and primarily — since it's something to write on — I use it to track my needle usage and sewing machine cleaning schedule. Whenever I finish a project, I write it down in the book. When I change out the needle, I write it down. When I clean the sewing machine, I note the date.
I used to have a problem knowing when to change my needle, because I resist the idea of changing it after every project. Much of my sewing is "small", so changing needles after each item doesn't work for me. But stack up a bunch of small things and pretty soon I'm sewing on a dull needle that's affecting the quality of my finished project.
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| Just a few of my indispensable sewing tools... |
The notebook gives me something to refer to and say, "oh, I've sewn this, this, and that" so now's probably a good time to swap in a new needle.
Same with cleaning. I try to do some sort of interior dusting every time I put in a new needle, but I may or may not oil the machine. Having the notebook right there lets me see how long it's been since I did an actual cleaning.
The notebook also serves a second physical function.
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| A simple spiral notebook is an adjustable "hump jumper"... |
It's an adjustable hump jumper.
From cheap ones costing a couple of bucks to a name brand Dritz version (shown here) called a Jean-a-ma-jig to variations that might actually be included in your sewing machine's accessory box (Bernina has one; shown below), this — generally plastic — tool helps you sew smoothly over humps and bumps.
Hence its name.
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| image courtesy of WeAllSew.com... |
The example shown above is probably one that we have all had experience with; I know I have. The seams on jeans typically approach a half inch thick and getting your sewing machine to "run over" them — likely at a high speed — generally results in skipped stitches. Provide support at the back of the presser foot with one of these hump jumpers and you can level out the sewing path. (Coming down from the hump is usually not so big an issue, but if need be, you can also place the tool at the front underneath half of the presser foot.)
As shown in my picture with the notebook, that same functionality can be achieved with even greater precision, since I can set the height of the notebook hump jumper by adjusting the number of pages to flip over.
Now tell me that isn't the coolest trick you've seen in a while??
'Til next...
Hump jumping-I know you and I could be friends. 🤣 Great tips!
ReplyDeleteAlways glad to have a new blog friend — even one who's totally unknown!
DeleteThe adjustability of the spiral notebook is genius. Far better than the wad of fabric I have tried to use in the past. Yes..the coolest trick. Your September surprise for me.
ReplyDeleteI love it! As you know, I'm a big fan of the "hump jumper" and I've used mine so many times over the years. But the idea of using a little notebook never occurred to me and it's genius. My little "hump jumper" gadget is small and it's often hard to position and hold onto. I've got to give this a try!
ReplyDeleteWell, I can retire from blogging a happy woman knowing I've passed along a nifty trick to you! You also prove that using the right tools produces the excellent results that we're all looking for.
DeleteSo, so clever - height adjustment = number of pages. I use the Bernina gadget pictured, but if I didn't have one, I'd use your notebook idea.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your tips, I will most definitely be taking a few of these lil notebooks out of my football officiating bag and put'em with my sewing tools. I don't think that youth sports will be happening any time soon in our area so it's use with your tips would be great. I try to change needles frequently but since I have so many little projects during and in between big projects, having dates and needle type need will take away the guesswork. Thanks again and be safe
ReplyDeleteYou are most welcome. Always happy when simple little things make all the difference in the world — and who would have thought that a basic notebook could be so handy?
DeleteLuckily one of these notebooks will last a while at your sewing station, so when life returns to normal, you'll still have a supply for your football games!