While doing research for other embroidery-related blog posts, I've come across some accessories worth mentioning. Some are cute, some are practical..and some are just plain weird. Are they worth buying? Well, that's up to you.
Needle Minders: These little guys snap on to your embroidery and magnetically hold your needles or pins, keeping them from falling off and getting lodged in
some unsuspecting person's foot (sorry, hub!).
PROS: No more pokies! Helps you keep track of those elusive little needles that seem to disappear like magic. Currently, mine are holding a convention
in the middle of my pincushion.
CONS: A bit bulky, especially if your embroidery projects are on the small side. This is the cutest one I could find. It's superficial of me, I know, but the rest looked like old-fashioned cameos.
Tool Trolley:
Ding! Ding! This little helper keeps your scissors (or other tool) at hand, extending an impressive 32 inches. When you're done using it, it retracts back into its case.
PROS: Ahh..I sit on my scissors quite often and wonder where they've gone. Clip this sucker to your floss box or embroidery hoop and save time not having to hunt around in the sofa cushions.
CONS: A little wieldy. Wouldn't fit nicely in some floss boxes.
Clover Mini Iron II:
A small iron to use on projects where you don't want to bust out the big iron and board. For use on sewing, quilting, embroidery and even paper projects--anything with hard to reach corners.
PROS: Recently redesigned, the new "II" has a protective shield separating the handle from the tip. Interchangeable tips for multiple kinds of projects.
Requires little space compared to a full size iron.
CONS: Okay, do you really NEED one? Probably not. Keep away from little hands and fingers! The stand is small, causing the iron to roll and flop over on occasion.
That might be a user issue, though. Ahem.
Thread Nippers:
An alternative to small sewing scissors, nippers are able to get close to the fabric and cut your thread ends easily.
PROS: Come in a variety of sizes and materials ranging from nickel, stainless, even plastic with metal blades. Small and inexpensive.
CONS: If you're a lefty (like me), then you're outta luck. I haven't found any with the thumb loop on the opposite side.
Winner of the Strange award!
This mouse (looks more like a rat) needle keeper. Creepy.
im a lefty too... bummer... I have ginger ones without the thumb hole...
Posted by: Brook Owens | September 11, 2008 at 02:44 AM
Re Thread Nippers and "If you're a lefty (like me), then you're outta luck. I haven't found any with the thumb loop on the opposite side."
A variety of thread clips are offered at http://www.jaeberly.com/id34.html. I chose model 305 NIP-CLIP, $11.90. I routinely cut with my left hand and these clips perform very well.
Posted by: Karen Hull | September 11, 2008 at 02:13 PM
I was happy to see the update in my mail box today. I soooo need a break from school. I would rather go blind doing countless hours of Pimp Stitch crafts, than trying to sort out why this guy Pinsky had to write a jacked up poem so a professor would ask me to figure out what he meant when he wrote it lol....so, I have missed you beautiful ladies and all that you have been doing lately. So I have sorta boycotted my homework for well, only a few minutes, I don't want to have to repeat the class! lol.
I really like this post, I think the little rat at the end is cool and must posess one now. As for that retractable scissor holder, how does it retract, I had this vison, what if someone had it attached to their shirt or something? Hope they don't press the retract button, that could be painful. You will have to excuse me, it's late here. :o)
I actually had the vison of myself because it is something I would do, me not thinking!
And Lauren, your funny, my little iron would roll too and I would definitely write a letter to the company only to find out there was some thing little, probably in the trash by now, that is supposed to prevent that.
And the needles, I was cracking up because I think mine are hanging out with yours!
Anyhow, I got a good laugh and appreciated the break. Ahhhhh .... Off to tackle Pinsky and this mess of words. Maybe he was tired when he wrote it..think I could get away with just putting that?
Take care and hope to see you later!
Posted by: Aaliyah | September 11, 2008 at 03:09 PM
Well, now I know what a needle minder is! I remember seeing one on someone's cross stitch project on their blog a few years ago and leaving some comments to ask what it was, and I never got a reply. Yeah, I'm still bitter. Thanks for clearing that up for me, Lauren.
Posted by: Patty | September 13, 2008 at 02:53 AM
A tip for people possessing the little iron or indeed a soldering iron. Don't accidentally turn it on [instead of your mobile phone charger] and only discover it on the floor a day later after the cat sat on it. A little burnt fur is probably the best-case-scenario rather than a pile of rubble and ashes where your house used to be! Good job the cat had fur where it sat because it would have been EXACTLY like a red hot poker up his bum!
Posted by: Kathleen | September 19, 2008 at 03:35 AM