Btu I wondered about some of the tools that I keep using over and over again that aren't necessarily quilt related. These are items I consider essential in my studio and perhaps you would agree. So, in no particular order, here they are:
Proportional Scale
This gadget is the answer for enlarging or reducing drawings, patterns, or anytime you want to change the size in a copier.
Its simple to use and saves paper and aggravation! You can see a short Youtube video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mi_6u338yhU
Sharps Container
Sitting in the doctors office a couple years ago, led me to think about all the bent pins, broken needles and dull blades I have thrown out over the years (I've always wrapped the blades in cardboard before disposing of them). So I started my own little Sharps Container and have another one in my workshop kit for travelling. Once the container is full I cover the lid with masking tape and put it in the garbage. Hopefully I've made the landfills a little safer!
Camera Tripod
I take a lot of pictures in my studio of work in progress and finished pieces. I take pictures of my dye work for Facebook and my blog.
Last Christmas I got a tripod from DH and love it! It keeps the camera steady, as even the slightest tremor can distort your images and I found a small table mini-tripod for small pieces of work.
And as another tip: I take my camera and a hiking pole out on walks with me, the handle on the pole unscrews so I can mount my camera for a monopod!
Colour Tools
I work with colour all day, I've taken many colour courses, have lots of books about colour in my library, but find I don't have a good colour memory!
So I often rely on these tools to help me when working with dyes or fabrics. They are indispensable in my studio. I often pick up those palette brochures and paint chips at the hardware store as well, they are fun to play with!
So I have put up one very large board and not one, but two more boards as well! I can generally find what I want or needs within a minute or two instead of hours! Sometimes I even try to make them pretty and every couple of months I purge the boards of anything out of date.
So do you have favourite tools that you'd be lost without? Why not sure them with us!
2 comments:
*A reducing glass, to be able to see a large quilt as a blended piece, to see what sticks out (good or bad.)
*A good friend, perhaps not a quilter, who looks and says "oooh! I love it!" or "What an amazing yellow quilt" when you thought it was primarily red. (pun untended)
Self threading needles! Great for embedding threads when the quilting is done.
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