review
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// slice //
The best tools are ones that make life easier, in this case the Slice seam ripper makes a 'not fun' task much easier! Unpicking is a necessary job on occasion, made harder if you have a dull or difficult to handle seam ripper. Don't even get me started on those tiny ones you get in sewing kits that go dull and rust so quickly. If you find that your seam ripper isn't cutting easily, it's too small to manage well or unpicking takes a lot of effort then it might be time to level up to a longer-lasting and more professional seam ripper.
I made some videos demonstrating my first use of the seam ripper so you could see it in action. Since making these clips I have been using it for all my unpicking and I honestly can't get over just how much better it is than standard seam rippers. Let me tell you why...
My first task was resewing some buttons on a blouse, a couple had come off but it was pretty poorly made in the first place so all the buttons needed to come off and be resewn. Before changing the blade to the pointed tip, I used the rounded ceramic blade that comes with the seam ripper to remove the buttons.
Initial thoughts are that the Slice seam ripper is really lightweight and a nice length. It is very comfortable to hold and control. You can see that I brace myself ready to have to rip hard in order to get through those threads but it was simple. What I've since learnt is that with this seam ripper I can be confident that the blade will do the work, I do not have to grip so hard and don't need that tension in my hands. The ceramic blade and ergonomic design are clever features that result in no hand strain and that's a big deal! It's also ambidextrous so can be used as is whether you are left or right handed.
Slice uses ceramic safety blades, which are 11 times longer lasting than steel and they don't rust. The blades are finger friendly®, meaning that the blade edge is safe enough to touch. This makes changing blades safer and swapping out the blades doesn't require any tools. Here's my first blade change - now I know how to do it, it's less bumbling but I wanted to give you the reality of my initial try.
Having that notch means you know that the blade is fitted correctly and makes it fool proof. You can see that the textured slider button makes moving the blade up and down super simple, there is also an auto-retractable seam ripper should you wish for an added safety level.
I changed to the Slice pointed tip seam ripper blades, perfect for ripping machine or hand stitches. The pointed tip can easily rip small stitches, my stitches are usually 1.8 when I am doing patchwork and it can still catch those small stitches without a problem. I have not yet had to unpick quilting but I know that this tool will be invaluable as there is no risk of cutting through the fabric thanks to the design of the blade.
So super simple! And it really does glide through stitches like butter. I hadn't caught my back stitching at first so had to rip through that at the end. I was so impressed with how refined the seam ripper is, I know that might sound a strange description for a cutting tool but it just requires so little force that refined is what it is!
If you'd like to replace your seam ripper and you're in the market for a new, awesome one then take advantage of 10% off at Slice by using the code CHARM10UK available to UK residents.
Slice kindly sent the seam ripper and blades to me in exchange for an honest review, this is not a paid sponsorship. The links are affiliate links, which means I earn a small percentage if you make a purchase and it costs you nothing extra. I only review products that I deem worthy of mentioning because I love using them myself and Slice produces excellent products, as well as a portion of the purchase price being donated to fund autism research.
The Quilter's Field Guide to Color ~ Context
This is not just any book about colour, this is The Quilter's Field Guide to Color by Rachel Hauser. I am not exaggerating when I say that this book is a game changer for me. I have learnt so much from reading it and not only through the practical advice Rachel gives but the actual EXPERIENCE of working through the exercises in the book. It's so much more than just information about colour (although it has got lots of that), it is packed full of genuinely helpful topics around colour. With excellent examples, tips and exercises to get you inspired to work with your fabric and create well thought out colour combinations and palettes. The book even contains a pull out of colour swatches that you can cut up and keep in the handy envelope at the back of the book, allowing you to play about and use them with the exercises Rachel gives. It is the most thought provoking and mobilising quilting book I have encountered.
Today is my stop on the book hop and I chose the exercise 'Context'. This is about the relationships fabric form. Ever notice how one fabric print can look completely different paired next to other fabrics or colours? That's context.
I started with a print that I like but hadn't yet used in a project, the mustard/yellow/pink floral - Little Honey, Folk Song by Anna Maria Horner. From there I chose similar prints with yellow / gold colour (not the exact same shade), some paler prints, some brighter prints with bits of pink and a couple of greeny/blue prints. OK so I also auditioned plums, browns, brighter blues and possibly more. After some time spent using the colour swatches and pulling out most of my stash from the cupboard this is what I picked...
sewing machine 🎯 Elna 680 review
It was love at first use, it's been a year since I got the Elna eXcellence 680 (aka Elna 680EX), now I'm sharing my honest thoughts; the reasons I chose this model, its features and the overall pluses and minuses. This is not a sponsored post. If you are looking for a new sewing machine or simply have an interest in them, this might be helpful.
The list was:
✦ a needle down function
✦ speed control
✦ bigger throat space
Not an excessive list is it? The reason those three things were important to me is because I knew they would make my quilting life easier. Needle down function would allow me to pivot more easily (with less hand cranking!), as well as stop and start without the stitches jumping about. Speed control to help with free motion quilting or any time I wanted to just be slower - I'm a pedal to the metal kind of sewer! And bigger throat space for less awkward squishing while quilting.
But something was holding me back and it wasn't just finances.
gleaming ⌒°(ᴖ◡ᴖ)°⌒ Ina Kent bag
I bought this treasure after a long search for a new bag. Always on the quest for that perfect bag, the right size, zip closure, not heavy, simple design but something a bit different. This one ticks all the boxes for me and it looks extraordinary. I got the AD LIB4 by Ina Kent in Metallic/Taupe on sale from Place - the owner Juliana was super nice and quickly answered some specific questions I had before I bought it. It arrived quickly and was lovingly packaged. I might have gasped... look at that beautiful metallic leather!
I tend to carry quite a lot of stuff but don't always need it all and sometimes want a smaller bag. This bag is amazing and has been cleverly designed to be totally adaptable - a clutch, an over the shoulder, a backpack; you can wear it full size, slouched, slightly folded and folded in half; you can easily adjust the length of the straps to suit. There's an easy to follow video that shows you how!
This week I picked up a Kaffe Fassett print from Patchfinders, the funny thing about working in a fabric shop is you sometimes can't see the trees for the wood. We stock so many fabrics and occasionally a customer will chose a fabric that I overlooked or didn't like before! This Freckles print was one of those and I had to get some, I have fallen for the pattern and the fun colours. These pictures don't do it justice, it was impossible to get the colours right - the background is really much more green. It's kind of wild!
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