Tuesday, April 13, 2010

A New Toy

I made a quick stop at Jo's on Sunday to get a couple of 99-cent McCalls Patterns:
Just in case I get around to sewing a shirt one of these days.

While I was there, I noticed that the Simplicity Bias Tape Maker was $30 off its $110 price tag.  I picked it up, and before I could stop myself, I had paid for it and was out the door!

I've been making bias tape for years with Clover's tape makers.  I have every size, from 1/8" up.  This little machine makes it so much easier and faster to make tape.  I had no problem at all using the machine the first time. 

There are heat settings for different types of fabric.  I've only tried cotton, so I can't say how it works on silk or any other fabrics.  But it makes fast and very accurate work on cotton bias strips.  I love this machine.  Where has it been all my life? 

I looked on the Simplicity website for accessories, because I knew there had to be some, and sure enough there are different sizes of tips to make different sizes of tape. There's an electric winder to make winding tape onto the machine a breeze.  Those things are on my wish list.   I have tons of cotton quilting fabrics stored away that can be made into tape the next time I need some.  Did I say I LOVE this machine?

I have done some work on the trench coat.  It's been slow going simply because I haven't had much time to sew in the last few days.  I have the pockets in and the fronts stitched together.  The back is stithced together.  The front and back yokes are sewn and all seams are top-stitched. 

I should have time to sew over the weekend.  Unless I feel the urge to make tape!


21 Talk to me:

The Sewing and Knitting Loft said...

This is great! Several new gadgets have come out lately and it is good to know one of them actually works and is easy to use. Enjoy! I like that blouse pattern too.

Barb

Linda T said...

Playing with a new toy is ALWAYS so much fun!

Dr. Fun (AKA Sister) said...

Don't you hate it when your wallet jumps out and buys something like that? Ditto on the cool shirt patterns - I have a Betzina Vogue one I haven't gotten around to yet that looks similar with buttons and stand-up collar. (I'm too busy making cougar ho-shirts, you know.)

Linda L said...

Gwen glad to see you got this. I gave myself one for Christmas and did not try it out until about a week or so ago. Mine did not work correctly and I sent it back to Nancy's Notions and they replaced it. Still have not tried out the new one, but I like the concept of how it is suppose to work and hopefully this replacement will perform as it should.

Mary Nanna said...

Wow I have never seen anything like it! Makes and irons bias in one quick operation. Unbelievable.

Maybe you should leave your trench unlined so you could Hong Kong finish all those seams. I know I'd have to show off a toy like that some time soon. (actually I am joking about that - I made an unlined trench from Burda a while back and those flapping facings are STILL bugging me)

becki-c said...

Sounds like you got some great deals! Let me know how well that bias tape maker works out, I have had my eye on one.

shams said...

I will not succumb. I will not succumb. ;)

Congrats on your new toy!

Trudy said...

The machine sounds like a dream.

Julia said...

Oh I'm jealous!!! I make all of my bias tape without any kind of machine except scissors and an iron! Can't wait to see your coat!

Elaray said...

I love new sewing toys! And I know how easy it is to accumulate them. Have fun with yours!

Patricia said...

Ooh, I love toys like that. I am glad you posted about it. I had read one mocking post by someone who hadn't tried it and then yours is the first of someone who has. Thanks for sharing. It looks handy.

Gretchen the Household Deity said...

Eee, it looks like so much fun! I have a "manual" Clover bias tape maker and it's also fun to play with, but this looks even better.

Rose said...

I like your new blouse patterns. Here you are tempting me with a new toy - just when I was thinking that I had enough!

Bunny said...

You are shameless, Gwen, but I know you will make full use of this. I saw this on Martha Pullen the other day and it looked pretty tempting. Zoom, zoom, and the bias is cut and done.

Anonymous said...

M6035 is a gorgeous pattern, esp. the model view with the big sleeves. Stitch it up soon, as I would love to see your version!

Unknown said...

I like the idea of the machine! I will take a peek at my store!

Lynn said...

I got the same patterns today too. I saw the bias maker, but thought it wouldn't work as well as the Clover bias makers. That might be something to check out. I bought Marci Tiltons Paris CD too. She has some bias tape ideas.

Kathy said...

oooo....love new toys. Congrats on your purchase and buying it before you talked yourself out of it....like I always do....

Kat said...

I see this little gizmo everytime I go to my local Sew and Vac and have been able to look the other way LOL. You are enabling... ;) .

HeathersSphere said...

Sounds like a cool gadget. Maybe you are enabling me to get my own?? I also like those shirt patterns.

Rachel said...

I'm using the M6035 pattern too right now! check it out http://popculturesewing.blogspot.com/

I was inspired to do it after seeing Sandra Bullock wear a similar blouse in the end of "The Proposal"

Post a Comment