Rotary Blade Sharpener Reviews

In my previous post, I invited comments about rotary blade sharpener recommendations. Similarly, I asked for feedback on my Instagram feed. 

In general, comments about sharpeners were negative. As in, "don't bother," and these:

• No one has a good review for rotary blade sharpeners.
• Sharpeners won’t fix nicks.

So, using the same photos from the previous post, I've added comments as people provided them. You can decide for yourself.

Omnigrid

• I can’t tell that using it makes a difference.
• I used this for many years, and it sharpens blades well.

Omnigrid: about $20

Colonial "Twist and Sharp"

• It seems to give the blade a little extra life, but not a whole lot. If the blade has been bent so it just skips in one spot, the sharpening process may straighten it out.
• Works fine, but nothing replaces a brand new fresh blade.
• This didn’t work. Blades weren’t sharper. 

Colonial Needle Company: about $20

No comments about the Colonial brand "Turn-Sharp."

Colonial Needle Company: about $35

No comments about this TrueCut. 

TrueCut: about $35

TrueCut linear sharpener

• Waste of time, total rubbish.
• It is hopeless.
• This was fine as long as there were no “nicks” in the blade, sharpeners won’t fix them. I rarely use it anymore, as even with sharpening they aren’t like new.

TrueCut linear sharpener: about $40

TrueCut/TrueSharp 2 power sharpener 

• The blades came out duller! Then someone asked if I had wet the stones which is what you do when sharpening knives with some stones. I had returned it before I could try wetting it-so whatever you get, be sure to check. Note: this sharpener comes with stone-wetting oil. See this YouTube video.

TrueCut/TrueSharp 2 power sharpener: about $70

This Tri-Sharp brand, made by Prym-Dritz was mentioned and is about $20. Note: Choose the sharpener size for the blade size you wish to sharpen - 28 mm, 45 mm, or 60 mm.

• Blades never got sharp.
• Works really well and is easy to use. 

And yet others pointed me to places where I could make bulk purchases of rotary blades! One person suggested buying Quilt-in-a-Day brand of self-sharpening rulers.

Yet, I'd really like to try sharpening my used stack 'o blades. 

All this information is helpful, but inconclusive. I still don't know which one to buy, if any. Do you?!

Linda

Scrap Quilt Challenge, Tutorial

A new project has me diving into my scrap bins.

While it's fun, it's also very messy! 

But using scraps is the what many of us quilters are looking to do.

Our Central Florida MQG challenge chairperson, Beth, came up with a fun 2021 Scrap Challenge. It makes complete sense during these you-should-be-staying-at-home days.

Challenge criteria include using scraps that are no larger than 6½"; creating a quilt with negative space; and making a quilt any size desired As well, we are to choose from one of three personal challenge options. If you're interested - Maybe you'd like to take the challenge too? - a complete list of our challenge rules is here. 

For my personal challenge, I picked "rainbow." And, I'll be going big, to make a useable quilt. I've learned that making wall quilts, unless I plan to hang them in my own home, are difficult to give away. Charities can't use them, nor do others want them. So "useable" is my quiltmaking default. 

I experimented with a block idea that I shared in a recent post. 

Now, after going through scrap bins to make piles of colors, I've got it worked out. I'm making blocks in a variety of sizes, and each one is a color.

Basically, the process is to piece scraps into a square block, and cut into a convex circle. Then, piece background fabrics into a block, and cut a concave circle. Join the two sections with a set-in seam. 

If you'd like to try this yourself, here's how.

Tutorial

Collect scraps in a variety of shades and values. Cut into bits about 1¾" X 1½" to 3". Use a shortened stitch length (2.0 on my Bernina 770QE) to join bits into strips. These strips are about 10" long.

Press seam allowances one direction. Trim strips to measure 1½" X desired length (9" to 16", depending on the size of the circle). Sew to join strips. Press seam allowances open. 

Trim to square. This scrappy block is 9½" X 9½" to make into an 8" finished circle. 

I followed Cassandra Beaver's instructions in this "Sew a Full Set-in Circle Quilt Block" YouTube video to cut circles. 

Fold and press the block in half; then fold and press into quarters. With folds on the bottom and left side, position the convex lines along the folds of a Classic Curves Ruler that's been marked with tape ¼" from the manufacturer's marked lines. Cut a circle along the 5" mark. 

This is the 8½" unfinished circle.

Use fabric scraps to piece a background that's 6" larger than the finished circle. My background is 14" X 14". Again, press the block in half, then press in quarters.  

With the folds on the bottom and left side, position the concave lines on the folds. As before, cut along the 5" mark.

I want circles to be at an angle (rather than vertical/horizontal), so I re-pressed the circle to make different quarter fold marks. Match the circle folds to the background folds. 

With both pieces facing up, lift and turn the right side of the background fabric onto the right side of the circle. Match the fold lines. Pin at each fold.

Pin each quarter section until the entire background fabric is evenly pinned to the circle.

On my Bernina 770QE, I use the quarter-inch foot (#37D) and a shortened stitch length (2.0) to sew around the circle, ¼" from the edge.

Press the seam toward the circle. Though this is a little bulky, I did this intentionally because I plan to big stitch hand quilt about ¼" from the edge of each circle. I don't want to stitch through seams. 

Voilá! Please let me know if you need clarification. 

I'm still working in a mess, as scraps tend to be, but it's a happy mess.

Last Saturday was our final Central Florida MQG meeting for 2020. Though we've been meeting on Zoom, Saturday's get together was in-person, at a city park. This is the picture I posted to our Instagram feed (I'm media coordinator for our chapter). 

What a difference a year makes, right? Nineteen of us met, kept six feet apart and wore masks. It wasn't easy to take our annual group picture, no one's distinguishable... but there you go. Most of our members participated in the annual Chinese gift swap - a $12-$15 quilting-related item is wrapped, presents are chosen, and opened presents may be "stolen" up to two more times. One of our members received two pieces of fabric along with a roll of toilet paper and hand sanitizer packets. Perfect, right?

Book Recommendation

White Ivy by Susie Yang is about Ivy Lin, a Chinese girl who relocates to the US at a young age. Ivy and her brother faces challenges growing up in a household with a domineering/strict mother and grandmother who try to impose their Chinese values on a girl who only wants to be American. Ivy finds ways to be subversive - lying and becoming a shop-lifter. Starting at the age of 14 with Rue, she uses men. Years later, when she captures the attention of a childhood friend, Gideon, she thinks she's found her dream man. When her old friend, Rue, reappears, Ivy's bed-hopping, drinking, and general amoral behavior continues, seemingly without value or consequence. She gets away with... 

Call me prudish, but I don't find it enjoyable to read about people who behave like this. Consequences don't measure up to what she deserves. This is a dark read.

Linda's score: 2.6/5.0

Linda

Italica Top, and Quilt-y Love

Yesterday I finished my Italica quilt top. It's been a labor of love for several months, and I'm happy to say it's large enough to be a useable quilt - 71" X 84". The addition of "tracks" and stripes as filler, at the top and bottom gave it just the extra size it needed. 

Now, to tackle these leftover bits and scraps! I have enough of them that I can surely incorporate many pieces into a backing. Thinking perhaps a wide vertical strip of bits and pieces, set slightly off-center. 

It's gonna be just about like piecing another quilt top, but I know it's the best way to make good use of pieces that would otherwise languish in the scrap bin. 

In October I gave away 14 quilts to members of my family. I was thrilled to receive the sweetest thank-you note from a nephew, niece and great-niece (she printed her name), and a picture of  her tucked under her "Village" quilt, ready for movie-watching. She's precious! Gosh, this picture just warms my heart!

I also receive two pictures from my sister-in-law who put "Scrap Snap" on the guest room bed of their new home.

And, a picture of her two granddaughters (also my great-nieces) under "Urban Abacus," made in 2014 and never used. Tucked beside each of the sweet girls are quilts I made for them when they were born. Seeing quilts being used makes the time spent making so worthwhile!

Book Recommendation

Another book recommendation is Before She Was Helen by Caroline B. Cooney. Oh my gosh... you guys... If you have ever lived in a senior living community, or visited one to understand the culture of it, you absolutely must read this book!

Though the story is about 70 year-old Helen, whose real name is Clemmie, the first few chapters focus on Helen's life in Sun City, South Carolina. She lives in a small tri-plex on a short, looks-like-everyone-else's cul de sac, where residents drive to conveniences in golf carts, and spend their days socializing. Honestly, just replace "Sun City" with "The Villages" and the author has pegged our lifestyle to a T!

However, the story diverges because Helen's hiding something that happened to her more than 50 years ago. And the unusual man, Dom, who lives next door to Helen might not be who he seems. Certainly the couple living two doors away have something to hide. Helen unknowingly comes across a "thing," (she doesn't know what it is) sends a photo of it to her nephew, and sets in motion a series of events that fill her with regret. Neighbors who are friends are not who Helen thought they were. Nor is she who she seems to be.

For the way the author pegged living in a retirement community, identifying senior topics of conversation; their complaints; their aches; and their foibles - and that she made me laugh, I'm giving this a high score. Let me know if you read it, and what you think!

Linda's score: 4.8/5.0

And COVID-life continues. 

The highest number of US deaths in one day was reported yesterday: 3,103. So much grief in this season of joyful anticipation of Jesus' birth. If experts are to be believed, sadly, numbers will get worse before Christmas. 

Behave safely, my friends. Linda

Rag Rug, and Other WIPs

The past few days have been productive, and I'm especially pleased to share my finished braided rag rug. I started this in a November 27 virtual workshop with Ilka White (in Castlemaine, Victoria, Australia) and concluded the workshop on December 4. I finished the rug yesterday. 

Using several techniques Ilka taught, my rug includes spirals, different widths - weaving up to 12 braids at a time - and color changes. We learned in the second workshop how to reduce the number of braids to end the rug. Mine finished at about 33" in diameter.

I would have made the rug larger except: 1) I used all of the damask tablecloth, and part of a bed sheet; and 2) I didn't have any piece of old clothing or tablecloth or sheet to use for braiding darker aqua that I wanted around the outside. I resorted to using several solid and print quilting cottons. Because the quilting cotton is thinner (than the damask), a definable "lip" appeared between the light center and that edge. 

Also, I wasn't happy about using stashed-for-quiltmaking fabrics in a rag rug. Next time, I will shop at a thrift store more knowledgeably - looking for a broader range of clothing and home decor items to tear up for braiding.

It was just as much fun meeting my classmates as it was learning to braid! These are my mates, two of whom had to leave early. Ilka is in the top row, second from the left. One other person is American (in California); one is Canadian. The others are Australians.

We each had opportunities to talk about our rugs. Some made a round rug and some made an oval rug. It was nice getting acquainted with everyone, and a couple of us are now following one another on Instagram.

Central Florida MQG has set a 2021 chapter challenge, due in March. Using fabric scraps, we're to design a modern quilt with negative space. The quilt can be any size (I always go big), and should include one of three suggested characteristics. This is my 14½" trial block pieced with scraps, and cut using a Classic Curves ruler. 

Being enamored with the new-to-me Siddi method of making a quilt (learned in a virtual workshop with Sujata Shah), I decided to try something completely different. It's India meets Ohio! I'm using my (Ohio) grandmother's vintage fabric scraps to make a 16" X 23" Kawandi. Hmm. Scrap fabrics are hand-stitched to a backing and batting, working from the outside in.

I'm in the process of soaking, rinsing, and drying more of Grandma's scraps to give me more variety in the prints. I have no idea how good or bad this will look when it's finished!

Here's an updated picture of Italica, my patterned improv quilt top. It's 72" high by 71" wide, so I've decided to add another top and bottom row of pieced improv, similar to the "track" piece at the top, to make it more rectangular than square. 

Book Recommendation

I have a real recommendation to make: The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. I've never read any of his books (apparently there are quite a few), but enjoyed this one about Nora Seed. In her late 20's, Nora believes her life is too pathetic and unremarkable to continue living. So, on the last day of her life, she finds herself in an enormous library with shelves of books about her life that "could have been." Reading through all her life's regrets - not continuing to swim; not going through with a wedding; not performing with a rock group - the librarian explains that Nora can visit those regrets to experience her "could have been" lives. This thought-provoking story will give the reader pause to consider how lives might have been lived differently, while helping us appreciate where we are now.

Linda's score: 4.3/5.0

Sunday afternoon, FedEx delivered my prize from an Instagram win sponsored by Brewer Sewing. I am certain the eight items total well over $100 worth of merchandise! 

1 - 27" x 36" piece of cork shot with gold metallic

2 - "Cut It Out" zipper case for holding rotary cutters

3 - 14" X 14" wool pressing mat (the second wool pressing mat I've won through Instagram giveaways!)

4 - 6½" X 6½" ruler

5 - the book Create with Cork Fabric, by Jessica Salle Kapitanksi @sallietomatopatterns

6, 7, 8 - enamel charm, and two needle minders (magnetic).

I've also lately received purchases: the new, updated version (paperback) of The Encyclopedia of Pieced Quilt Patterns; and a turquoise Oliso mini project iron.

I bet you know what you can find me doing! Yep. Having a good play! Linda

A Braiding Week

During all my free time this week, I obsessively worked on my braided rag rug. I can't tell you what a delight it has been to work on this.

This is where I was after last Friday night's workshop.

A couple days later, it looked like this. All the blue/yellow/white light-colored fabric is torn strips of a damask tablecloth. Yes, it is fraying. When I introduced a couple prints into the braid - note that red-orange dot from my quilting fabric stash - a design began to emerge. At this point I had increased from four braids, to six braids, to eight braids. 

This spiral affect appeared when I deliberately positioned light and dark braids in the weave. By now I was braiding with ten weaves, and the rug is about 25" in diameter. 

I'm up to 12 braids now, and want to start gradating into darker aquas. 

Oh how I'm lovin' this! It's been so hard to put down! I'm already anticipating making another rug which means more shopping at Goodwill for used home goods or clothing. It's too expensive to keep using quilting cotton. I think the next rug will be oval-shaped. 

Tonight's 8:30 PM "Braided Rag Rug" workshop with Ilka White of Castlemaine, New South Wales, Australia, is part two of two sessions. I'm looking forward to seeing what other students have done!

Two pieces of happy news...

First, I learned I won an Instagram giveaway sponsored by Brewer Sewing @brewersewing. All I know is that I'm one of five people who won a box of goodies!

And... in September, I sewed clothes that I blogged about here. One of the pieces I made was a Sienna Shift dress, using embroidered fabric yardage found on the sale table at JoAnn's. In the month of November, on Instagram I entered a Sienna Shift competition #siennashiftdresscomp sponsored by @sewthispattern.

So, my second piece of news is that three judges chose first, second, and third-place winners, and added a fourth place that was awarded to me! I'll be getting a $50 voucher to the online fabric store Mood Fabrics, and a free PDF clothing pattern. I'm sure pleased! See first, second, and third-place Sienna Shift dress winners here. 

Hours spent braiding gave me an opportunity to get back into an audiobook groove, listening to a completely trite and happy-ending Christmas-time story It Happened in Scotland, by Patience Griffin. This is my 60th audiobook this year!

American widow Rachel, wanting her five year-old daughter Hannah to meet her gran-da, takes her to Scotland for Christmas. They go to the small seaside village of Gandiegow, where her deceased husband, Joe, grew up. Though an outsider, Rachel captures the attention of several townswomen because she's a quiltmaker. Rachel begins teaching at Quilting Central, a quilter's retreat cottage (lots of recognizeable quiltmaking terms are used - and used accurately!) while finding herself once again attracted to Brodie, Joe's cousin. If you like Hallmark-type romances, you'll like this book.

Linda's score: 3.5/5.0

Shared on Instagram by a friend - it's funny because it's true!

Jamie Lynn on Instagram @purejoycreative is an artist who shares and sells Christian artwork, including free coloring book pages. Last week she offered this picture, which I made my cell phone home screen. It's such a nice reminder of the season. 

These days, every uplifting moments is appreciated. Linda