Sizzix Big Shot!
I must admit I am not big on gadgets, always adhering to the belief that all you need to stitch a quilt is needle and thread and a pair of scissors.
However, over the years I have still managed to acquire a (large) number of rulers and sewing machines (yes I know! I have more than one back up, and more than one Featherweight to take when I travel!) as well as having templates especially cut to go with some of my patterns and classes!
So when I was asked by Sizzix if I would like to have a go of their machine, the BIg Shot that cuts shapes for patchwork I was a bit sceptical. Surely I had everything that was going to make life easier in the world of patchwork.
Well I was wrong.
This was delivered,
and duly unpacked. I had asked for the Apple Core template as I figured it was a hard shape to cut accurately and then sew together smoothly.
I layered the fabric in the template 'sandwich', inserted and wound the handle! And out came fabric cut perfectly. I was amazed! From chatting with other people over the years I had been led to believe that this winding the fabric through was a bit of a struggle with other makes of cutters. But not with a Sizzix!
So out pops the sandwich, open it up and take out your pieces. I started off cutting a single layer of fabric, but soon decided to move up to six! Still smooth and easy!
I then sewed some patches together to see how accurate the piecing was, and you guessed it, it was great!
And in fact it was all going so well I just kept cutting. It wasn't until I actually sat down and thought about all the patches that I had cut from fabrics in my 1930's stash, that I realised I wanted to sew a project in different fabrics!
So due to my over zealous cutting, due to the user friendliness of the Sizzix, I am offering all the pieces I cut for an Apple Core top (well enough to get you started!) to anyone who comments on this post by next Monday. I will select a comment at random, but you must have commented on a patchwork gadget experience, (good or bad!)
I am happy to say that my comment regarding the Sizzix is that it is great! If you are looking for a gadget to make cutting easier, with no measuring and sharp blades, then go and look at a Sizzix Big Shot!
So, 'Happy Bank Holiday Monday', hope you have some stitching to keep you inspired!
May 7th, 2012 at 9:29 am
Hi Carolyn – you have been busy! I am sadly lacking in the gadget department but did buy a battery powered bobbin winder – it was perfect and fun but seems to be broken now – didn't last very long and yes I did change the batteries – to no effect!
May 7th, 2012 at 2:11 pm
HiCarolyn!
I would love to try out the Big Shot…wow!! Just look at those Apple Cores! I think the Big Shot just turned into the HOT Shot in my books!! I have ALWAYS wanted to make an Apple Core quilt….SEW I would be over the SUPER Moon if I won!! Thanks for the chance!
Paulette
May 7th, 2012 at 2:29 pm
I don't think I have many gadgets but I find my my rotating cutting mat invaluable
Would never try to cut apple core shapes so interested to see these
Chris x
May 8th, 2012 at 1:59 am
Hello Carolyn, I am a bit of a gadget girl, well at least rulers, and I have come to depend on the Fit To be Rulers developed by Monique Dillard of Open Gate Quilts.
Your piecing on the apple core is impressive.
May 8th, 2012 at 6:12 am
I try to not be a gadget person, but every time I see something new I have to investigate. So we are at a show and someone is going to demo a binding maker. Honestly, it was painful for me to stand there while she tried to figure the thing out, but I didn't want to be rude and just walk away. Afterwards my friend and I decided we could have had the binding made and sewn in the time it took to get this thing going.
May 10th, 2012 at 10:42 pm
Hello, i read your blog from time to time and i own a similar one and i was just curious if you get a lot of spam remarks? If so how do you stop it, any plugin or anything you can suggest? I get so much lately it’s driving me crazy so any assistance is very much appreciated.
May 11th, 2012 at 9:23 am
Hi! I do get spam but it does not come up on my actual blog, as I filter all my comments. Also I only have comments open for one week, and then they close, so no spam then. It is not a plugin it is just in the settings section of my blog, hope that helps!
May 12th, 2012 at 6:31 pm
Hi, thanks for the great review on this die – I am contemplating purchasing one so it is good to know it does the job. I have just been out to buy a new sewing machine and it has the best gadget on it – a scissor button, which cuts the thread at the end of stitching.