OLFA Experts Toolbox – Felie R. Hempfling
OLFA Expert, quilter, and sewist, Felie Hempfling relies on a bevy of tools to get the job done! You'll find her either working on something scrappy or prints that are high in color saturation, because she loves to sew the rainbow.
Here are OLFA tools Felie insists on having in her toolbox:
RM-MG 24" x 36" Green Double-Sided, Self-Healing Rotary Mat along with my RM-12S 12" Rotating, Self-Healing Cutting Mat; QR-6x24 6" x 24" Frosted Acrylic Ruler, QR-6x12 6" x 12" Frosted Acrylic Ruler, QR-1x12 1" x 12" Frosted Acrylic Ruler. My go-to OLFA rotary cutter of choice is 45mm RTY-2/C Quick-Change Rotary Cutter, and when cutting thicker materials or batting my 60mm RTY-3/G Straight Handle Rotary Cutter. My 28mm RTY-1/C Quick-Change Rotary Cutter is for paper piecing.
Other tools Felie says she can’t do without are:
A Quilters Slidelock, which I use when I'm chain cutting strips and prepping for a pattern.
A variety of small scissors, one by my sewing machine, one on my ironing board, and another near my mat. I like the smaller ones because they are lightweight, and you can quickly trim loose threads with them.
My Gingher scissors that were once my dad’s which he gave to me many years ago.
A pretty seam ripper so I don't feel so bad when I have to do some seam ripping.
Clips, you can never have too many!
Pins and pincushions! I have two so I'm not always looking for a place to poke my pins in.
My Blok_Lock 4"x4" HST tool. I find it to be the best size for trimming 2.5" HST you just have space for your hands to hold the tool safely. I have other sizes but I don't reach for them as of as I do for the 4"x4".
My Wing Clipper Ruler for trimming Flying Geese.
Half of a chop stick which I use for turning/ poking out corners.
A seam gauge
A Herra Marker, and a white pen.
It may not be a tool but I have wooden bowls near my sewing machine and ironing board for trash like thread.
My big iron broke recently so I've been using a small portable iron which has been great. SteamFest is the brand.
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