Become an Expert

When my son was in Middle School he had to do two "Expert Projects" every year (aka, Term Papers.)  One year he chose the Grateful Dead.  Now, I'm a child of the 60's and 70's but I'm an old soul so I didn't even know who the Grateful Dead  were.  But, through a friend's contacts, we were able to interview the man who ran the "Wall of Sound."  Matt became an "expert" on the Grateful Dead.  (And, I learned a few things myself.)

Well, I've recently become an "expert" as well....at ripping....not something I really want to be known for...but ya gotta grab your 15 minutes of fame wherever you can.

A few posts back I lamented about ripping apart an entire quilt top...because it was wonky and ugly (My friend, Karen, agreed.  Thanks for being honest but not laughing.)  So, I'm spending a little time every evening ripping out seams.  Here are a few things I've learned:

1.  Make sure you have a sharp seam ripper.  If you are still using the seam ripper you bought as part of a little kit for your middle school sewing class (yes, they used to teach sewing in school)  then it is time to buy a new one.

2.  The proper use of a seam ripper.  Do you know what the little ball on a seam ripper is for?  I always thought it was so I wouldn't poke myself.... nope... watch this You Tube video.  I found if  I lay the quilt top over my knee I could use the same method from the top of the quilt...slip the seam ripper in the seam and run it along the seam line.

The brass seam ripper she is talking about can be found HERE.

3.  Finally, there is a new type of seam ripper (at least new to me.)  The cap has a rubber tip.  What could that be for?  It is to whisk away the cut thread crumbs.  Watch this You Tube video. 

I don't have a "Seam Fix" ripper so I used a Pink Pearl eraser.  It worked like a charm.  You want the eraser to be soft, so don't get the hard-as-rocks erasers at the dollar store...and, anyway, Pink Pearl erasers are only 28 cent each...you can get a whole pack!!

That's all, folks.....