Washer Weights

Why did it take me so long?

The day that I stumbled onto this idea was definitely a major "DUH" moment in my sewing life. I mean, I made it through 2 years of sewing independent study in high school, and then 4 years of majoring in fashion design at college without ever realizing that you could cut out a pattern without the use of pins!

What the heck? 

Why don't they teach you this stuff in school? 

Did I miss that class on freezer paper stencils and pattern weights?

Anyhow, most people wouldn't be very excited to dump out their stocking on Christmas morning to find this...

But to me it was just what I wanted! 

I admit that Ant looked at me like I was on crack when I asked for the "heaviest washers and nuts that you can find at the hardware store", and he told me that he received equally odd looks from his co-workers when they saw him wrapping them up for me.

Maybe now that they are pretty people won't think they're so weird.

I didn't take pictures of how I made them, but I figure you are all smart enough to figure that out without the photographic evidence.

For the washers, I hot glued 2 or 3 together to make them a bit heavier, but you have to work quickly because the metal tends to cool the glue down super fast. Also, if you are wrapping them like I did, it is easiest to use ribbons that are 3/8 inch or smaller in width. You could also wrap them with yarn, strips of scrap fabric, or just spray paint them.

Since cutting out the fabric is my least favorite part of a sewing project, I might finally stop avoiding it and get something done for a change. Plus maybe now I won't have to worry so much about Reli getting into the "prickles" as often as she does.

Are there any other life altering sewing tools out there that I've been missing out on?