If you are making stuffed toys without one of these tools, you are doing it WRONG! :)
No, seriously....I was for a long time, and don't want you to make the same mistake.
Quick Turn Tool Fabric Tube Tuners (don't try to say that too many times fast!) are truly a Sewing Essential! I can't believe I ever got along without them. And they are an inexpensive notion, so certainly something worth adding to your creative tool box.
They make the process of turning small stuffed toy and doll parts a snap and are super simple to use too.
Simply, insert the blue straw-like tube into the open end of whatever fabric tube, or in this case "ear" you are ready to turn.
Press the point of the wooden dowel into the top of your tube or whatever piece you are trying to turn.
Continue to gently push it into the tube until the entire piece is turned....
....and coming out the other end.
Now, using the point on your wooden dowel, you can smooth the edges and corners of your newly turned fabric tube.....arm, leg, ear or whatever it is you are working on.
Working on my Ruby Lou dolls now, I'm especially LOVING this handy gadget for her skinny arms and legs.
This tool has REVOLUTIONIZED stuffed toy sewing for me! :)
Check out other tools I keep handy in my sewing room on the Sewing Essentials page at the top of the blog.
12 comments:
Have never even seen one of these.. definitely worth checking out!!!
I have never seen those! I'll definitely be looking for them at Joann soon. Thanks for the tip!
I need to check these out!
I've never seen one before! I wonder if they sell them here...on the hunt now!
I was very excited when I saw these as before I had these I used to use "MacDonalds" or similar straws and a wooden skewer to do the same thing. This works ok at a pinch but there are two major issues with this home made system that I have not found with the bought version.
1. The straws do not last long and are all the same size. Some smaller straws do have the strength/thickness to cope with this treatment but no straw lasts longer than one toy, two if I am really careful.
2. It takes a lot of effort to get the tip of the skewer right so that it doesn't catch threads, poke through the material or break the stitching.
Like I said, I have made lots of miniatures and this tool has changed the way I make my miniatures and how much time they take.
Oooh, this looks great!! Turning out small projects is one of my least favorite parts of sewing! Thanks! kraiger5@me.com
OMGosh!! That is brilliant!!! Thank you so much for sharing!! I have to try it!!! :D
Wow! this is a new tool for me too, I have to have it :)
MammaNene
SergerPepper.blogspot.it
Hi :- Can you tell me if the turning tool needs to be longer than the tube you want turned? I need to turn really long tubes all day! Wondering if this would work? Thanks
Jane
Hi Jane,
There wasn't an email for me to reply directly to you, so I hope you see this. :)
Yes, the turning tool will work with longer tubes, it does NOT need to be longer than the tube you are turning. You will just work the long tube through a little at a time until it all is through. Truthfully, just getting it started sometimes is enough, then a wooden dowel or whatever you normally use to smooth the tube from the inside will finish the job easily.
Best to you!
I usually use my plastic chop sticks as a turning tool, but looks like you have 1 very pointy one in the set, would be perfect for cloth that needs to come to a point, like the cloth stars I am currently working on.
I love this tool!
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