Tools, Beautiful Tools!

Hi Fellow Quilters,

Do you have a handyman, carpenter, mechanic, or DIY-er in your world?  If you’re really lucky, then the answer is “Yes!”  When I was a little girl, I had a book called “My Father Can Fix Anything”.  I loved that book, and we read it a LOT!  The father in the story seemed so familiar to me. . .

And that should come as no surprise to anyone who knows him!  My Dad was (and still is) the original Mr. Fix-It!  If something needed fixing, all one needed to do was to mention it to Dad and he’d be right on it.

When Dad comes to visit, he always asks if I have a “project” for him.  I think that he’s happiest when he’s busy fixing or making something.  I’m kinda that way too, but my projects usually involve fabric and thread!  In many ways, carpentry is like quilting:  You take something that starts as a large piece, cut it up into smaller pieces (precision is important here!), and then put it all back together to make something new.  😉

 I’ve been busy making something new, and I hope that you’ll be inspired to create a special surprise for the “Mr. Fix-It” in your life.  Click here if you’d like to purchase any of these fun tool patterns!

One of the first steps for your building project will be to cut the wood to the right size.  This cute little foundation paper pieced handsaw is perfect for the job!  (Don’t worry, we’ll have a measuring tape soon, so you can “measure twice and cut once”.) 

After you have the wood cut into pieces, you’ll need to put it together again.  You can use nails, with a hammer like this. . .

Or you can use screws instead, with the appropriate screwdriver of course!  For example, the Phillips’ head screwdriver. . .

Or perhaps the standard slotted “flat head” screwdriver. . .

Or maybe you need to use some nuts and bolts instead. . .

But whatever you do, check the level before you attach the pieces to each other!

And make sure that the corners are nice and square please!

Need some help  holding the pieces together just right, while you complete the project?  The C-Clamp is at your service!

Feeling inspired yet?  Wouldn’t these tools be great made into a snuggly quilt for your handy man to snooze under after a hard day’s work!  Or perhaps you could make a mug rug for the man cave!  Your tool-loving toddler would love to have a colorful quilt too!  All of these foundation paper pieced tool patterns are available for purchase, right here on our website.  

I haven’t completely finished with the tool designs, but this is a pretty good start and I’ve had loads of fun (and helpful suggestions) as I’ve created them to share with you.  My to-do list still has a few more tool ideas that I plan to create, so I’ll post the rest of the tool designs-to-be when I’ve made a few more.   

Can you think of any additional tools that you’d like to see added to this collection?  Please leave a comment with any suggestions that you have, because I like to have a “project” to keep me happy too.  (Yes, I’m still a Daddy’s girl!)

Happy quilting,

Sharon