Laser Marker and Quilting – What?!!
We follow a few blogs and participate in weekly linky parties. This opens us up to other quilting friends and ideas. Recently, I was reading Laura’s Slice of Pi Quilts blog post about her 100th (!!!) quilt finish. WOWEE! In the post, she mentioned that she uses a laser light to save time. Laser light? Save time! Huh?!
So, I clicked on Laura’s link in her post about how she added the Laser Marker from Harbor Freight to her sewing machine. We have a Harbor Freight in town – I can just pop over there and get one; so I did. I also picked up some Command strips that have the velcro-type hangers. That’s all I need for this:
I carefully mounted it so that I can still thread my needle. The Command strips allow me to remove it when I don’t need to use the laser beam. Now you might be asking how can you use this? One example, half-square triangles will be a cinch with this:
Marking Corner-to-Corner:
Just follow the laser straight line to easily sew from corner to corner. Secondly, I will be using it on the microwave cozies that need to be made SOON. Lastly, I used it in the recent Princess quilt to quilt straight lines in the border. I wanted to sew diamonds so I lightly marked the center point of each block and then lined up the laser for my straight lines:
Light in Use:
The batteries that come with the laser light are not the best. I picked up the laser for only $5.99 at Harbor Freight, but the batteries were starting to drain after just one short session. The replacement batteries (357) are $5.67 but they are supposed to last longer than the L44 ones that came with the light. Something to do with alkaline vs. silver oxide. The batteries seem to recharge a bit when you give them a rest . . . but I did expect them to last longer than just a couple of hours!
So what do you think? Do you need to add a laser light to your machine or does it already have one?
Our Linky Parties can be found by clicking the link for more quilting fun – check out what our friends are up to. Like/follow us on our Facebook page and share your laser light ideas there! We love to see them. ~smile~
This is a brilliant idea! Thank you so much for sharing! The next time I’m at Harbor Freight I will be grabbing one of these for myself!
Hi Christine,
I know – it’s so easy to add with a couple of Command velcro strips! And it’s inexpensive too.
~smile~ Roseanne
So glad it’s working for you!! It’s so weird that the batteries died that quickly! I’m still using the ones that came with mine – and I’ve been using it a lot for over six months! I love how much time it saves when sewing HSTs too!
Hi Laura,
Since I replaced the batteries it has been working like a charm! What a great idea and it saves SO much time by not having to mark them. Next up is microwave cozies – no marking for those either. Thanks for popping over and commenting. I appreciate it. ~smile~ Roseanne
Oh that is such a good idea. I saw this from your baseball diamond quilt (which is very cute). I have just completed some free-motion squares where I basically eyeballed from corner to corner – this tool would be very handy!
Hi Lynn!
It worked so well on the baseball quilt. I used it in both the main body of the quilt and then again in the border, making smaller diamonds. I’ve also been using it for HSTs by just moving it over slightly, and lining up the points of the square on the light line. Thank you so much for visiting and commenting! I hope you come again. ~smile~ Roseanne
What a great idea. I love Harbor Freight and the price is great even with replacing the batteries. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Peggy! Let me know if you try it. I’ll be giving it a go on the newest Pat Sloan block released today. How handy that it call for a few HSTs. ~smile~ Roseanne
You can’t go wrong with anything that makes HST quicker to sew. My Harbor Freight is in Daytona Beach, right down from JoAnn’s and I have coupons!!! 🙂 Maybe a visit to them next week.