Sunday, August 14, 2011

Are you tired of those bulky intersections?

Do you have a top where 5+ seams come together and they just push up? Hate those "bumps"? I"d like to introduce you to "The Wacker"!

Just whack away at those intersecrions and have nice flat seams! All it needs is a burst of steam and a good whack on something hard and you will get lovely intersections!

A friend of mine had this a few years ago at quilt camp. She got it from a class she took from Susan Cleveland who uses it. Well you know how it goes, I just never took the time to order one from her website. Well yesterday I was at a machine quilters show and ran across the man who makes them for Susan to sell! Of course I had to get one!


Sometime this week I need to get my board made that I will use with it. He had them for sale at the show too - but luckily I have a friend whose husband is a woodworker, so I begged a piece of board off him. And look what he gave me today! Trimmed edges and stained. It is almost too pretty to use! I"ll be covering the top with 2 layers of thin batting and then a light colored fabric - then bingo, I"ll have a wacker board! I can't wait to whack away!

It is good for all frustrations too!

20 comments from wonderful readers:

sewprimitive karen said...

How funny. Does it really work??

Barb said...

I Love it!
does it really work? seriously? seriously.

Janet O. said...

Makes me laugh, yet I can see the need! Very clever.

Deb said...

I never thought of using something like that. I have a wooden mallet and figure that it's probably do the same thing, right? I'm going to have to try it, but am happy you posted this because I hate, hate bulky intersections!

Lori said...

Taht is hilarious! I bet it is very effective. Now, why woulnd't a regular wooden mallet work?

Andrea said...

Could have done with this today - my kids have been driving me mad - lol! No, seriously I think this looks great -never heard of it before. You would never associate this with quilting.

*karendianne. said...

Friend, this is extremely cool!!! I have only heard of this - I've never actually looked at it. To tell you the truth I kinda thought someone was pulling my leg but they weren't!!! Extremely neat!!!

BillieBee (billiemick) said...

Too cute! I need one to wack myself in the head for making anything with that many intersections....grin.

I'm going to check it out.

Thanks,

Billie

julieQ said...

I am afraid I might split those seams wide open, LOL!!

Vivian said...

I'm hoping to work on some big, complex stars before long, so the whacker + whacker board look like tools that would come in handy.

Lucky me! I'm married to a handy, dandy woodworker and all around do-anything guy. I'll show him your pictures and see what he has to say. Thanks, Dawn.

Janet said...

I love it! A friend uses a little ladies hammer when she had to whack some bag seams once, I can see how it would be handy.

Anonymous said...

Friends and I saw this vendor at a show and we all had a real good laugh.

Libby said...

Can you use it on other things, too? *s*

My Quilt Corner said...

Does it work on teenagers too? Thank you so much for the laugh that made me cry!

Karen said...

I can see that the handle is wood but what is the mallet part made of. Gee, what people can think of.

Raewyn said...

he he I have a friend who talks about seams that a "good steam blast" will fix (!) ---she would love one of these!!

Taryn said...

What a great idea. You are right, the board is lovely. That guy must be good. I could whack a few seams right now.

Gayle said...

I used this exact technique 'back in the day' when I made lots and lots of denim jeans for my kids. It made it possible to top stich pockets and insert rivets in that heavy, bulky fabric. Great to know it works in quilting too - how come I didn't think of that?

Browndirtcottage said...

Oh MY!!! The tools it takes to make a quilt!!! HA! Yes, I know what you mean about the bulky-ness! I have a rubber mallet...I wonder if it would work just as good!!??

Tonya Ricucci said...

my longarmer told me about whacking at intersections to get them thinner, but I haven't tried it yet. that's a cute toy!