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Friday, June 19, 2009

"Weight-mates" tutorial

I know there are several tutorials on making pattern weights and here is yet another one. I've used the Weight-mates for nearly 20 years. I've recently started using my rotary cutter to cut my fashion fabric and while I have two sets of the Weight-mates I realize that I need more. The original Weight-mates came in a set of six. They work really well because the tack keeps the weights from sliding around on the fabric.

Assemble 2" diameter washers, 1/4" craft ribbon, craft glue (I used brush on nail glue!), scissors and thumb tacks.



Glue 3 even spaced thumb tacks onto a washer












Cut a length of craft ribbon about 1 yard long and glue one end onto the washer















Tightly wind the craft ribbon around the washer while passing it through the center hole. Pass the ribbon over the point of the thumb tack













Continue winding the ribbon back to the starting point













Make one final loop and thread ribbon end through













Pull tightly and glue .Trim excess ribbon when dry











































I love my new jewel-toned Weight-mates

12 comments:

  1. This is a fabulous idea!!!! Gotta have it! Love your blog!

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  2. Necessity is the mother of invention, and here's an example. Great idea. BTW, LOVE your thumb ring!

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  3. I love them too. I have never used weights. but, with all the posts about them I think I k]need to try them, especially since I want to use my rotary cutter more often.

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  4. I'm going to have to try this or find some weights. Probably will do this. Love tutorials too. Hint, hint.

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  5. Thank you for your thoughts and prayers. My mom is better now. I appreciate you.

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  6. Great tutorial and may just have to add more weights to my current ones.

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  7. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  8. You can find Ebony's store at Etsy seller (Ebbyj Fabrics)

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  9. Great Idea! Thank you so much.

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  10. HI. I have a set of the same tack mates as in the picture at top, but did not know how to use them. I got them second hand and did not know until I read this blog that they are held in place with tacks. Can you tell me what the tacks look like up close as I can't tell in the photo just how big they are. I want to try to replace them. Thanks, Pamela

    ReplyDelete
  11. HI. I have a set of the same tack mates as in the picture at top, but did not know how to use them. I got them second hand and did not know until I read this blog that they are held in place with tacks. Can you tell me what the tacks look like up close as I can't tell in the photo just how big they are. I want to try to replace them. Thanks, Pamela

    ReplyDelete