Using Modern Quilting Tools together: AccuQuilt & SLICE

I love how modern quilting tools help me make quilts and other items, faster than traditional quilting tools and methods. While I'm not saying that I'm ready to give up my rotary cutter, rulers, or tracing pens, I will admit that I certainly find that it doesn't take me as long to make things when I use a modern tool, and it is even more fun and even faster when I use two or more modern tools on the same project.

Here is an example:

I wanted to make some "Happy Easter" banners to go into gift baskets & care baskets for family & friends. But I didn't have a lot of time to spend.

Using the AccuQuilt GO! and the GO! Triangle Isosceles die I quickly cut 5"x6" pennants, after preparing 6 1/2" wide strips of fabric with top & bottom fabrics pressed together with Steam-a-seam. This quickly created two sided ready to go pie pieces, that made perfect pennants.

Using the SLICE, by Memory Makers, I quickly cut 2 1/2" letters, using single layer fabric strips that were also prepared with Steam-a-seam. SLICE also has a good fabric adhesive product, but I've had good luck with "fresh" steam-a-seam and it happened to be what I had on hand.

note: The SLICE will cut designs in a variety of sizes, from 1" to 4" in 1/2" increments. For this banner project, I found the 2 1/2" letter size to be my preferred size.

It was very easy to iron on the letters cut with the SLICE to the pennants cut with the GO!

I used Aurifil threads on all of the banners. On some of the banners I sewed a simple straight stitch, free-motion stitch, to secure the applique letters to the pennant, and a curvy wave to secure the two sandwich pie shaped pennants together. Yet, on others, I had a blast using free-motion machine embroidery (threadplay) to embellish and secure the letters on the pennant. Aurifil's beautiful colors and quality worked great. And, I just love the free-motion machine embroidery outline that highlights each letter in the banner!

This project was so simple and the banner really looks cute up on a wall. And I had fun create banners quickly, in a variety of styles. I just wish my camera could take better pictures, but I hope you get the idea.

The possibilities of projects using an AccuQuilt GO!, GO! Baby, or Studio and a SLICE, are endless. And your projects will surely be very fast and accurate! Yes, using modern quilting tools are my preferred way to sew. And using two or more modern quilting tools together just increases the fun and possibilities.

I've been getting many behind the scenes questions on AccuQuilt products vs SLICE. As such, I'm planning on sharing more insights in the near future on each of these machines, as well as how they can work together to create a very complimentary project. SewCalGal enjoys both of these products, as well as other modern quilting tools, and hope you will too!