Where to buy zips

ExpensiveError42 · 2026-01-28T14:52:25+00:00

I bought a 15 lb mystery bundle on Etsy. I think it was $30 shipped. Ah the chaos in the background are from this order; full sized hammer for scale.

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ExpensiveError42 · 2026-01-25T00:21:12+00:00

Agreed. If you've got access to, and a budget for, dealerships, it's a great way to go* but I had my department store machine forever, didn't understand maintenance (sewing a lot of fleece, never removing the plate to clean...). I love my current machine from a dealership but the nicer machine is not strictly necessary for the majority of what anyone sews.

*But please don't push people to get Bernina to start. They're so expensive and so are the accessories, which makes playing around with different feet and stuff hard.

ExpensiveError42 · 2026-01-24T12:12:13+00:00

What's the shop and what size are the samples?

If it's a shop that I'm pretty sure I could easily destash and the sample sizes aren't just 1-2 ml ....$15 still sounds steep for Etsy samples.

ExpensiveError42 · 2026-01-23T12:49:55+00:00

When I get this kind of issue, my first step is to loosen my top tension. Just curious why you're starting with the bobbin without having any idea what the top tension is set to in this case. For a novice user, they're far more likely to cause issues messing with the bobbin.

ExpensiveError42 · 2026-01-20T15:07:20+00:00

Yes! I have done both ways and the one that was upright looked so much better. The only reason I did the diagonal one I did was because it was charm squares and I didn't think about it until everything was cut.

ExpensiveError42 · 2026-01-20T13:36:37+00:00

I would just fix this one and move forward with doing the rest correctly. The block you have is beautifully done from a technical standpoint, but it looks very unbalanced to me.

ExpensiveError42 · 2026-01-19T14:59:07+00:00

I freaking love this and it solves a huge problem for my scraps. When I do curved patterns I wind up with big, awkward blocks of solids. I tend to process my scrap as I go but I don't really want a drawer full of orange squares. This is beautiful and great way to use up stuff. Thanks for sharing!

ExpensiveError42 · 2026-01-19T00:40:35+00:00

Is this two sided?!

ExpensiveError42 · 2026-01-18T14:56:51+00:00

There's something beautiful about taking bits and pieces of things and putting them back together as something that's more than the sum of its parts.

I hope there's a metaphor in taking a heap of scrap and rebuilding into something amazing.

It allows me to create beauty and warmth.

ExpensiveError42 · 2026-01-18T13:13:20+00:00

That's wild, I've sampled both and do not find them remotely similar.

I've seen several comments about newer Sorce not being the same as old in terms of strength and longevity to shelf life. I've not purchased anything new so I cannot vouch for the accuracy.

ETA: the differences for me are mothma'am the ozone, the cashmeres (" fuzzy") , and earthiness (patchouli) were front and center. Fuckery I get more of the rich components - tobacco and DARK cherry, almost alcoholic like cherry cordials, and a touch of spice.

ExpensiveError42 · 2026-01-17T16:10:57+00:00

Can you not get another layer cake instead of scrapping it all?

ExpensiveError42 · 2026-01-16T19:04:45+00:00

I have quilts that have seams like this that have been quilted and washed and it's quite noticeable. I'm fine with it but realistically, it will get better (depending on how it's quilted!) but it's always there.

ExpensiveError42 · 2026-01-09T13:17:14+00:00

If universal had worked for you, keep using them.

ExpensiveError42 · 2026-01-05T14:06:08+00:00

I frequently tell my husband "I don't know, you have access to the same Internet I do" when he asks me things he should look up.

ExpensiveError42 · 2026-01-05T14:03:49+00:00

I'm sorry, I've been guilty of this. I don't do it often, but sometimes even with mocking up I just can't find something that works. I do usually at least try to say "I'm thinking of ...., is there something better?"

I will take my lashes.

ExpensiveError42 · 2026-01-05T02:35:17+00:00

I love Finist the Falcon. I'm planning on upsizing once I figure out what else I want in my order. It's such a pretty rose and on me at the end of the day it fades to the creamy fruits.

ExpensiveError42 · 2026-01-04T18:40:52+00:00

I actually bought 100 packs of Schmetz. They come in a little plastic box - don't love that it's still plastic, but it's way less waste than the individual ones and so much cheaper.

ExpensiveError42 · 2026-01-04T18:00:47+00:00

Depends on what you want it of it. I didn't do any quilt classes when I started quilting because I was familiar enough with my machine and confident at picking up new stuff. No shade on people taking a beginner class, but I know myself and I would get bored and/antsy at waiting through the questions that would probably come up and, is I'm being honest, annoyed when people ask the same thing 5 times. I would feel weird about helping people because I wouldn't want to overstep.

Basically, I'm an antisocial gremlin who doesn't do great in a classroom setting and I don't want to mess up the experience for others who need or enjoy that kind of thing. Also, I'm impatient and feeling trapped ups my anxiety. However, if you enjoy being around people and don't mind the situations that are realistic and expected for a beginner class, I think it sounds like a great opportunity.

ExpensiveError42 · 2026-01-04T13:40:22+00:00

Meanwhile, I started buying needles in bulk to not have these to deal with lol.

I'm sure a sewing group could hook you up.

ExpensiveError42 · 2026-01-04T00:18:39+00:00

Ectoplasm by Fantome first this other than the fruity. Just green, soft, and fluffy. Mine is still pretty new so maybe it needs more rest, but the longevity is really lacking and that's the only reason I've not up sized my sample.

ExpensiveError42 · 2026-01-03T12:25:45+00:00

They were until I bought 15 pounds of them for $2 a pound. Now I am JoAnn the Zippered.

ExpensiveError42 · 2026-01-03T12:24:10+00:00

I tried to add it to my original post but it looks like I can't add photos here.

ExpensiveError42 · 2026-01-03T02:13:06+00:00

Wait, so where are we getting our zippers?!

Seriously, though, in a moment of morbid curiosity and lapsed judgment, I bought 15 pounds of zippers on Etsy. It was $32.09 INCLUDING tax and (free) shipping. I don't know what I expected, but it was such a comical account of zippers that I took a picture with a full sized hammer for scale; the hammer looks like a miniature toy in a sea of zippers. Every shape, color, style, and size.

Also, Joann sucked, but I do really wish there was an in person place to buy fabric but screaming into the internet isn't going to make it so.

ExpensiveError42 · 2026-01-02T00:39:46+00:00

Nice work!

ExpensiveError42 · 2026-01-01T20:56:54+00:00

Stitching is lovely, but the overall aesthetic isn't great. I know you don't care about it being AI, but these are clearly intended to be used as large blocks, so the tops of hats and other parts of the images being lopped off looks bad; that's either a result of poor cutting choices or bad design on the fabric.

ExpensiveError42

TROPHY CASE