I thought that somewhere on this site I read that laser levels were great to assist you in fabric layout. I can’t find the spot again. On this forum I see people using it to mark hems (takes two people I suspect)but wonder if others use it to layout items and in particular somehow get your lines perpendicular when needed. Also if you shoot a laser beam across the fabric is it easy to just cut from that or do you use it to align a straight edge?
Suggestions on appropriate lasers would be great. I see they range from $15 to $1800!
Thanks —
Replies
I have read about this in regards to finding grain but that was some time ago and I don't know where. Sorry. I have always thought they would be wonderful to get an even hem but I am not sure how at this point.
solo
In addition to laser levels there's these scissors.
http://www.ubergizmo.com/15/archives/2006/03/laser_scissors.html
Another type is shown on this Aussie site.
http://www.dealsdirect.com.au/p/laser-scissors-cuts-straight-lines-through-paper-fabric/
Me
Thanks. I went ahead and splurged on the cheapest model available -- $15. If you were into drawing the lines down the pattern all the way, as I was, I think it would at least eliminate that chore, so over time that will be $15 worth of time saved. If you have rulers down both sides, it might also help on marking a line all the way across the fabric though you do have to transfer it somehow to the fabric. I looked at one that shot perpendicular lines as that is what I was most interested in but I couldn't figure out how to do it to make it what I want.I believe on hems people set it up at the appropriate height and then stand there and let a helper stick pins in where the light shines. It is setting it up at the appropriate height that is a problem. They come with those sticky, pull off attachments but obviously one could run through them pretty fast. Still needs work IMO but I will try it on my project this time (hobbled Roman shades) and see whether it helps. I have trouble, or rather get nervous, with trying to do accurate cutting of large rectangles!I sure wish I had bookmarked the page, though I am not sure it said how it was such a wonderful tool anyhow, just that it was. I noted it mostly for presents. The scissors seem a little screwy to me, though perhaps it would keep you from drawing a solid chalk line. One thing it turns out with the laser is that the line doesn't start up right away. Oh well, I can always give it to someone as a cat toy if I find it absolutely worthless!
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