Facebook Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Tiktok Icon YouTube Icon Headphones Icon Favorite Navigation Search Icon Forum Search Icon Main Search Icon Close Icon Video Play Icon Indicator Arrow Icon Close Icon Hamburger/Search Icon Plus Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon

Conversational Threads

Wonder Weights for sale or barter??

soie | Posted in General Discussion on

Does anyone know of anyone who has a set of the white plastic-covered with felt bottom Wonder Weights – pattern weights?  They come 6 to the package, and are no longer available in the stores.  If someone has a set they don’t want, I’d really like to buy them from you!  Or barter?  I could knock off a favorite blouse of yours for you or something like that.  🙂

Thank you!

Replies

  1. sewslow67 | | #1

    Hi Soie,

    I know exactly what you are talking about as I have two sets that I use all the time, so I'm not ready to sell them quite yet.  However, I might be able to buy a set (or two) for you when I go down to Portland the first part of May.  There are many fabric shops there that I "frequent"  (giggle) when I go down for my medical, and it wouldn't be a problem at all to add your special item to my shopping list.  Portland, as you may already know, is a Mecca for people who love to sew.

    Don't worry about any $$$ change in advance.  If you are interested though, do let me know so I can get on it.  And if I find them, I'll send them to you and you can pay when you get them.  Just tell me how many sets you want and I'll do my best to find them.

    1. soie | | #4

      Hi Sewslow67,

      That's very kind of you!  I've gotten the impression that Portland is a big sewing center, but I've never been there.  I'm in LA, where one would think I could find such a thing in the shops somewhere.  Actually I haven't looked downtown at the garment industry suppliers, so I'll give that a try this week and let you know.  But maybe Portland has some tucked away somewhere, wouldn't that be awesome!

      Would you mind dropping me a line before your next trip to Portland, and if some haven't turned up for me before then, I'll take you up on your offer of looking for them there.   

      Thanks again, I'll keep in touch!

      1. sewslow67 | | #5

        I'll send you a PM right now and give you my current schedule.  No problem!

  2. Palady | | #2

    It is a downer for you to have the source Junkqueen offered you to be out of stock of the type of pattern weight you seek.

     To my knowing manufacturer's produce an item and when the all is gone, they move to something else.

    My daughter & I use Olfa's which have proved satisfactory.  Originally these were in 2 sized circles.  Over time only the larger were avaialble.  Doing a search, I seem to find even those seem to be elusive.

    What is it about felt bottom ones that you find them to be your better choice?

    :-) 's

     

     

    1. soie | | #3

      The main thing I like about the Wonder Weights is their smooth cleanable plastic surface.  When I handle them while patternmaking etc, they get smudgy with pencil dust and just general handling,  and they're so easy to wipe off and look like new again.  The Dritz fabric ones (which just look kinda cheap the way they are covered) would get grungy-looking quickly and that would bug me, for how much they cost.  Also, there are 6 to the pack with the Wonder Weights and only 4 to the Dritz pack.  6 just seems to be the perfect number of weights to have on hand, and they are so easy to store in their little packaging. 

      That's pretty much it; I'm still on a quest!  thanks for your reply.

      1. User avater
        JunkQueen | | #6

        Was just thinking about all of this. Have you thought of, or considered, buying the felt covered ones that, if I understand you correctly, are available and then dipping them in the rubber liquid you can get at home improvement stores that is made for coating tool handles? That would make them cleanable like you are talking about. That may be more trouble than you want to go to, but it's just a thought I had. ------ when I have those, I'm always eager to share, since they come so seldom these days........

        1. sewslow67 | | #7

          >>>it's just a thought I had. ------ when I have those, I'm always eager to share, since they come so seldom these days........<<<

          Hey JQ:  Thanks for a great idea ...and I love your sense of humor.  Very funny!

          1. User avater
            JunkQueen | | #8

            Thanks, SS67. I'm trying to laugh instead of cry this week. I had to buy a car. My old suburban bit the dust.

          2. sewslow67 | | #9

            Oh, dear; I am sorry to hear that your older car bit the dust.  Having to buy a car (in any economy) would give me great angst as well; esp. since, when I bought my last car, it was to be the very last one I ever intended to buy.  Possibly like you, as long as my car is clean, and runs reasonably well, I'm a happy camper.   I'll send you a PM after church later today. 

          3. User avater
            ThreadKoe | | #10

            My deepest sympathy for the passing of an old friend. :( Cathy

          4. User avater
            JunkQueen | | #11

            SS67 and Treadkoe -- it was a long and painful (to my pocketbook and disposition) death.... It was a 1996 suburban who had shared many adventures with me. I literally wear them out. I fought retiring her for a long time. I've been "looking" for about 18 months on the internet and studying about various vehicles. DH finally said he was tired of looking at pictures and wanted to see and feel some STEEL. It was time.

  3. Dudysews | | #12

    I went to the hardware store and bought large washers in various sizes.  They make GREAT weights and are inexpensive.  They look like flat metal doughnuts.  I bought them at an ACE hardware store.  If you want to cover them you can.  But I have used them as weights to cut all kinds of fabrics and had no trouble.

    1. soie | | #13

      Thank you, I'll end up with some alternative plan eventually.  Still seeking the Wonder Weights!

      1. JeanM | | #14

        Don't know how much help this is going to be as I don't know the current status of this company.  I bought my Wonder Weights from them years ago when they were at a sewing/quilting show.  It is the Sewing Emporium in Chula Vista.  I just checked their site (SewingEmporium.com) and it doesn't look updated but they have a phone number there.  I believe you mentioned in one post that you are in southern California.

        I haven't seen the guy in awhile because I haven't been to a sewing show and I used to go twice a year, which is what happens when one hasn't been in the mood to sew for years!

        I hope these people are still around as they did sell an incredible amount of machine parts and even made some if they were no longer available.

         

         

         

        1. soie | | #15

          Thanks for your suggestion; I popped them an email and we'll see what they have to say.  I've heard of Chula Vista but don't think I've been there - always up for an adventure!  I'll let you know what I hear.

        2. soie | | #16

          Hi JeanM,

          Received an interesting reply from Sewing Emporium.  They said that Wonder Weights were discontinued because the EPA deemed the lead content to be unsafe.  (Odd, I thought, since they are entirely covered with the plastic coating.)  

          Apparently new weights are being developed from brass, and I am to inquire again in 30-60 days.  So that sounds like good news, we'll see!  Thank you for the resource, and I hope their new product is as nice as the original. :)

          1. JeanM | | #17

            Thank you for letting us know. 

            I really don't think anyone was planning on eating the lead, but then I'm not the EPA.  Hope the brass ones are as good.  For their size, they are the heaviest weights I have come across.

            Glad I could be of assistance.

      2. diday | | #18

        Google image search for "Wonder Weights" in quotes shows them available at http://www.steinlaufandstoller.com and http://www.islandsewing.com.

        1. sewslow67 | | #19

          As stated above, I already have wonder weights, but I was curious about the websites that you mentioned so checked them out.  Terrific!!!  You've shared a couple of very helpful ...and interesting ...websites with us.  Thanks so very much.

        2. soie | | #20

          Hello Diday,

          Thank you for your response.  It's true that steinlauf and stoller have 'wonder weights' showing on their site, but they actually only carry the 4-pack cloth covered Dritz weights, and just haven't removed the wonder weight image from their site yet.  I'll check out the other site and see if they're for real! 

          I appreciate your help, and hope to turn up some eventually :) .

This post is archived.

Threads Insider

Get instant access to hundreds of videos, tutorials, projects, and more.

Start Your Free Trial

Already an Insider? Log in

Conversational Threads

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |

Threads Insider Exclusives

View All
View All

Highlights

Shop the Store

View All
View More