Did you know that the PopSocket® is a secret sewing tool? Once you understand how handy a PopSocket is for sewing, you’ll want to buy extras!
When I first started using a rotary cutter and acrylic ruler, it was a total game changer for my sewing. I could cut fabric straighter and faster than using scissors.
But, there was a problem!
I was constantly slicing off the side of my left index finger. True story! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve literally sliced off a section of my index finger with my rotary cutter.
Why did this happen?
Because I was applying pressure to the ruler with my fingers too close to the edge.
Learn from my mistake(s). Don’t hold your fingers or thumb too close to the edge of the acrylic ruler.
Then, I noticed my daughter using a PopSocket on her cell phone and that got me to thinking about my ruler. I bought a PopSocket, and affixed it to the middle of my ruler. Genuis! No more cut fingers!
How to Use the PopSocket as a Sewing Tool
Like I said, I used the PopSocket as a way to hold my acrylic ruler in place while cutting with my rotary cutter. It worked perfectly.
Supplies Needed:
- Isopropyl alcohol
- cloth
Equipment Needed:
Instructions:
- First, you’ll want to make sure the top of your acrylic rules is clean and dry. I recommend using isopropyl rubbing alcohol and a cotton ball or cloth to clean off the center of the ruler where you’ll affix the PopSocket.
- Once the ruler is clean and dry, you simply peel the backing off the PopSocket and affix to the center of the acrylic ruler. (TIP: Make sure you are applying the PopSocket to the “top” of the ruler and can read the measurement marks.)
How to Use the PopSocket as a Sewing Tool with an Acrylic Ruler
Now that you have your PopSocket securely affixed to your acrylic ruler, you simply need to:
- pull up on the PopSocket to extend it
- grab ahold of the PopSocket with your fingers and thumb
- apply gentle pressure to keep the ruler in place
- then use your rotary cutter to cut your material along the edge of the acrylic ruler with your fingers tucked safely away from the edge
That’s all there is to using a PopSocket as a sewing tool.
More Sewing Tips
If you enjoyed this sewing tip on how to use the PopSocket as a Sewing Tool, you might also like these other sewing tips from Hooked on Sewing, like:
Happy sewing!
Be sure to pin this PopSocket sewing tip to your favorite sewing Pinterest board so you can refer back to it later and share it with family and friends!
I didn’t start using the rotary cutter until recently and I thought I made a habit of closing the blade every single time I put it down – BUT, I didn’t! I didn’t even realize I had cut myself – it is so sharp I didn’t feel pain until after I saw blood! All I did was leave the blade open and when I moved some fabric the outside of my pinkie finger just barely hit the open blade and I had a bad cut!
One of the quilting stores I frequent has a rule for staff to ALWAYS close the blade and if they forget, they are reminded by other staff or even themselves and pay a quarter to the “cutting jar” – they donate the money when they fill the jar! I thought of doing the same thing at home! But must have learned my lesson as I haven’t even covered the bottom of my jar yet! LOL
Sounds like a very familiar story! And a lesson well learned! I also kept slicking off the outside edge of my left pointer finger. I would hold my finger too close to the edge of the ruler and the next thing I knew, I had sliced off the edge of my finger. I did this not once, but at least three times! After the third time, I did two things: 1 – bought a larger ruler; and 2 – bought a ruler grip.
I don’t always use the grip now, but that grip taught me to keep my fingers away from the edge of the ruler!