Monday, November 5, 2007

Must Have Gadget

Kreinik Custom Corder


The Custom Corder by Kreinik ($15.95) is by far one of my very favorite gadgets for cross stitch. This handy tool allows you to create your own cording, in the color(s) and fiber that you prefer. It is fast, easy to use, and produces a professional looking trim in seconds! It can be used with a number of threads including DMC, silk, metallic, rayon, pearl cotton, and fine yarns.

It is best to purchase a weight to use with the corder. I bought mine at a LNS for about $3.00, when I arrived home my son informed me that he could have supplied me with fishing weight. The weight makes for a more uniform twist to your cording.



You can purchase the custom corder from the Kreinik website, some LNS and craft shops, and I have listed additional websites that do carry it.. I included the retail price from each, but this does not include shipping.


Sewing Super Store $8.74

AC Moore $10.49
Craft Town hobby Land USA $13.09
Scrapbook Memories $9.99
Sew and So (in the UK) L ll.99
Tandem Cottage Needlework (in the UK) L 10.99
Amazon $12.49
Marilyn's Online Needlework $11.95
The Sewing Place $14.49
Addicted to Crafts $10.29

Micheal.com gives instructions for making cording without the use of the Custom Corder.

For those that make their own cording I have a helpful tip to share:

I usually have a small piece of cording left over, rather than discard it I "label" it. I get out my Label Gadget (oh yes, another gadget) and I make a label identifying the fiber used and the number of strands. When I have a project in need of cording, but am not sure of how thick the cording should be, I can use this collection of "samples" to determine what would work best. Having the label on the sample lets me know immediately how many strands I need to use.

I absolutely love gadgets and find that, in most cases, they are time savers! If you have any cross stitch or quilting gadgets that you can't live without please share them in your comments!
There are far more quilting gadget, someday I must share those.

Until next time...

23 comments:

Michelle said...

I have one of these! I hope to use it for some ornaments..

Michele said...

I love mine! use it a lot :)

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

I have this :) I've only used it a couple of times though...I'm going to have to try the weight....Your cording looks totally professional Marie :)

Nicole said...

That is a great idea to label them! Thanks for sharing! :)

Sonda said...

Thanks for sharing, I may have to get me one of these. Maybe I would not be so intimidated by the thought of making cording.

Anita said...

I love mine too. It is so handy and I love the way the cording turned out. I need to try the extra weight and see what happen.

I had a blast at the Quilt show. I will definitely go there next year and spend a full day there.

Becky K in OK said...

Love your label idea. I'm going to use it. Darn, now I have to buy another gadget to make the labels! Hehe.

I make cording with the cord maker without using the weight. Let me see if I can explain. I use my refrigerator and a magnetic hook and a wooden stand with three nails nailed into the top of the stand. I'll make a two color cord for you. Knot both ends of the floss strands you are going to use for your first color. Put one end on the hook on the refrigerator, and one end on the hook of the drill. Back up to where the stand is. Then turn the crank toward you until your first cord looks the way you want it. Take the knotted end off the drill hook and loop over one of the nails. Then do the same for the second color floss strands. When you get the cording the way you want it do not remove it from the drill hook but remove the first cord off the nail onto the hook on the drill. Now, turn crank of the drill away from you until you have the look you want from your cording. Take the knotted ends off the drill hook and make one large knot. Don't drop the cording. While holding onto the removed knot, take the knotted ends off the refrigerator hook and make a big knot. Let dangle, voila your cord is made.

Hope this makes sense. If not, let me know and I'll do a series of photos and post to my blog.

I learned how to use the cord at stitching retreat. The way the demonstrator described the cording process was the first drill was toward Mona, the second drill was away from Mona. That's how I remember which direction for each part of the cord process.

Anonymous said...

My hand mixer and dough hook are my cording gadget...LOL! Well, whatever works, right? Keeping and labeling leftover pieces is so clever, I'll definitely start doing that!! Thanks for the tip!

mainely stitching said...

I have to admit that I enjoy making my cording by hand. It cracks the kids up. ;) But the idea of saving the remnants (and labeling them!) is sheer brilliance!

Velda said...

oh cool gadget! I make mine by hand but this looks sturdy! I love your idea for the leftover tidbits, that's brilliant!

Annemarie said...

Thanks for sharing this, Marie! Although, like Harmien, I use my hand mixer to make very satisfying cords, it's always such fun to read about different ways of doing things. I must say your labelling of your left over cords is a stroke of sheer brilliance, though!

Paisley said...

What a neat gadget! Definitely adding it to my Christmas list!

Michelle said...

I told my husband about your deer problem eating your apples~he offered to help you take care of the problem so you can have some apples to eat:)

Mindi said...

I have this little gadget and love it. I'm still trying to refine my technique, and need to pick up a weight. I still haven't figured out how to make the 2-color cord.

Pam @ Heart2Heart said...

I just recently bought this and used it to make my first cording for my first flat fold. It was quite handy and I will be using it more. I don't have a weight and no LNS, but I'm sure being in the great white north I can find a fishing weight to use. I think I will adopt your idea about labeling the remnants as well, I also have the label gadget, I love gadgets! LOL

Kajsa said...

I really like mine. They really are sturdy to, I've had mine for probably 7 years and looks new despite 3 kids playing with it.

Anonymous said...

Great idea about saving the leftovers and labeling them with info. I will do that, I think. Thanks for the idea.

Dani - tkdchick said...

Sniffle mine just fell apart in my hands on Sunday and I immediately started missing it! I have to order a new one I don't think I can live without it!

As for a weight I use an old carbiner with some heavy keychains (the ones you seem to collect over the years but can't seem to part with) hanging from it. Works nicely!

Michelle said...

Wonderful post. I oftened wondered if these were worth it. And great idea to keep your "samples" for future reference!

jane said...

Tell me about your label gadget. I really need one of those!!

And I am off to buy the cording gadget TOMORROW!

staci said...

Thanks for all your great info! I think I'm gonna put it on my Christmas wish list--honest Santa, I've been a really good girl, lol!!!

Jane said...

I don't have one of these gadgets yet! I am very intrigued!

Michelle said...

Ok, I need help. I tried my "gadget" and created a big rat's nest! What did I do wrong? I need fairly thick cording for my ornaments. How many strands would you suggest I use? I think I need to do some research before I throw my out the window :) Michelle