Sunday 14 October 2012

Technology - the great helper

I think advances in technology should actually make life easier.

I sometimes feel that being so 'available' and 'connected' actually makes life a little harder. People seem to get annoyed if they have emailed/called/text you and you haven't responded within a short time frame.

But what if you are in a movie, out with friends or enjoying some quiet time with your family and *gasp* don't have your phone with you, or you have chosen not to check it.

For a brief time a few years ago, I didn't have a mobile phone and I felt, well, liberated.

Don't get me wrong I am a total tech geek - I love to know how things work and I love to have the answers to most questions I can ask right there are my fingertips. 
It's just that there are times when I sort of wish things could be a little more simple.

Anyway I digress...

I have to say this is an example of technology making things easier, much easier in fact.

Perched on my sewing table the iPad can be of great assistance - technology at its best!
I know that in my Nicole Mallalieu A-line skirt pattern there is a great tutorial on putting in an invisible zip and had it been handy that is what I would have reached for...
But rather than have to hunt through the pattern boxes and piles of projects on the go, I instead turned to my iPad.

The Colette tutorial on installing an invisible zip is simple, clear and easy to follow.

It makes putting in an invisible zip hassle free - even for those of us a little terrified of doing it (though the fear is abating!).

What is your favourite tech tip that helps you with your craft?
Is there a website or an app that you want to point us all toward...

PS - I've sort of dropped off the KCWC wagon this time - life got in the way - in a good way though.
One of the projects, other than enjoying the sunshine and spending time with my family is a bit of a sewing room makeover!  Hooray!!

11 comments:

nicole said...

today was definitely the day to enjoy the sunshine!
can't wait to see the sewing room make-over!
xo

CurlyPops said...

My favourite crafty / tech tip is the simple old calculator function. When making my own designs, I don't use patterns, just calculations, and I'm constantly swapping between inches and cms depending on which cutting mat/ruler etc I'm using, I'm always using the good old 2.54 conversion.
Other than that, I use the Auspost app daily to calculate postage on orders.

Nikki said...

...and then you get out my pattern when you need to attach the facing, right...? ;)

Michelle said...

Yes, I too love going online to find sewing and crafting tips. Last Spring (May for me), I watched a YouTube video to learn how to sew my first invisible zipper. I read through the link you posted -- I like how descriptive the steps are.

Good luck with your sewing room makeover (please post photos!) and enjoy the sunshine with your family.

Cas said...

yep, im an i-pad junkie for self help toots. how else would we learn as we no longer have our grandmothers & mothers teaching us like the old days & yes how easy is it to google rather than rumage through your stuff wondering where on earth it is!

Jane said...

I've lost track of the vast amount I've learnt about sewing from online tutorials and tips. It's such a great tool, and very handy on my laptop. I'm with you on the downside of super-connectivity though. I reluctantly eventually got a mobile phone when my kids started childcare and it's still mostly a means of being contactable if necessary for their wellbeing. My husband has offered me his old iPhone but I don't know if I want to be sucked into that vortex. My totally uncool battered Nokia does all it needs to!

justmejay said...

I have that Colette tutorial bookmarked - I use it every time I put in a zip :-)

Karyn said...

Hi, I love my Acer tablet. And I have been known to do just what you did, perch it next to my machine and run through a tutorial step by step as I sew. I also use it to browse through kitting and sewing sites when i should be doing something else, like housework. Definately one of my favourite things.

Gillian Grimmett said...

hi Karen. Definitely know what you mean about being too 'available' . Bring back the 80's I say when we had one home phone and i didnt know what an email was! My favourite app at the moment is Touchdraw. It is fantastic for creating quilt designs and not too hard to use.

Caroline said...

I use my iPad for pdf patterns too - it so handy!

ARTwendy ... said...

just google it ....um but am still hanging out for an iPad all of my own ... but would i follow directions anyway?? depends ... love it ...