Very useful tool

　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Kathie asked me about this Japanese marking tool last week.　
It called a "Hera".
Well, I had totally forgot about this tool. Last time I saw a Hera marker was when I was a little girl.
Japanese kids take sewing classes when they become 3rd grader. Yes, all of the kids, even boys.
We have to carry our own sewing box to class and the Hera marker is in it.
The Hera marker is commonly use by Kimono makers. It used to be made of ivory but since ivory is very expensive now it's now made of cow bones or plastics.
The Hera marker has different size and shapes.
I don't know much about making Kimonos but my friend Jun used to attend Kimono making class. So I asked her opinion about Hera and she told me she has been using it for making straight line in her quilt tops.
Now, I really need to try this Hera marker! I jumped in my car and drove to the nearest craft shop and grabbed mine. *LOL*
As you see in my picture, it's a wonderful tool! I don't know why I never thought about it before.....Daaarrrr....
I used to use a chalk marker for my quilt top but I'll use this Hera marker from now on. I don't need to keep purchasing chalk refill anymore. *S*




I found this article in a Japanese quilt magazine.
Yup, This lady also is using the Hera for marking her quilt top.

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この前、Kathieさんからメールで「ヘラって知ってる？」と聞かれました。
ヘラ。。。。あのヘラだよね。。。。
私の記憶が正しければ（って、なんか何処かの番組の冒頭みたいだが）私がヘラを最後に見たのは。。。。小学生の時？？
家庭科の授業の為に持って行く裁縫箱の中に、チャコペンに押されながら「一体いつ使うのだろうか」という存在で収まっていた、あのヘラ。
で、ネットで調べたら、なんだか色んなサイズがあるんだねぇ。。。ヘラってば。
私にはイマイチよく分からなかったので、和裁を習っていた事のあるJunさんに聞いたところ、彼女もヘラでキルトトップに直線ラインを引くことがあるって事でした。
ヘラってば、凄いじゃん。と、慌てて近くの手芸店に駆け込み、私も買ってきましたよ、牛骨ヘラ。
で、キルトラインを引いてみると、これが凄く綺麗に消える事も無く引ける引ける。
今までチョークを使って引いていたこの直線、これからはヘラにお世話になることになります。
ヘラ様、今後もよろしく。