Why I Need a Grainboard

This is to finish yesterday's post- as I posted it I knew it didn't cover the why's at all. My bad (hate that term, yet here I'm using it, go figure!)

I had to laugh at Berry's comment;

Grainboard??!! At first I got scared (I'm easily impressed), what is a grainboard? Thanks to your detailed info I feel way smarter this morning ;o)

I'm glad you feel smarter although you're already plenty smart as it is.

Lindsay ask the BIG WHY;

Birgitte, I have a cardboard fold-up cutting board that has grainlines on it. It's not as wonderful as what you made, of course, but wouldn't you get the same result from both? Can you enlighten me here? Thanks!

Thank you, Lindsay. It most certainly needs- no, deserves!, a better explanation than I provided.

Let me start of with this:

I've been sewing for longer than I care to remember- on and off, but still... And I never knew I needed a grainboard. I was doing just fine, a few hits and misses, but generally my garments were wearable.

Then, some time ago, and I know my loyal readers were part of that discovery, couture became my passion. Since then my viewpoint on all things sewing related has changed dramatically, and that, of course, includes all the tools.

Couture is detail. Every detail counts.

This is how I see the grainboard becoming my best friend :))

You can lie out the fabric and it will STAY THERE. No more slipping and sliding, distorting the grain.

You can pin the pattern VERTICALLY so you get accurate markings and cutting.

You can PRESS THE FABRIC RIGHT THERE and cut, no need to move it from one place to another. Perfect for fusing interfacing.

BIAS will be much easier to handle with accuracy.

There will most likely be other uses I discover along the way. If any of you have additional things to add to that list, please post it, or leave a comment, and I'll do an update.

Here is a photo with a quote from Roberta Carr:

That was the long explanation. The short one: You don't need a grainboard like you need scissors, needle and thread. You need it like you need that PERFECT BUTTON to go with your jacket :))

It's all in the details!