The 'Easy Press Pen' from the Acorn Precision Piecing (Sewing Notion Demo)

I love gadgets - so, when it comes to sewing/quilting - I'm all about those notions. Often times, we see a quilting notion in the shop that we'd like to try or see in action before we spend our hard earned money on it - and that's where this series comes in. I'm here to test out/demonstrate those notions for you so that you don't have to spend your money until you're positive the notion is worth your hard earned dollars!
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#acornprecisionpiecing #notionreview #easypresspen

[@sewbecca]

Want to grab one of these Easy Press Pen? FQS has it for you: shrsl.com/3p5l3

[@peachquilting7306]

Something I have done is I have done is purchase a watercolor brush pen and fill it with best press. I get the precise results for the seam.

[@sewbecca]

Great tip!

[@dcwatashi]

I found a video on how to make your own spray starch so now you’ve got me thinking. And I actually have a watercolor brush.

[@lindasmalley4718]

Thanks for the review. Very helpful. Also, your fingernails are very tastefully done!

[@valeriespackman4102]

I recently started using the acorn pen and I now think that it is an essential tool in my quilting projects. I recently made the Violet Craft Starburst pattern. You make 40 of those darn paper pieced starbursts that are halves that is then sewn into 20 starbursts. There was a lot of bulk in that connecting seam and I don’t know what I would have done without the Acorn pen. I also like the glue they make instead of pinning better than the other glue options. I have used Best Press, but starching my square after it is sewn is risky as I have had shrinkage doing that. I think they all have valuable uses and are worth having on hand.

[@valeriespackman4102]

Also, do you have a good resource to order the Acorn products? I ordered on Amazon and I had a very disappointing experience.

[@sewbecca]

I know Stephanie carries the Acorn Easy Press Pen and replacement nibs/solution. If you're interested in other items (like the glue, etc), just reach out to her. I'm sure she'd be happy to add that to her shelves!

[@valeriespackman4102]

Is there a link to Stephanie? I’m new here.

[@sewbecca]

First comment under the video takes you to this item on her shop. Or you can use this: Stephaniessupplyshop.com

[@sewbecca]

If you want to buy this notion, you can find it here: shrsl.com/3ndeg

[@carlievickers374]

Ive been using this for a while and I love it. The glue that they have also is amazing. I use it especially with bulky seams and they lie FLAT

[@carlievickers374]

I also will use Mary Ellens after to starch the whole thing

[@sewbecca]

I'll let Steph know about the glue. :)

[@SheilaWyse-bx1jx]

Excellent and instructive video.

[@sewbecca]

Glad it was helpful!

[@buffielorah9946]

I think k this easy press pen would be awesome for paper piecing or smaller projects.

[@sewbecca]

A lot of folks have shared the same thought!

[@cynthiarowe5768]

Love this idea

[@rayjeanstevens3464]

Would be great for those quilts with lots of seams going in all different directions.

[@sewbecca]

Right!

[@margaretderen2082]

I just got mine today and am impressed. After 45 years, I evolved to piecing blocks no larger than 5” and this pen definitely produces a better finished seam. I reversed the nub so that the round is the one I use.

[@sewbecca]

Oooh, I'll have to try the round nub!

[@delmariesnodgrass5038]

I love the poplar presser I use it all the time for both pressing seams and as a clapper especially so I can do 2 seams at a time. I have not used the pen but I can see the immediate use for Foundation Paper Piecing. Thank you Sew Becca

[@sewbecca]

Thanks for watching, Delmarie!

[@kathryndamron3238]

Thank you for the time you took to show us this product.

[@jenniehumphreys8483]

I’ve been using the Acorn Precision piecing pen for a number of years. I think you used a bit too much liquid which made the process take longer than necessary. I use it most while I’m piecing the block, it makes my points much more accurate.😊

[@bathens4971]

I think that would work especially good during foundation piecing, since you press each piece as you go. Just apply some from the pen right before you press each seam

[@sewbecca]

Someone mentioned using it in FPP would potentially make the paper soggy. But, ti'd be worth a shot!

[@bathens4971]

@@sewbecca I doubt it, it dries as soon as you hit it with a hot iron, doesn't it? I've been glue basting tricky seams with diluted Elmer's and it dries in less than 10 seconds

[@denisesundquist4362]

I always appreciate your reviews with demos. Thanks!

[@sewbecca]

My pleasure!

[@nancylaventure1403]

This was a great demo!! Good to see that comparison!! Thanks for sharing these notions!!

[@sewbecca]

Glad it was helpful!

[@judyjones5892]

Thank you for taking the time to review and demo this. I think it would be a good product to use if you are doing small piecing or things like pinwheels.

[@margaretderen2082]

It absolutely is! I’m not one for the latest gimmicks, but this will definitely be a big help. I wish I’d had it when doing my 4x5 Quilt Block Anthology quilt!

[@emmonstrex65]

Great video Becca! Informative, fun and interesting.

[@sewbecca]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@heathergrintz]

Fun facts about this system! You can dilute the solution with water up to 50% and it still works. You can buy replacement nibs for the pen itself. And I don't advise this for FPP because it will make the paper soggy. Oh and use it on the wrong side of the fabric....

[@sewbecca]

Oooh, looks who's a wealth of info! Thanks for the tips, Heather!

[@dcwatashi]

Shelly who created this product, uses it on the right side of the Fabric.

[@mlromelfanger]

It is a great product for working with embroidery projects in the hoop. Either piecing in the hoop or finishing a project where you have to flip a seam before the project is complete/ready to take out of the hoop. Either with a manual seam roller or a small iron, you can get those small seams flat!

[@sewbecca]

Great idea!

[@karenjohnson6723]

I just love your honest opinion on all the products. The videos are great

[@sewbecca]

Thank you so much!

[@DonnaRR]

I agree with you about taking the Press Pen to a retreat. I’m a fan of Mary Ellen’s Best Press. I admit, I buy it by the gallon! I just recently bought a clapper, I wish I had one 20 years ago!

[@sewbecca]

Starch paired with a clapper is a game changer!!

[@gingermaryann9200]

I love using this when paper piecing.

[@sewbecca]

I've heard a lot of folks say the same thing!

[@joycefuller9177]

You can also use the solution in a spritz bottle .

[@marshaturner9935]

Very helpful demo. I can see how both methods would be useful. Really enjoy your demonstrations of new products! By the way I have Yvette's Poplar pressing stick and I love it. Keep up the good work!

[@sewbecca]

Glad it was helpful!

[@hollykarlsen1792]

I have the pen and I love it, especially since I sometimes piece with cut up sateen sheets that refuse to be pressed flat without some kind of product. It works beautifully. I experimented by sewing two sets of strips together and measuring them before pressing. I then set the seams, then pressed them open. I used the pressing pen on one set and on the other, I used some undiluted Staflo applied with an artist brush. I then measured them again to see if there was shrinkage. If there was, I’d say it would only be about two threads worth and as near as I can tell, they turned out the same. When my Acorn solution runs out I’m going to try Staflo in my pen. I’m thinking it might clog it up because it seems a little thicker. If it does, I’ll just use a paint brush. I can’t justify spending $70 on a gallon of Acorn pressing solution when good old Staflo does the same thing.

[@sewbecca]

Thanks for the tips!

[@hollykarlsen1792]

I forgot to mention that I pre wash all my fabrics. I’m not sure what the shrinkage would be on this if the fabrics weren’t pre washed.

[@margaretderen2082]

I’m a prewash and StaFlo quilter too. Possibly a *very* dilute solution of StaFlo wouldn’t clog the pen. I dilute mine in my large sprayer 1 StaFlo to 3 water and the sprayer hasn’t clogged yet. That said, I think that the authentic pen solution would be worth the money as minimal amounts are used and the nib does a good job at spreading solution evenly. (I tried Best Press in a watercolor brush that has the reserve water tube, and did not like that the solution did not come out evenly).

[@hollykarlsen1792]

@@margaretderen2082 I’ve been using a 50/50 solution of water and staflo in my acorn pen for a while now and it works great!

[@mariacrodriguez617]

I saw Stephanie's Stitches use it. Thank you for the review Becca.

[@TiffanysQuiltingLife]

Great tester video. I would probably never use a product like that seam pen as I believe it would slow me down needing to apply to all seams before pressing. With that said for show quilts where I need flat precision blocks then maybe I'd take the extra time. But its a great review Becca. And I am plenty sure some folks will probably get and try this stuff just from your awesome review 😊

[@sewbecca]

Great point!

[@person2463]

Love the honesty. And probs be great for applique 🌸

[@sewbecca]

Thank you!

[@catfisher4449]

A wonderful product when paper piecing.

[@sewbecca]

I agree - that'd be a good tool for FPP! Or maybe even EPP?

[@beaanderson4239]

I use this on the joints of my seams. It works great where you have a lot of seams coming together such as on the dresden plate. It will lay really flat.

[@sewbecca]

Oooh, that's a good tip!

[@ckl5590]

I can see using the pen like that ...but it would be a crazy amount of time to draw over every seam.

[@beaanderson4239]

@@ckl5590 I just use it in the center where all the seams come together. Really nice on lone stars or where you have to flip a seam another direction.

[@bonniedoyne9837]

FYI, checkout short video "Precision Piecing Without Pins" (The Quilt Show you tube). I just purchased set for making a quilt with 3 1/2" block with a lot of seams like the example she shows at the end. For your block size, I would think that Mary Ellen would work just as well. You can checkout the easy press pen part. Thanks

[@sewbecca]

Thanks

[@nancyguss6739]

I bought these from Stephanie last year. Works great.

[@sewbecca]

Glad you like them!

[@ycb6537]

There is a large battery-operated spray bottle and solution that comes in an 8 oz, quart and gallon sizes for this Acon product.

[@jennamckenzie647]

Thank you very much for the demonstration!

[@sewbecca]

Glad it was helpful!

[@angelmissewnerdy3366]

Could be used for making hexies.... Or hemming.

[@sewbecca]

Good point!

[@Everyoneisanartist776]

Welllll, you completely ignored the Clover fabric folding pen/ fluid. It would’ve been nice to see it measure up to Best Press & Acorn. I supper that they all are equal in execution. Nice video though.

[@sewbecca]

I just learned about the Clover fabric folding pen a couple of weeks ago - didn't even know it existed when I made this video over *two years* ago! I will say, I did a little looking at both products (off camera) to compare for my own information. The Easy Press set comes with a pen, extra liquid, and two replacement nibs - and is just a little more than the Clover set - which comes with just the pen and a smaller amount of liquid. I felt like the Easy Press system gave you more bang for your buck when it was all said & done! But, from the demos I've seen - both products are pretty equal.

[@Everyoneisanartist776]

@@sewbecca I agree and best press is easier to access.

[@sewbecca]

@@Everyoneisanartist776 yeap!

[@mariacrodriguez617]

Plan to buy both soon.

[@sandragula4863]

Loved the review, but the pen is too fiddley for me. But you have me thinking of what I can use to apply Best Press in the same way the pen does. If I can McGiver something, I’ll give it a try.

[@sewbecca]

Check out aqua brushes on Amazon. They're used in Art - basically it's a pen/paintbrush/or marker that has an empty barrel you can fill with your own items. I bet if you put Best Press in there, you'd get the same results.

[@sandragula4863]

​@@sewbecca I think an aqua brush might work. Going to try it, and post my findings. I'm all for anything that helps with flat seams. Thanks!!!

[@charlenecastaldo3602]

Appreciate this comparison video!

[@sewbecca]

My pleasure!

[@clreimer1262]

Hi, I can’t seem to find the link for the poplar presser. Thank you! 🙂

[@sewbecca]

Hi! You can get them from Yvette's online shop here: theyvetterene.com/products/the-poplar-presser-100-poplar-wood-pressing-stick-approximately-1-2-high-choose-length

[@pamelablaylock134]

I seen Bradie at Sparrow quilt company use this over a year ago. Been wanting to try it.

[@sewbecca]

Stephanie has them for 10% off right now with the code EASYPRESS

[@pamelablaylock134]

@@sewbecca thank you

[@tiggermom0258]

Your hair looks absolutely adorable!!

[@sewbecca]

Oh thank you!

[@maggierose97]

Thanks. I like your product reviews. The unboxing videos are fun but the product reviews are more useful. Does the pen leave goo on the iron that needs to be cleaned off right away. And, what brand of iron is that? I need to get a new one and cordless would be convenient.

[@sewbecca]

Hi Maggie! Thanks SO much - I hope to do many more videos JUST like this. I figure if I can play around with a notion on camera before you buy it, that'll help you decide if your hard earned money really should be spent on that gadget or not. :) As for the pen - it didn't leave a goo on my iron at all. The iron I'm using is the Panasonic WL607. Sew Yeah gets them in occasionally and usually sells them on either the Saturday or Tuesday night sales.

[@nancyguss6739]

Love my presser stick from Yvettes etsy shop.

[@sewbecca]

Me too!!

[@knitternana]

Love the Sew Yeah shirt,

[@sewbecca]

Me too - it's my go to, lately!

[@carleenb9426]

it's great for tiny piecing

[@sewbecca]

ooooh! ANOTHER good idea! I love tiny piecing!

[@gigiontube]

Gee…. So much time in your hands 🤫🤗

[@sewbecca]

Yeah...I don't know that I would use this for day-to-day quilting, but perhaps for projects where I can't introduce steam/starch, but still want things to get super duper flat...maybe?

[@karenraabis5296]

Thanks great tutorial. Can you tell me how you have the plug on the side of your bookcase?

[@sewbecca]

3M strips to the rescue! I bought a large USB hub (which you can see), plugged it into the outlet, and then put 3M strips on it so I could mount to my bookshelf. Maybe I should put it a bit lower so it doesn't distract from videos. :)

[@jilldoemer1634]

I would think this pen is like using Mary Ellen’s with a paint brush versus spray

[@sewbecca]

That sums it up pretty nicely!

[@nancypollard4531]

I think I'll just continue to use my Niagara starch.

[@sewbecca]

I honestly haven’t used this at all.

[@alixanderiashay4049]

Where can I get the Maryellen spray starch.

[@sewbecca]

Stephanie has some in her shop: www.etsy.com/listing/940657227/best-press-spray-6oz-bottle-in-six?ga_search_query=best%2Bpress&ref=shop_items_search_1&crt=1

[@quilt4evermore]

I use flatter. I prefer it to Mary Ellen’s. Have you reviewed Flatter.My long armer says my quilts are really flat.

[@sewbecca]

I've used Flatter but haven't done a review on it. I prefer Best Press over Flatter, but maybe that can be a topic for an upcoming video!

[@quilt4evermore]

@@sewbecca I have used Best Press but I thought it was pretty useless. I think a lot of people don’t know anything about Flatter. I like the look of the acorn product because it doesn’t seem like there would be block shrinkage.

[@sherrolsaxon82]

Great review...ty

[@sewbecca]

Thanks for watching!

[@dcwatashi]

Becca, I can’t find any instructions on how to refill the pen. See you on the Sew Yeah Fabric sale.!,

[@sewbecca]

Unscrew the top and pour your solution in! Maybe it's time to remake this video! :)

[@dcwatashi]

@@sewbecca I think you mean the bottom of the pen. I did some experimenting Maybe show how to change the nib as well Someone in the chat or in your comments suggested using spray starch, but I just remembered that wet spray starch when hit with a hot iron can leave white flakes and this stuff doesn’t

[@sewbecca]

@@dcwatashi great tips!!!

[@Mickey-jn8hz]

I can’t see myself using a pen to “starch” a whole quilt….but that said does not mean the product is no good.

[@kambyr]

You can’t beat it! Lol

[@sewbecca]

:)

[@loiscasey1338]

You are such a scientist Becca. Love this! Never knew about this product but I’m wondering if you just use water in that pen would the results be the same. ?????🧐

[@sewbecca]

I don't know about water, you'd maybe get a flat seam - but wouldn't get the body in the seams and the help to prevent fraying that the starch-like solution gives. I did hear someone say putting best press in it would probably yield the same results. :)

[@crisz9202]

Where can I purchase the pressing tool from Yvette?

[@sewbecca]

You can find her 'Poplar Presser' here: theyvetterene.com/products/the-poplar-presser-100-poplar-wood-pressing-stick-approximately-1-2-high-choose-length

[@sheliagage2227]

Have you ever used a product called flatter? I like it better than Mary Ellen’s.

[@sewbecca]

I have - it smells lovely, but I don't feel like it does as great of a job as Mary Ellen's. Maybe I can do a review with Flatter/Dry Iron/Steam/Mary Ellen's. :)

[@colleenfrancis5899]

You can also put the solution in a spray bottle. I have.

[@sewbecca]

That's true! And you can put Mary Ellen's in the pen, too!

[@Crawford644]

Love your jokes 😅

[@midgegravelese1752]

Pen takes too long to apply, IMO

[@sewbecca]

It does. For traditional piecing, like this 9 patch, maybe not worth it. But for something where you don't want to spray starch (like maybe English paper piecing? or Foundation paper piecing), or for whatever reason you just ant to press the seam, not the block - this may be helpful.

[@mariacrodriguez617]

I thought Stephanie used on the wrong side. Confused.

[@dcwatashi]

I watched a video of Shelly using her product and she definitely puts the solution on the right side of the fabric

[@kellybeckner8121]

Damn it... I buy MaryEllens by gallon...I'm all about MaryEllens...but like you said. it has its limits and its purpose. So looks like I'm gonna b trying it. You hair looks great... what did you do different?

[@jilldoemer1634]

Put Mary Ellen’s in the pen well. The liquid is probably just a starch solution.

[@jilldoemer1634]

Put the Mary Ellen’s in the pen well. The liquid is probably just a starch solution or use a paint brush.

[@sewbecca]

Just get the pen - Mary Ellen's will go in it nicely. :). I dried my hair straight. :)

[@kellybeckner8121]

@@sewbecca omg... that's F#$!ing genius!!

[@cherylmurphy6218]

I bought one like this, no starch and you fill the pen the same way. It is advertised for use when making hexies. Takes too much time for regular blocks for me. I’ll stick with Mary Ellen’s.

[@sewbecca]

Oooh, that's a good use case!!

[@cherylmurphy6218]

For Hexies, they recommend that you use it right before you fold each side, sort of like you would with fabric glue.

[@sewbecca]

That makes sense!

[@ceciliaschleicher278]

If I let the iron sit on my blocks that long, my fabrics would have been singed 🙄

[@Mickey-jn8hz]

That nib would probably not last for a whole quilt….?

[@sewbecca]

The nib holds up pretty long! I've had one installed for months!

[@pamcler4736]

Are you concerned with the direction your seam allowances are going

[@sewbecca]

Not really since this just a scrap block. :)

[@MarySmith-qz4yu]

TAkes a lot of extra time. I prefer mary Ellen’s.

[@sewbecca]

I love Mary Ellen's!

[@denisejameson2255]

This just takes too much time! I'm old.... Can't waste my time with this product

[@MoMac155]

I will waste all the time in the world to make my blocks more precise and my points more on point. Plus it’s therapeutic to create perfectly pressed block.

[@loraineleuschke4186]

The pen takes a lot of time.

[@sewbecca]

It can. But, if there's a reason you don't want to spray something, this might be a good alternative. A few folks have mentioned recently about breathing the mist in - and I've noticed spraying starch in my room leaves a sticky residue on just about anything nearby. This may solve that.

[@Lsutube963]

I would never even consider adding this much time to my piecing! I use a spritz bottle with Mary Ellen’s Best Press (I buy it by the gallon) and it takes at most two seconds to spray a block the size of your example. If I used a pen and literally outline every seam, I not only wasted a lot of time when considering an entire quilt but a spritz of Best Press gives body to my entire piece - not just the seam. This is just a gimmick that I see no advantage to.

[@sewbecca]

I think the biggest advantage to this product is using it when you *can't* spray the entire piece iwth Best Press. If the fabric wasn't starched before you cut, or if you're doing FPP - this product is helpful!