My Favorite Fiskars Tool
People always ask me “What’s your favorite Fiskars tool?” Hands down it’s the Ultra ShapeXpress. I use it all the time, it’s the staple in my cropping kit. I love how it cuts shapes quickly and easily. I love all the cool templates available to use with the USX and I also use it quite frequently as a craft knife, thanks to the removable freehand spacer.
But let me tell you something you might not know about this great tool. Not only can you use it for paper crafting, but you can also use it with fabric. It’s a great little tool to create simple cut outs for any sewing or quilting project. To use it with fabric (100% cotton recommended), just apply a heavy-duty fusible adhesive to the backside of your fabric. Make sure that’s it’s the type with the paper backing, otherwise the fabric won’t be stiff enough to cut out your shapes.
We paper crafters are quite familiar with the original USX that’s orange and blue. But did you know that Fiskars has released another color of this tool…and it’s PURPLE!
Yes, thanks to the Donna Dewberry Collection released last year, I can now select what color tool I’d like to use while crafting. And when I purchased this at my local JoAnn’s store earlier this year, not only did the package contain the purple USX, it also included a new shape template to create a dragonfly and a butterfly. So, I was in a card making mood last night and made this…
I used some HG “A Little Birds Tale” papers, C9 Sparkle Stitches Stickers and RainDots Letters and a few other little embellishments. Cards are quick and easy, but I think I just might tackle the challenge of making a cute dragonfly pillow. I’m off to the fabric shop!
HeatherQ #3770 says:
August 7th, 2008 at 10:56 amVery cute card! And thanks for the tip about cutting fabric!
Marla #3291 says:
August 7th, 2008 at 10:58 amWhat a fun project and yes I too use my shape express a lot also.
Tona says:
August 7th, 2008 at 11:05 amCute card. A tool I don’t own LOL. I may have to check that out.
Roseann #2933 says:
August 7th, 2008 at 11:15 amLove the card, and love the purple tools. Never would have thought of cutting fabric, but now I’m off to try it. TFS
Cherrie #1790 says:
August 7th, 2008 at 11:28 amooooh I love the purple - but I already have the orange and blue one….but any chance they are selling that dragonfly and butterfly template separately??? That I would LOVE to have!!
Michelle 3624 says:
August 7th, 2008 at 11:40 amLove the card and that does look like a cool tool to add to my list of wants!
Yaritza 3395 says:
August 7th, 2008 at 12:05 pmYes I have seen it but I’m so debating. I’m trying to be practical and not buy doubles when they come out with a new color. What to do, What to do. I have just recently gotten the hang of the USX. I’m doing a demo at ACM’s this saturday making cards using nothing but the USX. Man how cute would it looked if I used the purple one. Even though I think ACM’s may not like it since I’ll have to send customers over to Joanns to get it since they don’t carry purple.
Louise #3903 says:
August 7th, 2008 at 12:56 pmI hated the 1st USX but after recently buying the new & improved one & wwatching the video for some important hints I do find myself using it more. Especially like to cut out little journaling tags.
Patty 2832 says:
August 7th, 2008 at 1:32 pmI love purple! I’ve never tried this tool…looks interesting, love that it can make lots of shapes!
betsy #1143 says:
August 7th, 2008 at 7:06 pmCute card Wendy Jo. I am fabric challenged, but might try this for a nonsewing project!
inkmemory tanya says:
August 7th, 2008 at 8:40 pmawesome card, it strange i know but i don’t have any tools like u said, lets just say i’m far behind when it comes to any scrapbook\card making tools.
Kim #669 says:
August 7th, 2008 at 8:45 pmLove the card, but I’ll admit the USX is my least favorite tool. I just can’t get the hang of it and I’ve tried–but I also am lucky enough to have the cricut and I need to use that all the time to justify its cost!! LOL But, the variety of tools that Fiskars offers is terrific and not liking one of them out of the dozens(or hundreds??) available isn’t too bad
Pinky #3405 says:
August 7th, 2008 at 9:11 pmYou know you really turned me on to this and I still don’t have one! Must find one soon!!! Thanks for the reminder Wendy Jo! I must go find Purple now LOL
Mickel says:
August 7th, 2008 at 11:41 pmMan, I need one of the purple ones! That’s my FAVORITE color!!! And butterflies and dragonflies too! And a very cute card there that you made!!
Laura #1943 says:
August 7th, 2008 at 11:58 pmYep…great tool ! Should get another one….The orange one for paper…and get a PURPLE one for fabric !! Cute cute card !! Love the dragonfly, too!
Deborah Malbone says:
August 8th, 2008 at 1:52 amI know! Isn’t it a fun toy? I love mine too! I hadn’t seen the dragonfly yet so that seems really exciting!!!
Deborah
Amy G. #1803 says:
August 8th, 2008 at 6:20 amACK! Purple?? Man, I’ve gotta go out and buy that one. Must have the purple one. That template is adorable, too. Cool. Your card is adorable, btw, I love the stitching at the bottom.
Tamara #437 says:
August 8th, 2008 at 6:49 amIt comes in PURPLE?????
I love my USX - but a PURPLE one??? AGGGHHHH!!!!!!!!! I think I’m in love!
Lisa #1989 says:
August 8th, 2008 at 6:59 amCan’t wait to see your pillow! Thanks for sharing.
Lynn #2244 says:
August 8th, 2008 at 7:01 amAmen Sister! This is also MY favorite Fiskars tool!!!! I use it almost daily. It is the EASIEST I’ve ever used! I have all the templates too!
Cool new color! :c)
debby 2852 says:
August 8th, 2008 at 9:28 amI bought this a couple of months ago and LOVE it!
Sandy #1781 says:
August 8th, 2008 at 9:32 amYes, this is a great tool, but my favorite has to be the texture templates. I’ve used them for so many things, including dry embossing with the 3 ball embossing tool!
I love your card Wendy Jo. I can see I need the dragon fly template.
Laura B says:
August 8th, 2008 at 10:06 amI like the usx as well, especially since starting to read this website last month and the CHA sites where I found tips for using the tool,like running the blade on the mat to align the blade before cutting,remembering to keep the Fiskars name face up (have messed up there a few times) and using the tool for freehand cutting.
Your cards looks great. Can’t say I find making cards quick or easy so especially enjoyed your segment on Fiskars TV. Have since used your layout with great success. Thanks
Angela #3100 says:
August 8th, 2008 at 3:27 pmI love the USX! Now I just have to have the butterfly and dragonfly templates! Thanks for Enabling!
Debbie Buckland says:
August 8th, 2008 at 3:48 pmway cool!
Love the purple!!!
StampinCathy says:
August 8th, 2008 at 6:32 pmCute card. I don’t have one of these, but I have to have it. Not only to use but it’s PURPLE…my favorite color.
kimberlee #2494 says:
August 9th, 2008 at 9:36 pmThanks for the tip about using it with fabric! That’s really cool! I can’t wait to try it because it’s almost too hard to believe! Do you think using it on the paper side up would be better or with the fabric up? I keep imagining the fabric snagging.
I like my USX, but don’t love it. I got it with the intention of cutting out circles. It doesn’t go through my thick SU cs, but it goes through everything else nicely. I prefer the coluzzle for circle cutting, though.
elena says:
August 11th, 2008 at 12:05 amOMG! I purple USX!! I have to have that!
Elena
Linda says:
August 12th, 2008 at 12:05 pmI’ve been wanting to buy one of these… almost got one off of Craig’s List for $10 but the lady wouldn’t ship it and she lived 40 mins away (can’t justify gas cost). I’m glad I waited now… because PURPLE is my MOST favorite color!!! I’ll just have to splurge…
Eileen says:
August 12th, 2008 at 3:54 pmShoot, the purple one is not an easy one to find. I’ll keep looking though!
Agnes Verkroost says:
September 30th, 2008 at 10:25 pmWell, i cleaned my studio….
Low and behold i found cutters, templates and so much more Fiskars tools and have been using them all week.
I made Christmas decorations, cut out circles and now will make photos of them and post them to you.
i work full time and have only now been able to get back on the web.
printed off the Fiskateer pledge and am going to laminate them and have a copy in my work folder….
Already have 2 clients who turned out to be mad crafters and now want a pledge so I refer them to Fiskars.
I am amazed at how many tools I have, okay orange mostly but old means experience so keep going all of you.
I love the site, hope to get here more often. Fiskateer 4908, Agnes.