NBNG or gator bite?

[bexinan]

Hi I know some ppl have posted a similar thread before. But I still can't decide. Some ppl purchase both, because they are of different functions. But I can only afford one or the other. I wonder if I purchase NBNG, is the template somehow help you crease better (like by holding the bow so it won't move). I know some of you will be able to crease the bow no problem, with or without template, but I am dumb. What happen to me is I have to spend a lot of time making a bow I like, then after creasing, the bow looks aweful. Please help.

[lilredsmiles]

Originally Posted by bexinan

Hi I know some ppl have posted a similar thread before. But I still can't decide. Some ppl purchase both, because they are of different functions. But I can only afford one or the other. I wonder if I purchase NBNG, is the template somehow help you crease better (like by holding the bow so it won't move). I know some of you will be able to crease the bow no problem, with or without template, but I am dumb. What happen to me is I have to spend a lot of time making a bow I like, then after creasing, the bow looks aweful. Please help.

I make my own templates. Yes they help. You use alligator clips to hold the ribbon on the templates then stitch through the center. I won't make bows without them.

I've never bought instructions for anything! The creasing is all in your stitches & cinching.

[beansnana]

Dp you a lot of little stitches or very few large stitches, Shelley? I have several sets of templates, and do my stitching to gold the bow together, and take off template and use my gator bite to crease. Easy as pie.

Originally Posted by lilredsmiles

I make my own templates. Yes they help. You use alligator clips to hold the ribbon on the templates then stitch through the center. I won't make bows without them.

I've never bought instructions for anything! The creasing is all in your stitches & cinching.

[khofkamp]

I have both, but I have only used them together once(I just got the gator bite)

For me personally I think the NBNG alone is better than the gator bite alone, I was able to get basically the same crease as the gator bite just by putting the string through the center of the NBNG template and then pull tight, hold the bow and knot down with one finger, slide the template out, then hold the bow down while I tighten the string further....I HATE sewing. LOL I still take a needle and thread up the middle a couple times, but I dont sew to get the crease.

With just the gator bite I still run into the problem of bows not being centered and having even loops.

Krista

[bexinan]

Originally Posted by khofkamp

I have both, but I have only used them together once(I just got the gator bite)

For me personally I think the NBNG alone is better than the gator bite alone, I was able to get basically the same crease as the gator bite just by putting the string through the center of the NBNG template and then pull tight, hold the bow and knot down with one finger, slide the template out, then hold the bow down while I tighten the string further....I HATE sewing. LOL I still take a needle and thread up the middle a couple times, but I dont sew to get the crease.

With just the gator bite I still run into the problem of bows not being centered and having even loops.

Krista

So Krista, is the NBNG templates help to hold the bow?

[RochelleVitina]

Originally Posted by bexinan

So Krista, is the NBNG templates help to hold the bow?

I just got the brilliant bowmaker's templates and love them... I also got the gator bite too. If I had to choose it would be the templates you get more for you money; the crease and center is all up to you w/ a gator bite. The templates give you a center to work w/ so to speak, but the gator bite requires you to find the center/crease you want and then it holds it in place for you so that you can tie it tightly and securely. My new favorite thing (as a side note) is upholstery thread which I adore now, and will not break like elastic thread does--- I like the crease it creates too.
... maybe you should ask Santa Clausa for one in your stocking .*)

I hope that helps.
Rochelle

[kksand]

I just got the NGNB system and I LOVE IT. I wish I purchased it earlier....I have spent so much time researching and looking for tips that is in that instruction booklet. I love sewing though, so to me, it is relaxing. I have so much going on right now, so convenience was a big factor for me! I just like that all of my bows are now uniform and they take me just minutes to make (aside from lining the clip and putting together).

[khofkamp]

Originally Posted by bexinan

So Krista, is the NBNG templates help to hold the bow?

No, I use the alligator clips like the instructions show, then I put a string through just like you would with the gator bite. But you cant pull it all the way tight so I pull as tight as I can then hold it with one hand and slide the NBNG temp. out with the other, then I press both pointer fingers down on the bow and pull tight.

I think I have a picture somewhere.....

Ok this was taken before I used the NBNG templates but you can see what I mean by pressing down with my fingers and pulling tight at the same time I always get a great crease doing this.

Krista

[khofkamp]

Originally Posted by khofkamp

No, I use the alligator clips like the instructions show, then I put a string through just like you would with the gator bite. But you cant pull it all the way tight so I pull as tight as I can then hold it with one hand and slide the NBNG temp. out with the other, then I press both pointer fingers down on the bow and pull tight.

I think I have a picture somewhere.....

Ok this was taken before I used the NBNG templates but you can see what I mean by pressing down with my fingers and pulling tight at the same time I always get a great crease doing this.

Krista

picture didnt attach for some reason

Now that I have the NBNG templates to find the center I dont use the clips like you see in the picture, this was just how I did my itty bitty bows before I got my templates.

[lilredsmiles]

Originally Posted by beansnana

Dp you a lot of little stitches or very few large stitches, Shelley? I have several sets of templates, and do my stitching to gold the bow together, and take off template and use my gator bite to crease. Easy as pie.

I do 1 stitch per width of 3/8, 2 stitches per width of 7/8, and 3 stitches per width of 1.5".

That's a neat method! I always wondered if Gator-bite bows that were just tied came apart. Not if you pre-stitch!