Two-Pronged Stiletto Is Twice As Useful

A review of 6th Finger Stiletto from TriSharp

6th Finger Stiletto

The name of this product, "6th Finger Stiletto," is what first attracted me. I thought, "If I can't have three hands, then a sixth finger might help."

A regular stiletto is an instrument similar in shape to a seam ripper, except the point is thicker and the sides of the point are not sharp. A stiletto is a poking tool instead of a cutting tool.

The original use of a stiletto was for punching holes in eyelet. But the point is plenty strong enough for punching holes in leather.

Quilters use a stiletto to hold pieces steady when feeding them under the presser foot. The point keeps the two pieces of fabric together so they feed properly. And the quilter can guide the fabric precisely so the seam comes out straight.

Two Prongs Are Better Than One

The 6th Finger Stiletto (6FS) is a modified version of a regular stiletto. Instead of one prong, it has two. One is sharp and pointed, like any stiletto, but the point is dog-legged to one side.

The second prong is a flattened, blunt prong, angled to the other side. The two prongs are mounted in a sturdy metal handle, similar in weight and size to that of an Exacto knife.

I originally got the 6FS so I could stop using my seam ripper as a stiletto, since a seam ripper is really too sharp for holding pieces when sewing. Little did I know at the time that this unusual looking tool would be such a big help with so many other jobs in my sewing room.

I like the long handle on the 6FS better than any seam ripper I have. I can use it to feed the pieces under the needle without putting my fingers in danger. A friend of mine, who would be embarrassed if I mentioned her name, just sewed through her finger. She should have been using my stiletto!

Machine Applique

I like using the 6FS for machine applique also. I found it easier to guide the fabric around a curved piece using one prong of the 6FS on the applique and one prong on the background.

When I lift my presser foot to ease the applique design around for sewing, I use the 6FS to guide the piece and the background together. Since both pieces are moved simultaneously, there is less chance for puckering.

Another favorite use I have for my 6FS is "bionic fingers". I really have to work to iron the small half-square triangles (HSTs) made using Thangles. The 3/4 inch HSTs are so small that it is hard to hold them open with my fingers and get the iron point in there to press flat without creases.

Read our review of Thangles paper-pieced triangles

If I use my 6FS, I can hold the HSTs open and get the point of the iron right between the prongs of the 6FS without burning myself. My HSTs are ironed perfectly with no creases and no burned fingers.

Instructional Video

But that's not all you can do with the 6FS. My 6FS came with an instructional CD-ROM to show how to make silk ribbon designs. The 14-minute video shows how to construct a fern, a frilly leaf, and a rose using the two prongs to hold the ribbon in place while using the sewing machine to sew.

I didn't try the silk flowers because I don't have any silk ribbon. But the training video sure makes it look easy. I've watched it twice and am convinced I could do it. Now I'm going to have to get some ribbon to try it. These flowers would be wonderful as embellishments on vests and jackets.

The training video runs on any computer with a CD drive. But for me, the CD didn't run itself automatically. I had to select my CD drive and click on the software icon. The packaging doesn't tell you that. I tried it on two different computers running two different operating systems. Both times, I had to initiate it myself.

I would have liked fewer musical passages on the video and more explanation on constructing the silk flowers being demonstrated. I would like to know, for example, how many stitches were used for holding each petal, and whether the sewing was on the edge of the ribbon or set in a little.

The second time I watched the video, the process seemed easier. I'm sure with a few more viewings, I'll have to go buy some silk ribbon and give it a try.

Even if you don't plan to put any 3D embellishments on your clothing, the 6FS has many uses in the sewing room. I wouldn't give mine up.

Where To Buy: 6th Finger Stiletto

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