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Product Review – Basic Grey Precision File Set

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Today I am beginning a new bi-weekly series: Product Reviews. I will be reviewing products that I currently own and have been using in my personal projects, not ones solicited from manufacturers, so my reviews will be based on my crafting experience of the last few years.

File review_fileset

From the manufacturer: Explore the “sharper” side of scrapbooking with the Basic Grey Precision File Set. All of those tiny ruts and spaces are finally within reach. Perfect for smoothing or distressing chipboard, plastic, paper, metal.. all with “sharpening” results. Each file in the Basic Grey Precision File Set features a rubber-coated grip for comfort and ease-of-use.

I confess that I not only love tools and gadgets, I also love to add distressing to my projects. So buying this set was a no brainer for me! I found the set easy to use, and it lives up to its promises. With two large flat files, and four smaller precision files, I found that I was able to get into even the tiniest spaces between my chipboard letters and shapes. The flat files are perfect for sanding the bigger areas, like the edge of cardstock, chipboard and patterned paper. I’ve used the larger files on Core’Dinations cardstock with a great result!

A few examples:

File review_minibook

After covering this chipboard album with patterned paper, I was able to get a nice even finish on the edge with the flat file.

File review_flower

Other uses for the files include

  • Distressing the edges of photos
  • Filing off the little “nubbies” that stay when you press a shape out of a die cut sheet
  • Filing away painting “oops” on the edges of items

The files are easy to hold and use, and more comfortable than using a piece of sandpaper. They are very effective,  it just takes a couple swipes to get a smooth finished edge. And the sound it makes while filing is less grating than sandpaper. I highly recommend this set!

Read These Next

Have you read?

15 Things to Sew for Someone Who Has Insomnia (Tested by Me – A Lifelong Sleepless Wreck)

f you’ve ever stared at the ceiling at 3 a.m., listened to the hum of the fridge from across the house, or contemplated reorganizing your sock drawer again just to kill time until morning, you’re not alone—I’ve been there. I’m a long-time insomniac, and it has taken me years (and a small mountain of trial and error) to figure out a sleep routine that works even a little bit. Along the way, I’ve discovered that sometimes, the simplest things—like a handmade sleep mask or a comforting heat pack—can make the biggest difference. I am also a big fan of Lavender oil, but I have to stop using it every few months and give it a break then use it again. 

Sewing became not just a hobby for me, but a soothing pre-bedtime ritual. It’s the calm before the not-so-calm. And even if I still don’t sleep like a log, I now have an entire collection of cozy, calming, and comforting sewn items that definitely help me drift off faster (or at least keep me comfy while I lie awake counting alpacas).

So if you or someone you love struggles with sleep, here are 15 of the best sewing projects I’ve found—and made—that are perfect for battling insomnia. Whether it’s calming scents, gentle weight, or just pure comfort, these DIYs are all about turning your bedtime space into a soothing sanctuary.

Let’s dive in and sew our way to sweet dreams (or at least better nights)

Blanket Hoodie Free Sewing Pattern

Make Your Own Blanket Hoodie, Just like a Oodie – Sewing Pattern 

Wheat Heat Pack — CraftBits.com 

MAKE A BLANKET HOODIE: How I made my Autism Sensory Cocoon

Make a Weighted Sensory Vest for Adults : 4 Steps (with Pictures) – Instructables 

Weighted comfort  toy 

Weighted, Scented Stuffed Animal : 5 Steps – Instructables

Eye pillow 

How to make an eye mask

Learn to Make Blackout Curtains in Less than 10 Minutes!

How to Make Blackout Curtains – Step By Step Sewing Tutorial 

Lavender Neck Roll 

Free pattern: Cat Nap aromatherapy pillow – Sewing

DIY sensory compression sheet – Heather’s Handmade Life 

DIY Snuggle Blanket with Sleeves for Kids and Adults – Creative Blog 

Here are some more articles from across our blog on Insomnia

How Much CBD Oil Should I Take For Insomnia?  

 Night time Cherry Smoothie For Insomnia and Weightloss – Bath and Body  

10 Bath and Body Recipes that will help you sleep.  

15 Obscure Reasons You May Not Be Sleeping Properly

  1. Your pillow smells weird (to your brain)
    Even if you think it smells fine, subtle shifts in scent can disrupt your brain’s sense of safety and comfort. Your brain is weird like that.

  2. Your magnesium levels are low
    Magnesium helps regulate melatonin and muscle relaxation. A deficiency can cause restless sleep or leg cramps that wake you up.

  3. You’re sleeping in synthetic fabrics
    Some polyester blends trap heat and moisture, which can subtly increase your body temp and mess with your REM cycles.

  4. Your clock is ticking… literally
    That wall clock or wristwatch ticking in the corner? You might think you’ve tuned it out, but your subconscious hasn’t. Hello, micro-stress.

  5. Your bedtime stories are too exciting (even if they’re podcasts)
    True crime, mystery audiobooks, even dramatic fiction can get your adrenaline going—just enough to keep you wired.

  6. You’re sleeping in a “geopathic stress zone”
    It sounds woo-woo, but people who believe in this say underground water lines or magnetic fields under your bed can impact sleep quality.

  7. Your ceiling fan is too fast
    Ceiling fans can dry out your sinuses or subtly make your body think it needs to stay alert. Weird, right?

  8. You’re unknowingly clenching your jaw all night
    Bruxism (aka teeth grinding) doesn’t always wake you up, but it can prevent you from ever getting into deep sleep.

  9. Your blood sugar dips overnight
    This can cause your cortisol to spike, waking you up suddenly with anxiety or sweats at 2 a.m. A small, protein-rich snack before bed might help.

  10. You’re too hydrated
    Sounds healthy, but if you’re waking up to pee more than once a night, you might be overhydrating before bed. Try tapering off liquids after dinner.

  11. Your sleeping direction
    Feng Shui fans swear by sleeping with your head facing certain directions for better energy flow (and fewer nightmares).

  12. Your mattress is full of static electricity
    Especially in dry climates, synthetic mattresses or sheets can create static that subtly irritates your skin while you sleep.

  13. You’ve got light sneaking in through your eyelids
    Even faint light from a charger or hallway can disrupt melatonin production if your eyelids are thin or you’re extra light-sensitive.

  14. Your nighttime supplements are stimulating
    Some sleep supplements contain hidden caffeine sources (like green tea extract) or B vitamins that can actually energize you.

  15. You associate your bed with frustration
    If you’ve had too many sleepless nights in the same bed, your brain might start associating it with stress. Sometimes switching things up (new bedding, rearranging furniture) can help reset that mental link.