I found my smallest crochet hook works great for closing and opening safety pins when I was quilting.

I also have a tweezers handy when sewing. Use it to pull up thread from the bobbin, pick off any stray threads, pull out pins from under the pressure foot (but not yet under the needle), etc. I use the back to poke out corners as it has a rounded point.

What non-sewing items do you use?

Sandpaper. :-D I cut out a piece of cardboard and wrapped a piece of 200 grit around it and duck taped it down. Wonderful to sign siggie blocks with or to draw lines on blocks cornor to cornor. I have used a large T-square for cutting out my borders. Its 48" long and the T part hooks onto the edge of the table and good to go. Works great.

Macking tape for picking up threads,

Rubber cement for backs of rulers to keep them from sliding. Works like a charm. Thanks to original contributor.

Little wallpaper roller to press seams at table when small pieces being sewn.

Mustache trimmer as seam ripper.

I have used hemostats as tweezers....also used a little wallpaper roller to press seams. I have made a sandpaper board to put behind fabric when making markings in pencil. I am sure there are others...just can't think of any this morning.

What is the benefit for doing this? Y'all come up with some really good ideas and tips.
Priscilla

The sandpaper keeps the fabric from scooting around when writing on it.
I use the plastic salad containers to keep my projects in.
I also use the kitty-litter containers (cut in half)to keep my patterns and magazines in.

I use a gizmo from Loews to store my worn out rotary cutting blades. It's called a Contain-it. It's a round (perfect size for the 45 mm blades), plastic container about 4 inches high with a soft plastic lid with a slit across the top. I just pop the blades thru the slit until I have enough to take in for recycling.

Tweezers, masking tape, sectioned utensil holder, bathroom plastic suction-on grab bar to hold ruler when cutting w/ rotary cutter, exacto knife, box cutter, hanging shoe bag, Harbor Freight blades.
probably more, but that all that comes to mind right now. :)