We've learned about the goodies we can obtain from places like Harbor Freight, but how about our office supplies. Other than the standard pens and pencils, what office supplies do you use in quilting, and how are they used? Example: binder clips for clamping layers to the pinning table; transparency pens (Vis-U-Vise) for marking stencils; magnetic/dry erase boards to sketch designs and attach fabric swatches; etc. How does the cost compare to the equivalent product at your sewing center?

use the big bulletin boards and cover with batting or flannel for a portable design wall or hang more than 1 on the wall for a big big design wall

also they have cool plastic containers

BigLots: also has cool plastic containers, quilt books in the scrapbooking section found some $3.00 each by Pam Bono, plastic table cloths and use the back side of them which is flannel for your design wall

I have quite a few of the portable plastic files with hinged lids for my projects. Great for taking with to retreats or to a friend's house to sew for a day.
I also use post-it notes diagonally on squares for a guide when making half-square triangles (stitching 1/4 inch away from it) and right beside it when sewing flying geese pieces.

I use Pilot Friction pens for marking on quilts. Then to remove the marks just touch with a hot iron. Also post it notes, Rulers, tape. Actually there is way to many to list...

COOL! I'd never heard of these friction pens, just googled them and they sound great! Thanks for the great idea. (I just won't put any on my quilts in the freezer, because the marks will return :lol:

I use the adding machine tape to sew selvages onto but I must confess that bought them at Goodwill for 56 cents each.

Well that is better yet!! Love those thrift stores.

Please explain the friction pen again. I'm totally intrigued, as I've yet to find a good way to mark quilts. Do they come in several colors? How hot does the iron have to be to make them disappear? And the lines definitely don't come back??? All this sounds too good to be true

They come in black, red, and blue and our LQS has them in a few more colors. I have used them on several different fabrics and have never had a problem. The iron has to be cotton setting. They also have a friction top on them that you can rub the mark off. It just takes a lttle longer to erase them then putting the iron to the marks.

I use post-it flags on my rulers to mark my SPOT. They also come in handy marking my spot on patterns. Post-it glue sticks are great for so many things. I use drafting rulers for times when 1/8 inch isn't small enough (I prefer metric).