Thread: Unusual tool?

Does anyone have any weird, "unintentional" favourite quilting tools in their sewing box?

I was squaring up some blocks this afternoon and my fingers were getting sore swiping away the skinny wisps of thread and fabric cut from each block when I hit upon the idea of using a recently purchased shaving brush...you know the sort....nice chunky little handle for easy grip and big boof of soft bristles. Now with a quick swipe around the edge of my square and block I can woosh away all those pesky little threads and fabric tatters leaving me with a lovely neat freshly squared block.

My favorite and most recent find is the $ store lint roller. I have an indoor/outdoor rug in my sewing room and the teeny/tiny threads (I am a PP piecer,need I say more) grip to that carpet like glue and the vacuum must go over & over & over to grab those little suckers.....roll that little lint catcher over once or twice and they gather like it's a party!!!! Try it on the ironing board also, works like a charm........and for a buck, you can afford more than one!!!!!

I use one of those masking tape lint rollers for getting rids of the excess strings and such from rotary cutting.

I like my 3M Command hook....the metal hook, that I have placed on my sewing machine to hold my nippers. (scissors) Keeps them handy.

From the automotive section in Sears, I got an adjustable small mirror that comes in very handy when replacing the needle in my sewing machine. Now I can see that I am aligning it correctly. There were a few other items in the package as well. I think one was a long handle with magnet on the end. I haven't had a need to use that one yet. But The mirror gets used frequently.

Originally Posted by katier825

From the automotive section in Sears, I got an adjustable small mirror that comes in very handy when replacing the needle in my sewing machine. Now I can see that I am aligning it correctly. There were a few other items in the package as well. I think one was a long handle with magnet on the end. I haven't had a need to use that one yet. But The mirror gets used frequently.

I love the mirror for replacing needles idea - that long-handled magnet might work to pick pins up off the floor.

I use a long-handled narrow stiff-bristled paint brush to clean the bobbin compartment, makes it easy to get the linty stuff out.