starlite

I use the plastic container that great value kool-aid comes in to store things like buttons, thread, needles I am sure you all could come up with more. Janet

Wonnie

Such GREAT ideas! I use hemostats........even have a teeny, weeny one I use to hold onto a new needle when inserting it into my machine....have used 2 of them to tie a knot in threads that were to small for my fat fingers to get the job done. Use the wide postal tape to pick up threads from the floor when not enough to drag out the sweeper. Have small nesting baskets with lids that I got from IKEA...top one holds my basting safety pins, middle one has odd threads (invisible, jean, etc.) and bottom one has glues and they stack one on top of the other and are decorative. The name on them is FRYKEN (swedish) if anyone is interested and has an IKEA near.

Bueniebabe

I use my husbands cow magnet for picking up spilled pins on the floor.

mighty

Very small plastic baskets, sm. paint brushes.

fayzer

Show us a picture of your DIY pounce container.......please!

QuiltnLady1

Love this thread!! Great information!!

--Peg board on my walls -- I have hooks and shelves that I can re-arrange at will.
--Foam insulation for a design wall.
--CD cabinet for fat quarters
--Plastic scrapbooking envelopes to hold finished blocks (they are 15" sq, though I can't find them any more)
--belt ring -- holds my individual patterns
--large binder rings -- used to hang my rulers
--over the door shoe holder -- holds all kinds of stuff
--ziploc type bags of all sizes to hold all kinds of things
--old bookcase -- holds my panels
--48"x60" desk -- holds 3 machines and cutting mats
--Old collectable corner shelf made by my Dad -- holds tons of fabric
--straight pill boxes -- holds bobbins to take to class
--non-straight pill boxes -- holds pins and needles to throw away
--old metal sucrets boxes -- holds pins
--office clips -- holds strips of fabric or rows to be sewn
--roll-up toiletry holder to keep stuff in to take to class.
--rubber door stops to raise the back of the machine
-- painters tape as a guide for stitching
-- large waste paper can to hold rolls of stabilizer
-- all kinds of plastic bins for storage
-- one of those step stools that have 2-steps and a place for tools for altitude enhancement to reach upper shelves (DH let it sit unused too long )
-- shoe holder under the edge of the desk to hold sets of fabric ready for quilts

I know I missed some things, but ...

Someone mentioned using car wax on their table before FMQ -- I don't remember what brand so if anyone does, please let me know.

Havplenty

i use:
- a large doored microwave cart (bought at an estate sale for $10) to hold fabrics and baskets of notions (on top)
- foam boards from dollar store for design wall
- small ponytail holders for bobbin holders to keep stored bobbins from tangling (real cheap on ebay[100/$.99] or asian hair shops)
- expandable file folder to keep fabrics together for blocks that i am making, to store quilt/block printed pattern pics or from magazine pages
- large plastic (32 oz) yogurt containers to store large cone thread in when sewing, to store rice in for pincushions, to store just about everything else
- plastic see thru shoeboxes to store charm squares, strips, precut fabric pieces
- shelf lining to keep foot pedal from slipping when sewing (dollar store)
- laundry baskets for holding miscellaneous sewing projects (i need to see all my unfinished projects [plenty of laundry baskets ])
- ooh does using white rice for stuffing count
- cardboard from boxes (any) to make templates from

sewnuts321

I bought a 20" construction bag at our big box lumber yard and it fits my sewing machine perfectly ($9.99 special) - No protective padding or wheels but there is some space for project supplies/fabrics. Works for me for the minimal toting from car to class.

quilt gramma

I use a chopstick to press m seams down and to use to direct my material when piecing also i use peanutbutter jar to hold my pens and stuff.

cheaha39

I need my peep hole glass thing, it makes quilts smaller. The perspective of standing farther away helps me make decisions on colors, border sizes, etc.