Metal chopsticks for turning. I found that the wooden ones have rough edge that seem to catch on the fabric. I use the little plastic tubes that extra lead (for mechanical pencils) comes in for old used hand sewing needles. I also have a long cardboard tube that wrapping paper came on taped to the front edge of my sewing table. The round profile keeps my quilts from catching on the front edge. A fan with a remote control to keep the hot flashes under control when I screw something up. Yikes. Ipod on shuffle is absolutely necessary tool for sewing.