I use a fine point Sharpie marker to identify my self-cut templates, writing the name of the pattern, the # of pieces of templates (1 of 6, 2 of 6...), the name and page # of the book then put them in a baggie punch a hole in the top and hang them on a peg board. UNLESS it's from a magazine and then I just staple the baggie to the page.
Fine point Sharpies are also good for marking your settings on your machine. You can write on the machine itself. Alcohol swabs will take it off later.
My sister uses the top end of a roll of toilet paper for a pin cushion keeping the pins more toward the core. Then if she needs to blow her nose while sewing there's something right there.
I use the cores of toilet paper rolls to wind up leftover binding for future use.
When making scrappy quilts I use various lengths and color strips of the same fabrics in the quilt to make the binding. I did the same thing on my Civil War Era quilt and it looked wonderful!
Tiny squares, 1" to 1 1/2", of polar fleece and a pair of tweezers are the best things for cleaning lint out of sewing machines. The lint REALLY clings to the squares and comes out of the machine. (Canned air just blows it somewhere else inside the machine.)
When hand basting run your thread gently across a candle to keep it from tangling as badly.
THE MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL: CLEAN AND OIL YOUR MACHINE OFTEN!