Jannie

I use a balloon. I poke holes in it so the little ones don't want them.

MFord

I love all these tips - never thought of using the grease in my hair! My tip - clean your bobbin area often! Seems like most "tension" problems are really problems with threads caught up in the bobbin area!

Cybrarian

If you only have so much money for tools: 1) use bamboo skewers for stiletto, turning tools, holding down an edge or small piece of material you're pressing 2) go to Harbor Freight or similar store and pick up round magnet dishes for pins. They're under $2 - I have one by each machine, on my cutting table & ironing board. The round screw on lids from Glad, Ziplock or generic storage containers will fit over them-easy transport for your pins to classes or retreats. 3) Also get a telescoping magnet wand with a light to pick pins up from floors - much less than the ones marketed for this purpose. 4) pick up different widths and colors of painters tape: temporary line marking, labels for strips or pieces, temp marking for rulers & mats, or on your machine to keep that 1/4 inch accurate. 5) good place to get long handled tweezers, long blade scissors for cutting batting, little flashlights to see down into your machine, small headlamp for handwork, and plastic coated gloves for safer cutting and hand not slipping on your ruler when cutting.

quiltin-nannie

Citrus, I forgot about this hint! I did the same thing!

mckwilter

For a quick and cheap present, I make pin cushions out of bars of soap. You can buy the cheapest soap on the shelf, or find one with a fragrance you (or your recipients) like. I had one friend who loved sandalwood (can't stand the smell myself) and I found individual bars in a Chinese market, along with rose and jasmine. Cut a piece of batting the width of the bar and length that will wrap around the bar with just a small overlap. Cut a strip of fabric (WOF) the width of the bar and place the bar in the center of the wrong side strip. Bring the ends up and twist, then turn the bar over. then bring the ends up again. Do this several times, spacing the twists so that they lay by the side of the previous twist. Finish off with a pretty bow, or tie a knot and tuck the edges under the fabric. You can decorate the top with ribbons, buttons, fabric flowers, etc. Then, I gently hit the pincushion with the side of a hammer to break up the soap slightly. If you try to put pins into a solid bar of soap, you get bent pins. The batting keeps the soap from leaking out. Every time you put a pin or needle into the soap, it releases a little more of the fragrance. Eventually, the soap will loose its fragrance and will break down completely.

mckwilter

When I'm doing any kind of hand sewing, I use a finger cot on my index finger. You can get them at any pharmacy. My DH calls them my sewing condoms, because they look like minatures. They keep the needle from slipping in my hand and give me extra grip to pull needles out.

SewingSew

Never use WD40 on your sewing machine. It has a solvent in it. Never use anything other than sewing machine oil. Sewing machine oil is lighter in viscosity than many other oils. If you use a different oil, it could gum up your machine.

If you are sewing by hand and your needle gets dull, try running the tip of it across an emery board (fingernail file) several times to sharpen it. For those of you who don't know, the strawberry found hanging off traditional pincushions is filled with emery, and sharpening your pins and needles is what it is intended for.

There are a lot of good tips on this thread. I especially like the one about cutting through sandpaper to sharpen scissors.

RedGarnet222

I think getting to know your sewing machine and the specialty feet are the best tools in my arsenal. It really makes my sewing and quilting an easier job. I know this sounds simplistic, but, you would be surprised how many ladies struggle with a project they don't have to. Also, using the right thread and needles are what keeps the troubles away, for the most part anyway.

Last but not least is to have a good organized work space. So important.

As far as tools go ... I love my specialty and square up rulers! And of course a great iron. Oh, remember that a ruler is also a marking tool for quilting lines. I have a 10 inch round one I use for marking the all over orange peel design. Or how about a scalloped one for a line of circles? Just flip it over for the completed line of circles.

JoyjoyMarie

One sewing tip that was given to me in the tailor shop at a boys school where I worked has helped me over the years: When ready to sew on a button by hand, put multiple threads thru the needle, and then take only one or two stitches thru the button. Makes everything go so fast - and presto you're done.

sdeaaz

Can't wait to try this... what a great idea for a gift.