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Originally Posted by GailG
Originally Posted by BettyGee
Originally Posted by Bev
Originally Posted by BettyGee
While cleaning out a closet yesterday I found one of those basins that they give you in the hospital. I use these in cabinets to organize shampoo,deodorant, etc. and thought why not use one to keep my fat quarters together. Sure enough it works and I can just pull on the basin and not send the fabric flying. I like the idea so much I may have to find another way to keep the shampoo, etc. in order; so I'm robbing one closet to organize my quilting. Hey it seems like the right thing to do.
:lol: :roll: :roll: |
I use used dryer sheets for foundation peicing.
Flower pots for storing rolled fat quarters. I have an old stereo cabinet that my dh turned into a changing table when we were fostering. It is now great for storing my baskets of "things" and my fabric! I use an old file cabinet to store small items that I have made for crafts fairs. |
A friend on the QB sent me a daily med keeper for the storage of bobbins, works great. I use three of them and the area left I keep various sewing stuff in.
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I have several pretty flower pots for cutters and scissors and snips to be within easy reach, I use chop sticks, and I save all the little cups that coffee creamer comes in to use for fray block when I applique. Then just toss them. I love that clothespin tip and will use that right away, I'm tired of singed fingers too.
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Originally Posted by IBQUILTIN
I have several pretty flower pots for cutters and scissors and snips to be within easy reach, I use chop sticks, and I save all the little cups that coffee creamer comes in to use for fray block when I applique. Then just toss them. I love that clothespin tip and will use that right away, I'm tired of singed fingers too.
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Originally Posted by TN Donna
I use the cloths made for the Swifter. They pick up lint and never bother anything else. My sister gave me this idea.
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Originally Posted by sherriequilts
Originally Posted by TN Donna
I use the cloths made for the Swifter. They pick up lint and never bother anything else. My sister gave me this idea.
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Someone earlier on this topic was using a dish drainrack for storing their cutting rulers.
I went to Fred Meyers and bought a nice dark chromed $10 dish drainrack to store mine in. Oh my! What a wonderful idea. I can place several rulers in each slot for a dish and I store all of my little ones in the silverware tray. It is right next to my cutting mat. In the past I have always looked around to place my ruler down in between adjusting fabric or doing something else. Now I know exactly where to put and where it is when I am ready to cut again. Also, I have been using the plastic see thru containers that packs of Crystal Lite come in. I have one set up for my portable embroidery with the necessry threads, small scissor snips, needle and my needle threader (which I seem to need now a days. I have another one for my eraseable marker pens, tweezers, seam ripper, etc. Very handy. The snap on lid stays on quite nicely. Oh yeah, the grip on handle on the ruler in the photo is from Harbor Freight. Really a lot less expensive than in Joanne's or Quilting shops. |
[quote=SewExtreme]Someone earlier on this topic was using a dish drainrack for storing their cutting rulers.
I went to Fred Meyers and bought a nice dark chromed $10 dish drainrack to store mine in. Oh my! What a wonderful idea. I can place several rulers in each slot for a dish and I store all of my little ones in the silverware tray. It is right next to my cutting mat. In the past I have always looked around to place my ruler down in between adjusting fabric or doing something else. Now I know exactly where to put and where it is when I am ready to cut again.quote] I looked very closely at your dishrack - ruler holder and think it's a wonderful idea! Kudos to the person who came up with this! I'm going to get one today. It will eliminate all the different things I now use that sit on top of my cutting table sopping up space :-) Everything that's now stored in several containers will simply be placed in the one rack. Thanks a million!! 8-) |
Thanks Bev. I don't know how well the photo turned out but I have about 15 rulers in the main part of the rack and another 6 small ones in the untensil holder. I absolutely love it. The dark chrome makes it look stylish also, kinda like it was made for such a use.
The original poster had a terrific idea. :-D |
Originally Posted by Suzan Larrimore
I broke a springed clothes pin in half, use the flat part to open and hand press seams the way I want them to go. It keeps my finger from getting burned.
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Originally Posted by SewExtreme
Thanks Bev. I don't know how well the photo turned out but I have about 15 rulers in the main part of the rack and another 6 small ones in the untensil holder. I absolutely love it. The dark chrome makes it look stylish also, kinda like it was made for such a use.
The original poster had a terrific idea. :-D I noticed that what would be the silverware holder is not divided into smaller spaces, which allows you to use it for small square rulers. Is it difficult to find one like that? It seems to me that mine have always come with cup-like holders for the utensils. |
Bev, Not sure how widely Fred Meyers are located across the nation but we have them in the NW. It is a one stop groceries; household items, toys, furniture, etc. A little like Walmart or Target. Do you have Kohl's or Bed, Bath and Beyond?
It just turned out well that the first place I went had what I thought would work. But, I did buy it because there wasn't a divider in the silverware hold plus the raised part to separate dishes was located more in the center rather than on one side. Hope that helps. :-D |
OOH! You guys are the best. Love all ideas. Keep up the inventions! LOL!
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Originally Posted by SewExtreme
Bev, Not sure how widely Fred Meyers are located across the nation but we have them in the NW. It is a one stop groceries; household items, toys, furniture, etc. A little like Walmart or Target. Do you have Kohl's or Bed, Bath and Beyond?
It just turned out well that the first place I went had what I thought would work. But, I did buy it because there wasn't a divider in the silverware hold plus the raised part to separate dishes was located more in the center rather than on one side. Hope that helps. :-D I hadn't thought about the dish separater being in the center. That would seem to be an important of it. Well BB&B are just a mile or so from where I live so I can check them out tomorrow. Kohl's is a bit farther. Thanks for the info. Will let you know how it works out. 8-) |
A friend of mine got me to using self sticking flooring tiles for templates. they are great draw the pattern on the paper backing, and cut out with old scissors or kitchen shears. real easy, hold up great as long as you don't keep cutting into them. they are real cheap. don't take the paper off the back. I also made a folding ironing board with the wooden TV. tables they are great to put anywhere, and the right size and highet when you are setting at your machine. I also made a nice size lazy susan one side for pressing and the other for cutting. put the round wood at homedepot and the lazy susan turning part for less then $10 used it a lot when we lived in a fifth-wheel trailar. something else thats turns things inside out is the plastic cover that go over the thermoter in hospitals. I have a lot of other goodies, but am having a hard time seeing, and spelling today.
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I found an old seam wall paper wooden roller - small, about 1 1/2 inches. I use it to press paper piecing seams.
Originally Posted by Suzan Larrimore
I broke a springed clothes pin in half, use the flat part to open and hand press seams the way I want them to go. It keeps my finger from getting burned.
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Originally Posted by BKrenning
I have freezer paper in my sewing room to use for paper piecing--the method that you don't sew through the paper.
I have the tissue paper used for wrapping gifts in gift bags to trace quilting designs on which I then tape to a quilt on the frame and quilt through it. Much cheaper than vellum or the special paper sold to longarmers. I claimed a 36" square kitchen island after our remodel to use as my cutting table. Rotary cutters, blades & templates are stored in the drawers & scraps, UFO's, & orphan blocks are stored in the bottom. I use blue painters tape to tape the tissue paper onto quilts & it holds the leaders on the poles of my frame. Hairspray to keep chalked quilting designs from rubbing off. Silicone spray to keep the rails on the frame slick and the bed of the sewing machine. I used to have a roll of Press 'n' Seal in my room for quilting but I didn't like the little bits of plastic left in. Others still swear by it. I steal hubby's big carpenter's square when I need to square up a large quilt before binding it. And he occasionally has to come into my sewing room to find his level if I've been adjusting my frame. I have a small, rolling tv/microwave cart that fits under the frame. Usually my embroidery machine, stabilizers & threads live on it but I take the machine off to put my laptop that controls the PC Quilter on when I'm using it to quilt. I have one of the rolling plastic storage drawer things advertised for scrap bookers that I keep all my thread & needles in. It just fits under the sewing cabinet when it's opened up so I can just reach down, open a drawer & pull out needles, thread, or bobbins when I need them. I use a coffee mug to keep my little Clover iron in & I use it to put troublesome thread in when it lashes too much on the normal thread holder spindle on the machine. I like to use used fabric softener sheets to sew my applique shapes onto so I can turn the seam allowance under before stitching them down to the background fabric. It really helps to keep those little pokies under the piece. It doesn't add bulk so I don't have to cut it out from the back side like those who use paper do. I'm sure there are lots of other re-purposed & purloined items in there, also--LOL! Just look at your quilt catalogs and when you see their nice but high priced cutting tables,just think of what else that looks like. One option that I used is a kitchen counter that I found at a yard sale for $10 and they had a marble top for $10 that was cut to fit (24").So I got a really nice cutting table for $30 .I paid $10 for a sheet of plywood for the back cause the back wasn't there. Another option for a sewing table is the every day kitchen table,just get a square or rectangle one. The yard sales or thrift stores usually have those for $ 10-$20 without chairs . The more you save by thinking outside the box the more you can spend on the things that are ,what I personally think are really neccesary, a really good desk chair,scissors,rotory cutters,rulers,mats,stuff like that. |
Originally Posted by AliKat
Gads, so much that we do and don't really think about.
I use a wheeled wooden folding kitchen cart as my cutting table. I can clean off the shelves and fold it and put it in the garage when I have company. I am using a Country Time lemonade container to hold specialty threads when winding bobbins or sewing. Plastic make up bags from Walmart or such make great places to put my tools so I am ready to go for sew-ins. Ikea has some fabulous things for storage and sorting. I use the Antonius systems for my projects and stash. I can see through the bins, which won't rust. Am enjoying reading all this. ali It is a 6ft x 6ft unit so it held all of her stash. So check out that ,cause it looks good in her room and makes her looks so organized. Now she's looking for a smaller one for her books. |
Originally Posted by quiltmom04
I use:
- a sliverware try in the drawers to organize small supplies - a 2"x3" ziplock bag I found first at the candy-making store and then in jewelry supplies that I put the spool of thread and matching bobbin in, so I don't have to guess which bobbin goes with which thread! - a soft artist's paintbrush to clean the bobbin area - zip lock freezer bags (gallon size are great) for WIP - painter's tape (all widths) for quilting lines - sandpaper to hold fabric steady when I trace templates, or write a label - pop top vitamin bottle to hold old needles - frezzer paper as a stabilizer for applique and machine embroidery - pipe cleaner to put through the cone of large thread to attach its correct bobbin - dryer sheets to clean the iron Your bargello quilt in your picture in fantastic! I've been looking for some qreat bargello quilt patterns but haven't found any has good as that. Where did your find your pattern,if you don't mind me asking? I won't duplicate your colors,I just really love bargello quilt designs. |
what a great thread!!! there are so many good ideas...i will have to go tour my house and see what else i can repurpose!
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Originally Posted by hexagonquilter
I got to page 7 reading what all everyone sent in. I have one that I haven't seen yet..
Use a net shower puff to scrape all your lint fuzzies off of your cutting board. Works great. |
Originally Posted by dgmoby
Originally Posted by SNUGQUILT
I haven't actually used this yet, but since I'm in the midst of redoing my sewing room....I asked my DH for a peg board, but he didn't think I'd be happy with it (pegs coming out, etc.)...he suggested just penny nails in the wall...my idea...cover a board (any size you want) with fabric, THEN put the nails in that...much prettier, and sill EXTREMELY useful...I'm thinking my tools, patterns, thangle packages, endless possibilities! :)
I use it so much, that I expanded the one 2'x4' area to fill an entire wall - more like a LQS. Having a small room that holds a lot, including a longarm, makes it invaluable. My large one holds patterns, all my longarming templates, rulers and tools, rolls of paper/interfacing, all large spools of thread (about 200), oil, and a multitude of other things. I have have some of the very long pegs put across the top, with acrylic sheets on them for shelves. Then I placed some magazine holders with my magazines I wanted to keep, and covered boxes to hold zippers, buttons, extra marking pens/pencils, and other things that are small. I adore my pegboard! Liking that one pegboard wall so much, I created an additional pegboard space near my cutting table for all those tools (rotary cutters, scissors, etc.) and other supplies that hang up. 'It's a good thing,' as Martha says :) Debbie in Austin |
My husband was about to get rid of a small metal cabinet that he used in the garage to put his electric saw and drills in. The cabinet has a door,wheels and was drab gray color with little rust here and there.
I happen to see out in the trash and asked if he would let me have it and help me spray paint it. He's a whiz at spray paint! His first question "what are you going to do with that?" And I said a place to store my serger! After he painted it, I did some stenciling on it. And I have cute little cabinet that sits under my cutting table. It the ultimate re-purpose, recycle and redo! Chris |
I have learned so much from all of you! Now I can go through my kitchen and take another look. The things that are truly needed and that cannot be scrimped on are costly. But those are the are what we quilters need. So when we can substitute, it is truly as great thing to do.
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I have a craftsman workbench that I use as a cutting table. Added some extension to legs and its great.
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Originally Posted by amandasgramma
I use bamboo skewers as a "stilleto". I cut one in half and taped the cut end. Works great and is CHEAP!
I use freezer paper for appliqueing I have a wire "tray" thing that our flatware came in to hold my rulers. I bought old plastic flatware trays at thrift stores to hold my individual pieces. I haven't got it finished yet, but I was able to find a 6 foot roller shade at a thrift store for $10.00. I bought some flannel and will glue the flannel to it. VOILA - a designer wall!!!! |
I use finger nail polish on the tips of my fingers to keep from pricking them. Just make sure you use it when there are no sores.
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Originally Posted by vjengels
I haven't used the liquid bandage in quilting... but you can use super glue for cuts, it doesn't sting as bad, and it costs less. My husband gets cracks on his finger tips, and uses it all the time.
Sorry, double click........ |
sorry I didn't get back saturday like I said I would DH had to put on a antivirus on my computer and get it up and running again.
About the insulubrite my sil said she got at Lowes. I looked and no one heard of it there also my Jo anns never heard of it or Hancocks so back to ordering on the computer. they never heard of thermalite nieghter I also found out what SIL did get was thermolte. It is for using in clothing and gloves ect cause it retains heat. If you can find it I guess it would be good for things like casserole wraps or bun warmers for bread but I wouldn't use it in potholders or pads cause I thought the idea is to repell heat so back to the insulbrite stuff for me. I thought maybe SIL knew more about stuff like that since she has been quilting for so long. I best stick to what I learn here for sure. LOL I should of known better and checked it out first after her directions put almost to Oklahoma when I first got here. Talk about the senic route home. LOL |
About the insulubrite my sil said she got at Lowes. I looked and no one heard of it there also my Jo anns never heard of it or Hancocks so back to ordering on the computer. they never heard of thermalite nieghter.............
I buy my insulbrite at JoAnn's. Ask them to look it up for you. |
Originally Posted by RkayD
Originally Posted by Suzan Larrimore
I broke a springed clothes pin in half, use the flat part to open and hand press seams the way I want them to go. It keeps my finger from getting burned.
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I use toe separators (for polishing toe nails) for housing bobbins. Slide it in and then turn it to hide the loose end of the thread. Each one holds 4 bobbins with no strings to tangle. You can get a pair of these for $1 just about everywhere.
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I use the plastic bed risers to raise a table up to the perfect height for a cutting table.
The plastic tubs from frosting make great pencil holders. |
Originally Posted by gzuslivz
I use toe separators (for polishing toe nails) for housing bobbins. Slide it in and then turn it to hide the loose end of the thread. Each one holds 4 bobbins with no strings to tangle. You can get a pair of these for $1 just about everywhere.
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Originally Posted by lauriejo
I am loving all of these great ideas. I have just really started to teach myself to quilt and many of these will come in handy. I think the tool I seem to use the most is my MasterCard!
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I use plastic pill containers for beads, sequins, etc., an old cookie tin for thread, plastic mayonnaise jars for buttons, a lined wicker picnic basket as a sewing basket, plastic sheets used for cutting veggies as template plastic, freezer paper, chop sticks for stillettos, a small paint brush for a machine lint brush, a tiered trouser hanger for lengths of fabric, an oversized mug for pencils, rotary cutters, scissors, etc., a wire flatware basket is tucked inside a drawer at my sewing table: it neatly hold just about anything one can imagine. Color books provide a great source for appliques.
Also, when I sew, I have to pull up an extra chair, cover it with a blanket, and lift Miss Ellie, my precious puppy, onto the chair. She supervises my sewing and is so excited when she gets a new harness! |
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