Lots have mentioned fabric softener sheets too...and I forgot I use them also. We can't use fabric softener because my middle son cannot have it near his skin. But my next door neighbor has the pretties smelling laundry. I have been known to stand under her door and inhale when the children are driving me more nuts than usual. I get used dryer sheets from her and sew them to the right side of my labels. Then, I cut an X in the FABRIC SOFTENER ONLY, don't ask me why I capitalized that....and turn it inside out. Then the fabric softener is on the bottom and the label is on the top. The edges are already turned under and I can attach it to the quilt...that and my hands smelly really nice when I'm done.

:-)

I use painter's tape for straight line hand quilting-- just press it where I want it, quilt a line, move the tape. I especially love it for crosshatching.

I use paintbrushes to clean the bobbin case area on the sewing machine and the longarm. The hairs don't come off the paintbrushes as easily as they do from those brushes meant to do that cleaning, and wow, paintbrushes are much cheaper too.

I use old rx bottles to hold filled bobbins of thread. I hate interrupting my sewing to wind bobbins so I wind a lot of bobbins with beige or grey and put all one color in a bottle. Often one "bottle of thread" is enough to do an entire quilt.

I have long yardage of fabric hanging in the closet on pants hangers. You can put a LOT of yardage on those hangers that are meant for 5 pair of pants! I bet I have 20-30 yds on each hanger.

I have pantographs for longarm quilting stored in over the door shoebags.

I'm always dropping pins and I'm not as young as I used to be, so it's a real trial getting down to get them under the table or the longarm and getting back up again. I took one of those magnetic business cards that some local realtor gave me, glued it to the end of my yardstick, and voila, a nice long magnet for picking those pesky stray pins up off the floor.


I have a white vinyl trellis, 4 ft x 8 ft, mounted on the wall in my workroom, sideways under the window. It has S-hooks on it, and it holds dozens of rulers and stencils in a space that would be wasted. And it looks pretty cool too.

Keep the ideas coming!!

These are great ideas. I'm still fairly young, but my knees are shot. I often have to con the boys into picking pins up off the floor for me because mommy can't reach them. This would fix that...and save me a ton in skittles and M&M's!

I KNOW! I'd get alot more sewing done if people weren't so crafty cool!

Since I don't machine quilt maybe this is more obvious. What do you use it for?

I have no idea. This was the first I'd heard of it too.

I use a cool whip container with a slot cut in the lid to keep my rolled up binding neat, then pull it through the slot when ready to use.
I use brown paper grocery bags to iron on when working with fusibles, then just toss when finished. Also good for pattern making.
DH's cigar boxes make great storage containers for pens, pencils, etc. They stack well and are sturdy.

Love reading everyone's ideas, keep them coming!

I get cute cookie cutters to make designs with on my quilts.
Only thing is I haven't used them yet. Waiting for the right one.

Not long after Press 'n' Seal was available, quilters started using it to copy designs onto. They press a piece over the design they like, trace it with something that will wash out--green ink pen is what I was told & used--then peel it up and stick it over the area they plan to quilt & quilt right over the design. It pulls loose fairly easily but the little pieces of plastic left behind drives me nuts so I prefer to use gift tissue paper. If any little pieces of tissue paper get trapped, they dissolve when the quilt is washed. The Press 'n' Seal scraps didn't and I had to pick them out with tweezers.

I use the "banana" rack to hold my large spools and it stands behind my machine.
I use those cute little toe "spreaders" for when you paint your toes to put bobbins in and it holds them great.
I use empty prescription pill bottles with a hole in the top to put old needles.
I use hair clips to keep the binding in place while I sew. The ones at Walmart etc are cheaper than buying in LQS's.
Also use the freezer paper for any patterns I buy thru SImplicity etc because they last longer and don't tear. Keeps the pattern pieces like new.
I use old cans I collect to keep things like "velcro", Tape" Safety PIns" etc. Label each with tape and write on it. Then they stack on a shelf neatly adn I can see what I need.
This is a great post. I am learning alot. Thank you

I use my old machine needles to hang pictures. They are steel so they're strong and they make such a small hole in the wall.

I use the square kleenex boxes for a thread and scrap catcher. When it's full it's tossed.

I love this thread!!!

Before I had a quarter inch foot,I used a piece of blue painters tape to mark a line on my machine...won't leave residue
I get a telescoping magnet stick from a parts store to sweep across my floor to pick up pins.[saves my back and knees]
Zippered plastic bags from pillow cases and sheet sets make excellent project bags..
I use the bright colored elastic pony-tail holders for making button loops for button instead of making fabric loops...these work on jackets or other clothing or crafts...and purses..

Please explain use of press and seal. TNX

I read all the posts, now hope I can remember the things I was going to add:
Harbor Freight has an extendable "wand" with a strong magnet on the end for picking up pins, etc. (look with the automotive stuff probably)
I picked up a plastic shrimp deveiner when we were in Florida and it's perfect for stuffing doll parts or poking out corners when turning something right-side out
I taped a large diameter drinking straw to the side of my sewing machine to hold my always disappearing "PURPLE THANG" or any other stiletto
I, too, use cute cookie cutters for quilting designs - you can position some of the animals "nose to nose" and "tail to tail" to make continuous line quilting
Bought two bathroom drawer cabinets and a countertop long enough to leave a 24" gap between the two. My DH built a well in the "gap" to hold my machine even with the top, so I have a nice sewing surface and 8 good drawers for "stuff"
I have a suspended ceiling in my basement sewing room. I bought several plant hangers made to hang from the tracks in the ceiling and can hang stencils, templates, hoops, many more thing in bags from these hooks (using shower curtain hooks)
Have a hanging jewelry organizer on the wall for little odds and ends
Empty check boxes make great organizers for floss, pencils, markers
Kitchen utensil racks mounted on a wall make great holders for rulers and rotary cutters
The small zipper bags you can get for meds make great organizers for buttons, needles, hooks and eyes and snaps
Pencil bags are great for small projects
I'm sure I could add more if I thought some more - maybe later.

Dollar stores ( good paint brushs !.00) and auto parts stores are awsome for stuff. telescoping magnet at auto parts is great for pins/needles etc on floor. saves my back. black car ashtrays with Holder /hanger ( walmart Hang on ddoors etc). Bowl with strong magnet in middle for sm. parts ,bigger and stronger than ones in LQS(cheaper too) Cat treat cantainers are clear when paper is removed Good storage(free, Sort of ).

For cleaning out sewing machines AND my computer keyboard,
I use those neat curved bristles for eye lashes. They grab cat hair like you can't believe, and unless you have a long haired, white Persian you don't know how much cat hair can settle in those places from a lonely, loving cat who insists on checking out everything I do.

I also included some re-use items.
My DD's old wood kitchen table is my sewing table.
Old church banquet table raised with PVC legs is my cutting table.
I bought a filing holder from walmart and that holds my rulers.
I made two pots in pottery class that hold my tools. I am in the process of making a taller one in class for the scissors, ruler, and such.
An old jelly jar holds my old needles and cutting blades.
The 2-gallon Hefty bags hold my finished 8" or larger squares and/or quilts that need quilted.
I found a new ironing board at Goodwill for $1.25 and am in process of making a larger ironing board top for it.
An old vinyl flanel-backed tablecloth was my old design wall. I now have heavy duty header fabric and a new 6' wooden curtain rod with brackets I found at the Homes for Humanity store that I will attach to wall at ceiling height for my new design wall. I think it cost me $3.00.
Guess that's it for now.

I use balloons to pull the needle thru fabric. Can find much easier than those small little circles that are always getting loose.
My dh's automic level to help square the quilt as I am sandwiching.
I love everyone's ideas & plan on using some.

I use dishpans to store projects. They can stack on top of each other. A laundry basket holds my UFOs. Empty cereal boxes for templates. Empty plastic Huggies Wipes boxes are great for storing notions.

You use freezer paper for what part? I am just starting out in some sewing lessons, so this caught my eye. The project I'm making now was a download, so my pattern pieces are computer paper.

My hubby uses Copenhagen(snuff in a little round box) YUCK!! BUT,they are the pefect size for used rotary blades. When its full I tape the box and toss it all.

That's a really good idea! I collect some coffee grounds in a coffee tin. I put my used rotary blades in there and my old, bent needles and pins. Then put the lid on and toss in the dumpster. I don't want any of my kiddos to get a hold of those things.

I use an old piece of leftover water pipe to put my roll of batting on and hang it from the ceiling,
I use shoe boxes to put projects in
Babywipe containers to store things
Counter tops for all my surfaces and hubby used some old cabinet drawers to make draws underneath the countertop
freezer paper for applique pieces
bamboo skewers for a stiletto
copy paper boxes to stack and store stash that wont fit in cupboards
car floor mats underneath sewing machine foot pedal keeps it from moving
pill bottles for sorting buttons
tupperware soup bowls for pins etc.
mason jars for storing scissors
plate racks for standing up my rulers

I use my island in the kitchen as part of my iron table. Keeps fabrics off the floor as I iron and pull it towards me.

I use a tiered plastic roll cart for my notions:
thread and bobbins (bobbins are in a small plastic container in the drawer), small spools thread in this
large cones thread in one
pins, needles, tweezers, small scissors in another
adhessive sprays, black clips, safety pins, in another
pens, pencils, calculator, notebook in another

my dining room table for sewing, cutting and just about everything I need to quilt

my curtain rods in the living room as my display to take pictures

these are just a few things I use so I won't need to clutter the house with more stuff for quilting.

Ok, so I'm dumb, what 's a blog and how do I check it out and how do I find out how to read your answer to my DUMB questions??? (Can You tell I'm the newbie?)

I use one of those magnetic wands for playing BINGO to pick up pins, very strong magnet. I have one of those big cutting tables (36" X 60") that fold up to only 12" when closed and also have the cutting mat that fits on top of it.I drilled 2 holes on one edge of the mat and put screws in the wall behind where the cutting table stored, I hang the mat on the wall behind the table.When hand quilting I put several layers of fabric medical tape on the tip of my fingers. Works wonders. I can't quilt with thimbles.

I use plates, glasses, cups etc. for creating hand quilting patterns like cathedral window, leaves, chaines and others. Big cake plates are very useful for center medaillons.

I never heard of using corn starch to make starch...does it work well? what is the recipe? I'm already going to make handcream from a recipe on this board, now for the addition of the starch, wooheeee!

I am on my third expanding wand magnate from Harbor Freights for picking up dropped pins and needles, I also bought a magnate for holdind nuts and bolts thar has a wrist band that is closed with velcro, also from HF. I love that place.

I have a carpet sample square under my sewing machine and I use 2 door stops under the back of my sewing machine to tilt it forward so I can easily see what I'm doing without having to bend my neck/back so much. Much less back pain and better piecing!!

i have used my husband "T-Bar" (used for cutting long straight lines,like drywall) for squaring up the quilt. I did it on the basement floor,that is not carpeted.
also used my husbands 90 degree laser level for the same thing.

duct tape to hold down the backing when pinning.

i ran out of loose chalk once, while marking the quilt, as i was quilting (i do it in sections)and used flour in a pinch..

I use my diabetes test strip packaging for holding bobbins. I can put about five wound bobbins in each of the little tubes and label them as to what color thread. The lids keep the bobbins from getting lost. Works really well when I'm going to a class or a retreat.

I use one of the metal eyeglass cases for my rotary cutting tool. I can put the tool and extra blades in the case and drop it in my purse. Really convenient when going to class or a retreat.

Also, another item - well, it's not a household item, but it certainly has been repurposed. I use a fairly long (drinking straw length) wand about the thickness of a coffee stir stick with a small brush on one end to clean lint out of the bobbin area of my machine. My daughter uses it on her Gammill for the same purpose. The wand is extremely flexible and I can get into all the nooks and crannies underneath and around the bobbin with no trouble at all and I don't have to take the machine apart.

I got the wand from my gynecologist - they use them for taking specimens for pap smears.

Great idea!!

What a fantastic question. Its early so my brain isn't on total function yet.
Recipe box Large size to hold computer program CD's
mole foam--cut a small strip and stick to your machine bed for a seam guide. Just measure your exact 1/4" and lay the mole foam down.
Mole foam square on front of machine to hold pins as I take them out of a project.
Pizza boxes (I buy them from the pizza place) for storing blocks in progress
Plastic knife to close pins when basting a quilt
Ziplock bags to transport projects to work on in waiting rooms etc.
Thats all I can think of right now. Thanks everyone for sharing their "other use" hints.

Also the freezer paper, you iron the shiny side to your fabric and then cut out the applique pieces.

ditto..aren't they great !!

Can't eat a thing with them but they I get a lot of use from them in my sewing room..........

I use a Bagel Cutter to hold my rulers.

This is one of the best questions on this blog - Thanks for all of the ideas ; the ones I use have been mentioned and I think it is great to see them in print