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Quote:

Originally Posted by everybody's mother

Yes, the cereal boxes for templates, never throw away a piece of cardboard or any clear plastic container that you can remove the labels from. They are useful in ways you can't imagine. The tissue boxes for machine-side catchers too. What a great lot of info. :)

I also buy the plastic reusable cutting surfaces. They make terrific template material and you get 2 for$1.00 at Dollar tree.

Secure the quilt back to the floor, or table, make the quilt sandwich. Slip the marble under the quilt back and gently roll it to the place that you are going to pin. I always start in the center. The marble holds the quilt up just enough to let you insert the pin without scratching the table or pinning your quilt to the rug. Just roll it to the next pin placement as you baste. It really works well, and it is so much easier to pin when the quilt is just a bit higher than your surface.

I remembered 2 other ideas: I use the large paperclips for holding binding in place while I sew; also, I reuse the plastic zippered bags that bedding comes in. These are great for separating projects and storing finished tops or quilts.

Quote:

Originally Posted by garysgal

I hope these qualify:
I use a receipe card box for all of my quilting books. I write the title, author and then file them. I can keep better track of them, especially if I loan one out.
I have a supply of lint rollers for rag quilts. They pick up all the loose threads faster than I can.
I also have a mid-size mirror that I hang by my quilting frame. When I want to check the stitches on the back, I slide it under the quilt and can see how they look.

Instead of lint rollers I get wide masking tape from Harbor Freight. Works real well and is cheaper.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bev

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunshine

I keep a white plastic spoon in my storage can next to my machine. I hold it behind the machine needle; I can actually see the hole in the needle and thread it on the first try.

I LOVE this simple idea! I fiddle with scraps of white paper and fabric, but am never quite satisfied with them. This is perfect! Why have I never thought of it???

8-)

I cut pieces of white plastic that are the right size to fit behind the needle. You are right, it makes all the difference.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bev

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sunshine

I keep a white plastic spoon in my storage can next to my machine. I hold it behind the machine needle; I can actually see the hole in the needle and thread it on the first try.

I LOVE this simple idea! I fiddle with scraps of white paper and fabric, but am never quite satisfied with them. This is perfect! Why have I never thought of it???

8-)

I cut pieces of white plastic that are the right size to fit behind the needle. You are right, it makes all the difference. Butter lids are great.

When threading a serger with dark thread, it is better to tie on a white thread and then pull it through all the loopers and hard to see places. Cut if off and thread your needle. I learned this in a shirt factory I used to work in.

Quote:

Originally Posted by spark

Did anyone mention marbles to hold the quilt up off the table or floor while pinning?

How does that work?

Quote:

Originally Posted by SandyinZ4

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bev

... I found a very heavy duty cheese server with a cutting board in it (brand new condition, but in a thrift store for two dollars.) It has compartments for rows of Ritz and Saltine crackers. I super glued a small cutting mat on the board part, and keep a rotary cutter, small scissors, pin cushion, and other tiny things like needles, etc. This goes all over the house with me when I want to sit and cut small blocks or squares of fabric. I've never seen anything so perfectly suited for this task, and yet it's for serving cheese....

*****
Hi Bev- Could you post a picture of this so we all can be on the lookout for a similar one. Sounds like this would be great and I could really use something like this also. Thanks!

I don't have any way to post pictures not having a digital camera. But if my DGD comes over tomorrow I'll ask her to do it for me. She always has her camera with her. I'd like to though because this cheese thing is something I'd never seen in any thrift store before and I'd like someone else to find one exactly the same. 8-)

So many great ideas! Thanks, allof you. I guess necessity is really the Mother of Invention.