I have some chopsticks that work great as a stiletto as well as a point turner.

Recently a friend bought a battery operated 'mustache razor' to use as a seam ripper...wow, now that works fast to take out full seams! But it wasn't cheap.

I've heard that an eyebrow razor works great as a fast seam ripper too.

warm quilt hugs, sue in CA

I found a magnetic bowl in the tool dept. that i use for my pins. Cheaper than the ones in the fabric stores.

I am learning so much on this thread. I had already some of the suggestions here, but the other ideas are great. Thank you so much.

Do these bowls keep the pins lined up like the good magnetic pin holders? I bought some cheap magnetic pin holders and the pins stay in a big piled up mess. I bought the Clover magnetic pin holder and the pins stay nice and neat and so easy to reach and get a pin without getting pricked.

I like using other tools but I have found most tools made for quilting actually do the job I want them to do much better.

The pins do not stay nice and neat. But I like that I can toss a pin and it goes right in the bowl.

I have great kitchen counters and my breakfast nook table is just 3 feet away so I sew in the kitchen a lot. I got frustrated with my little padded sewing box, so I went to Wal-mart and found the perfect fishing tackle box to keep my tools handy. It's bursting at the seams now, so I need to get something else. (I wish I could get another one just like this - but they've changed the designs) I will keep this one for traveling no matter what I find next. I really want a Gerstner Machinest Tool Box (oak) but they're expensive. ($500) so for now, this will work. And it does work great - it's been working for 12 years now.

Great tips thank you - I bought a fishing tackle box from WalMart cost about $14 for quilting supplies and bought a fishing box that has cubbies on top and a second compartment that I store all my Wilton Cake supplies (well a lot of them any way)- I will need to go and visit my local Home Depot and WM stores. The T-sq ruler what awesome idea - thank you all

I received two zip pouches to hold the sun glasses when I had my cataract surgery. They are perfect for carrying my small tools to class.

What ever you do with the snap marking line tool, don't use the chalk from the hardware store....it will not come out of your quilt...
D in TX

If you glue magnets (at walmart) to the bottom of your plastic soap dish, or even a pretty ceramic one, the pins will stay in the dish.
D in Tx