We've learned about the goodies we can obtain from places like Harbor Freight, but how about our office supplies. Other than the standard pens and pencils, what office supplies do you use in quilting, and how are they used? Example: binder clips for clamping layers to the pinning table; transparency pens (Vis-U-Vise) for marking stencils; magnetic/dry erase boards to sketch designs and attach fabric swatches; etc. How does the cost compare to the equivalent product at your sewing center?

use the big bulletin boards and cover with batting or flannel for a portable design wall or hang more than 1 on the wall for a big big design wall

also they have cool plastic containers

BigLots: also has cool plastic containers, quilt books in the scrapbooking section found some $3.00 each by Pam Bono, plastic table cloths and use the back side of them which is flannel for your design wall

I have quite a few of the portable plastic files with hinged lids for my projects. Great for taking with to retreats or to a friend's house to sew for a day.
I also use post-it notes diagonally on squares for a guide when making half-square triangles (stitching 1/4 inch away from it) and right beside it when sewing flying geese pieces.

I use Pilot Friction pens for marking on quilts. Then to remove the marks just touch with a hot iron. Also post it notes, Rulers, tape. Actually there is way to many to list...

COOL! I'd never heard of these friction pens, just googled them and they sound great! Thanks for the great idea. (I just won't put any on my quilts in the freezer, because the marks will return :lol:

I use the adding machine tape to sew selvages onto but I must confess that bought them at Goodwill for 56 cents each.

Well that is better yet!! Love those thrift stores.

Please explain the friction pen again. I'm totally intrigued, as I've yet to find a good way to mark quilts. Do they come in several colors? How hot does the iron have to be to make them disappear? And the lines definitely don't come back??? All this sounds too good to be true

They come in black, red, and blue and our LQS has them in a few more colors. I have used them on several different fabrics and have never had a problem. The iron has to be cotton setting. They also have a friction top on them that you can rub the mark off. It just takes a lttle longer to erase them then putting the iron to the marks.

I use post-it flags on my rulers to mark my SPOT. They also come in handy marking my spot on patterns. Post-it glue sticks are great for so many things. I use drafting rulers for times when 1/8 inch isn't small enough (I prefer metric).

I use pencil box to keep my scissors in. Keeps them from falling or getting lost.
Ott light was cheaper at Office Depot.

Printing Ink for my printer - I use it for labels.
Scotch tape - when I take a screw out of somewhere, I tape it to the machine either in the hole or beside it so it doesn't get lost.
My handy dandy multi tip stubby screwdriver. I can't hold onto the tiny things that come with the machine.
And a roll of stick on, dry erase board. I cut a piece to fit the door of my armoire beside the sewing machine. If I have to remember #'s or sizes, I write them there.

I usre the pencil boxes to corral all the feet and odds and ends for each machine, the plastic ones with different colored tops. A different color for each machine. I also have one as a small sewing kit to take on the go.

I have a friction highlighter and didn't know they made pens! I am so going to get some of those. I have not seen my "highlights" come back and I used the "eraser" to rub it off.

I have one of those lazy-susan office organizers right next to my machine. It's for all those little things that need to close but picked up--bobbins, sissors, tweezers, turning dowel (one end sharpened, one not), cleaning stuff, etc. Super organized, and it has a small footprint on my table.

Apart from other things, I mostly use a magnetic paperclip container to hold my pins. It cost .99c whilst the cheapest magnetic pin holder was $8.00.

I love the lazy-susan idea, I am going to try that out.

I "stole" my magnetic bowl from my husbands workbench. He baught a bigger one from Harbor Freight.

I got one at Sears today Black Friday special $4.99. I first saw one a few weeks back at a class !

great ideas

Got mine at good old HF. $2.99 for the small one.

I was looking for a 60degree ruler. LQS didn't have one- look online- $16 and up. Went to staples- $6.49. So I bought some other rulers and a compass. Eyed up the french curves set but it was pricey and I don't know if I would use it in quilting.

I bought my vellum paper there for pp too.

I love Staples almost as much as Home Depot.

Someone here did a tutorial on paper piecing borders on cash register tape. I got a couple of rolls at Staples and started sewing my from my scrap basket. I have some colorful borders now for an upcoming quilt. They also have some nice pencil boxes that are the right size for a rotary cutter.

So many wonderful ideas from you ladies. Love to hear how you adlib with other products that save money so we can spend it on fabric.

I found a neat tool caddy in Staples awhile back. You know, the kind that spins around, like a lazy susan, with all kinds of slots & openings in the top. Works great for holding my scissors, rotary cutters & all kinds of small stuff. Got a kid's one, so it's colorful, in primary colors, love it!

Awesome Idea! I need to pick one up sometime soon!

I use a pocket wall file ( http://www.google.com/products/catal...d=0CEUQ8wIwAw# )
next to my sewing machine to hold the manual for quick reference, together with other items that I reference regularly (how to finish the binding, etc.).

I also stuck a few pieces of cork board on the wall by my machine to pin patterns and/or notes to.

I use the binder clips to hang my patterns as I'm working on them. Easier to see and don't get lost on my table. I also have binder clips holding those squares I just HAD to try --- have a LOT of them. AND I use the binder clips to hold my patterns for things I'm GOING to do SOME DAY!

I use the hole reinforcements to mark the point (example 2 1/2 x 2 1/2) spot on my ruler if I have to make several pieces the same size.

Marie M.

GREAT IDEA!!!!!!!!!!! I didn't know they made hole reinforcements anymore. I'll have to look for them. Thanks for a wonderful tip.

Is anyone concerned about what the chemicals will do to the fabric over time. I think I would be. Jan :? :? :?

No, it doesn't worry me. Bought the first one at a quilt show and have been using ever since. Have washed items with no problems. I guess if we don't use them we will never know.

I use the paper reinforcement circles to tack the loose ends of thread on spools. bigger spools like star, cones, etc. I take it off, stick to my machine, then just grab & put back on when done with that thread.

Fishing tackle boxes. They don't cost as much as the plastice "sewing" boxes you find at QS and you can grab and go.

I have heard that the magnetic bowls are not good for your computerized machines, so try to store them on another table, like your cutting table.

hoope you meant bowl. LOL :-D

Some really great ideas here, as usual. One of the office supply things I use is an old fashioned receipt spindle. It's great to stack the LAQ bobbins. Because they are over sized, they don't fit the average bobbin holders. It looks more classy than a board with a nail in it.

I use mini binder clips to "pin" the seam matches when paper piecing. I find that is easier than stabbing one side with a pin, then trying to get it perfect on the other side. If you put the clip with the edge exactly on the seam line, then you can flip the units open & check. If it's right, put a pin on each side of binder clip. If not, open clip and slide over. Check and slide until it's right.

TOUCHE!