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gzuslivz 02-26-2011 04:40 PM

I use pedicure toe separators for my bobbins. Just pop them in and twist until the end of the thread is in the back. No stringy mess!

smitty 02-26-2011 04:43 PM

Id anyone is still reading this long-long post---I have an old
microwave cart on wheels. ironing board on top. shelves under. good place for spray cans,air cans, etc. pull it to the machine when needed. first shelf holds plastic set of
small drawers for small things.

marlene tarzwell 02-26-2011 04:45 PM


Originally Posted by Carron
I glued a narrow magnetic strip across the top front of my sewing machine. Then when I am sewing something that has the straight pins and as they approach the needle, I pull them out and stick them onto the magnetic strip. Nothing falling onto the floor or worse into the lap.

Watch out for that magnetic strip if you put it on a programmable machine. I had one wipe out everything in the program. Not a good thing.So be careful. Ok??

pab58 02-26-2011 04:45 PM

When things are continually going wrong, WALK AWAY!!! You need to regroup, destress, chill out, and then you can come at it again a bit later! :thumbup:

marlene tarzwell 02-26-2011 04:47 PM


Originally Posted by peppermint31
I use 2 rubber door stops to tilt my machine up towards me to lessen the neck strain of bending over to see where I'm sewing

What a GREAT idea!!! I never would have thought of that. With Degenerative Disc disease, I get a lot of pain. My eyes aren't great either. Thanks a bunch!!!!

suebee 02-26-2011 04:49 PM

The thing I think I can offer is ....PATIENCE! I wasnt much for pacing myself, but have learned I get much better results when I do. I will also rip out stitching time and time again to ensure I get it just right. My thoughts are ....if im going to spend the time and hard earned money...I want it to look right. Also Enjoy yourself. If you are not enjoying what your working on...put it away for another time. IT'S REALLY OK!!! :):)

marlene tarzwell 02-26-2011 04:51 PM


Originally Posted by ann31039

Originally Posted by gellybean402
I always seem to rip a pattern after one use so I trace the pattern onto a piece of interfacing (including all the markings) and cut it out. Now I have a pattern that won't tear and is very durable and will last forever!

excellent. i have had a shirt pattern forever that i love. it is in such bad shape-now i can save it. great idea

I have copied patterns on Poster board.

mtspools 02-26-2011 04:55 PM


Originally Posted by starstruck
Best idea i ever had while sewing was to sell all my fabric and find another hobby.....obviously it was a bad day...lol

AWW don't give up, better days ahead

MaryAnna 02-26-2011 05:02 PM


Originally Posted by Jan in VA
I use a full 1" x 1.5" Post-it-Note pad flush up against the presser foot, held down with a fat rubber band or a strip of tape, to keep my 1/4" seams exact. I can sew two strips together in about 10 seconds using this! All my seams are straight, equal, and easy.

Jan in VA

Great idea Jan! Money saver as well!
Blessings,
MaryAnna

dhanke 02-26-2011 05:02 PM

I don't have a light box for tracing patterns etc., but I do have a plexiglass extension table on legs that came with my machine. I flip my ott-lite on it's back and slide it under the extension table, works perfectly.
My second tip is about rotary cutting multiple strips from a single piece of fabric. For example, if I need six strips 2" wide, I first cut a 12" strip with my square ruler, then I slide it over to the 10" mark, cut again, slide it to 8", cut again and so on until I have all 6 strips. It's alot faster and more accurate. If I'm working with a strip width that's not so easy to mentally calculate, such as 1 3/4 inches, I use a calculator to determine the maximum width I can use for the first cut, in the case of a 12 inch ruler it would 10.5 inches. Then I use the calulator to subtract 1 3/4 inches for the second cut and move the ruler to the 8 3/4 inch mark. I continue to use the calculator for each cut because I don't trust myself to figure it correctly in my pea brain!
Probably sounds complicated, but it really saves time when cutting lots of strips.


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