This isn't strictly a storage type of idea, but it has changed my sewing life (grin). Clean out a large or small coffee creamer bottle (like the Coffee-mate ones with the red tops), fill with water, and use it to fill your iron. No more spilling water all over the place; these things never drip, and the tops close tightly and don't leak, just in case you're a klutz like me and keep knocking it off the ironing board. I have a small-sized bottle to take to classes, and the bigger size for home.

I've bought a bunch of the small plastic schoolboxes/pencil boxes at the back-to-school sales this year. I use those for everything! I have small cabinets that I store all of my sewing stuff in, and I can stack those little boxes on the shelves and still be able to close the doors.

Oh, and just one more idea... those little rectangular plastic Gerber baby food containers. The lids lock nice and tightly and they're great for storing small items. Now I just have to find someone with a baby because the little boy my Mom used to babysit is almost 4 and doesn't eat baby food anymore (but I still have a stash of containers from when he did eat baby food!).

I use zipper containers that sheets, pillowcases, etc. come in for projects. I can see what is there, put a paper with information so I can read it. UFO's work well in these zipper bags. Then I have a wire basket on a shelf that holds them all. Can't forget about them that way and I do get them finished eventually.

I us the clear containers that cookies/lettuce come in from the grocery store. They have a nice cover, and being able to see everything inside is nice. Great for small project containers, or for take-along blocks/hand sewing.

I reuse the 2" tall and 6 1/2" square Ziploc square containers for "on the go" projects like for basting fabric to the 1" paper hexagons for my Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt. I cut a bunch of 2 1/2" x 2 1/2" fabric squares and put them in the container with a bunch of paper hexes, a spool of thread, a small fabric square with pins and a needle, a chunk of beeswax and a small pair of scissors. Truly, all that fits in there with room to spare for the completed hexes. It fits neatly in my purse and goes everywhere with me. It's amazing how many you can get done if you're the passenger in a car or waiting for someone, etc. And, when watching TV at night I just grab my container and sit there watching a movie and making hexes.

Great idea! Just a thought - wouldn't these Ziplock containers work great for binding to keep it organized as you are sewing it on to your quilt? I'm going to save one and try it! I'll let you know how it works...

Ate at KFC one night and they put the potatoes and cole slaw in small round plastic containers with lids. I washed them and they are perfect for small stuff. Bobbins, needles, etc. Many containers can be reused for different things. I re-use what I can.

Good ideas. Thanks for sharing.

I use ziploc bags for kits or projects that aren't completed yet but intend to get to *some day*. Also make up kits for days when I just have to do something and don't want to take the time to choose fabric from my stash and cut it up. I just bought the ziploc 2 1/2 gallon size. Those are for ufo's and quilts I want to make. I put everything in one bag, fabric, thread, pattern etc.

I use the little the resealable baggies that walgreens puts prescriptions in to put the pieces for each block in so that they stay together. I also use them for cut up scrap pieces for latter scrap quilts as I can see what color and size they are and I can also write the info on the bags. My DH and I get at least 10 of these every month. I also use the $1.00 storage boxes to store all my fat quarters.

Plastic Gerber baby food containers (rectangular, clear, snap-on lids) are great for button sets, small notions, and protection for you sewing machine feet like rufflers, binders, and much more. One of my sons has twins. My DIL saves these for me.