I use an empty almond can to put my used needles and rotary blades. Once the can is full I tape it shut and toss in the garbage. I also use bounce dryer sheets to clean my iron especially after using something such as wonder under. I purchased spice jars from IKEA and hung up two of the racks. One holds buttons and the other has extra pins. I also like to purchase little vases to hold my pencils, scissors, etc. Re-purpose items to add character to your room/area. I also have small post it notes. As I am cutting pieces, I label the stack. For example, I was working on a quilt with different size triangles and squares so I labeled each stack as I cut. I could easily grab the correct colors and stacks to piece together. It makes it really quick when piecing, especially if you have a lot of smaller pieces.

If you purchase blank CD's in bulk the spindle they are stacked on will hold a large cone of thread and the top makes a handy trash bin next to the sewing machine, wooden skewers used on the BBQ for shishkebobs (spelling) make great stilettos when cut in half. ALSO here's a great link for making fancy stilettos with turkey skewers and beads: www.quiltville.com/pdf/TurkeyLacerStilettos.pdf

used dryer sheets as stabilizer and foundation piecing

I use a recycled plastic tray from a microwave meal as a small waste basket on my cutting table. It's large enough to catch small scraps or threads tossed it's way. I also use them as paint palettes. Easy to clean up and if paint dries too hard in it to wash out, I don't feel terrible about throwing it away. Mr. Clean Magic Eraser for cleaning your iron. Moisten the sponge, put on a towel folded over a couple time and push the iron over the sponge. It works with a warm or cold iron. I use a chop stick for pushing out corners on a turned item. I bought a length of round edge wood trim to use as a pressing aid. I cut it into 2 lengths - one about 18" and the other about 4'. Lay it on my ironing surface with the flat side down. Lay a many seamed fabric over the wood, like OBW's, wrong side up and press the seams open. The fabric falls down to both sides and your iron only touches the seam you are wanting to press. I use large squeeze clamps to hold my quilt sandwich to the table, while pinning the layers together. Covered recycled margarine tubs for holding extra pins, small paper binder clips (I use these to hold strips of fabric together when paper piecing) or other small items. Others have mentioned washable school glue and glue sticks - I use the glue sticks more often. When adding binding, I wrap it around a TP cardboard roll, thread a long shoelace thru , tie the ends together and hang it around my neck. The binding easily unrolls as it's sewn to the quilt. It doesn't twist or fall on the floor. If you have lots of extra binding length, you can leave it on the roll, just stick a pin in the end to secure it.

My favorite tool - wooden bamboo skewer. Light and easy to use. No need to spoil my needle with a metal one and cheaper too.
Project Boxes - empty plastic containers from Swiffer Sweeper; stackable, clear lid lets you see inside and I can label each on the side with painters tape.
Magnet - to pick up needles and pins that fall on the floor. (But keep a distance from the sewing machine.)

I use styrofoam pool noodles to wrap binding on. They're easy to cut to size.

OH! I forgot to mention in my earlier post that I got a package of non-skid rug backing at the Dollar Tree. I used it under the foot pedals on all of my sewing machines to keep them from sliding away from me. There was enough of it left over for me to share with all of my quilting buddies in our Wednesday night sewing group. So it's under the pedals of my 3 machines, the pedals of 7 other people, a strip by my machine to keep my tools/notions where I need them, plus I have about a third of it left. All for a buck! They also have the Elmer's washable glue pens in a package of two for $1.00! :D

Donna

Salt is also great to sprinkle on your cocktail napkin at a restaurant to keep your beer mug or margarita glass from sticking to the napkin.

Oh wait, we're talking about quilting tips....sorry, got distracted by the salt. Carry on!

:-)

1lb. bean bags (literally...bags of beans; pinto, kidney, etc.). Use these to weigh down a quilt on the longarm frame to reduce the vibration. I place the bean bag inside of a gallon zip lock, as the plastic is thicker and will withstand lots of handling. Just scatter them around the area that you are working on and it greatly reduces the "bounce".

I use old x-ray pictures and plastic covers of old notebooks to make stencils.