Unusual tool?
 

Does anyone have any weird, "unintentional" favourite quilting tools in their sewing box?

I was squaring up some blocks this afternoon and my fingers were getting sore swiping away the skinny wisps of thread and fabric cut from each block when I hit upon the idea of using a recently purchased shaving brush...you know the sort....nice chunky little handle for easy grip and big boof of soft bristles. Now with a quick swipe around the edge of my square and block I can woosh away all those pesky little threads and fabric tatters leaving me with a lovely neat freshly squared block. :)

Ansel Hy-Flex foam work gloves . . .FAAAAAARRRRR superior grip for free motion quilting, than made for quilting gloves sold in LQS. I wouldn't think of quilting without them . . .and the best part, they're half the price.

I have long fingers and find the size 8 fits a little snug and size 9 a tad baggy, but both work just fine.

We've had some recent discussions on this

http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...s-t265325.html

http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...g-t127919.html

http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...g-t223192.html

I use plates and cups when I need to draw a perfect circle.

I like my 3M Command hook....the metal hook, that I have placed on my sewing machine to hold my nippers. (scissors) Keeps them handy.

I have a natural animal hair cosmetic/make up brush that has a engraved silver handle that I clean out my bobbin area with. It is very clingy, so I only have to touch the fuzz and it clings to the brush to remove it. The handle is quite long so it is easier to use inside all the sections down there. I really love it. I know it is overkill, but, the idea came to me one day and sure enough it was perfect for the job.

From the automotive section in Sears, I got an adjustable small mirror that comes in very handy when replacing the needle in my sewing machine. Now I can see that I am aligning it correctly. There were a few other items in the package as well. I think one was a long handle with magnet on the end. I haven't had a need to use that one yet. But The mirror gets used frequently.

I love the mirror for replacing needles idea - that long-handled magnet might work to pick pins up off the floor.

I use a long-handled narrow stiff-bristled paint brush to clean the bobbin compartment, makes it easy to get the linty stuff out.

I use chopsticks to stuff things and to poke out corners
I have nice pink ones I keep with the sewing tools

I do this too except I use one of the plastic hooks. Have one on each machine except my treadle. That way I can always find those little suckers.

This is a companion thread to yours. Has a lot of non-sewing items used in the sewing room. Some really great suggestions. http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...g-t127919.html

I use my electric manicure kit to sand down the little nick in spools of thread are. My thread has gotten stuck in that little slit and then does not feed right to the bobbin. So, I just file it down.

I use a wooden skewer to guide the fabric under the presser foot. if the needle hits the wooden skewer it probably won't break, but if it hits something metal it will break and may cause your machine to have to go to the shop to have a repair job done on it.
I use Elmer's School Glue and Crayola Washable Markers. I have board clamps from Home Depot that I have used to keep my thread stand on the sewing table. I use shelf liner (the rubbery kind) under my foot pedal and under my thread stand.
I have an organizer designed for stamping that I use to hold all my notions - so I just grab it when I go to Bee.
I have 2 yard sticks taped together with blue painters tape to use as a guide when long arm quilting a grid.
I have found that one must have an open mind when it comes to sewing and utilize whatever works.

I use rubberized shelf covering to do my FMQ. I cut it into squares and just lay it on the quilt under my hands. I can move the quilt around easily and my hands are free (not having to remove gloves) to remove pins, etc as I quilt.

I use pipe cleaners to get fuzz out of the bobbin area. Problem is most clerks do not know what they are!. I found that chenille is the term to look for and I found the primarily in the toy area or craft section. They bend nicely to fit into small spaces as well.

I use these also, they do work great! Also, if you need to reach farther, you can fold a piece and stick it into the end of a straw! Not my idea, saw it somewhere on the internet, just passing it on!

I use one of those plastic scrubbies on a handle that are used to scour sinks or to scrub potatoes, to clean my cutting map. It picks up all kinds of debris.
Buy those 4 inch long toothpick-like skewers at the grocery, tape them to the short spindles on my wooden thread rack and now I can add the bobbin to the thread spool, keeping both together.
And those wonderful lint rollers are so great for cleaning up the floor around the machine and getting all the threads off my flannel sheet hung up to display blocks (can't remember what we call it....).

I have small paintbrushes all over my sewing room and in my sewing box. I use them for cleaning out my machines, for dusting the table. Love them.

I keep my yard stick nearby and with a clamp am able to clamp a magnet on the end to reach those spaces where they are just far enough out of reach. I have a few magnetic bowls from Harbor Freight and dropped a bunch of pins clamped a bowl to the yard stick and got all the pins back into the bowl. That is their place of rest from now on. The clamps are called Frog clamps and work great for larger items. These pins really scattered and didn't pick up any dust.

Mascara brushes, unused, for cleaning out bobbin area. They attract the lint and other crud quite well. I wash them and reuse them.

I found this handy little lighter leash at the checkout a while back. It has the little retractable string for using your lighter while the hook is attached to your purse or belt loop.
I use it on a pair of scissors by my sewing machine. I have spot I hook it on my table and I can use the scissors and then they zip back to hang for next time. I also like to bring it along for hand work and clip it on my purse. Love it!
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I keep one of those grab-it tools by my machine. It's great for picking up dropped fabric pieces and anything else I drop while sewing and it even has small magnet for dropped pins.

I've tried to do the same thing, using rubber rug backing for better grip . . .but kept losing the squares in the folds of my fabric in larger quilts, so just went back to my Hy-Flex gloves with the thumb and index fingers cut out, LOL

My dh gave me his lighted mirror on a long stick that I use to see my stitches on my frame.
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Such a good idea! Hubby got me one for cleaning out the bobbin area but I've never used it for that.

I have just started using one of those clothes sticky rollers to pick stray threads from a quilt. They don't leave a sticky residue .

My favorite and most recent find is the $ store lint roller. I have an indoor/outdoor rug in my sewing room and the teeny/tiny threads (I am a PP piecer,need I say more) grip to that carpet like glue and the vacuum must go over & over & over to grab those little suckers.....roll that little lint catcher over once or twice and they gather like it's a party!!!! Try it on the ironing board also, works like a charm........and for a buck, you can afford more than one!!!!!

These are some great ideas!

Very clever and useful idea! Thanks for sharing.

A friend of mine uses a "clean" "new" toilet brush to sweep up loose threads from your carpeted floor... works great.

I use one of those masking tape lint rollers for getting rids of the excess strings and such from rotary cutting.

Instead of quilting gloves, I use sponges with the scratchy part on one side. I have one in each hand and put the scratchy part down. Works great!

A set of dental tools (angled mirror, pick & scrapper), found at CVS, etc. Mirror aides in inserting new needle and being able to see into the bobbin area and below it for lint build up. Also Q-tips are handy for removing bits of thread and lint, either dry or slightly dampened, from the bobbin area and below it.
*Caution - Using any magnets around computerized machines could cause problems unless you know the computerized parts have been sealed to prevent magnets from harming them.