Onebyone

This isn't true anymore. The machine's computer works are shielded. If not then there would be a big red warning sign attached to the machine saying No Magnets and a lot of ruined machines.

lawsonmugs

I use the pool noodles they sell at dollar tree. (made of foam) they come in about 4-5 ft lengths. I cut them down and roll interfacing, pleather, clear vinyl , lots of odds and ends on them and I wrap a hair headband around it so it doesn't come undone.

tranum

# my Home Ec teacher had us tape a brown lunch bag to our sewing table for threads & I still do that at retreats.
# I make a 1/8” slit in the side of an empty quart plastic juice jug & keep it under the sink for sharp can lids. It’s also where used rotary blades go.
# under my ironing board cover is a WWI wool army blanket. Had it for untold number of years, glad to finally repurpose it.

SueZQ from MN

That is a really good idea, and pretty soon they will be on closeout at 1/2 price!! Bad news is that means fall and winter aren't far away.

laurilli

I use old DVD cases for my small ruler sets (triangle trimmer, small flying geese) and their instructions- slide the cover out and reverse it, write the name on the spine area and slide back in.

toverly

A large pickle jar to hold used rotary blades, white plastic dishpans to contain projects, directions and whatevers when I am working on several projects at a time. Lately, I have been cutting directions apart and placing them in 1/2" binders for ease of page turning, when I am done, I put them in plastic three prong folders to contain the directions.

lawsonmugs

SueZQ --- I like using them because rolling it on the tubes they don't get fold lines that I can't iron out on vinyl or plastic coated fabrics. Yes they will be on clearance but at $1 now each is a good price . just 2 or 3 is enough.

Mousie

I repurpose so many things and think of them as "normal", I'll see if I can
remember.
I put contact paper on boxes to make dividers in drawers. Contact paper over
cereal boxes cut on a slant half way up to put magazines in.
I use straws to lengthen where I need a spool of thread.
I use pretty cups to hold pens, pencils, screwdrivers etc.
I used the edge of a pretty plastic table cloth to make a decorative edge on
shelves.
I glued silk flowers over a corner of a broken mirror frame.
I've used large picture frames around pegboard.
I've put a circle of felt in a cut glass round dish to hold my snips, seam ripper,
and wooden stiletto by my machine.
I've bought those cubbie bins and recovered the fronts to match my decor.
I've covered pieces of plywood for ironing mats, to make a dresser top larger
for cutting material (with my mat on top of course).
I'll use anything for something else if it works for me.
I've used cubbies like table tops.
I've put fabric on hangers and put in the closet and won a subscription to
Fons and Porter magazine some years back for that tip.
I've used new garbage cans to hold material or wrapping paper etc.
I've put bookshelves on cabinet tops to use like a hutch.
I've also put bookshelves on a table if it had an end against a wall.
I've used white Christmas lights for decorating and artificial vines.
I've repurposed shower curtains to put over shelving to protect my fabrics.
I've recovered boards of insulation with vinyl to put around my sewing machine
as an extension.
I've used a pint mason jar to hold my applique iron.
I use a hair scrunchie as a wrist band to remind me to shut off my iron.
I have used small weights to hold my rulers down.
I have used thin masking tape on my quilt tops and things as a guide to quilt by.
I use tin foil to cover cardboard instead of buying comic boards. (from a 90's book.)
I've laid out battings, felt, fleece under mattresses to save space.
I've used a mousie key chain as a fan pull..."hey, look at me, I'm flying!"
I use freezer ppr as templates to quilt around.
I use freezer ppr to hold blocks that have a lot of pieces and stack them up.
I look at pictures in magazines for ideas of color combinations.
We've all gotten paint chips for color combinations .
I've used sheets for curtains or valances or tote bags.
I've used cat food bags to make grocery bags.
I'm going to reline my Little gma's overnight case for a sewing basket.
I've used food cans and recovered them to hold utensils.
I've bought those round plastic lazy susans for holding my utensil cans.
I put coordinating contact paper cut in a circle on top of the lazy susan.
I've used painters tape on my machine bed as a guide.
I've hung a felt curtain (Fons and Porter), on a nylon rope when I didn't
have room for a design wall. (it's better to have more support but I
made do for a while.)
I've rolled quilt tops around pool noodles to keep them from wrinkling.
I've used 1 x 2's and sheets to make a tent for a pajama party in my
sewing room .
(then of course you have to lay quilts inside and cushions for "couches"
until they are sleepy.)
I've used tuna cans as the base for a pincushion (I decorate it completely -
you'd never know.)
I bought those boxes with a jillion drawers for notions before anyone ever
thought of it or before we were all using computers lol.
I used heavy duty cabinet bases as a foundation under a diy king sized
bed to hold quilting fabrics, books and household stuff so I had more room
in the house for quilting things, lol.
I've used quilts for curtains when I needed insulation over a door.
I know I'll think of more later but as you can see, I'll repurpose a window,
a door, a sheet, cardboard, tape anything I can get my mousie paws on .

just janet

I love Bobbinalong's idea of using the things you put between your toes when you get a pedicure for holding bobbins. I'm going right out to buy another pair. I can have one with white thread and another with black, grey or whatever! So many ideas here, lots I do already. I love this board!

cashs_mom

I keep checking this thread. So many great ideas!

Love of Quilting had a good one a few weeks ago that I've been using. I used empty kleenex boxes to hold thread clips and small pieces of fabric. When its full, you just toss it out and get another. I thought that was brilliant and have no idea why I didn't think of it. I've been using a small box that a gift mug came in for years now. Empty and reuse. But this is so much easier.