Stuff you Use for Quilting, that isn't originally for Quilting!!!
02-20-2021, 05:16 PM
#451
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,560
Originally Posted by Lalla
I use constantly four little tiny tailors’ bean bag weights (about the size of cotton reels) to keep fabric in place; really useful if working with long strips of binding, say, that seem forever to be aiming to dive off my work table; or to keep templates in place, or fusible backing while I’m drawing or tracing on it - endless uses. They are less trouble than using painters’ tape to fix things down, and are really easy to make oneself to any specific size. I’d had them for ages and never thought to use them for quilting, but wouldn’t now be without them. Someone’s probably talked about these already, that’s the problem with being a newbie! But maybe reminders don’t matter, anyway?! Forgive me if I’m teaching my grandmother to suck eggs - is that peculiar expression used in the US? I’m from the UK where we have such oddities of language!
03-18-2021, 10:40 AM
#452
Power Poster
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 17,701
New addition to my ... "non-quilting-stuff-reassigned-to-quilting use" .....
A Toothbrush!
Yes, you read it right. I did some white ceramic markings on dark fabric the other day. I usually find that it pretty much disappears while I am quilting, but nope, not that time.
So, what does one do? ..... yup, I discovered that a toothbrush was a perfect scrubber and rubber-outer. The markings were gone in no time, and honestly, with little scrubbing required!!
Now, a permanent inclusion with my quilting supplies!!
A Toothbrush!
Yes, you read it right. I did some white ceramic markings on dark fabric the other day. I usually find that it pretty much disappears while I am quilting, but nope, not that time.
So, what does one do? ..... yup, I discovered that a toothbrush was a perfect scrubber and rubber-outer. The markings were gone in no time, and honestly, with little scrubbing required!!
Now, a permanent inclusion with my quilting supplies!!
03-18-2021, 10:46 AM
#453
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 9,504
Originally Posted by Lalla
I use constantly four little tiny tailors’ bean bag weights (about the size of cotton reels) to keep fabric in place; really useful if working with long strips of binding, say, that seem forever to be aiming to dive off my work table; or to keep templates in place, or fusible backing while I’m drawing or tracing on it - endless uses. They are less trouble than using painters’ tape to fix things down, and are really easy to make oneself to any specific size. I’d had them for ages and never thought to use them for quilting, but wouldn’t now be without them. Someone’s probably talked about these already, that’s the problem with being a newbie! But maybe reminders don’t matter, anyway?! Forgive me if I’m teaching my grandmother to suck eggs - is that peculiar expression used in the US? I’m from the UK where we have such oddities of language!
Don't worry about oddities of language. I'm in Texas and we have some doozies here.
03-20-2021, 05:35 AM
#454
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 4,392
Originally Posted by snipforfun
I put an old tricot nightgown over my clothes when I'm sewing. Keeps the "quilt poop" from attaching to me. Just slides right off!
03-20-2021, 09:40 AM
#455
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Pacific NW
Posts: 4,392
WOW! After 45+ pages ... still a few to add:
Finger nail polish from dollar store in different colors to mark bobbins for which machine they belong to; and since I have several Pfaff machines, I also use the polish to mark which presser feet go with which machines so they don't get separated.
Fingernail polish remover to clean my brush that I use to apply fray check.
Costco bandaid boxes also make great storage containers. I have different ones labeled for my different sewing machines with parts and tools in them.0
I saw the idea of using a fish fillet board to help with seam ripping. They are expensive but seem like a great idea. I’m thinking a clipboard would be an inexpensive option.
8x11 newsprint paper to print paper piecing patterns to. I also use it to print out quilting designs, then spray-baste it to my quilt, quilt over it and tear it off.
Label maker to label my storage containers that are not see-through
Computer list of what’s in my different storage compartments (I can search the Word document and see where to find what I’m looking for … assuming I keep it updated. LOL)
Snap bands to wrap around rolls of stabilizer, etc.
And I have a new shopping list now!
Finger nail polish from dollar store in different colors to mark bobbins for which machine they belong to; and since I have several Pfaff machines, I also use the polish to mark which presser feet go with which machines so they don't get separated.
Fingernail polish remover to clean my brush that I use to apply fray check.
Costco bandaid boxes also make great storage containers. I have different ones labeled for my different sewing machines with parts and tools in them.0
I saw the idea of using a fish fillet board to help with seam ripping. They are expensive but seem like a great idea. I’m thinking a clipboard would be an inexpensive option.
8x11 newsprint paper to print paper piecing patterns to. I also use it to print out quilting designs, then spray-baste it to my quilt, quilt over it and tear it off.
Label maker to label my storage containers that are not see-through
Computer list of what’s in my different storage compartments (I can search the Word document and see where to find what I’m looking for … assuming I keep it updated. LOL)
Snap bands to wrap around rolls of stabilizer, etc.
And I have a new shopping list now!
03-20-2021, 10:00 AM
#456
Power Poster
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 17,701
Originally Posted by DJ
................Computer list of what’s in my different storage compartments (I can search the Word document and see where to find what I’m looking for … assuming I keep it updated. LOL.........
And I have a new shopping list now!
And I have a new shopping list now!
And we could all keep computer lists of our fabric inventory ...... I have mine sorted by colours, but then you get a multi colour and wonder? does it go in white? or yellow? or blue? Nope, I am NOT going there!!!
However, I did go that route for my embroidery flosses ..... what is opened, and how many skeins are not ..... cross referenced with the standard DMC list. Helps at home when I don't have just the right shade and in the store when I am tempted, just because I like the colour! Or to extend my collection to have all the shades!
Happy Shopping!!!!!!!
03-20-2021, 07:16 PM
#458
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Richmond, TX
Posts: 439
Originally Posted by QuiltE
DJ ... So happy that you found the list, read it and added to it!!
And we could all keep computer lists of our fabric inventory ...... I have mine sorted by colours, but then you get a multi colour and wonder? does it go in white? or yellow? or blue? Nope, I am NOT going there!!!
However, I did go that route for my embroidery flosses ..... what is opened, and how many skeins are not ..... cross referenced with the standard DMC list. Helps at home when I don't have just the right shade and in the store when I am tempted, just because I like the colour! Or to extend my collection to have all the shades!
Happy Shopping!!!!!!!
And we could all keep computer lists of our fabric inventory ...... I have mine sorted by colours, but then you get a multi colour and wonder? does it go in white? or yellow? or blue? Nope, I am NOT going there!!!
However, I did go that route for my embroidery flosses ..... what is opened, and how many skeins are not ..... cross referenced with the standard DMC list. Helps at home when I don't have just the right shade and in the store when I am tempted, just because I like the colour! Or to extend my collection to have all the shades!
Happy Shopping!!!!!!!
03-20-2021, 07:40 PM
#459
Super Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Mars
Posts: 2,549
I use chenille stems for cleaning out the bobbin area and feed dogs - they're tiny and flexible, so they'll go anywhere. I bend it in half, put a drop of oil on it and rub it in and it just creeps into the tiniest places to clean out every bit of lint.
Like a teeeeeeny little Swiffer duster for your sewing machines.
Like a teeeeeeny little Swiffer duster for your sewing machines.
03-21-2021, 07:11 AM
#460
Super Member
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Southeast Idaho
Posts: 3,207
Originally Posted by thepolyparrot
I use chenille stems for cleaning out the bobbin area and feed dogs - they're tiny and flexible, so they'll go anywhere. I bend it in half, put a drop of oil on it and rub it in and it just creeps into the tiniest places to clean out every bit of lint.
Like a teeeeeeny little Swiffer duster for your sewing machines.
Like a teeeeeeny little Swiffer duster for your sewing machines.
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