featherweight

Mine is my nippers. I have them by all my machines. Second, is my tiny Wahl battery operated mustash trimmer. They make a really fast seam ripper when I am working on a piecework quilt and make a little error!!.

Maia B

I have a little piece of bone or ivory or I dunno what that's like flat child's craft needle. It has a little piece of my Grandma's brown lace hem tape thru the needle so it doesn't get lost. I use it to sweep the bobbin thread to the back after bringing it up. Also works like a stiletto. Just feels good in the hand and whenever I touch it, I remember Grandma. I get so much satisfaction from using her stuff. She was frugal and would love that I use her notions and remnants.

AnnieF

I have a pair of scissors on a lanyard to go around my neck when I'm sewing. Come to find out...it's my grandchildren's cue to me that they are ready to sew....with the scissors around their neck. The problem was....there are 3 of them....so my scissors/lanyard has multiplied to 3. I now have them all around my quilt studio!

Connie in CO

Mine is my pin cushion.

bjchad

I'm with you. Small sharp pointed scissors are a must. They can even substitute for a seam ripper.

MadQuilter

Cork screw!

kjdavis4

That's funny. My boys would always tease me when I would pack for a quilt retreat and always include a couple of bottles of wine. They would ask "mom is that a good idea, sharp needles and scissors and wine". My favorite tool is a pair of hemostats I use them all of the time.

Kitsapquilter

It is interesting what we just can't get by without when we are sewing. I do have more than just the measuring tool by my side at all times. Like pin cushion, seam ripper, and scissors(big ones and small ones). There's probably more but those are the main things!

JenniePenny

My sharp little brain. It's a good one.

Sierra

I have many of the things already mentioned, but since I have arthritis I also have: needle nose pliers with spring-back (I squeeze, let go, and they open right up)... both straight and curved snouts. These are good for picking up tread ends, pins, small pieces of fabric blocks...

Also when stitching (I only use the machine because I can't hold a needle) I wear rubberized gardening gloves [NOTE: it is very important to get tighter fitting and small rubberized dots, which I've never found in a quilting store, only in Target or Home depot gardening departments.] The gloves make it easy to hold onto larger pieces of material and are wonderful especially when doing the actual quilting. My hands used to hurt like crazy and I'd have to stop for the day, but since I began using the gloves I can keep going!

An additional hint... even if you use your magnet to pick up pins, take advantage of the situation and SQUAT for each pin. It was terribly hard at first but now I can do it without holding on to a chair or anything. Not only do I feel MUCH better after hours of quilting, but my body moves better in general. Of course I'm old (70) so stretching is especially important for me. But try it; you may agree.