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What are you recycling in your sewing area????

What are you recycling in your sewing area????

Old 01-10-2009, 09:00 AM
  #31  
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Originally Posted by ksusan
Homemade pin box ---or --- portable sewing kit


recycle empty Altoids or Velamints metal tin/ cut down magnetic fridge calendar from 2008 to fit bottom of empty tin

use a metal bobbin for thread source--- I only use metal bobbins as portable "spools" as my sewing machine requires plastic bobbins


pins/ needles/ metal bobbins/ small seam ripper fit neatly inside without falling out if the opened box is tipped upside down

Piecefully yours,
Kay Susan
I also use the hard cases that come with eyeglasses. (My glasses are always on my eyes. :lol: I put a piece of magnetic strip in the bottom. When I carry handwork, the eyeglass case comes with me. There is even a tiny pair of scissors that fits into my little kit.
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Old 01-10-2009, 09:11 AM
  #32  
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GailG, I think your idea is much, much better than mine. I will get my empty eyeglass case set up per your instructions right away!!

Thanks...

Piecefully yours,
Kay Susan
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Old 01-10-2009, 09:24 AM
  #33  
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There are always little bits of fabric that are too small to be used in crumb quilts. I keep those in ziploc bags and will be using them instead of fiberfill in handmade stuffed animals.

We have shirts with the company logo that we've been asked to not donate to Goodwill--the company doesn't want anyone taking the shirts and potentially masquerading as an employee. I have the group giving me their old shirts that are stained or torn, and I'll eventually gather enough material to make a quilt for one of our charities.

I have bags of blue jeans that aren't quite good enough for donation that will eventually be made into a rag quilt.


:oops: I'm seeing a lot of saving for future projects and not so many projects being done now.
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Old 01-10-2009, 09:50 AM
  #34  
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maggiebooboo I love your idea of saving the thread in a jar for the birds. Going to try it because billsobon bon could have been my exact reply. Love the birds.
I collect/save old shirts to make a quilt . I take the buttons off and use them on yo yo centers. Church sales are one of my favorite ways to find fabric. I search for dresses.shirts etc.
I just bought a book on making potholders so love the tip about using old towels. Lots of good ideas,thanks ladies.
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Old 01-10-2009, 11:33 AM
  #35  
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You mention a 'string quilt'. What is a string quilt? I know that I use just as much thread ripping out seams as I do getting the finished straight line in my quilting projects. Is this what you use to make a string quilt? :?: :?:
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Old 01-10-2009, 12:28 PM
  #36  
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I save toilet paper tubes and stuff them with sewing machine cords when I take the machine to classes. Works for extension cords, too.

I use the same idea with gift wrap paper tubes, to wrap fusibles and stabilizers on the outside. I stuff the plastic directions inside the tube. I store the tubes in an empty wine box that has the dividers to keep the bottles from bumping each other. I use a Sharpie to label each tube.
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Old 01-10-2009, 12:39 PM
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I think a string quilt is when you take strips and foundation piece them to paper shapes (rectangular pages or star points) and use up your left over pieces of strips. I don't think you actually use the threads. I have a thread catcher at my sewing machine and cath all the snippets. Then I take them and use my rotary cutter and cut them up in smaller bits and put them out for the birds. I don't want anything too long that could get caught and hurt them. :?:
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Old 01-10-2009, 02:14 PM
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Thank you Shemjo. That makes a lot more sense now. :-)
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Old 01-10-2009, 06:06 PM
  #39  
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I cut up all my scraps in 2", 3", 4", & 5" squares and then package them up and sell them on ebay!!!! Its a great way to get people to visit my store and buy lots more!
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Old 01-10-2009, 06:14 PM
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Where are you in the UP Ksusan? I'm on the Canadian side of Sault Ste Marie but frequently go to Joann's in the Michigan Sault. Sunflower
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