Here are a few of my tips:
- tape a coffee filter on table to hold threads
- prescription bottle beside machine to hold broken needles & pins
- magnetic auto parts dish holds my pins
- glue a magnet on the end of dowel rod to pick up dropped pins or needles
- when threading needle, wet needle hole instead of thread (thread expands when wet making it harder to thread)
Those are just a few that I can think of right now. I remember my mom rolling her sleeveless blouses in a plastic bag & putting them in the bottom drawer of the fridge. That was her designated ironing drawer.