L'il Chickadee

# Scunci metal hair clips to hold bindings and such in place.
# An old oak barstool with a flat swivel seat sits near my machine and holds a small cutting mat. Swivel the mat for cutting instead of moving the fabric.
# Paper plates or sides cut out of cardboard cereal boxes for holding fabric pieces, to stack up each block in order. Have also used business envelopes to do this.
# Coffee bags from grocery (next to the coffee grinder) for threads and trash bits at class or retreat. Open bag, bend the band on the top edge to hold the bag open, tape the opposite edge to the table. When class is over, just fold and seal the bag for disposal.
# Avery removable stickers to label fabric pieces. They make small stickers about 1/4" by 3/4". I also keep track of needles by putting a sticker on my machines with latest needle change and what it is. Can't read the numbers on the shank anymore, Sigh.

FWLover

To make portable sewing surface Hubby cut 1/4” plywood to exactly fit the smallest of the white plastic folding tables and screwed it on ar edges. Adjustable to many heights, larger than TV table and lightweight to carry. I cut a thermal mat for pressing on table or freezer in half and used bias tape to cover cut edge. I folded an old table cloth in half so it is 4” - 6” larger than table and stitched around it with a decorative stitch. I like to press my seams with starch as I piece. The tablecloth is easy to throw in washer to remove starch. The wood keeps the pressing surface and cutting mat in place. Sometimes I use it as sewing table for featherweight sewing machine if I don’t want to also take Sew Easy table also. Set it on floor beside table when I’m ready to press or trim.

luvstoquilt

Q-tips for making round centers for Dresden plates. I have circle templates and use Magic Spray Sizing I have sprayed in the lid. I dip in the Q-tip and spread it over the edges of the circle I have basted. Works for me! I also have a screwdriver from Harbor Freight with a 90 degree handle which fits in a lot of hard to reach places.

FWLover

I use husband’s grandparents waterfall bedroom furniture to store fabric, including the vanity. I also use a filing cabinet for some. From brother’s old drug store we used the drawers under greeting card display to create cutting table. We placed them far enough apart to create a 4’ wide space. Hubby used 3/4” plywood to create a top 4’ square. At the end of them he cut another piece 2’ x 4’. He attached that with hinges and created a 12” wide piece and long enough to reach the floor which fits between 2 thin pieces of wood to act as a brace. I let down this extra piece when I want more room. Splurged on custom cutting mat to fit it.

sheilar

I use some of the things already mentioned, and also plastic skirt hangers on my design wall rod to hold quilt tops

frenan

My quilting instructor gave me one of those spinning kitchen tool organizers for spatulas, wooden spoons, etc. to use by my sewing machine. Scissors, small rulers, fabric markers........all kinds of sewing needs right at hand.

oksewglad

Lil Chickadee, I'm going to use the stool idea as I have a very nice used flat stool. My other bar stools are saddle seat and very comfortable, but not flat.

Quilter 53

I use the silverware holder from a defunct dishwasher to hold my scissors, pens, pencils, chalk, etc. at the back of my cutting table.

I have a sticky dashboard mat from the auto parts store next to my machines. It has my scissors, purple thang, tweezers, chopstick, extra wound bobbin, needle case of the needle I'm using at the moment, things I use while stitching. I had a problem of the machine vibrations moving those things off the table and into the trashcan never to be seen again. It does get linty and dusty but a quick rinse with running water, line dry, and it's ready to go again.

AStitchInTime

In addition to many of the items already mentioned, I also have:
Painter's Tape
5lb dumbbell weight
Large condiment dispenser bottles for refilling the iron (less trips the kitchen for water)
Artist paintbrushes for lit removal
Clean parmesan cheese container for dull needles & blades

cathyvv

I think whether a magnet will affect a computerized sewing machine or not has a lot to do with where you put your magnet and how strong it is. The software card in your machine is generally in two places - the right side of the machine (away from the needle) and in any screens that the sewing machine has.

Suggest no magnets near either of those areas.