madamekelly

You can also lay a piece of duct tape sticky side up, line up a row of same size pill bottles, and wrap pretty duct tape around them to make a row of bottles that will hold more and take up very little real estate in your sewing room. My daughter did this in school and gave it to me for Christmas when she was very small. She said it was a toothbrush holder, but I used it on my desk because it was so cute.

madamekelly

Sewbizgirl- Great minds think alike, here is my toothbrush holder. Lol!

madamekelly

I tape mine to cardboard ( cereal box, etc.) and toss them in a washed medium vegetable can to collect them, then tape it shut, and label it used razor blades, so they will not hurt anyone now or in the future when some archeologist goes through the dump to see how we lived!

maryb44662

I use old check book boxes covered with contac paper by each machine. They fit well on the right side of the machines. I believe in recycling anything we can.

Auntie V

I find many notions in the kitchen. My mom had several old coated bread pans that were all scratched and stained. They make great holders for standing up small pattern envelopes or baggies filled with templates or cut quilt pieces. She also had one larger (6 mini loaf) pan that I use for sorting buttons, bobbins, clips or pins. Wooden spoons handles work great for turning tubes and the bowl works well for finger pressing seams open.

I also have several rounded river rocks that are very handy for pattern weights, door stops, hammer and one works well for keeping my foot peddle from running around.

Old mattress pads make great padding for pressing cloths and ironing board covers. The folded ironing board is also a great notion when used as a mini design wall.

From the bathroom- I have used old soap slivers for marking fabric, metal bandage boxes for sewing kit & bobbin boxes, some very yucky tasting dental floss for basting, old tooth brushes for cleaning machines, nail clippers for cutting thread and nail files for sharpening straight pins.

Learner747

When my granddaughter was small she took a soup can, made it smooth and safe, and drew a pretty picture on some paper and glue the paper to the outside of the can. She personalized it, too. I put it on my sewing table and used it to hold colored pencils and small screw driver.
She now has four children of her own and I still use the holder.

adamae

I use colorful decorative cardboard boxes and desktop organizers for tools, pens, small rulers, templates, etc. one thing I have learned...I have to have a home for things or I can't remember where I left them!

madamekelly

Amen to that!

CAS49OR

I use the small flushable wipe square containers to organize my drawers. clipped together with binder clips.
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caspharm

I was using the medication bottles from the pharmacy for my machine needles (DSM and LA), but don't have enough locking ones, so I switched to one of those 8 oz Nestle water bottles. I also reuse the ziplock bags and collect tins. I have used empty fruit bottles from Costco to hold spools of thread, the African baskets are great, and love Harbor Freight. I even recycled a nice wooden pen gift box my DH received and use it to hold some of my LA tools.

I have a fishing tackle box for a regular sewing box and a smaller one for bobbins and spare parts for my LA.

I also bought some brass planters from JoAnns on clearance and use them to hold my templates for my LA. I bought a map stand from a Borders store when they went of business 2 or 3 years ago and use it for my pantos and the crosshatch bar for my LA.