Household items turned quilting notions?
10-14-2010, 08:34 AM
#131
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 238
Originally Posted by BKrenning
I have freezer paper in my sewing room to use for paper piecing--the method that you don't sew through the paper.
I have the tissue paper used for wrapping gifts in gift bags to trace quilting designs on which I then tape to a quilt on the frame and quilt through it. Much cheaper than vellum or the special paper sold to longarmers.
I claimed a 36" square kitchen island after our remodel to use as my cutting table. Rotary cutters, blades & templates are stored in the drawers & scraps, UFO's, & orphan blocks are stored in the bottom.
I use blue painters tape to tape the tissue paper onto quilts & it holds the leaders on the poles of my frame.
Hairspray to keep chalked quilting designs from rubbing off.
Silicone spray to keep the rails on the frame slick and the bed of the sewing machine.
I used to have a roll of Press 'n' Seal in my room for quilting but I didn't like the little bits of plastic left in. Others still swear by it.
I steal hubby's big carpenter's square when I need to square up a large quilt before binding it. And he occasionally has to come into my sewing room to find his level if I've been adjusting my frame.
I have a small, rolling tv/microwave cart that fits under the frame. Usually my embroidery machine, stabilizers & threads live on it but I take the machine off to put my laptop that controls the PC Quilter on when I'm using it to quilt.
I have one of the rolling plastic storage drawer things advertised for scrap bookers that I keep all my thread & needles in. It just fits under the sewing cabinet when it's opened up so I can just reach down, open a drawer & pull out needles, thread, or bobbins when I need them.
I use a coffee mug to keep my little Clover iron in & I use it to put troublesome thread in when it lashes too much on the normal thread holder spindle on the machine.
I like to use used fabric softener sheets to sew my applique shapes onto so I can turn the seam allowance under before stitching them down to the background fabric. It really helps to keep those little pokies under the piece. It doesn't add bulk so I don't have to cut it out from the back side like those who use paper do.
I'm sure there are lots of other re-purposed & purloined items in there, also--LOL!
I have the tissue paper used for wrapping gifts in gift bags to trace quilting designs on which I then tape to a quilt on the frame and quilt through it. Much cheaper than vellum or the special paper sold to longarmers.
I claimed a 36" square kitchen island after our remodel to use as my cutting table. Rotary cutters, blades & templates are stored in the drawers & scraps, UFO's, & orphan blocks are stored in the bottom.
I use blue painters tape to tape the tissue paper onto quilts & it holds the leaders on the poles of my frame.
Hairspray to keep chalked quilting designs from rubbing off.
Silicone spray to keep the rails on the frame slick and the bed of the sewing machine.
I used to have a roll of Press 'n' Seal in my room for quilting but I didn't like the little bits of plastic left in. Others still swear by it.
I steal hubby's big carpenter's square when I need to square up a large quilt before binding it. And he occasionally has to come into my sewing room to find his level if I've been adjusting my frame.
I have a small, rolling tv/microwave cart that fits under the frame. Usually my embroidery machine, stabilizers & threads live on it but I take the machine off to put my laptop that controls the PC Quilter on when I'm using it to quilt.
I have one of the rolling plastic storage drawer things advertised for scrap bookers that I keep all my thread & needles in. It just fits under the sewing cabinet when it's opened up so I can just reach down, open a drawer & pull out needles, thread, or bobbins when I need them.
I use a coffee mug to keep my little Clover iron in & I use it to put troublesome thread in when it lashes too much on the normal thread holder spindle on the machine.
I like to use used fabric softener sheets to sew my applique shapes onto so I can turn the seam allowance under before stitching them down to the background fabric. It really helps to keep those little pokies under the piece. It doesn't add bulk so I don't have to cut it out from the back side like those who use paper do.
I'm sure there are lots of other re-purposed & purloined items in there, also--LOL!
10-14-2010, 08:42 AM
#132
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Newberg, OR
Posts: 1,911
I save the plastic lids from cottage cheese containers, yogurt, etc., to cut templates for quilting designs or whatever else you need a template for.
I use non-skid shelf-paper under my sewing machine to keep it from vibrating and walking away--mainly to keep it from vibrating. It's much quieter now.
I use plastic tubs that greens come in for storing leftoever scraps of fusing medium, stabilizer, and anything else I can think of. Fat quarters too.
I use paper towel tubes for things that are rolled up, like my leftover Invisigrip, or leftover sheets of fusing medium. TP tubes are good for wrapping bindings around for storage.
Like everyone else, I use a wooden skewer for a stilleto.
I keep old needles and bent pins in empty prescription bottles until they're full, then throw them away safely.
I use the tape-style Post-It stuff for repairing torn areas on paper-piecing patterns. You can write over it. It behaves more like paper than scotch tape. You can find it at Staples, but apparently, nowhere else.
Also, I've used skewers to keep the tops of small quilts rigid so that they can be hung from a ribbon attached at the top corners, scroll-style.
I've used pop top rings for small quilt hangers. Just sew them to the back like any picture hanger.
I use non-skid shelf-paper under my sewing machine to keep it from vibrating and walking away--mainly to keep it from vibrating. It's much quieter now.
I use plastic tubs that greens come in for storing leftoever scraps of fusing medium, stabilizer, and anything else I can think of. Fat quarters too.
I use paper towel tubes for things that are rolled up, like my leftover Invisigrip, or leftover sheets of fusing medium. TP tubes are good for wrapping bindings around for storage.
Like everyone else, I use a wooden skewer for a stilleto.
I keep old needles and bent pins in empty prescription bottles until they're full, then throw them away safely.
I use the tape-style Post-It stuff for repairing torn areas on paper-piecing patterns. You can write over it. It behaves more like paper than scotch tape. You can find it at Staples, but apparently, nowhere else.
Also, I've used skewers to keep the tops of small quilts rigid so that they can be hung from a ribbon attached at the top corners, scroll-style.
I've used pop top rings for small quilt hangers. Just sew them to the back like any picture hanger.
10-14-2010, 09:02 AM
#135
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 122
Originally Posted by Judiw
Originally Posted by featherweight
Originally Posted by Judiw
Originally Posted by Riversong
My hubby uses Copenhagen(snuff in a little round box) YUCK!! BUT,they are the pefect size for used rotary blades. When its full I tape the box and toss it all.
Yes they are just as sharp :thumbup:
10-14-2010, 09:03 AM
#136
Power Poster
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: McLoud, OK
Posts: 13,264
Originally Posted by sewcrafty
I also use a bamboo skewer as a stilleto.
I take a sheet of 220 grit sandpaper and wrap it around a small piece of cardboard and duct tape to the back for holding blocks in place for either signing (siggie) or drawing lines from cornor to cornor.
I stole my dh's 48" t-square for cutting larger pieces of fabric.
I use cornstarch to make my own spray starch, instead of buying, a HUGE savings.
How about a recipe for your spray starch? Thanks
How about a recipe for your spray starch? Thanks
I use an old ceramic cookie jar for all my fabric pens and markers.
I take a sheet of 220 grit sandpaper and wrap it around a small piece of cardboard and duct tape to the back for holding blocks in place for either signing (siggie) or drawing lines from cornor to cornor.
I stole my dh's 48" t-square for cutting larger pieces of fabric.
I use cornstarch to make my own spray starch, instead of buying, a HUGE savings.
How about a recipe for your spray starch? Thanks
How about a recipe for your spray starch? Thanks
I use an old ceramic cookie jar for all my fabric pens and markers.
10-14-2010, 09:05 AM
#137
Power Poster
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: McLoud, OK
Posts: 13,264
Originally Posted by Homespun
Originally Posted by sewcrafty
I also use a bamboo skewer as a stilleto.
I take a sheet of 220 grit sandpaper and wrap it around a small piece of cardboard and duct tape to the back for holding blocks in place for either signing (siggie) or drawing lines from cornor to cornor.
I stole my dh's 48" t-square for cutting larger pieces of fabric.
I use cornstarch to make my own spray starch, instead of buying, a HUGE savings.
I use an old ceramic cookie jar for all my fabric pens and markers.
I take a sheet of 220 grit sandpaper and wrap it around a small piece of cardboard and duct tape to the back for holding blocks in place for either signing (siggie) or drawing lines from cornor to cornor.
I stole my dh's 48" t-square for cutting larger pieces of fabric.
I use cornstarch to make my own spray starch, instead of buying, a HUGE savings.
I use an old ceramic cookie jar for all my fabric pens and markers.
10-14-2010, 09:09 AM
#138
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 1,231
Greast thread!!! Here are a couple that I haven't seen mentioned.....
I took my machine foot aoart and slipped in a small piece of wood so that it can't go too fast when I free motion quilt..reaklly helps when you are just learning
I use childrens coloring books to get quilting motif designs..you can enlarge or reduce the size on your copier...there are some really great mandala coloring books out there...as well as themed..x-mas..etc
I use my drapes as a design wall..I just push 1 drape to the side and spread the other 1 out so it's flat, then i pin a pice of flannel on it and use it that way..flannel fols up and is out of sight when I'm not needing it
Best for last....I have 3 machines that I use all of the time and I was constantly looking for my thread snips and the little scredriver, so I put a piece of velcro on each machine and on the handle of each scredriver and snip...now each machine has their own set, and I find them instantly...this has saved me tons of time!
I took my machine foot aoart and slipped in a small piece of wood so that it can't go too fast when I free motion quilt..reaklly helps when you are just learning
I use childrens coloring books to get quilting motif designs..you can enlarge or reduce the size on your copier...there are some really great mandala coloring books out there...as well as themed..x-mas..etc
I use my drapes as a design wall..I just push 1 drape to the side and spread the other 1 out so it's flat, then i pin a pice of flannel on it and use it that way..flannel fols up and is out of sight when I'm not needing it
Best for last....I have 3 machines that I use all of the time and I was constantly looking for my thread snips and the little scredriver, so I put a piece of velcro on each machine and on the handle of each scredriver and snip...now each machine has their own set, and I find them instantly...this has saved me tons of time!
10-14-2010, 09:15 AM
#139
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Odessa, Washington
Posts: 1,872
Originally Posted by Quilting Nana
I use dryer sheets in my fabric stash. I cut in half and put in between my fabric. That way it has a nice fresh smell when I use it.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
CAS49OR
General Chit-Chat (non-quilting talk)
12
07-16-2014 06:53 AM
