Latrinka

chap stick for conditioning thread for hand sewing, couldn't find "Thread Heaven" at Joanns

lynnie

like the chap stick idea, gotta use that one.
I use chop sticks for a stiletto or turning thngs inside out

tesspug

I use painters tape as a guide for crosshatch quilting. I bought a long nosed locking tweezer at Harbor Freight for turning tubes. It looks like scissors but it has long points. Also a HF I got one of those magnetic bowls for pins

juneayerza

Thanks for this tip; I'm just learning how to use a serger and this might help me.

Vicki1212

I use a wooden clothes peg for opening and closing my safety pins when basting. I removed the spring, took one half and cut a notch in the end. Works perfectly and if I lose or misplace it, it's super quick and cheap to make another one

shy

I use a long a long tweeter to get get thread that just gets through the needle..but ur fingers are too big to grab..also it is great for picking up lint in the bobbin case if u are using cotton thread..and don't want to take it all apart while quilting to clean it..I also use a small basting brush on my Viking..it has a top loading bobbin..when I clean it I run the brush into the side holes when I turn the casing..it pulls bunches of lint out ..that would settle in the bottom of the machine case..I do it very gentle ..so as not to force..also..I took a long one piece ball point pen apart..use the shaft on the thread holder for big and tall thread spools..use plastic wrap to draw a quilt design on over the quilt to see if I like it before I begin to sew..bags with zippers for sheets and pillow cases..etc..put cut pieces in them..use plastic from packages for temples..use note books with plastic insert sheets for all loose patterns..like ones I cope from the net..I can go on..lol..but won't..

Dakota Rose

Thanks everybody. Love all your tips. Will make sure you get credit for the help.

MaggieLou

Now that's a great idea. I'll have to try that. My Brother has an auto threader but my vintage Kenmore doesn't.

amandasgramma

I use a table top paper towel holder my step father made to hold my binding. It doesn't have that extra piece on it that prevents the towels from rolling out......but it allows the binding to unwind as I need it. PERFECT!!!

I use a pair of long tweezers...with a bent end to thread my serger. DH had them for rockhounding (haven't figured that out yet)....and a doctor I worked for used them for surgeries...... Long handled, and small at the tweeze end. Makes threading a LOT easier.

luvstoquilt

I used the big letters from the rubber ones that go on the floor. Works like a charm. On the quilt I am working on now I am using a round cake plate to draw the big circles and a yard stick to mark the squares. Almost anything works as a tool.