quilterpurpledog

Just for fun I turned around (my computer is in my sewing room) and looked in the large trash basket I have. Lots of cutting scraps like selvedges, slivers of fabric from evening up the fabric as I cut strips, too small triangles, lots of thread ends and light weight paper torn away after quilting over paper. I also have lots of sticky notes or other small pieces of paper used to keep the pieces of my project in order so that I don't make construction errors. There is also an assortment of batting from trimming around projects. There is an assortment of bent or dull pins and needles stuck safely into bits of fabric. It is truly amazing that I can fill this large basket weekly with unusable stuff. I try to keep this stuff off the floor in order to be reasonably neat about sewing.

slstitcher

I throw away all those little scraps that I think are to small for anything. If I start on those 15 minutes I somehow loose track of time, keep going, and don't get much else done.

#1piecemaker

I toss bent pins, loose threads and tiny scraps. That's about it!

QuiltedCello

I have a set of scissors, garage sale from a quilter and those go to the sharpener every six months. They glide through fabric like butter and just feel right.

But, annoying needles, wonky fray prone fabric, loose bits that annoy me - I throw them out with great pleasure. If the fabric is so junky that I have to start with a 6" square to get a usable 2.5" square, there's no point in keeping or using it. I happily toss anything that drives me bonkers. Because I enjoy sewing, why make it an annoyance?

sparkys_mom

Wow, I've never heard of dry pins but I know mine get difficult to put through fabric. I think I'm going to try one of these pincushions. Thanks!!

QuiltE

Right on! Too often we "waste" the time we could be using.
Time can be "found" by keeping a hand sewing project available to do while chatting on the phone (for those who still do that!), watching TV, waiting for supper to cook, etc. Another time finder is to leave some pieces ready for assembly line sewing, as your time allows. You can stop and start, without having to think too much as to what is next.

For me, sometimes I know I am not in the frame of mind for a specific project ... a few UFOs are justified here! I have a "mindless" one that is my go to when I "want" to sew, but I know it is not the time to do some precision piecing work.

Sometimes too, we see comments here to the point that they should be sewing, and just don't get around to it, for various reasons. What can work is to set your timer for 15 minutes, and I can stop then ... most times, when those 15 minutes are hooked, we are hooked, and ready to stay longer!

................. as for exercise?
(yes, same things!!)

Cookie64

So what's your answer, mine is all the above!

Quiltngolfer

Dull rotary blades, bent or dull pins, used sewing machine needles, thread that breaks, thread spools, small fabric scraps....

Judi in Ohio

Many people are saying they throw sewing machine needles away. What? They are perfect on my quilt board, when hanging quilts. So much sturdier than regular pins. I toss tiny scraps, bad thread, ugly fabric (although Bonnie Hunter says you just haven't cut it small enough?). I had apiece of fabric in my collection - (yes it is a collection (good bad or indifferent, it's mine) I thought it was the ugliest stuff ever. Then I saw it as the focus fabric on a book cover. I had laugh.

maviskw

I throw away fabric that someone gave me that is not cotton, and is so thin or slippery or something. Sometimes I can give larger pieces to the missions in Jamaica.

But those broken sewing machine needles have a use. If you want to put a small wall hanging up, use the shank end of the broken needle, pound it into the wall and hang up your quilt. When you want to change to another quilt, just pull the needle out and you can hardly see the hole. I have a 3 foot by 4 foot quilt hanging on two such needles right now. Works!