Need Ides for storing those things you always use, then lose
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 319
Use a chatelaine while you work. That way everything is right where your hands are.
You know the tools and what-nots I'm talking about...seam rippers, little, green scissors, seam gauges, the "good" pair of eyeglasses...the list goes on and on. I have them in my hands one minute and then, ...pooufff!... like magic, they disappear. How do you keep those small items that you use regularly at hand, without them getting lost under quilt fabrics and sleeping cats?
~ Cindy
~ Cindy
#23
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Horse Country, FL
Posts: 7,341
I have an old container that used to hold remote controls. I use that for scissors, eyeglasses, rotary cutters, pens, etc. For smaller things like seam rippers, I use a magnetic pin holder dedicated to anything EXCEPT pins.
#24
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Manitoba
Posts: 281
I use a rotating pencil holder from the office supply store. It has a long middle for scissors and a ruler, the. Lots of 'cups' for little scissors, sewing machine brush, pencils, sharpies, seam rippers, etc.
#25
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Manteno, IL
Posts: 1,621
Tropit, I hear your pain! I have been sewing more lately and I too have the same problem. So I decided I was just going to have to bite the bullet and deliberately force myself into better H A B I T S. Pretty much that is what it really is….a habit!! I got a two tier small turntable (like Rubbermaid makes) and I use it for the smaller tools I would use constantly on a particular project. (of course not a big ruler that is used to cut squares as that would be kept on the cutting table) but small things I would use for a particular project like a marking pen, small scissors, Elmer’s pins, point turner, buttons for the item I am currently working on-as I do both quilts and clothes….and then I make a deliberate effort to put them back on the turntable when I am done using them, for the moment, and then when I need them again I know where they are. This is a HABIT and it was hard getting used to, but I stick with it and it has greatly eased some of the pain we share….lol!!! BTW, the QBr's have some great tips for your post! Thanks all!!!
#26
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Mendocino Coast, CA
Posts: 4,952
There are so many great tips here...thanks everyone. I'm doing some reorganizing today because for the 3rd time, I lost my seam ripper, so I figured I'd better clean things up. Hey! I just found one of my seam rippers in my scraps basket! Can I stop cleaning now?
~ Cindy
#28
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,430
I bought a sturdy metal tool box with a removable tray. I keep all my small stuff in the top tray and scissors in the bottom ready to go to a workshop or guild meeting. Also, in my top desk drawer, I lined the entire drawer with cut-down boxes taped together. When I pull out that drawer, I can see at a glance what I am looking for.
#29
I try to always set things in the same place while I'm using them and put them back where they belong when I'm done using them, or at least at the end of the day. I have a mouse pad to the right of my sewing machine to set stuff on -- keeps it from falling off the counter.
The top drawer of my sewing cart has several wet-wipe containers with the tops pried off. I'm talking about the small rectangle flushable wet-wipe containers. (Of course they are washed and sanitized.) One section is for the stuff I use all the time aka cutting nippers and seam rippers and tweezers, and the others for less often used stuff. The containers can be used on a counter too using binder clips or hot glue to hold them together.
The top drawer of my sewing cart has several wet-wipe containers with the tops pried off. I'm talking about the small rectangle flushable wet-wipe containers. (Of course they are washed and sanitized.) One section is for the stuff I use all the time aka cutting nippers and seam rippers and tweezers, and the others for less often used stuff. The containers can be used on a counter too using binder clips or hot glue to hold them together.
#30
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 9,299
I can tell you what I have DESIGNATED to hold small stuff , and in THEORY it does. But it really depends on the user (me) to put things in it!
i call it a treasure box. It's like a brown leather pirate's chest in miniature ( about 12" long, 4" wide, 5 deep with arcing lid and metal latch. In theory it holds big scissors, thread, seam ripper, etc. I keep it close to my machine.
if I want to keep stuff that's really small and will fit in my purse or next To my recliner, it's a hard eyeglass case. It will hold embroidery scissors, small spool, needles, seam ripper, thimble, and a few clips. In theory it's ready all the time.
i call it a treasure box. It's like a brown leather pirate's chest in miniature ( about 12" long, 4" wide, 5 deep with arcing lid and metal latch. In theory it holds big scissors, thread, seam ripper, etc. I keep it close to my machine.
if I want to keep stuff that's really small and will fit in my purse or next To my recliner, it's a hard eyeglass case. It will hold embroidery scissors, small spool, needles, seam ripper, thimble, and a few clips. In theory it's ready all the time.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
LucyInTheSky
Main
13
07-02-2011 09:59 AM