I use old hockey pucks instead of dumbbells. They're cheap (I bought a whole box, years ago), rubbery, you can stack them if you want more weight, they're easier to toss and move around, don't roll, don't slip and they're useful for so many things. Like plant pot feet. Plus, you can cut them into smaller pieces, carve and screw things to them.
LOL! weird things i have sarched for #1 used hockey pucks! LOVE that idea - pot feet are hugely expensive for such little things - besides their use for sewing!
I really like the hair tie and weight hacks. I will be trying that. I think glad has a patent on press n seal which is why u can’t find a copycat version
Instead of cling wrap you can use those plastic shower caps. Get like 10 for a dollar or two. They are reusable and should fit most baskets. Instead of using your good silicone mat, get some of that nonslip shelf liner to put under things so they don’t move. You can also cut it to size. I use mine under my foot pedal so it won’t slide around.
My thoughts exactly. They also make plastic bowl covers that come like 50 to a pack and are super cheap. It's essentially a shower cap type of setup, but clear plastic.
Dollar tree sells these like 10 or 12 to a pack - clear plastic shower caps in the black hair care section! So many uses - I even use them to cover the soles of shoes when packing for trips.
When I have a pattern that I know I will use again or if I paid a lot for it, I iron the pattern to make it flat. Then I iron it on to freezer paper to make it more sturdy. The coating on the freezer melts onto the pattern reinforcing the thin pattern paper. I also collect really old patterns. I have some from 1930’s that I have reinforced this way. I also find that ironing the pattern onto the freezer paper before I cut the pattern out to be much easier. Just make sure you iron with the right side facing you because ther is no removing the paper once you have ironed it.
I use Swedish Tracing paper when I want to keep a pattern. I trace the pattern on the Swedish Tracing paper and cut the pattern out of the Swedish Tracing paper and put the uncut pattern back into its package, putting the tracing paper pattern, with the original pattern & place them together in a ziplock gallon bag
I save all those heavy plastic bags from bedding packaging, usually from quality linens. You know the kind that has the thick cloth binding tape sewn all around plus a heavy zipper. They are perfect for collecting everything you need for individual projects. You can fit pattern, material, interfacing ,zipper, elastic, buttons, thread, all the other trims and notions for each project. They last forever, only way I store and have quick access to multiple projects because of the heaviness of the transparent plastic used.
To add to this suggestion, consider saving the light cardboard packaging that comes with the bedding bag, turn it around and now you have a plain label to detail what contents you now have inside ( eg All materials for Aunt Muriel's quilt, except light blue fabric). You have a free, compact dust free way to store a project and know what you need to start again.
I use a child proof prescription bottles to dispose of my used sewing machine needles. Once it's full I toss it in the trash and the child proof cap never falls off.
I do this too. I used large needle and a flame to put a hole in the top, it’s large enough to get a needle in but not big enough that they’ll fall out easily. I just put a new lid on it when it’s time to throw them out.
I use the little packs of glue dots on the bottoms of all my quilting rulers. It keeps the ruler from moving. These were great tips. Thank you so much. ❤
My favourite way of cleaning my iron is to use a dryer sheet. I heat my iron and then rub it over the dryer sheet. It cleans the iron easily and with great results.
@@robinwoodard7898 no, it leaves no residue on the iron. I just make sure I have an old cloth underneath the dryer sheet to protect the ironing pad beneath it.
Remove any label by heating it up first with a hairdryer. Remove the sticky adhesive left from the label with oil and while the oil is on use a razor blade to gently scrub the adhesive off. Use a box made for storing embroidery floss to store pesser feet. I attached the soft part of Velcro to my small scissors, that i use to cut the thread, and the loop and hook part of the Velcro on the side of my sewing machine. I don't loose them anymore 😂
I use pipe cleaners to pick up to pick up lint in my machine. You bend it I the middle and it is soft and you don’t have to brush. It picks up all dust and it does a great job
Something else to use to use for your zippers is split rings that they sell in the office stores. They are split with a hinge. These are used to hold loose leaf paper. No annoying beads on them like the shower curtain hooks.
In reference to #5 the hand weights and quilting ruler. A lady I subscribe to that does quilting has a shower handle on hers. Its one of those big safety handles that you put in the shower to hold onto for getting in and out of the tub. I saw one at Harbor freight for under $10. You can pick up the ruler, hold the ruler, press down on the ruler and also slide the ruler keeping it straight if you have to move it for longer cutting. Plus it stays attached so you don't lose it or accidentally drop a hand weight on your foot.
These suction cup handles come in different sizes and are removable so you can use them on all the rulers. For a large ruler 18” or more I use the shower handle, but for the smaller rulers I use the smaller, single suction cup to hold my rulers.
I am sure I will be the millionth person to mention this, but…. Get a piece of galvanized steel - put it under your cutting mat and use magnets to hold everything in place. My mat is 2’ X 3’ and the steel was 16mm for $15. Happy sewing!
My grandmother used to sharpen her needles when they got burs or went blunt. She kept a fine emery board in her sewing goodies. She lived in South Africa and there were times when she could not buy needles. Nowadays, I do the same and only throw out broken needles. i have 100s of old buttons and hardware which were cut off old clothes that had been relegated to ragbag because they were worn out.
I do the same.... was taught by my Grandmother decades ago when I was very young to NEVER waste anything that could possibly be used again. Especially sewing supplies/tools/fabrics.. (ppl nowadays always waste SO MUCH fabric & materials when cutting patterns out and for cutting out anything else they plan to sew with 🙄).... and to always re-use or re-purpose in one way or another ●EVERYTHING● if at all possible, that you regularly use in your home in your day to day living before you really do actually have a need to go out and finally buy a NEW ONE to replace it with. So I just can't understand why in the world ppl nowadays are just so deliberately and stupidly wasteful and toss away to waste SO MUCH STUFF that can always be used again in some way or another. Most especially to so wantonly WASTE dull sewing needles.... like so many ppl here are posting about and actually believing & thinking that they are doing something so stupidly clever by bragging about the methods they use to store them in until they eventually just throw them away 🙄 ...... for something that literally only just needs to be simply re-sharpened (if they're not broken, of course) so that they can continue to be useful and used for quite a looong while longer with just the tiniest bit of effort involved to sharpen them again with either a nail file/ emery board or even with a small piece of aluminum foil or just rubbing the dull needles across the bottom rough edge of a stoneware mug, bowl or plate to sharpen them again. Just like you would to be rubbing dull scissors/knives across to resharpen •them• for proper long-term use again when they eventually get dull from regular use, too. 🤷♂️
I have a small strawberry shaped pillow about 3-4” long filled with very fine sand which I use to sharpen my hand sewing needles but also it’s good at cleaning the needle of all the hand oils when hand sewing. Never thought of using it on the machine needles lol
If you ever make a video on non traditional uses of sewing supplies, I have a good one for you. I save even the smallest scraps of lightweight fusible interfacing in a shoebox and iron them krazy quilt style to the back side of favorite tissue patterns. Zero expense because I am essentially using trash. The interfacing can be used to repair tears and pinhole damage as well if you don’t have enough to cover the piece. I do love my tissue patterns that are covered with interfacing though. They are extra durable, don’t slide around when I am using them, and fold up so much nicer. The interfacing makes the tissue paper behave more like a fabric and it’s so much nicer to use them that I have actually been guilty of BUYING interfacing to reinforce a pattern that I know I will be using multiple times😂
Reynolds freezer paper works great for that, it’s cheap and an enormous roll is about 4 bucks. Also good for patterning, pattern altering, kid drawing paper, it’s great stuff!
Do you mean like patterns on paper towels? I have one in here that I love the design on it was actually sort of like toilet paper design I keep a piece of it in my to make a pattern to free quilt on my sewing machine. But I never said nothing to nobody because I thought they would think I was crazy lol
Using plastic wrap to cover projects or whatever is very wasteful and contributes to the plastics problem we have around the world. Unless you’re saving it on a cardboard roll so you can use it again it’s really wasteful. Also, Cling Wrap is very expensive and as Sookie said it not the correct way to cut faux furs or other fuzzy type fabric.
Shout out from Brenda at Conquering Mount Scrapmore. A friend of mine uses the press and seal for quilting on her borders, presses it on then draws what she wants to quilt, then stitch over it and peel it off.
I use a mascara brush for threading my serger. Often, when you try to push the thread through the eye it just about goes through and then bends or pulls back. I use a mascara brush up against the back of the needle and twirl it away. It catches the thread and pulls it through the eye so it won't slip back.
I purchased a telescoping magnetic pole at Harbor Freight for picking pins up from the floor. I also use tissue paper for under the fabric when doing machine applique. It helps the fabric glide on the machine much easier.
Salt and a paper bag for iron cleaning was in Hints From Heloise in the Seventies. Pretty common trick them. We had plain metal sole plates, not Teflon, the salt balls up the goock from starch or interfacing.
Those zipper bags you get with sheet sets or blankets, I used them for all my homemade patterns. Some of those bags also have a small "window" pocket, where I would slip in a list of what patterns were in the bag. Really helped me organize all my patterns!
I went to pizza hut and asked for a few large pizza boxes. When im working on a project with lots of pieces i put them in the box. I have different projects in the boxes and they stack up on the shelf so dont take up much room. Ive dropped the box too and everything stayed intact in the boxes. Ive used the same 3 boxes for many years!!
You gave me so many great ideas, thank you! As for the shower ring, you could use the top portion as well, so that you have zippers on both sides of those pesky balls. Also, if you have a paper pattern that you know you will use a lot, go to the dollar tree and get some of those flimsy plastic cutting boards. I did this for my MIL and she was so happy cuz it made cutting pattern pieces so much easier.
If I have to change my needle before, it’s time in order to sew on a different fabric or with different weight thread, I put the needle in the little plastic case that comes with those dental picks. It holds the needles perfectly and keeps them clean and organized until I need to use them again. I mark the size and brand on the case with a sharpie. Because I free motion quilt and use a variety of threads which require different needles I have several cases with my “not quite new, but not ready to throw out yet” needles and never have to guess which one I need.
@@SookieSewsI did too on spiral perms. I had to use a hairstylist to do it though. My hair was to my waist. He would use over 120 rollers! The only way to rinse was on my hands and knees outside using the hose! As you can see, I didn’t do it in the winter time. Stylists and I had great fun when this happened until he had to retire.
I was given this Non-quilt, quilting item in a piecing class by the instructor. She bought them off Amazon but I think they have to be purchased in large bulks. Pap Smear brushes. Very similar to the eye lash brush. Longer handle. Narrower and softer. Ask your physician for a clean extra one when you get your annual pap. Kills two birds with one stone so to speak.
I also keep a small pair of needle nose pliers with my sewing supplies. I don't have a lot of hand strength and sometimes I can't get hold of a thread if I'm pulling out stiches, so i use the needle nose pliers to hold and pull with. Get thr kind and size you would find in the jewelry making section of your craft store. Not what you would find at the home improvement store. My husband also installed the long LED shop lights over my work areas. I have an old bifold door that i put on the wall next to my sewing machine. I turned it upside down so that i could take "S" hooks and hang all kinds of things from the slats in the bigold doors. I hang scissors, rotary cutter, thread spool racks, or any tool i have that has a hole to hang with.
Oh yes the needle nose pliers are a good thing to have. Since all my craft items are in my sewing space, I've got a nice collection too. Your hubby is the BEST with those lights :) Love your bifold door idea, sounds like your sewing room is well organized.
@@brendahilburn1099 I also use needle nose pliers when I’m hand sewing to pull the needle through a thick materials. I love the idea of you lighting up your sewing room, I never have enough light especially if I’m sewing dark materials.
Repurpose a parmesan cheese container. After you clean it out you never have to remove the lid to dispose of old needles, pins or rotary cutting blades. The shaker side is perfect for small items like pins and needles and the pour side is great for old rotary blades small old scissors or even broken glass. The larger containers will even hold larger pairs of old scissors. I have one in my sewing room and one in my long arm quilting room. When it's full you can safely throw it away and not worry about someone getting cut.
I do use a hair flat iron to seam binding and silk ribbon for embroidery! Works great! Found a small one at thrift store so it is packed right in with my silk ribbon project!
I haven’t done it yet but your cling wrap segment gave me an idea. Yesterday I used only 3 strips from a jelly roll and you can NEVER get them back into shape after that. How about using cling wrap so you can see the fabric and still have the rolled shape? Or?????
Many patterns come with more than one size printed on the same paper. I have used interfacing to trace the sizes I am planning to sew, thus saving the other sizes to use later for a different child or grandchild, or even the same child who has grown. I actually enjoy using the interface pieces more than I do the paper pattern pieces, and they fold up and last really well. When you were using the parchment paper, I thought that parchment paper would work very well for tracing patterns. I think I may try it. Thank you for all the ideas you share.
I have two hair flat irons in my sewing room that I use to press short seams as I work. They help speed up my scrap sewing. You can also use a hair flat iron to seal a small plastic bag (use baking paper between the iron and plastic).
A piece of yoga mat rubber under your machines does 2 things: Stops vibration and walking of the machine across the table as well as dampening the noise. I started using mouse pads back in the 90s but then saw some used yoga mats at a thrift store and realized I could make them any size I needed. PS: I live in the FL Panhandle!
Love, love the dental floss item. I don’t have a Bernina cover stitch and think the tool that came with the machine looks brilliant. I can definitely use a dental floss holder for this. Again thank you. These are truly worthwhile ideas.
I use large pipe cleaners to clean my machines. You can bend it to fit into the small holes to really get deep inside to clean. Also in between the needle and the shank where lint collects.. The pipe cleaners comes in large quantities.
To clean your iron from starch is to clean with a Magic eraser on low setting. Also to keep build up of starch when ironing use parchment paper or wax paper when starch is wet.
I also use my flat iron to iron money that I want to put in a card for a gift. I first use spray starch on the money. To clean my iron I have a plain white candle rolled into a dish towel I run the hot iron over it, if it needs a bit of extra cleaning I sprinkle salt onto the melted was on the towel and pass the iron over it. Don’t hold the iron to long to over melt the wax just enough to see the was bleed through the towel. Make the iron really slick. I learned this from my mom years ago.
I use my used sewing machine needles to hang things on my walls. They hold quite a bit. I have never had anything fall off the walls. Also the hole it makes is tiny.
Thanks for the tip, just did this the other day, going to add this tip to a future video. Thanks for sharing. Please do subscribe if you haven't already!
Tracey uses the press and seal when she’s working with Minky Fabric. What she does is she rolls off about couple feet or more depending on the length of her torso and she presses it to her clothes and then the Minky doesn’t stick to her quilt she’s sewing.
Cling wrap tip. I offer up disposable hair bonnets for the shower. They are also great for hair pieces like wiglets, hair extensions and putting on your shoes covering the bottoms to keep the dirty sole from your clean clothes.
I like the plastic cling idea. We have two cats and there’s just a lot of dust. I live in VA. I also use parchment paper when starching on the ironing board. There’s also a set size you pull out of a box!
I use velcro self adheisive dots under my foot pedal to stop it moving on the carpet and those long safety pins for holding knitting stitches for my zip organising 😊
These are such fantastic ideas! We are always looking for demonstrations/techniques for meetings of our American Sewing Guild chapter. I plan on making samples as you have done and share these hints with the group.
Why not just simply •RESHARPEN & REUSE• them instead of wasting them so needlessly by stupidly collecting them in whatever container to only just eventually throw them all away like that? 🤷♂️ It's just SO WASTEFUL and so unnecessary to toss away old dull needles and circle blades like that.... when all that is ever needed to prolong their extended use for a good looooong time more is to just simply resharpen dull needles/blades by either --- 1. Rub with a nail file/emery board in only one direction to the tip of the dull needle/blade to resharpen them for use again. 2. Use a small piece of aluminum foil in the same way to rub them with to resharpen them. (Not recommended because this takes so tiresome dang long to do). OR 3. Drag the dull needle/blade downwards towards the tip across the rough bottom edge of a STONEWARE mug, bowl or plate to resharpen it for further use again..... just like you would always do to once again eventually resharpen dull scissors or knives to properly put a nice clean sharp edge on •them• again to extend their use for much longer after regular use dulls those kind of things, too. Unless it is, of course, a BROKEN needle/blade.. which of course actually ●NEEDS● to be tossed away and properly disposed of -- if it's only a matter of DULL needles or blades.... then all it ever needs for reuse is just simply a little bit of time and effort to be •RESHARPENED• to further extend it's use for a good long while... WITHOUT BEING SO NEEDLESSLY WASTEFUL. 🤷♂️
I use cheap dryer sheets on a warm iron to clean the sole plate. Works great! Also I saw someone using the silicone mat under my presser foot to keep it from sliding.. works great!😊
I use elastic hair bands to attach a bobbin to the reel of cotton. Thread the elastic through the bobbin and then loop it over the reel. No more searching for the matching bobbin and reel.
@@eleanorglennie8536 I use the tiny ponytail elastic on my industrial machine bobbins to keep the thread from unwinding . You can get a bag of them for little bit of money.
Press & Seal is used a lot in paper crafts as well. It was eve Ted by a husband of a well known stamper, and her followers are very happy he did. Also, the flat iron is wonderful for ironing out ribbon. If you take ribbon and wind it on bobbins it leaves that kink. Just slid it through a flat iron and it is perfect. Love the ideas of the weights. I’ll have to dig mine out and put them to good use. Thanks very fun video.
I got a cheap 1-temp (max temp 190℃) mini flat iron for fabric crafting flowers, we us synthetic fabrics. This way I can put creases into the petals/leaves without worrying about melting the fabric by using an open flame to add the crease and it protects your fingers when getting close to the edge without a long nose tweezer. Also, Ironing tiny creases for my Acordian plates was a nightmare even using my Cricut Easy Press Mini and this mini iron would have come in handy! Again adding crisp creases really only works best on synthetic fabrics the best because it bends the plastic weaves into shape.
I have the janome memory craft. Its really freaking heavy and shares my desk with other things i do there like leather craft, drawing and such so i need it to be movable. I put those felt sticky pads on the feet and it makes it so much easier to push it back. I havent had issuss with it moving while i sew.
Have you tried anything magnetic for your pins? I got what I use in the tool department where they keep screws and such. It is a round stainless steel bowl with a magnet in the bottom, so as you pull your pins out, it grabs them. Love the tutorial I watched tonight about your sewing room.
I think the silicone cookie sheet would be a good idea for the presser foot so it doesn't run away. Currently I am using shelf liner that doesn't work 😮
