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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
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From: MaryW
Date: 08-31-2004, 09:04 AM (1 of 18)
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We all have some weird stuff we use in the sewing room. I have lead weights, bamboo skewers and a pizza cutter amongst other stuff. The weights take the place of pins when laying out a pattern. So much quicker. The bamboo skewers help me guide fabric around the sewing machine needle and they push out corners too. The pizza cutter makes tracing marks much easier to follow. I also have an old silverware utensil tray for keeping notions I use close by. It is to the right of my sewing machine next to the pin cushion. What do you girls have from the kitchen, garage or wherever to keep sewing easier. MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: plrlegal
Date: 08-31-2004, 10:48 AM (2 of 18)
Nothing from the garage at the moment since DH made a sweep through and took back his small wire cutters, needle nose pliers, blue painter's tape, masking tape, duct tape, weed wacker string, phillip's head screw driver, sand paper and I guess that's about it.  I did have a saucer from the kitchen for making rounded corners but finally put that back in the cabinet along with the kitchen shears. I have a couple of bamboo skewers that I bought strictly for my sewing room. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: Pudge99
Date: 08-31-2004, 01:03 PM (3 of 18)
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I love Patsy's post. My husband and I often steal each others tools. He is into model rocketry so he often steals my cutting mat and I am partial to his blue masking tape. We also argue over who the 1/8 inch elastic belongs to. My most recent steal was actually from my daughter and it was my husbands idea. I took the cleaning wand from her recorder. It works perfect to turn ties right side out and to run elastic into small waistbands. 
Gina
Pictures of my successes and failures Pfaff 2040 Janome Mylock 134D Singer Futura CE-100 w/ Autopunch Husqvarna Viking 3D Sketch |
User: Pudge99
Member since: 10-30-2001 Total posts: 1375 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 08-31-2004, 04:45 PM (4 of 18)
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I have a pair of marble bookends shaped like columns but flat on the back. Smack a collar, cuff or such with steam and slam one of those down on it and it's flat!! I have a small stick -- four inches long and about 1/2 inch square with a point on the end that I stick in tight places then iron on it to press seams open. I use stork embroidery scissors instead of a seam ripper. For weights I use some heavy glass candle holders. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: GreenDragonLady
Date: 08-31-2004, 05:21 PM (5 of 18)
I bought a package of 100 skewers for $1. I use them not only as a stiletto when I'm sewing, but I use them when I'm embroidering too to make sure my fabric isn't bouncing (which sometimes happens if I don't stabilize perfectly :sad and to help hold the extra fabric out of the way.I bought one of those drawer things at Walmart designed for nails and screws. I mounted it on the wall and I keep eyelets, hooks and eyes, extra pins, buttons, etc in it. I also open up all of my packages of needles when I buy them. I have a drawer for each type and size of needle (sharp 11, ballpoint 9, etc.) That way when I need a fresh needle I just open the drawer and grab. I have a mug tree to hold my eyelet pliers, rotary cutter, pinking shears, etc. I also use the non-slip rubber stuff for rugs (not really kitchen or garage!) under all of my foot pedals and under the machines too. Jessica photos.yahoo.com/greendragondesigns
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User: GreenDragonLady
Member since: 07-29-2004 Total posts: 495 
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From: MaryW
Date: 08-31-2004, 07:01 PM (6 of 18)
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A rolling pin from the $ store works just like a clapper for steaming seams. Just roll them, a wallpaper roller works fine too, the kind you run over the seams.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: paroper
Date: 08-31-2004, 07:16 PM (7 of 18)
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I use a professional grade marble rolling pin to press sequins. I use a wine rack for my rolls of stabilizer. I have a peg board for all the different t-squares, French curves, measuring devices, favorite cutting scissors, clipboards, etc. I have a hammer that I use for setting different types of eyelets and ginger snaps.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: sewingrandma
Date: 08-31-2004, 07:20 PM (8 of 18)
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I have my own hammer with Mom written on the handle so that when someone walks off with it I know that it is mine. I also use an awl like some of you ladies use the skewers, to help guide fabric. I've been known to have cans of tuna in my room, using them as weights. I also have had plates in my room for rounded corners. I have lots of different size dowels for pressing tubes, sleeves etc on. DH will steal them from me on occasion. I have DH engineering ruler-it's metal and has all those lovely small markings.
Brockie
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User: sewingrandma
Member since: 03-06-2003 Total posts: 432 |
From: Mother in Law
Date: 08-31-2004, 10:47 PM (9 of 18)
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I have the skewers also but I found a nice stilito at Hancocks made out of metal so I bought that recently. My skewers always broke, I guess I'm just too hard on those things. Also, I have one of those things you hang on the wall to put bolts and nuts in for my snaps, hooks buttons and other odd and ends. I have my own hammer, I bought my own pliers, my hubby now borrows mine when he needs to do things in the house. I have lots of screw drivers I bought my own square. I have straws from the kitchen I use to extend my spools on my thread rack when I run out of room for my larger serger thread dowels. Works well as long as you get a straw that fits tight over the dowel. The hint that works really well for me is I purchased a tie rack one that is round with arms around the the center hook, I use those for my trim and rick rack. Instead of folding it everytime you are finished using some of the stash I just drape it over the little arms and I can see what I have and it stays neat. And last but not least............I use my old ash trays for my embroidery bobbins so they stay separate from the sewing bobbins. |
User: Mother in Law
Member since: Total posts: |
From: Bama
Date: 08-31-2004, 10:54 PM (10 of 18)
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I have an old pie safe in my sewing room that's stuffed full of fabric and books. I keep saying I'm going to find a better way to store the stuff in it and re-do the pie safe for my kitchen. I've used all sorts of things from around the house for pattern weights. Including hubby's wrenches and a hammer. I also usually have a plate or cup in here for rounding corners. Of course there's several Mason jars in here for storing buttons, safety pins, ribbons and trims, pencils, etc. I use plastic freezer bags for storing pattern pieces and sometimes use the larger size ones for storing small works in progress. Sometimes I use a laundry basket for storing larger projects. I always have freezer paper in the sewing room. There's usually a couple of small slivers of soap for marking hems in here too. 
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User: Bama
Member since: 03-21-2000 Total posts: 2116 
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From: plrlegal
Date: 09-01-2004, 12:15 AM (11 of 18)
I have now put my sticky little fingers on the stapler from DH's office, a can of silicone spray to keep the bed of my machine very slick for free motion quilting, DH's magnifying glass for when I need to idenitfy needle sizes. He also does not realize that I have his very small wire needle nose wire cutters. Also, I have a brand new roll of the black vinyl screening (pet screen) that I bought to do another of the tote bags for the silent auction at our ladies' fall conference. I plan to pick up my own spool of weed wacker string to have for the little thread bags. If you other girls are like I am, the objects that DH recovered will slowly make their way back to my sewing room as I need them cause he wuvs me so much.  Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: paroper
Date: 09-01-2004, 07:42 AM (12 of 18)
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I also keep rolls of fishing line for wedding veils, to roll into chiffon dress hems and various things. I use kite string to reinforce button holes and washers and fishing weights to weight drapes and special projects.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 09-01-2004, 07:16 PM (13 of 18)
Being a master mechanic's daughter, I never borrowed a tool from a man..(that was a life threatening thing to do at our house) I have my own and 3 tool boxes.. one in trunk of my car, one in my kitchen, and the third in my sewing room, of course.. I also use fishing line, weights, and numerous small screw drivers, as well as a complete set of needle nose pliers.. I have one of those brass hammers that comes apart and has 4 screwdrivers in the handle... That is a neat tool that does not take up much room at all..masking and electrical tape. pill bottles full of screws, nails, tacks, and assorted nuts and bolts and cup hooks..I need a new pegboard wall full of hooks, but I don't know when I will get that..My old one bit the dust several years ago..I buy nylon bristle paint brushes in assorted small sizes and use them for dusting my machines and other small spaces that are hard to get at.. 
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
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From: plrlegal
Date: 09-02-2004, 12:09 AM (14 of 18)
Ahhh, I think the guys actually love it that we filch their tools occasionally and they enjoy having to come in our sewing rooms and beg for their tools and weed wacker string, etc. back from us. My DH has a good sense of humor about it. At least he knows they're still in the house.  Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: MarciaK
Date: 09-02-2004, 11:37 PM (15 of 18)
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OK, Ladies... You've lost me. What do you do with weed-whacker string? |
User: MarciaK
Member since: 02-06-2004 Total posts: 32 
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From: plrlegal
Date: 09-02-2004, 11:54 PM (16 of 18)
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Marcia, I'm probably the only one that uses the weed wacker string. I use it in the tops of the little thread catcher bags that I make that have the tile on one end to allow the bag to hang from your sewing table so you can throw thread ends and fabric scraps in it instead of on the floor in your sewing area. I've never been able to be an Eleanor burns and fling cut threads and fabric scraps over my shoulders. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: bunzino
Date: 09-04-2004, 09:02 PM (17 of 18)
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Gina, Any chance you could post a picture of your daughter's recorder wand? It sounds like something I need, but don't know where to get. Thanks, Nancy |
User: bunzino
Member since: 08-16-2002 Total posts: 119 |
From: HeatherL
Date: 09-05-2004, 10:24 PM (18 of 18)
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I've gotten so many good ideas from this thread! My only "non sewing", sewing supply is a chopstick that I use to turn tubes and push out corners. I used to use an old knitting needle, but found that it often poked holes in the fabric. The chopstick is thin enough to turn narrow tubes, but has a blunt end. |
User: HeatherL
Member since: 03-13-2004 Total posts: 102 |
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