Basic Supplies

I needed a light box to trace appliqué and quilting patterns but couldn't afford the price of a light box. I was at a tag sale and found an old card table for .00 and my husband took the top off and replaced it with a piece of plexi glass. I pulled up a chair and put a lamp underneath and had a huge work area. When I'm done I just fold it up and slide it under the bed.

After getting a new machine with over twelve feet, and a small little box in the machine to keep them, I purchased a craft box, labeled each space with the foot initial and description of what it does. Sew -lol - easy to find what I need now.

I love to use empty tissue boxes around my sewing area.  The long boxes I use to hold the threads and various sewing supplies while I work on a particular project. The opening is even large enough for my small piecing projects. Nothing dissapears!  I often use the smaller boutique tissue boxes for a small catch-all for my threads and scraps as I trim in either quilting or garment construction.  It all helps to keep the sewing area neat and projects go more smoothly....they are pretty too!!

If you are just starting out, before running out and buying a bunch of books, check with your local library.  If it is like mine, they also have a program that allows you to borrow from other libraries.  Submit the title you are searching for, and if it is in the system, they will get it for you.  I have a book now that came from Kentucky, I live in Florida.

We all wet our fingers and draw the tip of the thread to a point. But if you put a slight bead of saliva on the sewing machine needle tip, the thread will slip right through every time!

I do alot of sewing so have many tools. I found that a fishing tackle box is a great way to stay organized. It has many compartments for scissors, marking pencils, pins, measuring tapes etc.

I have lost sissors, thread etc in classes and now put an address label on my cutting mat, sissors, rotory cutter and so forth. When they are found I can now get a phone call and am able to pick them up. I can also make a list of what I brought and check it before I leave. Accidents do happen and I am grateful for the phone call.

Wendee

     Save the zippered bags you get new sheet sets in to store your quilt projects that are in progress.  They are big enough for your cut pieces and the finished blocks as you get them ready.  The bag is clear so you can see at a glance what project it is and will keep everything together for you. When the top is done you can store it in the bag until you decide to finish the quilt.      

     Save the bags from blanket and comforters to keep your finished quilts in.  They are also zippered and clear.

Remember those foam items that are given to you when you get a Pedicure.  They put them between your toes.  Mine are always blue.  Put your bobbins in those to go to quilting class. This works fantastic.  That way your thread is not unwinding in your box.  I always put those in the top of my box and it works great. You can buy them at Wal Marts, too, if you didn't keep those when you got your Pedicure.  I kept mine.

Lou Beyl

When washing new fabric I put the pieces into mesh bags to cut down on the ravelling. Small bags hold about 2.5 yds comfortably, larger bags around 4 yds.