Basic Supplies

to keep track of blocks when sewing them in strips , I use post it notes attached with quilter's basting pins with the square name, what row it's i, etc.  Keeps me from mixing up a row!

In order to keep acrylic rulers handy, use the large head push pin type thumbtacks to hang them on the wall directly next to your cutting area.  The thumbtacks leave very small holes in the wall and the rulers are lightweight enough that they don't pull the tacks out.

When I travel to a class, I like to take a couple of different kinds of pins, depending on what type of piecing I will be doing.  I don't like to take my pin cushion or full containers of pins so I put some into plastic baby food containers and clearly mark them so I can see at a glance which container holds the pins I need.  The containers are small, stackable and have a snap-on lid.  I also keep other supplies (hand work needles, thimble, extra sewing machine needles, etc.) in the containers for easy storage and transport.        

My trip to the fishing department netted me a great storage solution for the tools I take to my quilt workshops and on the go projects.  I bought a soft side tackle tote that unfolds and has many zippered pockets.  I am able to have a second set of tools (rotary cutter and new blade, scissors, pins & needles, thread, ruler, marking pens, business or contact cards...etc.)  All I need to remember is my sewing machine or project and I am out the door!  So now I don't have to unpack my tools or pack my tools for that next workshop!  I've used the same one for the last 14 years and it is still in great shape!

I hope you can find the tackle/ quilt tool tote!

LynninMN

Keep one of those small lint rollers in your quilting supplies. When you go to class and threads are all over the place, just take out your lint roller, pick up those threads and tear off the sheet and throw away. Now you are ready for your next encounter with stray threads.

I use a square tissue box beside my sewing machine to put all my scraps, threads, broken needles, etc... in for a small trash can.  When it is full you can empty (recycle the box by reusing) or just toss the whole thing in the trash.

There are so many cute boxes that it is sort of a decoration too!

Pam Ahnert, Peru,Indiana

I became very frustrated while strip cutting flannel. The ruler moves, the fabric is hard to cut evenly. After doing some research I found this film that you place on the back of your ruler to keep it from slipping. What a difference! It works great on flannel. I can only imagine how it works on regular cotton fabric. 

     I could not find a catagory for this tip, so I am just sticking in Basic Supplies.

     I use an old-fashioned typing table for just about anything and everything.  It is very sturdy and on wheels, so I can use it anywhere.  I use it next to my sewing machine for pressing and cutting.  With the little "wings" opened up I can have a pressing pad on one side and a cutting mat on the other.  I am not very tall and this is perfect for me to cut out smaller patterns with my rotary cutter.  I would be lost without it.  I can also move it over to the large cutting table with all of my fabric, patterns, notes or anything I need. I found mine at an estate sale for just a few dollars.

     I can't really find an exact catagory for this subject. 

     One the the most versitile and used pieces of equipment in my sewing room is an old-fashioned portable typing table on wheels.  Mine is very sturdy and strong, also it can be adjusted up or down.  I use this table ANYWHERE

The handiest tool I have purchased didn't come from a quilt store.  Just go to the cosmetics counter and buy apair of pointed tweezers.  So handy for picking up little things (and bigger ones too) when you don't have good fingernails or have good iones and don't want to ruin them.