Basic Supplies

I have seen quite a few planning "boards" in different quilting magazines and stores. There are the large hang-on-the-wall type and smaller ones.

I found, with my limited sewing room space, that something placed right behind my sewing machine was a great way to keep the finished block in perfect view. This works great after you have done your initial planning and sketches.

I covered a piece of light weight wood with white flannelette. I have it propped on my sewing table up against the wall. The fabric "sticks" quite nicely to the surface. All I have to do is just look up for a quick peek as to what the next step will be.

Bonnie Gilham (bonnieliz@gmail.com) Cincinnati,OH

I have tried all kinds of pens, pencils to mark on quilts to either sew or to cut out.  The thing that I found that works the best are Crayola Washable Markers, the fine tips work the best.  Just make sure it will wash out.  I haven't seen any that won't wash out of all cotten fabric.

When traveling with your quilting supplies for classes or guilds, why not pack everything in a fish tackle box instead of the expensive quilting totes.  There is more variety in fish tackle boxes, they have mulitiple levels, lots of compartments (usually adjustable for your specific needs).  You can use your savings to go "look" for more fabric!!

Enjoy

My weekly newspaper has a "Reader's Exchange" column in the Saturday morning issue.  I emailed in a request for any quilting supplies and/or fabrics no longer being used.

I hit a couple of Jackpots, Quilting Frame, templates and stencils, table that extends on two ends, loads of fabric (could almost open a small fabric shop) and enough batting (never used) for at least 25 quilts, some in bulk and some in packages.

A couple of the wonderful people that called me with supplies said they will keep my name and number for any other they run across.

The only thing out of my pocket was paying for the gas.

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