Quilt Pins & Needles

Use superfine pins when pinning; larger pins may leave a big hole depending on the type of fabric used.

Cut a 3.5 to 4 inch circle of fabric, gather with a running stitch of heavy thread. (no need to turn fabric under).  Gather slightly and stuff with leftover batting. Draw up thread and tie off.   Glue gathered end into a plastic soda bottle cap.   Finish pin cushion by adding self stick Hook & Loop to the bottom of the cap (the soft part).  Stick the othe half of the Hook & Loop to any convienient place in your sewing room.  (I stick mine right on my sewing machine).  But they are so easy to make, you can have more than one.  If you want, you can glue ribbon, ric rac or beads to the bottle cap.     Diann Becker

 I keep film boxes  ( the small black boxes for 35mm) near by to dispose of  used or broken needles. Thay way a child or pet cannot be hurt by them.

AFTER I THREAD MY NEEDLE W/18INCH THREAD, I PLACE IT ON A EMBRODRY BOBBIN.

THEN WRAP THE THREAD AROUND THE BOBBIN.

 THEN TAPE IT TO THE BOBBIN.

THIS WAY THE THREAD & NEEDLE DO NOT GET TANGLED UP WITH THE OTHERS.

THE PLASTIC BOBBINS WORK BEST.

AFTER I HAVE THREADED 20 OR MORE NEEDLES THIS WAY, I PLACE THE BOBBINS ON A KNITTING STITCH SAVER.

 Arthritis in the hands? Leave the quilter's safety pins open!  I have a wide-mouth container in which I leave the open pins. When layering I "pour" the pins on the table, pick up and use for pin basting. When finished quilting, unpin and put them back in the container "open". Helps save a little on the hands by removing two tedious steps.

When discarding old needles or pins, place them in an empty film container, or empty pill bottle until ready to throw in the trash.  

When in a pinch to find a seam ripper or cutter to take out seams, use the eye end of a sturdy needle....it is flat and won't prick you or pull fibers in your fabric when removing seam threads.

I am lucky enough to have one of the new self threading sewing machines.  However it is hard to grab the thread loop when it is in the needle.  I use my stiletto to pull the loop through the needle.  I have also used a dentist hook tool for the same thing.  My dental hygienist (who is also a quilter) gave me some of her old tools.  It doesn't hurt to ask yours.Hope this helps.  Keep quilting

Kathi

One thing I find helpful is having a magnet next to my sewing mech. when sewing you pull your pin and place it on the magnet safe and secure

Discarding used needles can be very hazardous; some trash services refuse to collect if they know they are in your trash. 

Take an old prescription bottle, remove the label, place a hole in the lid and slide the old needles in.  The needles will not come back out.  The container can be placed with the new needles (as a reminder) until it is full and can be safely discarded.