Quilting Thread

I used to keep my bobbins in clear plastic boxes and thread on a wall rack.  Was always trying to find the matching bobbins to go with the thread.  Now I use my flower head pins.  Just stick a pin thru the bobbin right into the thread.  Now my bobbins and thread are always together and easy to find. 

A great way to carry your quilting thread when on a trip is in the containers left from dental floss.  When you are done with your dental floss container carefully pop the top off the container then place a bobbin full of your favorite thread into the bottom of the container. Carefully feed the end of the thread through the hole in the container top then pop the top back on the container.

You now have a supply of thread that will not unwind if dropped and you always have a thread cutter with you as well.

When I was little my great grandmother taught me to quilt.  I will never one tip she told me and I have always followed.  As my thread clippings or yarn clippings collect into one huge messy pile on my quilting table, I throw them into the back yard on a warm clear sunny day. Yes! I throw them outside! Why?  Birds gather them for use in their nests!  I was surprised to look around my great grandmothers flowery garden to see yarn and thread in the trees where birds had made use of what we craftsmen so readily discard. It works and when I look outside and see the trees dotted with little "white nests" it brings a smile to my face to know that I helped these sweet animals make a comfy home for their new babies.

Rehbecca of NC

TIP ONE: Go to Walmart and purchase those "Match Box" car carriers.  They are ideal for storing and carrying your thread.  The container has two sides for storage and it clear so you can see the thread.  It will hold at least 50 spools of thread.  They are also cheap approx. .

TIP TWO:  Cut a strip of "Press and Seal" plastic wrap about a inch wide and about 5"  or 6" long.  Wrap the strip around your spool of thread when you finish sewing.  It will keep those threads under wrap.  Also you can keep your bobbin with the thread by place the bobbin on the side of spool then wrap the strip around the bobbin and the spool.

Ever get halfway through the monofilament and it won't "hold" in the machine because it curls too much?

Try putting the spool of thread in a plastic jar.  Poke a hole through the lid and slide the end of your thread through it.  Please the jar behind your machine and thread as usual.  I tried this and it actually works.

I have carpet in my sewing room and got tired of all the strings and fabric scraps getting stuck in my sweeper.  I bought an extendable window washing tool with a squeege on one side.  I run the squeege over my carpet and all the threads, lint and small scrap pieces roll up into one easy ball that I can then just pick up and toss in the trash!

Karen from Indiana

Ever wonder what to do to easily clean up all those threads on the floor?  Can't vacuum as they tangle so try this.  Put double stick tape on a pair of slippers and dance around your room, gathering all those threads! Done, peel off and throw away tape and all the gathered thread.

Heard this and thought it was wonderful, just think all that fun sewing and now dancing to pick up the threads!

This tip is on how to keep quilting thread from scattering all over the house. I place an indoor/outdoor olefin "welcome" mat at the doorway of my sewing room. The texture of the mat keeps all the threads that fall on the floor from "walking" to the rest of the house. this works especially well since I like to sew in my stocking feet or fuzzy slippers. The mats come in many attractive, colorful patterns and helps to cheer up the sewing room, too.

Who doesn't have a patch of batting?  Place a 2" x 2" batting patch next to your sewing machine for trimmed threads.  The batting will hold the threads until it is time discard; then just trash the patch and begin again.