I use those old sewing machine needles to hang pictures. They're sturdy, but they don't leave big holes in the walls like nails do.

@SookieSews

7 ай бұрын

This is a clever idea. Do you have a special place you store them while waiting to be in the wall?

@nancyb483

6 ай бұрын

​@@SookieSews I put my used ones in an old pill bottle, label removed!

@delorisdk

Ай бұрын

What a great idea!!! 😁

Instead of cling wrap you can use those plastic shower caps. Get like 10 for a dollar or two. They are reusable and should fit most baskets. Instead of using your good silicone mat, get some of that nonslip shelf liner to put under things so they don’t move. You can also cut it to size. I use mine under my foot pedal so it won’t slide around.

@kibkac

8 ай бұрын

Great idea. Thanks

@kibkac

8 ай бұрын

I use the no slip shelf liner as well and I also use it under my foot peddle.

@sarahfisher6801

8 ай бұрын

My thoughts exactly. They also make plastic bowl covers that come like 50 to a pack and are super cheap. It's essentially a shower cap type of setup, but clear plastic.

@HollyOak

8 ай бұрын

Or instead of cling wrap, even just put a small plate on top of the basket.

@lauriepayseur5897

4 ай бұрын

Dollar tree sells these like 10 or 12 to a pack - clear plastic shower caps in the black hair care section! So many uses - I even use them to cover the soles of shoes when packing for trips.

I use pipe cleaners to pick up to pick up lint in my machine. You bend it I the middle and it is soft and you don’t have to brush. It picks up all dust and it does a great job

@SookieSews

4 ай бұрын

Love this! Thanks so much and please do subscribe if you haven't already!

Use that silicone mat on the floor to keep your foot pedal from sliding around.

When I have a pattern that I know I will use again or if I paid a lot for it, I iron the pattern to make it flat. Then I iron it on to freezer paper to make it more sturdy. The coating on the freezer melts onto the pattern reinforcing the thin pattern paper. I also collect really old patterns. I have some from 1930’s that I have reinforced this way. I also find that ironing the pattern onto the freezer paper before I cut the pattern out to be much easier. Just make sure you iron with the right side facing you because ther is no removing the paper once you have ironed it.

@SookieSews

4 ай бұрын

I remember my mom doing this and always thought it was clever. Thanks for sharing.

I am sure I will be the millionth person to mention this, but…. Get a piece of galvanized steel - put it under your cutting mat and use magnets to hold everything in place. My mat is 2’ X 3’ and the steel was 16mm for $15. Happy sewing!

@tianamarie989

8 ай бұрын

That's a great idea!

@SookieSews

7 ай бұрын

I appreciate the extra dimensions you shared.

@kendramanuel968

6 ай бұрын

😮 absolutely! Why didn’t I think of that 🤦🏼‍♀️🤦🏼‍♀️

@tabandken8562

4 ай бұрын

Where did you get it?

@happycook6737

3 ай бұрын

That is a fabulous idea! Thanks for sharing.

I use a child proof prescription bottles to dispose of my used sewing machine needles. Once it's full I toss it in the trash and the child proof cap never falls off.

@queenwere1

9 ай бұрын

Nice to learn. I usually just threw them in the 🚮 bin

@carolynjackson889

9 ай бұрын

❤❤❤❤❤😂😂😂😂

@FalanaBlessed

9 ай бұрын

I do the same thing!

@valoriearmour

9 ай бұрын

I do this too. I used large needle and a flame to put a hole in the top, it’s large enough to get a needle in but not big enough that they’ll fall out easily. I just put a new lid on it when it’s time to throw them out.

@joeyjackson6224

8 ай бұрын

I do the same.

I save all those heavy plastic bags from bedding packaging, usually from quality linens. You know the kind that has the thick cloth binding tape sewn all around plus a heavy zipper. They are perfect for collecting everything you need for individual projects. You can fit pattern, material, interfacing ,zipper, elastic, buttons, thread, all the other trims and notions for each project. They last forever, only way I store and have quick access to multiple projects because of the heaviness of the transparent plastic used.

@SparkyOne549

9 ай бұрын

I do the same!

@ecologytoday

9 ай бұрын

To add to this suggestion, consider saving the light cardboard packaging that comes with the bedding bag, turn it around and now you have a plain label to detail what contents you now have inside ( eg All materials for Aunt Muriel's quilt, except light blue fabric). You have a free, compact dust free way to store a project and know what you need to start again.

@JoanneSheeler

8 ай бұрын

@@SparkyOne549 me too!

@kericue2065

8 ай бұрын

Yes! Those bags are awesome. Be careful and keep any oils away from the plastic. Just like vinyl the oil will break it down.

@pamelaspooner7183

8 ай бұрын

I used one just today to store a nice tote handbag in my closet. Another reason to keep them.

If you ever make a video on non traditional uses of sewing supplies, I have a good one for you. I save even the smallest scraps of lightweight fusible interfacing in a shoebox and iron them krazy quilt style to the back side of favorite tissue patterns. Zero expense because I am essentially using trash. The interfacing can be used to repair tears and pinhole damage as well if you don’t have enough to cover the piece. I do love my tissue patterns that are covered with interfacing though. They are extra durable, don’t slide around when I am using them, and fold up so much nicer. The interfacing makes the tissue paper behave more like a fabric and it’s so much nicer to use them that I have actually been guilty of BUYING interfacing to reinforce a pattern that I know I will be using multiple times😂

@queenwere1

9 ай бұрын

Wow idea 💡

@elizabethclaiborne6461

8 ай бұрын

Reynolds freezer paper works great for that, it’s cheap and an enormous roll is about 4 bucks. Also good for patterning, pattern altering, kid drawing paper, it’s great stuff!

@MrImog65

8 ай бұрын

Do you mean like patterns on paper towels? I have one in here that I love the design on it was actually sort of like toilet paper design I keep a piece of it in my to make a pattern to free quilt on my sewing machine. But I never said nothing to nobody because I thought they would think I was crazy lol

@MrsMTMomma

8 ай бұрын

Using plastic wrap to cover projects or whatever is very wasteful and contributes to the plastics problem we have around the world. Unless you’re saving it on a cardboard roll so you can use it again it’s really wasteful. Also, Cling Wrap is very expensive and as Sookie said it not the correct way to cut faux furs or other fuzzy type fabric.

@deaguirrrock

6 ай бұрын

@@MrImog65no, seating patterns for making clothing hun

I use old hockey pucks instead of dumbbells. They're cheap (I bought a whole box, years ago), rubbery, you can stack them if you want more weight, they're easier to toss and move around, don't roll, don't slip and they're useful for so many things. Like plant pot feet. Plus, you can cut them into smaller pieces, carve and screw things to them.

@SookieSews

7 ай бұрын

Love this idea!

@jeangodwin2156

2 ай бұрын

LOL! weird things i have sarched for #1 used hockey pucks! LOVE that idea - pot feet are hugely expensive for such little things - besides their use for sewing!

@SookieSews

2 ай бұрын

@jeangodwin2156 hokey pucks yeah good idea

My favourite way of cleaning my iron is to use a dryer sheet. I heat my iron and then rub it over the dryer sheet. It cleans the iron easily and with great results.

@robinwoodard7898

8 ай бұрын

Doesn't the residue from the Dryer sheets get on your iron?

@thesitdownquilter

8 ай бұрын

@@robinwoodard7898 no, it leaves no residue on the iron. I just make sure I have an old cloth underneath the dryer sheet to protect the ironing pad beneath it.

you could use elastic shower caps to cover your "project" in the woven basket

@jeanbishop-greentree2628

9 ай бұрын

A better idea as no plastic waste, at least not for ages 😊

Use a silicone mat on table to catch drips of hot glue. Glue peels off when you're cleaning up.

I use the little packs of glue dots on the bottoms of all my quilting rulers. It keeps the ruler from moving. These were great tips. Thank you so much. ❤

Remove any label by heating it up first with a hairdryer. Remove the sticky adhesive left from the label with oil and while the oil is on use a razor blade to gently scrub the adhesive off. Use a box made for storing embroidery floss to store pesser feet. I attached the soft part of Velcro to my small scissors, that i use to cut the thread, and the loop and hook part of the Velcro on the side of my sewing machine. I don't loose them anymore 😂

My grandmother used to sharpen her needles when they got burs or went blunt. She kept a fine emery board in her sewing goodies. She lived in South Africa and there were times when she could not buy needles. Nowadays, I do the same and only throw out broken needles. i have 100s of old buttons and hardware which were cut off old clothes that had been relegated to ragbag because they were worn out.

@r.sanders8448

8 ай бұрын

I do the same.... was taught by my Grandmother decades ago when I was very young to NEVER waste anything that could possibly be used again. Especially sewing supplies/tools/fabrics.. (ppl nowadays always waste SO MUCH fabric & materials when cutting patterns out and for cutting out anything else they plan to sew with 🙄).... and to always re-use or re-purpose in one way or another ●EVERYTHING● if at all possible, that you regularly use in your home in your day to day living before you really do actually have a need to go out and finally buy a NEW ONE to replace it with. So I just can't understand why in the world ppl nowadays are just so deliberately and stupidly wasteful and toss away to waste SO MUCH STUFF that can always be used again in some way or another. Most especially to so wantonly WASTE dull sewing needles.... like so many ppl here are posting about and actually believing & thinking that they are doing something so stupidly clever by bragging about the methods they use to store them in until they eventually just throw them away 🙄 ...... for something that literally only just needs to be simply re-sharpened (if they're not broken, of course) so that they can continue to be useful and used for quite a looong while longer with just the tiniest bit of effort involved to sharpen them again with either a nail file/ emery board or even with a small piece of aluminum foil or just rubbing the dull needles across the bottom rough edge of a stoneware mug, bowl or plate to sharpen them again. Just like you would to be rubbing dull scissors/knives across to resharpen •them• for proper long-term use again when they eventually get dull from regular use, too. 🤷‍♂️

@dawsie

8 ай бұрын

I have a small strawberry shaped pillow about 3-4” long filled with very fine sand which I use to sharpen my hand sewing needles but also it’s good at cleaning the needle of all the hand oils when hand sewing. Never thought of using it on the machine needles lol

@lauriepayseur5897

4 ай бұрын

@@dawsieplease tell me more on this sand filled pillow.

@kristinjacobsen3417

2 ай бұрын

Yes! I have lots of old buttons from mom and grandmother. I test them for break-ability before using because some have gotten brittle.

@jeangodwin2156

2 ай бұрын

@@lauriepayseur5897 a pin cushion - like the tomato-shaped or strawberry shape ones with the small thing that hangs off the top with grit in it.

Something else to use to use for your zippers is split rings that they sell in the office stores. They are split with a hinge. These are used to hold loose leaf paper. No annoying beads on them like the shower curtain hooks.

@dianedazzle241

8 ай бұрын

I use those to keep my rulers and templates together.

@tianamarie989

8 ай бұрын

I use these for my zippers!

@annieaxx2419

7 ай бұрын

​@@dianedazzle241pp

@annieaxx2419

7 ай бұрын

​@@dianedazzle241ovvppvv

@TheRynarion

4 ай бұрын

I use these stitch holders for knitters, that look like giant safety pins, for my zippers. The Videos are so much fun to watch! ❤

I have just started using parchment paper to help sew the hook part of hook & loop tape. To cover the hooks from catching the thread. :)

In reference to #5 the hand weights and quilting ruler. A lady I subscribe to that does quilting has a shower handle on hers. Its one of those big safety handles that you put in the shower to hold onto for getting in and out of the tub. I saw one at Harbor freight for under $10. You can pick up the ruler, hold the ruler, press down on the ruler and also slide the ruler keeping it straight if you have to move it for longer cutting. Plus it stays attached so you don't lose it or accidentally drop a hand weight on your foot.

@cathyjohnson6732

8 ай бұрын

Great idea but aren’t they pretty big? Would be hard to store if you have a lot of rulers as I do.

@marypalmer600

2 ай бұрын

These suction cup handles come in different sizes and are removable so you can use them on all the rulers. For a large ruler 18” or more I use the shower handle, but for the smaller rulers I use the smaller, single suction cup to hold my rulers.

I use a mascara brush for threading my serger. Often, when you try to push the thread through the eye it just about goes through and then bends or pulls back. I use a mascara brush up against the back of the needle and twirl it away. It catches the thread and pulls it through the eye so it won't slip back.

@bridgetgidget72

8 ай бұрын

Great tip! Especially for those of us with long fingernails

@judylee2556

4 ай бұрын

Going to have to try this. I don’t know if it’s old age but I have a lot of trouble getting that thread in the hole. Thanks for the suggestion

@AnneMarieMitchell-om3gr

3 ай бұрын

Great idea!

@cindysproat5620

Ай бұрын

This is a great idea

I purchased a telescoping magnetic pole at Harbor Freight for picking pins up from the floor. I also use tissue paper for under the fabric when doing machine applique. It helps the fabric glide on the machine much easier.

@suek7086

8 ай бұрын

I also like their magnetic pin dishes. Ohf course they are supposed to be parts dishes but who cares. I spray painted mine.

@kimberlywilson8960

8 ай бұрын

I have several of these dishes and I have used the medicine bottle for years

Those zipper bags you get with sheet sets or blankets, I used them for all my homemade patterns. Some of those bags also have a small "window" pocket, where I would slip in a list of what patterns were in the bag. Really helped me organize all my patterns!

@SookieSews

7 ай бұрын

Great idea

To keep foot pedal from moving around, I place a piece of shelf liner under it. You know that type that has a waffle weave to it.

@janwalker4556

8 ай бұрын

I use the shelf liner under my machine also.

If you want to remove a label on glass or really anything…..soak label with cooking oil. Let sit overnight and it will peel right off!😃

@SookieSews

4 ай бұрын

thanks for the tip.

Shout out from Brenda at Conquering Mount Scrapmore. A friend of mine uses the press and seal for quilting on her borders, presses it on then draws what she wants to quilt, then stitch over it and peel it off.

@sandyhearth8249

8 ай бұрын

That’s brilliant!!

@sued2433

8 ай бұрын

Test first. I tried this once and had to pick pieces of plastic out with tweezers. Never used it again.

@SookieSews

5 ай бұрын

Thats a great idea and I like Brenda's channel, she has tons of great ideas!

Salt and a paper bag for iron cleaning was in Hints From Heloise in the Seventies. Pretty common trick them. We had plain metal sole plates, not Teflon, the salt balls up the goock from starch or interfacing.

@SookieSews

3 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing, ended up using your idea in another video :)

I was given this Non-quilt, quilting item in a piecing class by the instructor. She bought them off Amazon but I think they have to be purchased in large bulks. Pap Smear brushes. Very similar to the eye lash brush. Longer handle. Narrower and softer. Ask your physician for a clean extra one when you get your annual pap. Kills two birds with one stone so to speak.

@SookieSews

7 ай бұрын

Interesting thanks for sharing! Having just had a Pap smear I know exactly what you’re talking about.

Dollar stores carry 5 pack of the circle binder rings.. use them for everything that has a hole and can hang to save space

@SookieSews

7 ай бұрын

Yes good point. Thanks for sharing

You can use the paper bag to fine sand any wood, I used it on my clapper when I found a rough spot.

You gave me so many great ideas, thank you! As for the shower ring, you could use the top portion as well, so that you have zippers on both sides of those pesky balls. Also, if you have a paper pattern that you know you will use a lot, go to the dollar tree and get some of those flimsy plastic cutting boards. I did this for my MIL and she was so happy cuz it made cutting pattern pieces so much easier.

I went to pizza hut and asked for a few large pizza boxes. When im working on a project with lots of pieces i put them in the box. I have different projects in the boxes and they stack up on the shelf so dont take up much room. Ive dropped the box too and everything stayed intact in the boxes. Ive used the same 3 boxes for many years!!

@SookieSews

3 ай бұрын

Very good to know, especially about the dropping of the box, I was wondering that myself. Thanks for sharing.

Oh how times have changed! In the 80s,I used to use an iron to straighten my hair!😂

@SookieSews

5 ай бұрын

We always wanted what we didn't have, in the 80's I was getting perms :) in the 90s Spiral perms lol

@Tla81

9 сағат бұрын

@@SookieSewsI did too on spiral perms. I had to use a hairstylist to do it though. My hair was to my waist. He would use over 120 rollers! The only way to rinse was on my hands and knees outside using the hose! As you can see, I didn’t do it in the winter time. Stylists and I had great fun when this happened until he had to retire.

I'm a retired medical lab technician, and i always have a container to dispose of sharp things in. I have used old prescription bottles.

@SookieSews

4 ай бұрын

Those old prescription bottles are a lifesaver aren't they :)

Repurpose a parmesan cheese container. After you clean it out you never have to remove the lid to dispose of old needles, pins or rotary cutting blades. The shaker side is perfect for small items like pins and needles and the pour side is great for old rotary blades small old scissors or even broken glass. The larger containers will even hold larger pairs of old scissors. I have one in my sewing room and one in my long arm quilting room. When it's full you can safely throw it away and not worry about someone getting cut.

@SherrysSheShedSewing

6 ай бұрын

This what use.

@brendabernal1803

4 ай бұрын

Also can use old plastic medicine bottles to dispose of broken needles.

@SookieSews

4 ай бұрын

@brendabernal1803 oh yes for sure we covered that on the original video in this series.

@harpiemontague487

Ай бұрын

Please label all of the things that contain your used needles,etc with the word “SHARPS” before you dispose of them.

If I have to change my needle before, it’s time in order to sew on a different fabric or with different weight thread, I put the needle in the little plastic case that comes with those dental picks. It holds the needles perfectly and keeps them clean and organized until I need to use them again. I mark the size and brand on the case with a sharpie. Because I free motion quilt and use a variety of threads which require different needles I have several cases with my “not quite new, but not ready to throw out yet” needles and never have to guess which one I need.

@lovemesomeslippers

8 ай бұрын

Oh this is a good tip!

@pgScorpio

8 ай бұрын

Tic Tac boxes work great too.

@SookieSews

5 ай бұрын

Just now seeing this but what a clever idea! Thanks for sharing. I'm going to make another one of these videos and have to point that out. Thank you!

I do use a hair flat iron to seam binding and silk ribbon for embroidery! Works great! Found a small one at thrift store so it is packed right in with my silk ribbon project!

@SookieSews

7 ай бұрын

That is awesome!

I use small plastic mint containers for disposal of needles. It’s actually kind of fun to see how many needles I’ve gone through! Lol.

@georginekeeling5004

2 ай бұрын

Me too, and then I duct tape it closed when it's full

I have two hair flat irons in my sewing room that I use to press short seams as I work. They help speed up my scrap sewing. You can also use a hair flat iron to seal a small plastic bag (use baking paper between the iron and plastic).

@SookieSews

7 ай бұрын

How do you not melt the plastic? Do you adjust your temp?

The flat iron is perfect for pressing seams on quilt blocks.

Tracey uses the press and seal when she’s working with Minky Fabric. What she does is she rolls off about couple feet or more depending on the length of her torso and she presses it to her clothes and then the Minky doesn’t stick to her quilt she’s sewing.

Cling wrap tip. I offer up disposable hair bonnets for the shower. They are also great for hair pieces like wiglets, hair extensions and putting on your shoes covering the bottoms to keep the dirty sole from your clean clothes.

@SookieSews

7 ай бұрын

Both great ideas. Thanks for sharing.

Love, love the dental floss item. I don’t have a Bernina cover stitch and think the tool that came with the machine looks brilliant. I can definitely use a dental floss holder for this. Again thank you. These are truly worthwhile ideas.

I also keep a small pair of needle nose pliers with my sewing supplies. I don't have a lot of hand strength and sometimes I can't get hold of a thread if I'm pulling out stiches, so i use the needle nose pliers to hold and pull with. Get thr kind and size you would find in the jewelry making section of your craft store. Not what you would find at the home improvement store. My husband also installed the long LED shop lights over my work areas. I have an old bifold door that i put on the wall next to my sewing machine. I turned it upside down so that i could take "S" hooks and hang all kinds of things from the slats in the bigold doors. I hang scissors, rotary cutter, thread spool racks, or any tool i have that has a hole to hang with.

@SookieSews

4 ай бұрын

Oh yes the needle nose pliers are a good thing to have. Since all my craft items are in my sewing space, I've got a nice collection too. Your hubby is the BEST with those lights :) Love your bifold door idea, sounds like your sewing room is well organized.

🎉the ziplock bags are great way to keep precut material organized also.. it's what I use.. 😂

I like the plastic cling idea. We have two cats and there’s just a lot of dust. I live in VA. I also use parchment paper when starching on the ironing board. There’s also a set size you pull out of a box!

I also use my flat iron to iron money that I want to put in a card for a gift. I first use spray starch on the money. To clean my iron I have a plain white candle rolled into a dish towel I run the hot iron over it, if it needs a bit of extra cleaning I sprinkle salt onto the melted was on the towel and pass the iron over it. Don’t hold the iron to long to over melt the wax just enough to see the was bleed through the towel. Make the iron really slick. I learned this from my mom years ago.

@SookieSews

5 ай бұрын

Wow, never heard of this, will have to try

Oh that silicone mat !! I need one or two. As always thank you for sharing great tips .

A piece of yoga mat rubber under your machines does 2 things: Stops vibration and walking of the machine across the table as well as dampening the noise. I started using mouse pads back in the 90s but then saw some used yoga mats at a thrift store and realized I could make them any size I needed. PS: I live in the FL Panhandle!

@SookieSews

3 ай бұрын

That is a fantastic idea!! I do yoga and need to grab some cheeper ones to do this. Thanks for the idea :) we’re neighbors! I’m in Tampa

@RioTorxx

Ай бұрын

Am I just lucky that my machines never move across the table? I see so many tips about this!

@PrimateProductions

Күн бұрын

Ah! Where in the Panhandle? I am from the Fort Walton Beach area. Much of my family lives around the Defuniak Springs area!😊

To clean your iron from starch is to clean with a Magic eraser on low setting. Also to keep build up of starch when ironing use parchment paper or wax paper when starch is wet.

This is my first time happening upon your channel. Such a lovely, easy to listen to video. Thank you for not using the canned music. I turn all those videos off. It's too much noise. Your voice is lovely and you speak so it's easy to hear and understand. I'll be following you❤

@SookieSews

5 ай бұрын

Just seeing this, so sorry for the delay. Thanks for your kind words, in the past I used too much music too so if you watch an old one of my please forgive me in advance :) We all grow and get better

I use an extra wide prescription bottle to hold my used rotary cutter blades. Child-proof! And a smaller one for used needles.

@r.sanders8448

8 ай бұрын

Why not just simply •RESHARPEN & REUSE• them instead of wasting them so needlessly by stupidly collecting them in whatever container to only just eventually throw them all away like that? 🤷‍♂️ It's just SO WASTEFUL and so unnecessary to toss away old dull needles and circle blades like that.... when all that is ever needed to prolong their extended use for a good looooong time more is to just simply resharpen dull needles/blades by either --- 1. Rub with a nail file/emery board in only one direction to the tip of the dull needle/blade to resharpen them for use again. 2. Use a small piece of aluminum foil in the same way to rub them with to resharpen them. (Not recommended because this takes so tiresome dang long to do). OR 3. Drag the dull needle/blade downwards towards the tip across the rough bottom edge of a STONEWARE mug, bowl or plate to resharpen it for further use again..... just like you would always do to once again eventually resharpen dull scissors or knives to properly put a nice clean sharp edge on •them• again to extend their use for much longer after regular use dulls those kind of things, too. Unless it is, of course, a BROKEN needle/blade.. which of course actually ●NEEDS● to be tossed away and properly disposed of -- if it's only a matter of DULL needles or blades.... then all it ever needs for reuse is just simply a little bit of time and effort to be •RESHARPENED• to further extend it's use for a good long while... WITHOUT BEING SO NEEDLESSLY WASTEFUL. 🤷‍♂️

I use the small rectangle Tic Tac contaniers to put my broken or dull needles or pins in.

@SookieSews

4 ай бұрын

Love this idea, will be sharing in a new video coming up soon. Thanks for sharing with me here.

You can get larger silicone pastry mats marked with a grid. I have threaded zippers on to large safety pins.

I also used shower curtain rings for storing rulers. Clip a bunch on rings then hang rings on wall

@SookieSews

5 ай бұрын

That's a really good idea! I don't personally have a space for hanging things but I do like the idea.

Press & Seal is used a lot in paper crafts as well. It was eve Ted by a husband of a well known stamper, and her followers are very happy he did. Also, the flat iron is wonderful for ironing out ribbon. If you take ribbon and wind it on bobbins it leaves that kink. Just slid it through a flat iron and it is perfect. Love the ideas of the weights. I’ll have to dig mine out and put them to good use. Thanks very fun video.

@SookieSews

7 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing your extra points. The ribbon part is a great idea bc it always does get a kink lol

You can find the basic shower rings at most dollar stores.

Ruler weights: I made appropriately sized bags of muslin and filled them with sand, of course closing the tops! I used aquarium sand cause it comes in small bags, but any sand works great - and MUCH cheaper than dumb bells. I use parchment paper as a base whenever I'm using glue -fabric glue, basting glue etc. It protects my cutting mat which is the surface of my workspace. I use Press and Seal - that tacky plastic wrap - to preserve a palette of paint from drying out or to keep a selection of beads under control. I keep a box of snack-square zip bags in the sewing room. I use them to organize embroidery skeins, ribbons, quilting paper patterns, cut out patterns for small projects (like little stuffed animals). Once you have a box handy, you'll find a zillion uses for them.

@kericue2065

8 ай бұрын

I love your bead and plastic wrap idea. I wind my embroidery floss and keep it organized in a jewelry box that looks like old books, I used thin pain stir sticks cut to fit the drawer, as dividers.

@annrobinson1897

8 ай бұрын

I use a non-slip piece of drawer liner paper for holding my hoops still while I hoop stabilizer & fabric. My lg 10x17 hoop will even fit.

Rotary cut batting scraps into small pieces and use for pillow stuffing.

@SookieSews

5 ай бұрын

Never tried this but will have to - thanks

Your flat iron is also great for pressing silk ribbon for your embroidery.

I use cheap dryer sheets on a warm iron to clean the sole plate. Works great! Also I saw someone using the silicone mat under my presser foot to keep it from sliding.. works great!😊

@SookieSews

7 ай бұрын

Like the idea of the silicone mat under the iron

I use empty prescription bottles to put old needles or small objects to store. I also like pipe cleaners to tie cords. You can cut to size.

Rubbermaid shelf liner the rubbery one works really nice underneath the machine.

I use pre-cut parchment sheets. Under and over! So I never worry about interfacing glue.

@SookieSews

4 ай бұрын

Over and under. Good point! Thanks for sharing. Please do subscribe if you haven't already!

FYI there is NO generic Press n Seal. Crafters/card makers use it all the time. TFS great ideas

Yes yes yes! I save batting scraps. I just finished a quilt as you go quilt with almost all batting scraps.

@SookieSews

4 ай бұрын

Way to go!! How big was your quilt?

I love sticking the hem with the flat iron!!

@SookieSews

2 ай бұрын

So many uses!!

I use a new dryer sheet to get any gunk off my iron. Works great

Not only did I learn some very useful sewing ideas; I enjoyed your teaching methods and style. Thank You!

@SookieSews

Ай бұрын

Double win!! Thank you and welcome to the Beehive!!

Wow love the mascara brush idea.

@SookieSews

4 ай бұрын

I've got lots since I'm obsessed with my lashes, lol and then a KZread fan suggested it so had to share :) Glad you found some value in the video. Hope you do subscribe.

I quilted a mat for under my sewing machine and I love it. I can stick my pins in it as I remove them and always have my scissors and other things I need right there and they stay where I put them.

@SookieSews

3 ай бұрын

Sounds wonderful!!

I got a cheap 1-temp (max temp 190℃) mini flat iron for fabric crafting flowers, we us synthetic fabrics. This way I can put creases into the petals/leaves without worrying about melting the fabric by using an open flame to add the crease and it protects your fingers when getting close to the edge without a long nose tweezer. Also, Ironing tiny creases for my Acordian plates was a nightmare even using my Cricut Easy Press Mini and this mini iron would have come in handy! Again adding crisp creases really only works best on synthetic fabrics the best because it bends the plastic weaves into shape.

@SookieSews

5 ай бұрын

Just seeing this but thanks for your extra bonus tips on the flat iron with crafting flowers.

Love all of these ideas!

Thank you ever so much!! The tip to use press and seal to cut minky. - brillant!brilliant!! I have cut so much minky without this tip with fur everywhere!! Have some gifts yet to make - will definitely be using this tip! Thanks again for sharing this tip!!

@SookieSews

7 ай бұрын

You’re welcome, just passing along the great tips of my viewers

I have been using the cover stitch hack using floss stick since I watched this video. I thank you every time. Works so slick. Love it.

@SookieSews

4 ай бұрын

YAY!! Glad it helped. Please do subscribe if you haven't already!

I got some "old school "shower hooks without the balls at our Walmart very reasonably priced.

When my husband proposed we ended our beautiful candlelit meal with an iron and brown paper. My husband had lit candles everywhere but accidentally blew them out too hard and spread was everywhere. We were putting the paper on the wax then ironing over it. It worked great. Ver helpful because his flatmate had painted the walls. Brown paper with iron are a match made in someplace :)

@SookieSews

5 ай бұрын

Wow - what a story! Glad you were able to figure it out :)

@poisonivvsthecrohnmonster8288

5 ай бұрын

@@SookieSews I was an nineties goth so had to remove candle wax from lots of things. The wall was a first. He didn’t realise there was a puddle of wax in the centre so when he blew them out it flew everywhere. So glad I knew to use an iron and wax. A weird end to a strange proposal. Still together 25 years later.

@SookieSews

5 ай бұрын

@poisonivvsthecrohnmonster8288 ❤️❤️❤️

Really great ideas! Thanks for sharing!😊

Silicone mat and the parchment paper is going to be a lifesaver! TY

Thank you. I am going to try some of these ideas.

I bought a set of 100 brushes/wands on Amazon for $6. They'll last forever. 😁 I LOVE my flat iron to quickly iron seams while piecing small blocks. Saves me getting up and down to my ironing board while piecing blocks. Since it irons from both sides at the same time it REALLY cuts down the time it takes me to piece my blocks. And I NEVER use it at 400. I usually keep it for quilting cotton around 250-300 degrees

@SookieSews

7 ай бұрын

I love that you use the flatiron for your quilting.

The plastic containers gums and candies are very good. I use them for needles, new/used rotary blades ,bobbins and pins etc.

@TheEvie202

7 ай бұрын

Yes I keep bobbins in Altoids mints tins!

@SookieSews

3 ай бұрын

oh good point, I do have one of those gum containers in my car, will need to save it. Thanks

These are some really great ideas. Thank you for sharing.

Another thing that I was recently told about is using parchment paper as a leader on your Piecing so the thread doesn’t suck it down towards the bobbin. The parchment tears away clean.

@robinr6399

9 ай бұрын

Last night I used a piece of facial tissue as a leader and it worked great!

@r.sanders8448

8 ай бұрын

Toilet paper, paper towel, facial tissue, wrapping/gift tissue, piece of used lint roller paper, etc.... it all works the same way in order to stabilize any sliding around and any skipped or loose stitches on your most delicate fabrics and materials..... and then just simply tear away clean when you're finished sewing your piece or garment. 🤷‍♂️ Especially useful when working with any lace, silks, satins, guaze-y like fabrics or any other thin/delicate/loose/stretchy/slide around materials and fabrics where your needle or presser foot is having a hard time holding on to, pulling and "gripping" to the material as you're sewing it.... and the finish is more neat & clean and a whole lot more professional looking once whatever "useful tool" that you decided to use to stabilize it is then torn cleanly off once you are done sewing it.

Thanks so much for the hair clip comment. I found some of these in my home amid the sewing stuff and wasn’t sure what they were forbv

Where I’ve seen them place the wait is at the other end from where you’re working do you know at the end of it that way it holds it and you can move your hand without it moving. Another thing to do is to take a 5 pound command hook a clear one and put it on your ruler with the opening end of the Hook, facing the bottom of the ruler and sticking it were in the middle and you have a place to pick it up as well as move it around if you need to this is real handy if you have issues like arthritis with your hands.

@heatherstrom

7 ай бұрын

I use a white hook that way and I LOVE it! Clear would be better.

The straightening iron can be used for ironing ribbons when making bows, flowers, fabric belts, etc. That is an oldie but goodie.

@SookieSews

3 ай бұрын

It is amazing how much you can do with them isn't it?

I use hair alligator type clips (I don't know what they are really called) or the larger office clips to hold back the excess fabric when I am adding embroidery to clothing, especially small shirts. It prevents the shirt from slipping under the back of the embroidery and ruining your project. I use these on larger embroidery projects also to prevent the fabric from hanging down from my machine and temping my kitten to play with it.

@SookieSews

4 ай бұрын

Excellent idea. I know what you're talking about, thanks for sharing.

When you fuse interfacings to facings, it is standard practice not top slide the iron across your fabrics, but to put the iron down in one spot, press down and then lift it up and press down in new areas as necessary. This keeps you form accidently stretching or misaligning the pieces.

@SookieSews

4 ай бұрын

Thanks for the tip :)

I have found that a mini flat iron is great for pressing ribbon. Especially helpful when making hair bows. I am not always near my regular iron.

@SookieSews

4 ай бұрын

Yea!!

I use a mini flat iron for pressing my EPP hexagons pieces. Works great and very portable.

Such great ideas! Thx!

Great ideas 🎉. Thanks for the video 😊

You could use the gallon size bags to put all your bits and pieces for the project in and you can write on it as to what it is.

Thanks for the beautiful ideas

Loved all the ideas! Thx

@SookieSews

4 ай бұрын

I'm so glad. Please do subscribe if you haven't already!

Use binder clips for your zippers, cheap at dollar tree and you can get more on than your shower curtain hook

Rubbermaid shelf mat the rubbery one works really well underneath my machine and pedal.

@SookieSews

5 ай бұрын

For sure! Thanks for sharing.

Great Video, thank you sew much. With the Silicone Baking sheet/ mat, you can place your applique pattern under it and as you can see through the mat, layer and press your fusible applique, right there on your pattern, as you can buy an applique' mat just like that to specifically use for applique'. Press it all together and it just peels off already layered to attach to your background fabric.

I like the idea of the spice jar for pins. I would put a little circle of packing foam of some type in the bottom, just to protect the points.

I switched my dumbbells for heavy glass paperweights that I found at a garage sale to use when cutting fabric. Pretty with a flat bottom.

@SookieSews

2 ай бұрын

Ooo interesting. Never heard of if that.