If making a new pincushion, add a round of *soapless stealwool* and you have yourself a pincushion that *sharpens your pins!*

Thank you for the video on more organizing ideas! Quilters are so creative, aren't we? :-) I am already putting quilt patterns into sheet protectors, but the tip on using dry erase pens on them is fabulous and a game changer for my future projects!! I have 2 tips to share ... (1) I use the large spools of thread. Well, they don't fit on typical thread spool holders. However, by slipping 1/2 of a plastic straw over the spool peg, it gives it enough height to hold the large spools. (*NOTE* ... those spools are heavy and might cause the holder to fall over, so please secure it!) (2) I have a large collection of coffee mugs and rarely use all of them. That is until I started quilting. I pick out a "mug of the week" and place it slightly behind my sewing machine. While I'm sewing, I throw all little bits of thread, the pieces I cut off, teensy pieces of fabric into the mug. At the end of the day, I dump it into the trash can. I use the same mug all week, then on the weekend, I choose another mug from my collection to be the "mug of the week (aka tiny trash can)."

@FabricCafe

6 ай бұрын

I love your ideas Beverly!

@80657

6 ай бұрын

That's a great idea with the mugs. I also use my mugs as a spool holder....I my spool holder on 1 of my machines broke so I used a mug. I ended up buying a spool holder that goes behind my machine and it has 3 places to put different colors of thread if you like.

I made project bags with the clear vinyl front, put a handle on it and hung it in the closet in my sewing room with S hooks. Works really well and I can see what’s in it. I found a little cat planter at an antique store and made a pincushion out of it. It’s purrfect too because the cat looks like it was quilted!

@FabricCafe

6 ай бұрын

Love it!

I stuff a (garage sale) pillowcase with fabric scraps I won't use. When full, I sew the top of the pillowcase and donate them as dog or cat beds to animal shelters, animal boarders, or animal groomers.

I have also seen antique teacup/saucers converted to a pincushion by gluing the cup to the saucer then stuffing the cup with cloth covered fiberfill glued in the cup to hold the pins.

I use either a 2 gallon ziplock bag and put the pattern and fabric inside of it OR I put it together in a zippered plastic storage bag.

Love the dry erase marker and page protector 💡 idea

@sandydali699

6 ай бұрын

You can also use a scrap of batting as an eraser, if you don't have a dry erase eraser.

I put all my patterns that I copy in plastic sheet protectors and then put them in binders. They are all labeled and I use dividers. Makes things much easier when I am looking for that special project!! Love your ideas and love the staff. All of you are great❤! Laurie

Binder clips. I use an empty kleenex box for my scraps and threads then just empty it to reuse.

I have used jars for thread but never thought of adding pin cushions. Super ideas. I love your channel. Awesome ladies

I cut 1/4” slices off clear 1/2” a/c tubing & cut thru the resulting circles at an angle = put around my bobbins to keep loose thread ends wound on the bobbin.

I use plastic 12 x 12 x 2" Artbins from JoAnns or Hobby Lobby for fabric and patterns

I really like using frixion pens to mark up my pattern . Then when I’m done I just iron off the marking 😊

I put my scraps in a decorative or canning jar so it looks nice on my table. Then I throw these snippets outside to the birds. We live in the country so I feel comfortable treating the birds.

I keep a wire mesh basket near my sewing machine and my cutting station for small scraps. They are used to make pillows.

Hi, Amazon sells CD storage bags with transparent sides. They come in sets of 2 or 4 I use them for fat quarters and jelly rolls. It Keeps them free of dust and I color coordinated them so I can see them all. I also use the phone rings and attach them to my rulers great for gripping and hanging. Love all your videos. Why don’t you do a show based on a view of your favorite sewing rooms.. 🪡🧵🫶🏼

I am going to make a mason jar pin cushion and glue a magnet on the cardboard disk on the underside of the lid. I love magnets handy for quick pin pickups since this old body doesn't bend as well as it used to.

Binder clips. 🙂 Thank you for the tips. I am just now making a sewing room so every idea helps!

This is a fun and useful video. I’m happy to see Hannah today. Fran and Hannah are always fun to watch.💕

Hello Fran and Hannah, great tips I have a tip for storing used rotary cutter blades. I clean out a coffee can, and then put my used rotary cutter blades inside. Or use a cleaned spice bottle, with holes in the top That has a lid that screws on. Simply drop the used sewing machine needle into the bottle . It's small enough to keep next to your sewing machine.

@deepattison9329

6 ай бұрын

Old prescription bottles work very well also.

@barbarah5742

6 ай бұрын

I keep an empty dental floss container by my machine. When it's full of needles, machine needles, and bent pins, snap shut and into the recycle bin

@barbarah5742

6 ай бұрын

I resharpen rotary blades, move them to a separate box of supplies for cutting fleece, mylar, but mostly paper.

I use plastic tubs for projects. I bought 12 “shoe boxes” to sort out our shoes, but realised they were perfect for my sewing space! So, we still just sling our shoes in the cupboard! 😂 Great video, thanks! Deb x 🤗

I just love all the hints that we have not THOUGHT of yet!

Tape a plastic bag to your sewing table for your rubbish when full swap for a new one,and always have a large magnet handy so you can pick up dropped pins and needles from floor

I've seen golf tees just put through top of spool with bobbin and put side by side in a short clear box with lid to protect from dust. Oh if I only had a few scraps so the file process was feasible. Gotta scrap bust. I think there's a book out there with lots of ideas. Thanks so much for reminding us of easy ways to step up the organizatio of our abundance.

I also put my pattern in with my fabric group, but since I’ve already purchased the pattern I make a copy of the pattern and put it in the bag. Sometimes I have purchased two separate sets of fabric for the same pattern. I keep the original pattern in my pattern box so I never lose it

You can also cut a small piece of the fabrics, label them 1, 2 & 3 then stick them on top of your plastic sheet. They are easy to remove and great to refer to

My husband bought me the greatest birthday gift - at Lowes - a tool chest. It has 4 big drawers on the bottom, 6 smaller drawers on the top (came in 2 pieces) and everything is in it - from machine accessories to thread and all the little gizmos. I have plastic organizers in the drawers to organize my feet, thread, etc. My sewing table is in front of me and I can just swivel around to all of my things. It's 5' high so sometimes I have to stand up. Oh, I keep the top lid up and my ruler organizer sits there with all of my rulers.

I’m constantly marking up my patterns I like this idea way better and I do put my patterns and sleeves but I didn’t even think about the dry eraser marker thing, clever

the hanging file folder method also works great with yardage!

I really didn't think you would show any ideas I hadn't seen. I was wrong! Love the cd, file folder and pin cushion ideas .

I have 2 little tubs the sherbet comes in. One on cutting table and one next to the sewing machine. Trimmings and threads go in there till enough to stuff a pet bed for the animal shelter.

I found a metal basket at a thrift store that has six separate areas that I put my scissors rotary cutters smaller rulers rotary blade containers etc… keeps all those things in site …. I also have a thread holder with 60 wooden sticks to hold all my threads and some magnetized silicone baskets for my bobbins

I can’t use binder clips as I live in a tropical area and they leave rust marks (because of the humidity) on my fabric very quickly. I buy large plastic paper clips to hold my fabric in place. Be very careful even if you don’t live in areas like mine.

I have a notebook where I keep all the instructions that came with the notions, tools & rulers I purchased. This includes any instructions on the cardboard packaging or separate paper instructions packed with the tool. Each item has its own clear sleeve. Some tools & rulers aren't used often and I don't always remember exactly how to use them, so having the notebook is invaluable. I also have a separate notebook with clear sleeves where I keep the instructions for each additional sewing machine foot I've purchased for my sewing machine. These, along with my sewing machine & other equipment manuals are kept in a magazine holder within easy reach. I use lots of different bead, jewelry & craft organizers to store things like needle packs, extra pins, turning tools, buttons/snaps/fasteners, or anything small that could easily get lost amidst everything else if it were just put in a drawer. I try to get organizers of the same general size so I can stack them up & save space.

@johnstahl9011

6 ай бұрын

wow, you have a lot of great ideas to stay organized!

@FabricCafe

5 ай бұрын

Great ideas Debbie!!

Binder clips. And you can find them in pretty colors. I organize my yarn and intended pattern in gallon zip lic bags too. I like the binder idea for manuals.

love the file folder hanging method!

Not sure if you said Mat clips or Map clips but we call them bulldog clips here in Australasia 😊 Alligator clips are completely different. They have serrated edges - like teeth! - and you usually clip from the side. They look like an alligator from a side perspective 😁 Definitely don't want those teeth on fabric! Look forward to your quilty videos so was a bit disappointed but I watch anyway and am NOT disappointed! Great ideas!

If you don't have any page protectors, use a heat-erasable pen to mark directly on your pattern. When the project is complete, just run a warm iron over the pattern to renew.

I use 12x12 bins intended for scrapbook paper as project boxes . As I cut units for blocks I clip with a plastic binding clip that I have added a letter or number to ( instead of alphabitties) I often subdivide into plastic bags especially when quilt calls for multiple types of blocks IFor example if a pattern calls for Star blocks, 9 patch blocks and sashing each set of units for that would go into a separate bag, well marked of course. All tucked into a project box. Makes it easy to pop in and see for a few minutes, or grab and go to a Stitch along with friend or group

I love the 1st Idea and I have everything, great idea Cindy Thank you.

I use big binders and sheet protectors for patterns, small rulers, printed patterns, Creative Grids Reference Sheets or other reference sheets on how to's, manuals, and other things. I wrote on the binder spines what is in each binder and stored in my bookcase. I also have those rubber holders for Rulers. I keep my Rulers for a project out on my cutting table stored in there standing up and not lost underneath fabric. I also walk through Walmart and look in the fishing department for storage boxes (tackle) which are thread storage boxes. JoAnn's has lots of boxes also. Don't forget the Computer Stores. Dollar Tree has a lot of containers. Harbor Freight, Lowes, Home Depot, Garden Ridge, Ollie's, Pop Shelf, Michaels and Hobby Lobby are places to look for storage items. Back to School items are good also. If you have multiple locations, go to all of them because they don't have the same stuff. Now I am not buying more, it's time to empty the boxes!

@FabricCafe

6 ай бұрын

Great suggestions Marilyn!

@johnstahl9011

6 ай бұрын

thanks for the great hints at finding things we would have NEVER thought of to be helpful!

My fabric is wrapped on comic book boards then on bookcases. Scraps are cut into 2.5” strips or 2.5” squares and placed in art bins from Michael’s. Strips can be turned into scrappy binding ( one color or multi color)

@jenniferrobinson6338

6 ай бұрын

I use those, as well as 8-1/2 x 11” cardboard. That way, you have little “bolts” of fabric that sit upright! Then I organize by color.

@pcloudy8564

6 ай бұрын

Same!!

Map clips or binder clips ladies. Love all you tips!

Great ideas! I use a note taking app to notate and organize my PDF patterns! I love the convenience and flexibility!

I'm gonna have to start using a dry erase marker...what I brilliant idea. I have all your books in paper savers and I never thought to do this haha.

This was fun. Thanks for sharing. ❤

I use the extra long golf tees to organize my bobbins on my thread spools, especially when I have two or more bobbins ready. They stand up in an open box.

I call them Butterfly clips. I also use the paper protectors over my pattern and mark off with a dry erase marker!

The bin idea is good, but in a moist, humid climate the Zip Lock bag should be substituted with a zippered mesh laundry bag.

Great tips. I use the “binder”clips also, great for holding a pattern or material together. And also projects I put into plastic shoe box containers after cutting.

I use the plastic sheet Protektor for my special rulers. Ruler and diretions in and alle is toghether. Then I put them in an Ikea magacin stand.

I know this sounds crazy but I throw all my threads on the floor and after I’m done making that quilt, I clean everything up before I can go to the next one. That also helps me keep the sewing room clean.

@BeverlyWright-gp7mv

6 ай бұрын

3:35 Mountain At the dollar tree was 2and ahalf Size bags

@daisy8297

6 ай бұрын

I used to drop all my threads etc on the floor like you, until I got a puppy! Now I can’t as he is always at my feet and the next thing I know every corner of the house is covered in them!

I have a 3 ring binder and put each of my books from you guys in sleeve protectors. When I am using one of your patterns, I fold the page open and put it back in the protector so I can see the steps of the pattern.

@theresaskrabanek512

6 ай бұрын

Me too

@veraweeks8534

6 ай бұрын

@@theresaskrabanek512 two great minds! Haha! I buy my binders at the thrift store and have all my download patterns and paper ones in another binder. It’s so much easier for me to go through and use.

I have a great tip for storing all those rulers and tee collect, I took a curtain tension rod, put it in my window, bought some S hooks and hung up all my rulers. They look so pretty hanging up and so easy to find the one I need. I organized my fat quarters into a wood shoe storage unit, they come in 12,18, or 24 slots, great to sort the quarters by color. Love all the tips. Using a plastic sleeve and erasable pen was brilliant, thanks Cindy.

@FabricCafe

6 ай бұрын

Great idea! Love it!

Some great ideas!!

Why not put the golf tee through the bobbin and then through the spool. No rubber band needed

Loving all the tips!

We call them "binder clips." I store my future planned projects in gallon size, or sometimes larger, plastic bags. I put a lined index card in the bag with the name of the person, and occasion, that I want to make the item for. Then one or two pattern names that I may use. If there is a W.I.P. I sometimes clip those items to a plastic hanger, so it is in my face for finishing.😊

Great ideas. Thank you for sharing! ❤😊

I have a large binder that I use to keep my fabric cafe pattern books. I use a heavy duty three hole punch and it works great on the books.

Awesome ideas ladies!!! Thank You ❤️😀

Great ideas!! Thank you for sharing…………

Hi! I need to make use of tg these tips! Thank you!

Great tips! I love the page protector and the binder ideas.💡the file folder idea is great!

I mark up my pattern with a frixion pen, then just run my iron over it when I’m done.

All of these are GREAT suggestions. Thank you for sharing.

@karencooley6723

6 ай бұрын

Binder clips

Great ideas

Great tip's

This was a much needed video

Some really good ideas!

Wonderful ideas. I like the file folder idea. 🎶💐💖

Binder clips😊

They are Binder Clips and that is what you look for at the office products store!

Afternoon

@debbiepurser8101

6 ай бұрын

Yes that’s me get inspired by the fabric pick out the pattern then forget what I loved about it …😢

Binder clips

I call those clips binder clips.

Aright. Call them binder clips.

We call them binder clips!

binder clips

I save my fabric scraps buy a diy pet bed kit, stuff it with my scraps and donate it to a shelter or rescue.

CAUTION: Binder clips will leave rust marks! (As do other paper clips, staples, even pins and needles = most metals.) To avoid rust on fabric, use a piece of paper between the clip and the fabric. The paper can also contain annotations about the 'grouping'.

Tweaking a pattern…or correcting one!!! I’m working on one and had to correct the number of A blocks.

Love the file folder idea, but don't the binder clips leave deep impressions on the outside fabrics? Are the 16:09 impressions easily ironed out?

Thanks for all the great ideas! Do you have an actual store for your business, or is everything just online? I’d love to come look around if you have an actual shop!

@FabricCafe

6 ай бұрын

Hi Donna! We are an online store only. But at least we can visit on KZread! 😂

Binding clips

Not sure you need the rubber band. Set the bobbin on top of the thread and then golf tee through both.

The clips are sometimes called bulldog clips!

What is the easiest way to store to books so they are easy to access? Thx

@jenniferrobinson6338

6 ай бұрын

I have all of my 3-yd quilt books in a binder. I have all my individual 3-yd patterns in another. And I use the “free” spreadsheet (available on the website) to easily keep track of what I have.

@joyceleite1891

6 ай бұрын

I bought magazine holders for a 3 ring binder on Amazon. Not expensive at all and allows me to flip through each book to decide which pattern I want to use.

@lcsd863

6 ай бұрын

I use magazine holders for my books and they are on my bookcase. The ones cut on an angle where the front is shorter than the back.

Those are binder clips

Those are called mini binder clips

A better idea is put the name and book and put that with the fabric

Well now how did you know😊

🤍🤍🤍

OK Fran, You know I love your videos, but once again, the overly excited enthusiasm comes across too fake...Time to lighten up (again). Spoken in Love. :)

Binder clips

Binder clips

Binder clips

Binder clips

Binder clips