Everyone has their tried and true tools.
I have been sewing for many years and have been crafting for many more.
I would like to share with you some of the tools I use in my sewing room that I am absolutely love and why.
1. BobbinSaver
The BobbinSaver is made of a heavy weight silicone that holds the bobbins in place. It will hold plastic or metal bobbins. The bobbins are snug and the threads do not unwind.
There are many products on the market that keep the bobbin with its matching spool of thread. Why am I not using them to organize my bobbins? It is because of my next product.
2. Sulky Slimline Thread Storage Box
2. Sulky Slimline Thread Storage Box
I only buy one brand of thread and I have organized them by colour number in this box. When I need thread, I open the case and it is very easy to see what I have. I am able to pass a swatch of fabric along the spools to see which thread matches best.
The old case that I used, the spools were standing upright and you had to lift each one to see the colour of the thread.
The Sulky case also has a built in handle that makes it convenient to carry your threads from location to location. Its slim design makes it easy to store.
3. Dritz Ultimate Pin Caddy
I absolutely love this pin holder.
I use a pin cushion strapped to my wrist when draping fabric on my sewing mannequin. However, when I am at the sewing machine I simply pull out the pins and place them aside as my machine continues to sew forward. I don't stop sewing in order to place the pins back in the cushion.
The purple portion of this holder is a magnet. When I am done at the machine, I pass the holder across the loose pins and the magnet lifts them off of my work surface. The fabulous part is that it places the pins all in one direction. What I mean by this is that they are all up and down and not sideways. The consistent direction of the pins minimizes the number of pin pricks I receive.
My pins used to look like this. You had to be selective in the pin you grabbed so that you did not get stabbed.
I use a pin cushion strapped to my wrist when draping fabric on my sewing mannequin. However, when I am at the sewing machine I simply pull out the pins and place them aside as my machine continues to sew forward. I don't stop sewing in order to place the pins back in the cushion.
The purple portion of this holder is a magnet. When I am done at the machine, I pass the holder across the loose pins and the magnet lifts them off of my work surface. The fabulous part is that it places the pins all in one direction. What I mean by this is that they are all up and down and not sideways. The consistent direction of the pins minimizes the number of pin pricks I receive.
My pins used to look like this. You had to be selective in the pin you grabbed so that you did not get stabbed.
You can keep the plastic cover on the holder and press the pins through the opening. The bottom part of the pin caddy is a removable case for your extra pins.
4. Wonder Clips
One of the most simplest but very much needed item in my sewing room is this empty spice jar.
One of my colleagues said that her husband would get picked and scraped as he collected and disposed of garbage for the city. In this jar, I put any broken machine needles, bent pins and old blades (the blades is what we used growing up as an effective seam ripper). Once this jar is full, I will throw the jar filled with pins into the garbage with the hopes of protecting the garbage men from my sewing needles.
I have been using this jar for over 8 years. It will take a while to fill.
Many of the items you see above can be purchased at Amazon, Joann's or your local fabric store.
I would love to see any of your "must haves". Please post a picture in the comment box below.
4. Wonder Clips
Wonder Clips changed my life.
When I was using pins exclusively, the tips of my fingers would get sensitive from trying to pry the pin into the layers of heavy weight fabric. Dull or blunt pins would pull the threads of delicate fabric causing a run in the weave. Pins would wiggle their way out of position and fall to the floor, where inevitably one of my boys would step on it if I did not find the missing pin. I would get stabbed as I tried to maneuver the project under the foot of the sewing machine.
Wonder Clips have saved me, my family and my projects. They hold heavy layers of fabric together without distortion. If a clip lands on the floor it is usually a snap to find. Unless the clip is snagged on something it will stay in place. They are easy to attach and to remove.
Don't get me wrong, pins still have a purpose; pinning patterns to fabric, pinning layers together that cannot be reached by clips and that is just to name a few.
5. Empty Spice Jar
One of the most simplest but very much needed item in my sewing room is this empty spice jar.
One of my colleagues said that her husband would get picked and scraped as he collected and disposed of garbage for the city. In this jar, I put any broken machine needles, bent pins and old blades (the blades is what we used growing up as an effective seam ripper). Once this jar is full, I will throw the jar filled with pins into the garbage with the hopes of protecting the garbage men from my sewing needles.
I have been using this jar for over 8 years. It will take a while to fill.
Many of the items you see above can be purchased at Amazon, Joann's or your local fabric store.
I would love to see any of your "must haves". Please post a picture in the comment box below.
2 comments:
And I was just about to ask what are these purple clips I see in your photos? This list is just what I need - I'm planning to re-imagine my sewing room and though I have a list of things to solve (like my tin of straight pins that I've spilled too many times) I didn't have a clue where to start.
I am glad this post could help.
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