From the article: Hated Packaging Stiffens Costume Parts
That stiff plastic packaging is unusual as a sewing notion but a perfect solution for an almost invisible stiffener. Do you save something unusual to use as a sewing tool or in your sewing or sewing room? What do you save?
Partial Rolls of Crepe Paper Decorations
- After a party that I have strung crepe paper, I use the left over rollby tearing off a strip the size needed and putting it on the bottom or sometimes the top (such as fleece or textured material that has a tendancy to get caught in the feed dog or somtimes even the presser foot depending on type or loft of the material). Just sew right over it and when finished, tear it off. Helps keep fibers from jamming up the feed dog as I am sewing.
- —MaureenA1950
Mechanics Magnet
- I bought at a auto parts store a telescoping mechanics magnet.. great for picking needles and pins..
- —Guest xraylady65
things I save
- I taped an old cloth tape measure to the edge of my sewing table. It is very useful.
- —Guest salbug45
Baby Food Containers
- I use the plastic baby food containers for lots of different things. Needles, buttons, pins, beads,and the list goes on and on. Depending on the name brand they come in round bowl shapes and rectangle. They have a snap on lid, stack real nice and neat. Hope this can help someone. Good day
- —Guest familystar
Shishkabob skewers
- I use bamboo skewers to help guide narrow seams, I find that holding the seam down flat with the skewer helps the fabric feed without puckers. When the skewer gets bent it works even better!
- —Guest TheaM
you name it
- Use a welding rod to turn long pieces. Keep those larger bottles that face cream comes in rinse out, dry etc. They make great holders for safety pins, straight pins, very small buttons, bobbins etc. They have tight lids, so nothing comes out. Cardboard covered with those throw away grocery bags for the bottom of my reuseable grocery bags. Strapping from shipping, my husband saves, covered they make great handles or top stablizers for round bags. You get the idea.
- —Guest marty
Orphan Salt Shaker
- When one of a pair of my S&P shaker collection was broken, I couldn't part with the orphan, so recycled it to my sewing room. It looks pretty on the shelf and holds bent/broken needles & pins. Using an awl, I enlarged a few holes in the metal top so it will take even machine needles.
- —Guest momandgrandma
Project pouch
- I use the zippered bags drapes and linens come in. The large ones from comforter sets hold quilts in progress and/or fabric with the design for the quilt. The small ones from drapes, tablecloths and curtains hold the block foundation and the cut fabric pieces. I always have more than one project in every stage of completion.
- —Guest VickieG
Not usually found in sewing kit
- Things I must have: exacto knife (great for opening buttonholes), metal tape measure (when I need to measure things longer than the 60" fabric kind), small needle-nose pliers (for grabbing small threads to pull). For pins, I have a magnetic tray with a mint tin (from those curiously strong mints) on top, keeps them more controller than the magnetic holder alone. I always keep pieces of white cotton, usually from old sheets, as pressing cloths. Use as long as you want, then toss them. Old, white sheets often available at thrift stores. Old school 35 mm file canister for storing loose needles.
- —salsmanc
not the strangest thing
- Its not the strangest, but it's my favorite. Tweezers, for pulling the small cut strings from ripping seams out.
- —Guest nita
Free feathers
- I pick up strong feathers that have fallen from birds' wings. I find them on the footpath or in parks or in our yard. I use them to control fabric in front of the sewing and overlocking machine needles. The needle isn't damaged if it goes through the stem. I also use firm feathers as feather dusters on my sewing and overlocking machines and between the keys of my laptop. They reach into confined areas no brush can clean.
- —Guest Naomi
Another use for pill bottles
- Add this to the long list for empty pill bottle uses. Larger ones can be used to store, and dispense. elastic and such items. Coil the item to fit into the bottle. Then cut a small slit/opening in the lid to pull the item out as you need it, as much as you need. I also used this idea in my gardening tools to hold and dispense yard string. Works for crafting, beading and floral wire, as well as beading threads.
- —pauprint
recycle containers & Tempo Tape
- I use empty medicine containers, drill a small hole in the lid, and drop in my old needles and pins. When my kids were small, I glued the top on as extra precaution, because nobody can open a child-safe container as well as a child!! When full, just put a piece of tape over the hole, and drop in the trash. I work at a handbell supply company, and we have a product called Tempo Tape. This is transparent yellow, green, and pink, and removes without leaving residue. I use it to mark my quilting rulers. It makes multiple cuts less confusing. Joyce aka sewmonster
- —Joyce.sewmonster
odd sewing tools
- I make dolls and the best tool I have for stuffing large dolls is a large screwdriver. I also use cuticle scissors as a seam reaper, also that tool the dentist uses to scrape your teeth with.
- —ragbabybsk
Odd things I use to sew
- Dissecting scalpel from my daughter's school years to rip seams. Dissecting needle with plastic handle to push fabric in front of machine foot and turn corners. I lost that one, so I used a strong long needle from a needle kit and made a handle with polymer clay. Small clamps from my woodcraft to hold fabric to my sewing desk when I need a third hand. Cut fingers from disposable medic gloves to keep my rough fingers from pulling fabric. A large plastic garbage bag ( clear) taped to the back of my sewing desk, I push eveything there and even blow on cut threads. I a sure I have more but slip my mind for now. Enjoy sewing Marie
- —Guest Menow
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