These are a few of my favorite things...
Bees Wax
I've always used bees wax when I'm hand sewing. I've always had the bigger size disc, but I just found this package of 5 little minis!! They are perfect to keep with different hand sewing projects.
Bees wax coats the thread so it doesn't knot up, twist or fray. I absolutely love it for sewing my hexagon projects.
Look how tiny each one. I have a bobbin in the center to compare the size. I found them in the quilting section at Joann fabrics for $3.99.
Thread Cutter Pendant
I also use a thread cutter when I'm hand sewing and this one from Clover is my favorite!!
It's a bronze metal pendant.
and has a hole to add your own chain to hang it around your neck like a necklace.
When you have it as a necklace, you will never lose your scissors. This is especially great when hand sewing in the car or on a plane. This was in the embroidery section at Joann's...$7.99, but use a 50% coupon.
It looks like jewelry!!
Just pass the thread over any of the openings and it cuts it beautifully. The sharp blade is totally encased in the metal, so you will never cut yourself.
Seam Fix...seam ripper and fixer
This is a great seam ripper, but to remove all those loose threads...
The cap of the seam ripper is a rubber cleaner. Just run this rubber pen over the seam and it will pull out all the little threads that you have left behind from the seam ripper. It's like magic!!
Handy Storage Box...
Back to the box. These little chocolates come in a cute metal box. I know some mints do too.
These boxes are perfect for a little sewing kit or a project holder.
Here's a little bobbin to show you the size of the box.
The box isn't a sewing "notion", but still a must have. It keeps things clean, organize and handy.
Hope you liked some of the items that I showed today. These are my own items and I wasn't paid by anyone to write this post...just wanted to share.
What are your sewing favorites or must haves?
Thanks for stopping by and sharing,
~Karen~
I find I look for my small 1inch by 6 inch Olfa ruler and That Purple Thang. Now I have those stashed in all my sewing places and going-to-class bucket. Saves losing them or searching aimlessly!
ReplyDeleteI use a small galvanized bucket (received at a wedding reception - held the table centrepiece for our table & I won) to hold everything I use when sewing - trim scissors, seam ripper, magnet (for picking up pins, etc) small hand lotion, ruler, seam gauge, ... AND I hang a small bag from one handle to catch threads, scraps,... It keeps everything together and is easy to grab and go!
ReplyDeleteLove your ideas! Where did you find the little Whitman chocolate sampler boxes?
ReplyDeleteU can also use Altoids boxes
DeleteCan I ask a potentially silly question... ;-) How do you use the beeswax? I know, it's probably simple, but while I don't do a lot of hand sewing (machine all the way, lol!), I do counted cross stitching and get so irritated with knots and twisting! I've just always taken it as par for the course, and I could probably get knots out in my sleep! If beeswax would help (and not hurt my finished piece), I'd be willing to try! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI keep a ruler handy, too. And I also have a pointed tool for turning corners. Where did you find the Whitman's Tin? I need one!
ReplyDeleteBrilliant! Love these ideas, thank you!
ReplyDeleteOne of my favourite tools for storing quilting tools is a cutlery holder I got at a Bed, Bath and Beyond type of store several years ago.
ReplyDeleteIt is quite heavy but I keep my different sized rotary cutters, some cloth, paper and craft scissors along with other retreat necessities. In the compartment where you would keep napkins I keep some of my smaller square rulers and other specially gadgets. Because it has a handle it is easy to carry. I even have a corkscrew/bottle cap opener along with some marking tools and pencils. Oh I even have a 60" measuring tape.
I just made a bionic gear bag for some of my hand sewing tools, that isn't quite loaded yet as I just finished it.
I also love tins and have several with other supplies, along with packets to throw the project I'm working on at the moment...I'm a collector!
Oh, I suppose the thread cutter is my favourite from your accessories.
ReplyDeleteThis one is beautiful and I really like it!
Hope to get one in Poland :)
Thanks for sharing your sewing notions--I really need to find a seam ripper with the rubber end. Getting out all the little short threads after taking out a seam is my most unfavorite part! I wonder if an Altoids metal container is too small for a sewing kit? I'll have to try that out. Love the pendant thread cutter...now where did I put my Joann's coupon?
ReplyDeleteSuch great ideas! I like to keep several bobbins wound and ready to go when quilting. They fit perfectly into the rubber like toe spacers that are used for pedicures and take up very little room.
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! I have one of those pendants that I have never taken out of the package--that needs to change. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeletePut a flat magnet in the bottom (or top) of your tin box. Then you won't lose your pins or needles. I already have the beexwax and the cutter necklace. Hubby gives me his Altoids tins.
ReplyDeleteGreat tip!!!
DeleteReally enjoyed this post. I like my frixon pens and appliqué pins.
ReplyDeletePretty sure I read recently on the TSA's website that the circular (pendant) cutters were not allowed on planes....??? Sometimes what particular agents or airports allow depends on which way the wind is blowing on any given day. I don't chance it -- I take (baby) nail clippers.
ReplyDeleteThe man of the house put one of the thread cutters in my stocking last Christmas and I LOVE it!
ReplyDeleteKaren is spot on about wax. Truly a miracle cure. When I xstitch for fun (not competition), I lightly wax my thread...pure joy stitching. Gail
ReplyDeleteI read somewhere that the thread with wax on it was supposed to be ironed to get the wax INTO the thread. Do you do that? I don't do hand sewing anymore- thumb won't stand for it! I have found, though, that I can applique wool onto cotton with wool threads- such as Lisa Bongean's work about the Words. Larger motions in the blanket stitch, I guess. As long as I can sew in some way, I'm hap-hap-happy!
ReplyDeleteLots of items I knew nothing about....thanks for the post !
ReplyDeleteKaren at my guild one of the members showed several of those little metal boxes she had covered with fabric - really cute. I have a small box I use, though it's plastic. I glued some magnet strips in it on both the bottom and inside the lid. Needles will stay put on the lid and I added a couple of disk magnets to the bottom so that when I'm stitching my small scissors will lay there and not move. blessings marlene
ReplyDeleteI love my wrist pin cushion so convenient when sitting at my machine sewing. Your seam ripper looks fantastic! I'll have to be on the look out for that.
ReplyDeleteLove the Whitman Sampler boxes but I think now they're cardboard--love them as little sewing boxes. Instead of a thread cutter pendant I LOVE Clover's thread cutter ring--a flick of the finger & done.
ReplyDelete