Simplicity Limited
Idea Exchange
PO Box 367
Coronation Street
Stockport
SK5 7WZ

Sometimes I find that when I am unpicking a seam the thread bits keep sticking to my fingers. I placed a piece (loopy side) of self-stick Velcro to the side of my sewing machine cabinet; I find it handy in removing those stubborn threads.

Linda Nichols
- top -

I have a lot of lace and ribbon spools and often had a hard time finding the one I wanted or size I needed for a project. Not only that, the ribbons would keep sliding off of the spool, and the ribbon ends were getting frayed or bent. My husband made me a framed wooden box and drilled holes through both sides of it. I bought dowel rods that were the appropriate size for these holes and put one end of each dowel through the frames, and then “threaded” my ribbon and trim spools on the dowels before putting each dowel through the other side of the frame. The frame can either stand on a shelf or be hung on a wall, and holds all of my trims at eye level and within handy reach – I just pull and cut.

Natalie Valley
- top -

I saved a lot of money by buying a chenille bedspread in white chenille at a discount store, which I made a beautiful chenille jacket out of. I used the leftovers to make stuffed Christmas snowmen, ornaments and a quilt with chenille squares incorporated into it; you can do a lot with one bedspread. Also check discount stores for lightweight quilted coverlets to make into jackets; they come in many pretty colors and prints.

Robin Smolen
- top -

If you have a computer you can create custom tag labels for the garments you sew. Purchase iron-on transfer paper for inkjet printers and type the information you want in the garment, such as garment care instructions, fabric type, etc. After you print the information out on the transfer paper, cut the tag and iron it into the garment.

Kimberlee Jackson
- top -

I always had problems pressing seams open on satin because it left an imprint of the edge of the fabric, and I needed something smaller than a seam roll. My husband cut me a 36” length of half-round molding from the lumber store. It has one flat edge that keeps it from rolling around, and the smaller curved area is good to iron and steam over because the seams don’t get fully covered by the iron. It works perfectly for pressing seams flat without leaving any imprints.

Alyson G.
- top -

I make doll clothes for 18” dolls. To be able to keep my cut-out pattern pieces in order and with their matches, I store them in a binder with plastic pockets. In the first pocket I have the pattern envelope; in the second I keep the instructions. In following pockets I keep the pattern pieces, with all of the pieces for each garment in its own pocket. On the top right corner of each plastic pocket I write the pattern number and name of the garment, using a permanent marker. I use plastic tab dividers to separate the pockets of one pattern from another, so I can flip through, pattern by pattern.

Anna Schubert
- top -

I have always heard people singing the praises of using pattern weights instead of pins when laying out patterns and some economy-minded people recommended using tuna or soup cans in place of weights. While it held the pattern in place well, I found this bulky and heavy. One day I reached over to an end table to a stack of clay drink coasters and gave them a try – success! Now that’s all I use for laying out patterns. This is also very economical because they only cost $8.00 for a set of four at most stores, and can be even less at discount stores.

Rebecca Lindsay
- top -

After sewing, I sometimes used to find a pin or two on the carpet. Now I lay a solid-colored sheet on the floor at my sewing area, making sure my sewing machine is as centered as possible. After I’m done sewing, it’s much easier to just pick up the sheet, including any stray pins, snips of thread, or anything else I may have dropped. Saves me a lot of time cleaning up.

Mary Avendano
- top -

When making purses I use sheets of lightweight craft foam to help them keep their shape and give them smooth sides and flat bottoms. This makes it possible to carry everything you need and the purse is still lightweight. P.S. - these foam sheets are machine washable, but don’t put them in the dryer.

Vicki Linzy
- top -

These days most of us have more than one sewing machine. After sewing I would always be searching around for my scissors to clip threads. I bought several pairs of embroidery scissors (nail scissors work well, too) and screwed a hook into the table, at the side of each machine. I tied one end of a piece of hat elastic to each hook, and the other end to the handle of a pair of scissors. Now, no matter which machine I’m using, I have quick access to a pair of scissors. The elastic stretches to reach any part of each machine, which is great when changing threads.

Anita Rayner
- top -

Don’t throw away your old canvas belts – you can recycle them into straps when making handbags. Many match the pretty fabrics that are available, and also save you the time and effort of having to sew and turn straps. Watch those old handbags you’re about to throw away; many have nice straps or handles that can also be reused.

Robin Smolen
- top -

Are you having a hard time keeping shirts and tees tucked into pants and skirts? Invest in a small bottle of puffy paint at your local craft store, in whatever color you like; I like the color “crystal,” as it’s clear and sparkly. Paint squiggles on the inside of your completed waistband and let dry for 24 hours. Be careful not to get the paint on other surfaces of your garment. The pain will acquire a rubbery feeling when dry that will grip onto your shirt or top fabric, keeping them tucked in.

Mary Pepin
- top -

Are you one of those people like me, who has hundreds (maybe thousands) of patterns, but always seem to have trouble finding just the one you are looking for? I have come up with a computerized method of keeping track of them:

• Remove the pattern from the envelope.
  
• Scan the pattern envelope into your computer.
  
• Save each scanned document as its own file and organize the files in your computer by garment type, size, however you prefer.

You can use the same idea to keep track of threads, trims, and buttons – or just about anything you can use an inventory of!

Tanya Whiteman
- top -

I have found that using painters’ masking tape (which is easily removed and readily available at any home-improvement store) will hold snaps or hooks and eyes in place until I can get a few stitches done. After sewing a few stitches I remove the tape.

Linda Cabler
- top -

When I sew waistbands that have elastic attached at each end of the waistband lengthwise, I used to have trouble with the elastic ends eventually fraying out away from my back tacking. Now I run the cut edges of the elastic through my serger before pulling it into my waistband. Now I have no more problems with the cut ends fraying out.

Peggy M. Bowe
- top -