I CAN’T BELIEVE YOU USE THAT
Recycling “stuff”

Save $$$ To Buy More Fabric

Not only do we throw away things that we could use to save money but we can buy some very low cost items. 

1. Storage for projects

• Gallon bags from mail order prescriptions
• Plastic bags from purchased drapery, etc. items

2. Cardboard tubes (paper towels, wrapping paper)

• Roll binding around the tube.  It stays neat and is easy to unroll as you attach it to the quilt.
• Use to slip the cords from irons, etc. in for storage.
• Use the tube to store your Teflon appliqué sheet in

3. Organize your sewing drawers

• Processed 2 lb. cheese boxes (Velveeta) as dividers

4. Storage for used needles

• Empty film containers
• Pill bottles (be sure to remove the label)
• Tylenol bottles

5. Storage for used rotary cutter blades

• Round breath mints container

6. Storage for rulers

• Notebook with zip lock bags

7. Portable design wall

• Plastic table cloth
• Display board covered with flannel
• Use a large sheet to lay out quilt top.  Once your layout is complete, pin the blocks to she sheet.  If you need to put your project away before all the blocks are stitched together, you can just fold up the sheet.

8. Plastic pencil boxes

• Hold rotary cutters
• Hold marking pins, etc.
• Measuring items
• Great organizers for many items

9. Nylon pot scrubbers / bath scrubbers

• Use to clean the strings from your cutting boards

10. Printable fabric sheets

• Remove the backing after printing and use the same way you use freezer paper.  In fact it works better than freezer paper.

11. Selvage edge of fabric

• As you begin a project, keep the trimmed selvage with the name of the collection and manufacturer -- be sure to leave enough of the actual print so you can see the color way.  You can put them on a hanger, hook, dowel, or even a nail in the wall.  Then if you need more of the fabric later, you'll have an easy reference to know what you used.
• Use several as a colorful tie on a gift bag.

• Cuticle trimmer
• Dental floss

13.  Pant Hangers

• Hang quit tops until you are ready to quilt them
• Hang pressed fabrics until they are ready to be used
• Use to display small quilted projects

14. Key ring

• Safety pin small swatches of fabric on the ring to carry shopping

15. Bobbin Storage

• Pill box
• Tiny pony tail bands around the bobbin

16. Wide emery board / fine sand paper

• Use the emery board as a guide to mark half square triangles.  Prevents fabric from stretching as you draw the line
• Place the fabric on the fine sand paper to prevent stretching, movement.

17. Save the date magnets

• Cut and glue into the bottom of small plastic containers to hold needles.

18. Need a box for quilt blocks

• Ask your local pizza store for a clean box.

19. Need a circle

• Large cardboard circles from birthday cookies, cakes

20. Store it in

• Scott flushable wipes container – pins
• Crystal Light containers
• Plastic lemonade containers
• Plastic baby food containers- bobbins, buttons, machine feet

21. Glue Sticks

• Here's some tips for making glue sticks last longer and go further:  1) put a piece of any kind of tape around where the glue stick and its lid meet, and they won't dry out; 2) put your glue sticks in the refrigerator to keep them gluey longer - better yet, put them in the freezer!  The frozen glue stick works just fine!

22. Scissor protector

• Cut a 1-2 inch section from a sturdy drinking straw.

23. Car Case ideas

• Wonderful way to store thread
• Sewing machine feet
• Plastic needle cases

24. Plastic meat trays and salad containers

• Store fat quarters
• Store small sewing supplies close at hand