10+ Household Items You Never Knew You Could Use for Sewing
There are so many Sewing Gadgets out there that it can be overwhelming, not to mention costly! Here are some household items you never knew you could use for sewing. You probably already have most of these lying around so save yourself some money and get sewing!
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10+ Household Items You Never Knew You Could Use for Sewing
I have found that you can always buy a fancy tool to accomplish a job, but they are usually a one trick pony and are only good for that one job. Many times I use something I have lying around the house to finish sewing projects. Here are a few of the things that I use that you probably already have (for the most part) in your house.
This Laser Level is a genius tool to grab from the tool box in the garage! Use a few bungee cords to attach it to the front of your sewing machine and let the laser line help you sew straight every time!
Binder Clips are possibly the most versatile and useful tool in my house! Use them to hold the binding on a quilt before you sew it. Use them to clip different groups of fabric together when you are sewing with a large quantity of fabrics so they don’t get mixed up. Use them to hold ribbon or elastic so that it doesn’t get all tangled and crazy, then hang these things on a peg board using the round metal portion at the top. So many more uses, I could go on for hours!
Do you get Paper Bags at the store? I try to steer away from the plastic bags so I have a ton of these lying around. They are perfect for creating stable patterns with. If you make a lot of your own templates and patterns you want to start using paper bags. They are much less flimsy than a pattern you buy at the store and there is something so satisfying about writing on a paper bag with a sharpie, or is that just a weird quirk of mine??
Parchment Paper is another tool that I use weekly for sewing. Tracing paper that is big enough for a large pattern can be double or even triple the price of parchment paper! Don’t waste your money! And you can bake me some cookies while you are at it!!
Nothing beats my X-Acto Knife for fine detail work! When I am cutting an appliqué out of felt or fabric I always use my x-acto knife to get to those small hard to reach with scissors details.
Since these Gluesticks are washable they are the perfect tool for use with sewing! Use them to hold down binding on a quilt. Or use them for appliqué when you are turning your edges under to get a nice clean edge to sew on. Or how about just for holding down a small hard to manage pattern when cutting out appliqué or small detail work. Then just wash it out later!
A Pedicure Toe Separator is perfect for storing all your bobbins. Plus you probably have a few of these lying around because they put them in at every pedicure! You could also store your thread spools in here if you are packing them in a travel bag, great tool!
Do you have some Steel Wool under your sink? Use it to stuff your pin cushion and it will sharpen your pins and help them last longer!
Washable Markers are a really amazing tool! If you are adding an appliqué or HTV to a shirt trace where you want everything to go with the marker. It is a great way to make sure everything is exactly where you want it to be. Then when you wash it for the first time it will wash out!
Pipe Cleaners are great for cleaning out the inside of your machine. They are also awesome for sewing into a project in a place that you want to add some stability. For example sew them into a doll to give her arms and legs the ability to be posed or into an animal ear when you make a stuffed animal. The possibilities are endless!
Last but not least Shelf Liner is perfect for keeping your machine and your sewing pedal from sliding. I sometimes find myself sewing with the tips of my toes without realizing it because the pedal has slid away! Cut a square of this non slip shelf liner and hot glue it to the bottom of your sewing pedal to keep it in place. You can also put it under your machine to keep it from sliding away, I find this especially useful when I am machine quilting on my small home machine. It seems to want to move all over the place when I work on a large project.
What household items do you use to sew?? Share your household items you never knew you could use for sewing in the comments below.
Cut pieces of that shelf liner and use it to move your fabric when you are free motion quilting. It’s easier than wearing gloves!
What a great idea!! Thanks Robin!
Great ideas! Thanks for this post. I really like the idea of using the Elmer’s glue for appliqué!
You are so welcome!! Sometimes it is the simplest things that you don’t even think about that are the most helpful!! Thanks for stopping by!
A sharp X-Acto knife is also the greatest for cutting buttonholes open. Put a straight pin through the stitches and material at each end and cut away.
That is so true!! Thanks for the tip Paula!
I also use the Glue Sticks to dab thread just before threading my sewing needles. It keeps the thread from separating and straight so I can insert it into the needle.
That is such a great idea! Thanks Cynthia!
Wow, I have been sewing for over 50 years and didn’t think of some of these! So glad I’m subscribing now! Do the washable markers really wash out every time? I can’t remember back to my own kids’ childhood.
As long as you are using the crayola washable markers it should wash out, I have never tried an off brand! I also try and use a lighter color like orange or pink. I have never tried a black washable marker, but they are pretty good now and they always wash out of my kids clothes so I don’t see why even the darker ones wouldn’t work!
Using gloves from the garden center for free motion quilting instead if fancy quilt shop ones: they come in more sizes. Wondering about cut proof gloves– Amazon has a gazillion kinds and many are much cheaper than the specialty quilting ones. Anyone tried them?
That is a great tip! I don’t use gloves to quilt but I probably should!!