BUDGET SEWING - 10 SEWING HACKS FROM THE DOLLAR STORE PART 3

[@suehudson7777]

When buying the pool noodles to use for your quilt sandwich, buy a large plastic flannel backed table cloth as well (may need 2 depending on the size of your quilt) I lay this down over my table so it catches any overspray of the basting spray I use. When done, I just wipe it off. Then I fold it plastic side in toward itself (in case I missed a spot). Folded inward prevents it sticking to anything but itself and lets me know that it is not for general use. I also use older, past-their-prime plastic table cloths as well. Thank you Karen for all this info! I have used several of your hacks to make my quilting journey easier. Keep it up.

[@nancycox3318]

Karen, thanks for another great video - full of good ideas. I plan to use three right away - the tool tray for some tiny house pieces since I keep making those blocks, the yoga block for my foot pedal, and the frame for an orphan block. I have one block my mother made that feels special to me and I haven't found the right use for it. Now I have - I'll frame it and enjoy seeing it often.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

So nice to hear. I always love hearing about what you are doing with your mother's things. I hope that you'll share it in the next stitch n chat

[@TheQuiltingLunchLady]

Your original dollar store hacks were immensely helpful in my sewing journey. Probably my favorite hack was using the translucent plastic cutting boards, the flexible ones, as material for making templates that you reuse for multiple projects and for creating my own binding tool. I now have several packs of them on hand in my tool stash. I also use the small divided storage boxes for storing all my bobbins, empty and full. They are small and store easily in my sewing room. There are many more but those two are my favorite and regular go to’s. Thanks as always for your wonderful videos.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Thank you ☺️

[@carolbarnes7844]

Thank you for all The tips and love the above alcohol idea to spray bottle. And the picture frame idea is just what I needed. Thank you Karen

[@aliwilson4130]

I would love a “Spend, save, skip” video about fabric and notions and supplies for beginners. What you should invest in, what you can buy cheap, and what you can skip. For example, invest in a decent pair of fabric scissors.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

It takes time for you to figure out what type of quilting you like to do. I don't think you should invest in forever tools until you finish at least two if not 6 quilts. Too often quilters think that a tool will solve problems when you just need to practice technique

[@ruthharmon8544]

I would argue that. We have been sewing for a while together and there are definitely some things you have taught me that were so much easier! For example, a great pair of scissors will be sure useful (though I do agree this is an individual choice), your ironing table (my future dream come true!) and sewing pins (again a choice). Pins can get lost, but I have found colorful ends don't hide on my floors and are super helpful. Not something I recommend on skipping out of.

[@sleepycat8887]

I have watched your 1st and 2nd hack videos some time ago, and I have been waiting for another with more super hacks. Love that you can just find day to day items in dollarama and turn it into something that we didn’t know we needed! Love the idea of pool noodles, so simple but extremely handy. Will definitely use that one. Thank you ☺️

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Glad you like them! I like making them 😎

[@teresacesario6247]

Always awesome Karen!!!

[@sewhumble1009]

I Miss Dollarama!!!! i only had the privilege to live in Canada for a little under 3 years... time for a visit again! :)

[@brigitte1215]

You can upcycle that Pringles can too! In the craft room, I've seen them covered with scrap fabrics and used as craft ribbon organizers and as storage for paintbrushes and knitting needles. At Christmas, you can make them look like Christmas Crackers (i.e. the characters that look like toy soldiers). Covered with gift wrap, they also make great containers to stack sugar cookies in and give away at a cookie exchange.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Thanks for the ideas

[@carlindatrenholm6586]

I love the pringles container ideas Brigitte, thanks for sharing.

[@operakitti]

I use the neutral coloured fleece blankets as batting in baby blankets. Works wonderful, you can not tell the difference between that and traditional batting but it's 1/5 of the price.

[@SaraMc-ez2mv]

Fellow Canadian here….nice to see dollarama because I have that in my town!

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

They are almost as common as Tim Horton's

[@mrgarner4796]

I love your tips, hints, hacks and Dollar Store runs... thank you.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Glad you liked it

[@barbaralazier8352]

Dollarama was my Mom’s favourite store in which to wander. I will look for the tray organizer when next I go there. Pool noodles are a must.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

it's always a fun walk around to see what's new

[@barbaralazier8352]

@ I picked up a cheap full length mirror there recently to see the underside of my longarm. Could you do a Longarm useful gadgets video at some time in the future.

[@spicybrown75]

I dig the pool noodle hack for sure. Thanks for that tip!!

[@jerryjohnson8145]

My dollar store also has some scrap booking supplies, including foam tape which I use it as a stitch guide/sewing ledge. Three rolls for $1.25, cheap enough to replace as needed. And much easier than stacking pieces of masking or painters tapes to form a ledge.

[@carollebriton408]

Jerry Johnson does the foam tape leave any sticky residue on the sewing machine?

[@jerryjohnson8145]

@carollebriton408 I have not had an issue with it leaving a sticky residue.

[@Marlahanna]

Great suggestions! I will be watching this one again with a notebook.

[@mariejohns1387]

I love those silly sticker books and diamond painting!!! Its nice to have something mindless to do occasionally!

[@juliemorrison4348]

Great tips Karen. We don't have good dollar stores like yours. Loved your shot of all the chairs with tennis balls🤣♥️🇦🇺

[@nadmustillo8765]

Great tips as always. I also use those black divided trays for my spools of thread, organized by colour, and can stack two into a dresser drawer in my sewing room. The other tool I found at the same store, was an extendable magnet stick (looks like an old fashioned antanea) Works great to pick up stray pins and needles or other bits that somehow fall on the floor. Thanks again for another great video.

[@AutumnK]

I use the extendable magnet wand, too!

[@vikkivanveldhuizen2290]

I’ll have to find part 1 & 2!!! I love the Dollar Tree.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Here is the playlist kzbin.info/aero/PLchS26NEYgVyVyrrUtRPkQDd0WTdqYi1-

[@vikkivanveldhuizen2290]

@ Thank You!!!!

[@ginaolive4853]

I did a schoolhouse presentation at my guild’s quilt show this summer and shared a lot of these ideas. People loved it!! Quilting is not a cheap sport but it doesn’t have to break the bank all the time.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

And sometimes thinking outside the box is satisfying in itself

[@lizbee726]

Quilting is a 'hobby' not a sport. 🤣👍

[@KarenK-r4f]

Love the coffee filters💙💜💚

[@tippisladaritz2638]

I got pool noodlea and did a baby quilt. Worked great. Now i have to connect 2 lengths for a wider quilt. Our dollar store only has shorter ones

[@kittyscottpdx]

Coffee filters for the win!!!

[@karenwhitley7211]

Karen, you are brilliant! Love the idea of using the compartment tray for specific scrap blocks. I used your idea of precutting fabric scraps and storing by size..such a weight of my brain. Now I need to look back on your patterns and find a one that I can sort and store in the compartment container. Just brilliant. Thank you.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Glad it helps. It’s been a game changer for me

[@conniedouglass3673]

Will you be doing another Declutter Challenge in January? Oh, how I hope so. It really is helpful & fun. Thx. Happy Holidays. Thx for enhancing my life!

[@gwynwellliver4489]

Plus emergency snacks - Pringles! 😂 As always, great tips. I really need to try the pool noodle sandwich tip.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

I was wondering how many would notice

[@karenwhitley7211]

I've done it and it is great.

[@hazeldw4786]

@@gwynwellliver4489 The pool noodle method is great for bigger tops especially if you have tables you can put end to end. It is the only method I use. It is arthritis friendly!

[@lisagarner8261]

Using pool noodles to baste quilts is life changing. SO much easier than laying out the layers on a table or the floor.

[@hazeldw4786]

The pringles? 😅 This is one item our itty bitty dollar store always has. ​@@JustGetitDoneQuilts

[@shelleybarba8458]

I gasped at the pool noodles to do sandwiching! It is by far my least favorite part of the process, but I think this hack may solve a lot of the issues I have with it! Thank you so much for your videos!

[@Zeevah-x5g]

Karen, thank you so much for this series! I am 45 minutes away from the nearest Dollarama, but I now have a list for the next time I "go to town".

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

🤗

[@theresaakin2284]

I picked up some coloring books and couple other books to trace and turn into embroidery or make my own appliques for different projects

[@nanch9180]

Thanks again for great tips and Merry Christmas to you and yours

[@quiltfreak64]

I bought a large fleece throw n hung it on the wall n its great for a large project board. I love it . The blocks stick well to the fleece . I buy a neutral color.

[@miniaturerose]

So many great ideas! Thank you!

[@delwyngraham4033]

Those colour books look like you could use paper piecing patterns😊thanks again what a great shop

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

some of them can with a bit of tweaking

[@abigailthompson4456]

My sewing room was a mess (dumping ground), so I had to clean it up because i want to sew during Christmas break. But I think I still have organizing to do with you in the new year. ❤

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

I know what you mean. Everything is constantly evolving

[@janellsearles7037]

The chair I’ve been using in my studio for sewing just isn’t working for me. I just order the FlexiSpot C7 chair you recommended and can’t wait to try it out. Thanks so much for the referral and all your great videos! Happy New Year 2025 🎉

[@elainevenier1624]

Oh, how I wish we had Dollar Tree Stores here in England...I'd set up my sewing room in one, and if it was next to Wallmart, even better! Thank you for all these amazing hacks.

[@tiffanyclark5745]

Another educating & very inspiring video! Thank you so much for all you do!! I learn so much from every video & they look so effortless, but I appreciate how much work goes into each one!!!

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Thank you for noticing 🤗

[@barbaraimwold4352]

Thank you, I am going to use the tool caddy for my scraps.🌸

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Works so well

[@samanthabloggins1775]

Here In Canada, Princess Auto is another great place to look for stuff! I went there one time and bought a set of quilting mats.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Yes I need to do one there too

[@brigitte1215]

They have low cost magnetic trays too - great for holding pins and needles.

[@samanthabloggins1775]

@brigitte1215 yes I forgot I bought one too!

[@laurajones338]

I love Dollarama! I don’t know why guys at the border are always surprised when I say I am going to Canada to shop at Dollarama.

[@maplecountry4230]

So many great ideas again! 🥰. I had to use my pool noodles to protect picture frames when I moved and now I have to wait until next summer to get more for making quilt sandwiches. 😔. Just a note to those new to pool noodles. I use short pieces of pvc pipe inserted into the ends of 2 noodles to join them together when I have wider quilt tops. I love that method!😊

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Good tip

[@jerryjohnson8145]

I use the pool noodles on my long arm. I have an older frame that has 1" aluminium rods, I cut the pool needle in pieces and than slice them open. I float my quilt top and use the pool noodles to hold my top taught on the rod.

[@gretroman8235]

Excellent video. You came up with many practical suggestions. And dollar store items are inexpensive. The stores are everywhere. I like that you suggested fun items like the sticker books and health irems like tennis ball for massaging forearms.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

I try to avoid just junk

[@connieking9873]

As usual wonderful ideas to use. A couple I picked up from previous videos. I really need to try the pool noodles instead of the floor.

[@okaminess]

Wow, thank you.

[@eileensecrest2185]

Love these tips, Ive seen the other two and incorporated a lot of those ideas/products into my sewing. My favorite is using a flannel tablecloth as a design board.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

It's amazing now they keep going and going

[@musketeersplus2]

This is quite timely - I was headed to Dollarama this afternoon anyway. Love your videos, thanks for all the tips!

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

You’ll find all kinds of treasures there!

[@rosemarymonty5399]

Great ideas.

[@rayettajones6441]

I love your ideas and helpful hints. I wish my neighborhood Dollar Tree was like yours. They don't have the things yours has and always low on stock or empty shelves.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Worth a trip to Canada

[@annas.r.p.5835]

Looks like you have a great dollar store .... I would have to go to multiple $ stores to find any of your recommendations .... I also noted the products do not look or work as well as what you show. I would love to find a adjustable spray bottle ... mine just splurts ... do love your videos as I find them informative

[@cherylrafuse3046]

I buy the pic frames and replace the back with foam core covered with batting as project mats

[@Craftythrifter]

After JoAnns the Dollar Tree is my fav store. Ours have seasonal fat Qtrs and I get the foam dish drying mats there too for all kinds of projects.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Nice

[@kathleenchyrywaty2360]

Got a wrinkle that won’t come out. Spray it with vinegar then iron. Works like charm

[@susanthompson2278]

Thanks for the great ideals this helps me a lot I heading for the Dollar Tree store

[@meacadwell]

Even though your chair looks very comfortable, I cannot afford that price. I have a second hand chair gifted to me and I made a seat and lumbar cushion to fit my body. Now it's really comfy.

[@alindac1]

I can't believe how clean and organized your dollar store is!!!!! The local ones around me look like a tornado 🌪 went through!!! Thanks for the tips!!

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

I had no idea until I started making these that Canada has such amazing dollar stores....worth the visit

[@KarenK-r4f]

Mine is gross

[@everetttrechter3991]

It's the Canada of it all (please no one poke holes in my vision of Canadian utopia, it's my emotional support delusion)

[@denisestilling2810]

Nice to see you’re back.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

🤗🤗🤗 Last month was a challenge

[@Wanda6308]

Thank you for all of these lovely ideas. I had never thought about it before and will use them

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

You are welcome

[@mariawells8026]

WOW! These were fabulous ideas!! Thank you!

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

You’re welcome!

[@cindymatthews8757]

Always love your sewing hacks videos!! Such great ideas.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

I love making them

[@AutumnK]

For anyone who can't find pool noodles at their dollar store, my friend was just in this dilemma. She went to the hardware store instead and got foam pipe insulation. It looks just like a grey pool noodle with a slit that goes along the length of it that makes it easy to tuck your fabric into it before you start rolling. It's not that much spendier, either.

[@sharonjuozaitis7783]

I have melamine cupboards, and I use the doors for white boards

[@lynhanna917]

I wear mulitfocal lens glasses i had measured the distance i needed to be able to see what i was sewing and also see to thread the sewing machine. I figured the best distance was four to sixteen inches. My optometrist gave me a script for that specific range and what a difference it made for me sewing. Just remember to remove the glasses before attempting to do any distance viewing, it was not a pleasant experience! I should have thought to do this years ago.

[@rjross1087]

Thanks!

[@vivianweissmann217]

Wow, who knew about all these wonderful hacks for quilting. Karen, thank you for doing the work for us, so appreciated. Take care.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

You’re very welcome. Happy to share.

[@KR-pp7wp]

😮😮😮$1.25 for reading glasses!!! Wow! Cheapest I've found here in Australia in so called '$2' shops is $6.99...

[@bronwyntaylor7377]

I found a cheap cutlery tray for sewing bits works well

[@gquilter36]

Thank you Karen, another informative video.

[@MaiNowlin]

Great ideas from the dollar store.

[@PATCARSON-l6v]

Great hacks! Many thanks from Canada. cheers

[@sandragallo7827]

Love your hair!

[@Sandrab769]

I buy rubbing alcohol by the gallon as I use it to clean with. I clean my bathroom sink with it every morning.

[@elainelear4982]

Great ideas. Thank you.

[@juliechao3638]

Enjoying the replay ❤

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Thanks for watching!

[@RoseCoffman-i4g]

Your dollar store is so much better than any where I live. They used to be nice, now barely have anything decent.

[@Kathy-qp8jx]

I agree! I've never seen a dollar store with this much good stuff!

[@sherriejohnson508]

So many great ideas

[@ljcmsw]

Your Dollar Trees have so much more product than mine! I'll look, for some of these, Let's hope I'm lucky. I did order a case of drawers for small scraps, rainbow coded. They stack and are easy to move when I "redecorate" (hahaha, aka clean) all the time.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

I had no idea that our dollar stores were so clean and all round amazing before I made these videos

[@samanthabloggins1775]

@ljcmsw Dollar Tree is an American Chain store. Dollarama is a Canadian chain store..

[@catlady9123]

​@@samanthabloggins1775yes, but we have both in Canada. I absolutely love both places.

[@janzitterkopf1630]

Useful and informative video, thank you!

[@livingweirdestherc6644]

The pool noodles are a great idea

[@TheJAG1357]

Excellent again❤❤❤❤❤❤ thank you

[@jennywhiteside4760]

Wow! I’d love to have Dollar Stores over here in the South of England, but we just don’t! I’m quite envious. Our Pound stores don’t equate ……..unless anyone knows better? Thank you Karen, as always, for the inspiration.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Worth a trip to Canada

[@pnbw98]

Love the tips! I'm going to plan a trip to the dollar store soon to pick up some of these items😊😊

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

👍👍👍

[@peggycarlyle6409]

Excellent video!

[@joycej9415]

I see my ophthalmologist and get my prescription adjusted. They cost more, but the best glasses for me are one pair of progressive lenses. It would drive me nuts to need several different pairs of glasses.

[@pammeinzer6757]

I find that my iron last longer if I don't use my steam and instead use a spray bottle.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

👍

[@shirleybullock8375]

I store all glue sticks in a ziplock bag to prevent drying out

[@hazeldw4786]

Your Dollar store is huge.

[@marygersetich8709]

No kidding! My local dollar store is small and messy.

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

Worth the visit to Canada

[@hazeldw4786]

@JustGetitDoneQuilts Fortunately, I have a childhood friend who married a Canadian and lives in the Toronto metro area. She was always fun to shop with. Win win. She'll also be familiar with border rules and what has to be declared.

[@hazeldw4786]

@@marygersetich8709 We have a relatively new one. It is small convenience store size. The one in Karen's videos look about as big or bigger as our local Target stores.

[@hazeldw4786]

@@JustGetitDoneQuilts So, apparently I need to go to Canada to see not only Dollarama, but several other stores that my friend assures me are much better up north. Ugh. I might have to figure out this trip before January 20th.

[@dcwatashi]

I don’t know why I thought you lived in Brampton but now I can see that you’re in North York. Coming to Toronto for Christmas might be visiting some family friends who live off of Finch I believe and the 404. Sure would be nice to meet you for a coffee

[@patriciaallen3138]

Thank you so much. Wonderful!

[@maedowns2217]

Excellent, as always!

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

thank you 🤗

[@jennifergaylor4593]

Sewing hack....I buy leather gloves and cut the fingers off to use as thimbles. It's great for hand sewing and quilting.

[@lisaemerson8061]

THANK YOU

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

🤗

[@Sewwithdebee]

Great ideas Karen have used many from your previous videos ❤

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

It's amazing how long term the items work for

[@beyesh3760]

❤❤Awesome, thanks for the great ideas😊

[@ragdollyally]

Karen, if you add 1/4 cup rubbing alcohol to your spray bottle of water, you’ll find that really stubborn creases just melt away. It’s significantly more effective than plain water 😊

[@MADHOUSE_Soaps]

Great tip! Thanks

[@ginaolive4853]

One question though, what and why are you spraying on the backing fabric on the longarm frame? My longarm is a table mount so this is a new trick.

[@sandyh8755]

Wish we had a Dollar Rama.

[@daleodberg6714]

Very good, thank you.

[@desleybartlett322]

Hi Karen, our dollar shops are not so big here in Australia but still have some handy stuff. Was just wondering how is Nandi going. Havnt seen him for awhile. Desley 🇦🇺

[@JustGetitDoneQuilts]

He’s been sharing the house with my grand dog…not too happy