The Top Notion Expert Shares 10 Surprising Non Sewing Essentials

[@thesparrowsnest8343]

Lots of great ideas. The needle threader using paper squares is a game changer. Thanks for sharing. 😊

[@SookieSews]

Glad it helped. I’m getting more blind each day so this is gonna come in handy for me :)

[@saugeangel6607]

Thank you for all of this series of yours. I have a good one for you that I don’t think you would’ve seen before. It’s using teflon adhesive tape for vacuum sealers. I use the quarter inch wide one. I put it on the bottom of any of my sewing presser feet when I’m sewing vinyl, leather faux leather or anything like that. It turns any foot into a Teflon foot. So if you want to use it on your zipper foot for example you just stick on the strip on the bottom of the zipper foot. Make sure you make holes for where the needle goes through, and sew away. Another one is to use a hoof cuticle pusher with a silicon tip as a nice grippy stiletto substitute. You know the kind of thing I’m talking about you use it on your nails to push your cuticles back and it normally has a soft silicone “hoof” on it. Another thing you can do if you have an older machine that doesn’t have LEDs, but just a dim lightbulb. You can upgrade the lighting on your Sewing Machine by swapping out your lightbulb with an LED one. For my Bernina 1260, I searched for the right one by looking for car indicator light bulbs. Make sure you match the wattage voltage diameter and type of fitting such as bayonet or screw in. You should find information on your current lightbulb in your instruction manual. Then just search for the LED replacement and it should come up. Works like a charm on my old Bernina. If you don’t have any serviette rings to store fabric, stabiliser. Et cetera, then you can buy slap bracelets. Very cheaply.

[@SookieSews]

Oh wow. So much good stuff here. Sorry I didn’t catch this until now. There are thousands of comments but thank you for leaving. I just posted a new one on 11-6-24 but have one more planned soon. Thanks again.

[@jezinaanizej4879]

These are all great ides! My kids are done with orthodontic braces, but we have a few of those little orthodontic wax cases leftover with the wax still. I stick half a stick of the wax at one side of the case, poke my retired sewing needles into it to keep my used needles from falling out and poking me or roll around and get lost on the floor. They stay in the case! Also, extra wax sticks are great for sticking somewhere convenient on your sewing machine to temporarily keep your fabric pins as you’re sewing.

[@SookieSews]

Very interesting idea and my kid currently has braces so I’m gonna give this a try. Thanks

[@SookieSews]

Great idea. Thanks for sharing

[@chrisgreen4231]

One of your videos mentions using "book rings" (split rings with a hinge) to hang related things. Note that these ring come in different sizes. I have some DMC rings that are 2.5" and are intended to store DMC plastic and cardboard bobbins that are used for hand embroidery floss. You can store a _lot_ more things on bigger rings!

[@SookieSews]

Oh yeah good idea!

[@gloriannburick1837]

Just yesterday before watching this video I decided I needed a silverware tray to put tools, pins, etc in while sewing. Then I watched the video and my idea popped up. Now to find an extra tray in the house or to buy one. I have vision problems now at 83 so threading my machine needle is hard. I have found that if I put a small piece of white paper behind the eye of the needle it makes it easier for me to thread it.

[@SookieSews]

Excellent tip. Thank you

[@albertoricci580]

The white contrast really helps to see the eye of the needle. I came up with a more permanent solution, . I painted white nail polish on the presser foot right behind the needle, so it’s always there to help me see the eye of the needle easier. Our eyesight might be failing but our brains can come up with ways of adapting😜😄

[@paule-marieb8680]

Just found your videos. Great ideas. Some I've been using for years, others were new to me. I have 2 favorite non sewing sewing toools. My favorite seam ripper is my tiny swiss army knife - it's about 2.5" long. The scissor's blade points are just th right shape and size to fit under stitches as small as 1.5. You can find them in lots of different colors and patterns and they fit perfectly in your pocket. In one of the other videos, you used a lint roller to clean your mat. I bought a trim roller used to paint small areas and a telescoping handle. The lint roller refills fit perfectly. I use it to roll the floor around my machine to pick up threads and tiny fabric scraps.

[@SookieSews]

Two great tips indeed! Thank you for sharing

[@helpfulnhappy]

Thanks for sharing more great ideas!

[@SookieSews]

You’re so welcome

[@mcmccoy1184]

Such clever ideas. I LOVE the adjustable silverware organizer. And I might use that bouillon jar for a spool of thread + the matching bobbin while I’m working on a project.

[@SookieSews]

The silverware tray was one of my favs too :)

[@debpangle9964]

Great ideas! Thank you for sharing! 💛🌻💛

[@SookieSews]

You’re so welcome. Thank you for leaving a comment.

[@Kathleen58]

Love the paper idea of threading your needle. I use scotch tape , add your thread and cut it at an angle, stick it through the needle hole ,then cut off the tape.

[@SookieSews]

Cool. Glad it was helpful. And thanks for that tip with the tape.

[@melraeambs]

Thank you, @Sookie!

[@SookieSews]

You’re welcome

[@SueD.]

Love the ideas on these videos.

[@SookieSews]

Glad you enjoy! They are fun to make and share

[@AudioTroveFX]

Sewing buttons onto playing cards would be great for keeping a set together. I cut buttons off shirts that I buy at thrift stores purely to use the fabric for other things. I have a jar full of buttons from those. I’ll be sorting them out this weekend and sewing the sets onto cards!!!

[@SookieSews]

I remember being a kid sorting buttons for my mom. Wish she would have organized them on cards. Lol

[@sherrydarling9626]

I learned to sew in 4-H, a neighbor taught us. We met weekly and discussed several different hobbies each of us had.

[@SookieSews]

@sherrydarling9626 that’s awesome. I know some communities in the US still have 4-H.

[@rebeccam9008]

Thank you for some great idea. Will try some of them.

[@SookieSews]

Please do

[@janeahrens572]

One thing I have already in my sewing room, at my sewing machine even I’d my needle case. I butt the end up against the thick seam and sew forward beside the needle case. When I’m past the seam , I can take it out and continue.

[@SookieSews]

Sounds like a good idea!

[@michelleprintz2976]

The washable marker tip definitely. I wonder if you can use your iron on the steam setting to remove the marker mark from your fabric?

[@SookieSews]

Worth a try

[@chrisgreen4231]

If you have multiple sewing machines, many of which use different styles of bobbins, you might consider marking all the bobbins with a dot of nail polish. I find Class 15 and Class 15J bobbins very hard to distinguish from each other, for instance. I know that the bobbins with pale yellow dots go in my Singer and the bobbins with magenta dots go in my Viking. I store my bobbins in "bobbin rings", and I can keep all the yellow-dot bobbins in the rings marked with yellow nail polish dots, for instance. Also, my machines have top-loading bobbins, so if I'm sewing along and the little dots stop moving, I can immediately see that the bobbin has run out of thread.

[@SookieSews]

Oh I see so you mark with nail polish when your bobbin is getting low? I wish I could see a photo of this sorta having a hard time following. Feel free to send me a photo to my email [e-mail]

[@marijamusic9259]

I have a question. Do you have a tip for bobbins to keep the thread from unraveling while in the storage container. I always have loose ends of bobbin thread. Just wondered if you have a good tip. Thank you and love your videos!

[@SookieSews]

I keep my bobbins in a bobbin holder like this amzn.to/3BeScpp

[@roseannbradley3724]

Somewhere I saw this idea: Use the very small terrycloth child size hair bands. I tried it and it works great!! 🎉👏🎊 I found a card with many on it at the Dollar Tree, but they are available at any discount store like Walmart, Big Lots, etc for just a few cents each! I bought mine several years ago and they're all still going strong. 👍😉

[@mooncatandberyl5372]

you are the best sewing you tuber that I have come across

[@meacadwell]

The larger bouillion containers can hold a couple of clips, lots of sewing machine needle packs, lots of things. I watched a video where a sewist left the labels on and wrote "Top" and "Bobbin" on them. Before going to quilt class she'd wind up a bunch of bobbins with the colors she'd need to use so she wouldn't have to lug around entire spools of thread, and the bobbin container held the bobbin colors she'd need. You can use an old toothbrush to remove thread after using the seam ripper. It lasts longer than an eraser.

[@SookieSews]

Thanks so much for sharing such detail :)

[@Sandrab769]

I have used 3x5 index cards to organize buttons.

[@linvallier2269]

Yes. Also, the lines on 3x5 cards have lines a quarter inch apart, for checking seam allowance…

[@SookieSews]

@linvallier2269 ooo that’s cool. Didn’t know that. Now I’ve got to get some 3x5

[@janetmaffy5375]

I sew primarily garments, and I use an umbrella stand for all of my bigger rulers and things like French curves and L-rulers.

[@SookieSews]

Oh that’s a cool idea. Thanks for sharing

[@suzannecooke2055]

Many machines come with a button foot. I am now planning to organize my whole button box. A great rainy-day project. Temu sells heat-erasable markers...fine point, multi colors, WITH REFILLS. I keep my heat tool close, using it to erase mistake, or remove marks on non-washables. They have become my favorite notion ever. Also - PILL BOTTLES. I take a lot of meds, hence many bottles every month. My fave is keeping my water-soluble thread separate and dry.

[@dillismoore432]

A lot of my fabrics cannot be washed in hot water, but for those that can be the washable markers are a great idea! All of the other non-sewing sewing notions are great!!

[@SookieSews]

That’s why I stress this so much. HOT water was required but cotton and hot water are good friends :)

[@elizabethdickerson2571]

Thank you clever ideas ❤❤❤

[@SookieSews]

You’re so welcome.

[@chrisgreen4231]

I use Planter's peanut jars to store worn rotary blades. If I need to cut paper or cardboard, it's very easy to dig out an old blade and put it back into the cutter, so I don't mess up my good blades. If you need to stitch through paper or cardboard, you might be able to re-use dull needles, too.

[@SookieSews]

I remember being a kid and making my own greeting cards by taking my mom’s old used needles to sew decorative stitches in colored paper. Thanks for these added ideas and making me think of that memory

[@valeriehaggerty4860]

The cloths hanger bag for trash or scraps is one I’ll definitely use. Feel almost dumb for not thinking of it myself especially since I’m moving my trash bag back-and-forth back-and-forth so I’m going to hang it on the side of my sewing desk.

[@SookieSews]

Me too! That’s why I love doing these videos so much because I learn from my viewers

[@sandramichaud8033]

Paper and needle trick. ❤your method would work for me.

[@SookieSews]

It’s honestly super cool and I’m glad someone shared with me.

[@mtnjhutch]

I have had an old 35 mm film canister for years as a used needle/sharps container. An old pill bottle works too. I drilled a hole in the top and insert the pins or needles in. When it gets crowded, I empty it in an empty jar in the trash or take it to work to put in a real sharps container.

[@SookieSews]

Ok, now that is super cool! Thanks for sharing.

[@DorothyRamirez-n4q]

I use the Cayla markers on many fabrics.. wash all items in cold water/warm and have not had a single problem getting it out of fabric.. I have even used the dollar store brand 👍🏻

[@SookieSews]

Very cool to know :)

[@mooncatandberyl5372]

the cutlery organiser would be great for zips or embroidery thread

[@gretchennahas5994]

You could put your scissors in the section of the silverware tray

[@SookieSews]

Yes! So many things to do with it :)

[@kathyreichard7029]

For the containers. Wonder if you glue a magnet in the bottom and have them stick them on top of your machine

[@SookieSews]

Interesting. Might give it a try

[@suzannecooke2055]

Careful! Magnets can interfere, even destroy computer 'intense' sewing machines.

[@beckycollins5016]

Skokie, you could also use a lint roller to remove the loose threads after ripping a seam. 😊

[@SookieSews]

For sure. We cover that in another video. It’s cool to know there’s lots of ways

[@debbypickett6389]

Love the bobbin idea thanks

[@SookieSews]

You’re welcome

[@janetwilliams7705]

Thank you!

[@SookieSews]

You’re very welcome!

[@katherinebarbery1762]

I tape a plastic bag to my sewing table with painters tape,for threads and rubbish,then full straight in the bin

[@sandybruce9092]

I used to do that with a brown lunch bag!

[@SookieSews]

Yes that works too

[@SookieSews]

When I teach live classes we do that the students

[@1wholovestrees]

I use an altoids tin to store my bobbins. They can either lay flat or on their side, and I don’t have to dig in jars.

[@SookieSews]

nice :)

[@1wholovestrees]

Another thing I do is use a slightly darker thread in my bobbin. Then when I’m ripping, I cut the bobbin stitches every inch or so. This way the top thread pulls off in one piece.

[@SookieSews]

Very nice :) thank you for sharing.

[@kathyreichard7029]

When you cut up fabric for bags and notions for it

[@SookieSews]

Sure :)

[@arvettadelashmit9337]

I never did get the mark out of a good pair of pants that were made by a dry erase marker.

[@SookieSews]

That’s too bad.

[@gloriannburick1837]

Did you try using hydrogen peroxide?

[@karenleonard1365]

Dry erase is a hydrocarbon. Alcohol? Greased Lightning?

[@annseabolt6645]

If the eye of the needle is large enough to push the paper through then it should be large enough that threading it without the paper shouldn’t be an issue.

[@SookieSews]

Yes exactly :)

[@karenwerts2331]