How about we share some embroidery hints that may be a help to someone here. This is one of my favorites - small hair covers to put around embroidery thread. Easy to put on and take off - There is about 30 to a card - I have to admit though - I am much to busy to color match them to the thread - LOL!! Anyone else have a hint to share?

I have a brother 780 & 700, the display screen makes it hard to reconize the designs, with the dolls I do, and ITH with stippled background, when digitizing I put a large name in front of my group of designs, this shows up well...wendy

8/23/2014 Thinking about all the odd tools I use at my machine. Scotch tape is an essential. For a quick tack down of topping when I've already got too many pins! Also for labels on thread spool tops (trim around the top with your curvy scissors). For a quick temporary note ON MY MACHINE - such as thread order or when to put on topping, or changes I made in thread colors. Sticky notes - put one on the machine of where I'm going to dig back in tomorrow. Those new quilt "clothespins" for holding leftover rolled up shirting out of the way while I stitch up in a corner. A staple remover - certain companies have SUCH poor packaging ideas when it comes to blanks. A wooden point turner - handy for holding down a stray corner of wss until the stitches pass by - nice for saving fingers. A tall pill box with all my maintenance tools inside - screwdriver, lint brush, other screwdriver, emery board (filing off bumps on plastic spools), long and short tweezers).

I have lots of sticky note lists posted near my machine, such as (my favorite) - "What color is a cat?" A list of about 10 Robison Anton thread colors. Shopping list - thread colors, specific fabrics I need, blanks I'm out of. I live somewhere rural, so it's a day shopping trip once a month and I don't want to forget anything Cutie prayer list - lots of spare time at the machine. I usually keep a list called "Sew Next" - ideas for when I have no ideas. A sticky note of my hoop sizes - actually their design space limits - in inches and metric. Usually a good quote about artistry or persistence! Okay, enough!

Watch at your local resale for a paper sorter or stacker. I found a nice one with about 16 sections in hardboard for about $10 and keep my pre-cut stabilizers in it - file, and unfile! It sits by my hooping area, otherwise known as an over-the-door ironing board. Bucket of rolls of stabilizers sits atop that sorter. I labeled each kind of stabilizer with WHAT I USE IT FOR, such as "FSL," "white/light stretchy t's",
"towels", "Aprons" etc.

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by dailylaundry 21 Aug 2014

What a great hint - staying organized is always a challenge!! Hugs to you and thanks, Laura*

I do this all the time too & you can't beat the price either lol. a tip that I have done often enough is save some of the wss melted water & use it to spritz any loose threads (after it has dried) when I do fsl I use a Teflon sheet to iron on but spray the lace first. it just that little extra when I have trimmed a bit to close. ~hugs~

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by dailylaundry 20 Aug 2014

Thank you!!! I like your hint!! Hugs, Laura*

I've been doing this for a long, long time, only I use the little black ones that come a 100 or more to a pk. and are a lot less costly. bt can use them even when the thread is getting real low on the spool

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by dailylaundry 19 Aug 2014

They are handy for me! Thanks, Laura*

I certainly do not want to seem negative but surely the time taken to put on one of these bands must take much longer than just using the proper snap catcher at the bottom of the spool.

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by lbrow 19 Aug 2014

Not all of the spools have a snap catcher my dear Sarah

by dailylaundry 19 Aug 2014

Just a hint for anyone who was looking for an easy way of keeping thread from unraveling!! Hugs to all, Laura*

by airyfairy 19 Aug 2014

Some of my spools also do not have the catcher so DH cuts a little nick at the top. If you nick the bottom the thread can get caught as it is the widest part. I have learnt the hard way!!!!

I have not used anything like this, looks like an easy solution, do you leave it on when sewing?

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by dailylaundry 17 Aug 2014

No, I pull them off - use the thread - and, then put it back on again. Very quick and very easy. Thanks!!

This is a neat idea, thanks for sharing. :-)

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by dailylaundry 17 Aug 2014

Thanks, Leaha!!!

Great idea. Much better than rubber bands. Will get some next time I am out shopping. Thanks for the tip. Shirley

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by dailylaundry 17 Aug 2014

Shirley, I actually found these at the Dollar Store. Hugs, Laura*

I keep my solar thread in a brown paper bag, with the top folded down several times and stored in the closet with the door closed to keep it good.

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by dailylaundry 17 Aug 2014

Sounds very protected, Karen - thanks for the idea!!! Laura*

that looks good! Thanks! I am doing nothing, although I need to get the baby bottle inserts to cover my cones and protect the thread from dust.

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by dailylaundry 17 Aug 2014

That is a great idea!! All of my thread is in semi clear drawers by color, hopefully, protected from strong light and dust. Thanks, Laura*

by graceandham 20 Aug 2014

Mine, too, Laura, although I cut a small piece of cardboard to make "column" dividers in the drawer and one extra piece on the sunshine side of the drawer, just in case the light gets through! Hugs.

by dailylaundry 22 Aug 2014

Excellent idea!!!!!

watch this video using the link on the Ann the gran site. My favorite thread storage tip,no bands,wonder tape,hair ties etc. Free and e-z. It's the only way I can get the link to work

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by dailylaundry 17 Aug 2014

Thanks for the idea, Bev!! Hugs, Laura*

by darenluan 17 Aug 2014

At this time, I'm using this tip from My Embroidery Mentor, but when I have to use a lot of colors, I'll try Laura's tip too. Thank you.

Well done on passing on this useful tip, I have used this method for years, it works well on the larger reels. I use "press-stick" on the smaller reels which holds the thread in place.

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by dailylaundry 17 Aug 2014

Press-stick is a great idea!!

It looks like your thread spools have the catchers on the bottom. Pull on the botom of the orange and brown one and see if it pops open.Metro threads have the same feature

4 comments

by dailylaundry 17 Aug 2014

You are right - they do have that feature - but, this is much quicker!!

by gerryb 17 Aug 2014

Also easier on the fingernails that I keep chipping with the bottom snap opens!

by graceandham 20 Aug 2014

I found that when I had a very sewing intensive day, snapping the cones was tiresome and strained my arms after 50 or 60 repetitions. Prefer the bands now.

by dailylaundry 22 Aug 2014

The bands are very easy and not expensive at all!! Thanks!

Stupid question maybe, but why put them on?

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by dailylaundry 17 Aug 2014

The are no stupid questions - it is a very easy way to keep the thread from unraveling in my thread drawers. Hugs, Laura*