PROMISE YOU WON'T LAUGH

My kids call me tightwad.  I consider myself frugal.  So, remember when you look at this that I’m just trying to save money and the environment as well.  Recently I posted a link to someone’s blog (sorry I can’t remember the name) of how to secure the threads on your bobbins.  I got excited when I saw it and headed off to Home Depot to get my plastic tubing.  However, once there I discovered the tube only came in one length and cost more than I wanted to spend.  I only had about 4 bobbins that I needed to secure.  Besides, the only tubing I could find was too thick for my tiny plastic bobbins.  I came home empty handed.

Then it occurred to me to try this.  On the way home I drove through a fast food place for something to drink.  Once home, and drink finished, I was just about to toss the empty in the trash, when I noticed the straw.  It was a large straw.  I took it to my sewing room and used my X-ACTO knife to cut pieces the width of my bobbins.  Then I made a slit down the piece so I could open it and slip it around the bobbin.  It works!  And it’s FREE!

Later I was proudly showing off my creativity to my son and lamented that I couldn’t figure out how to keep my spools of thread from getting all tangled like this.

I found a large piece of plastic, but it’s too thick and I don’t like it.

My son came to the rescue with a piece of flexible hose that is used in a car.  It was easily cut with the X-ACTO knife and fit the larger spools of thread perfectly.  However, I am still looking for a solution for the smaller/thinner spools of thread.  Any suggestions?

ON ANOTHER NOTE:  Quilters Road Trip is being held during the months of April, May, and June.  Twelve area shops are participating.  You get a chance to win a $25 gift certificate each month at each shop.  Also available will be new projects, patterns and giveaways.  You can get your Passports at the Attic Window Quilt Shop for only $5.
 
YOU MIGHT LIKE THIS: Blossom Heart Quilts has a nice tutorial for a helixed table runner.

PS:  I'm Linking up to Sew Many Ways today.

Until next time,
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Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

MUST HAVE ITEMS TO ADD TO YOUR LIST

Colleen made this up-to-date table runner as a sample for the Attic Window Quilt Shop. These lovely fabrics are from the Benartex Gotham line. You can find the pattern and the fabrics at the shop, so add "pick up Gotham fabrics and new pattern" to your to-do list.

The Attic Window Quilt Shop now has Aurifil quilting thread and I highly recommend it. I used it yesterday and my temperamental little Pfaff just loved it. There was not one break or snafu and very little lint. This thread may cost a little more than what you are used to, but it’s like buying a Castle instead of a hut. And, remember, you're worth it. These are just some of the lovely colors in the shop. They come in two different spool sizes. Chris said that she hopes to be getting in some variegated colors soon. Add these must-have items to your to-do list. I bet you’ll like it.

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Do you like cupcakes? Quick Quilts has some cute fabric cupcakes for you to make (not taste). I'm going to make some. What a great way to stick to your diet! Check out this fun project.

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Until Next Time: Happy Quilting!

Caroll