How to use bobbin winder for the larger size spools

Did you know, you can use your bobbin winder on the sewing machine to wind more thread on the regular size spool?

It's always cheaper to buy anything in bulk or in larger amounts. 

When I buy large size of Sulky, Aurifil, Kingtut or Superior threads, yes, I always win in price, but it's not not always convenient having a big spool, especially when you travelling, go for a class or guild meetings.

It also applies to serger or coverlock, when I need 4 spools of the same color at a time, but I have only one available (or 2-3, still not enough!), you would like this tip to know how to rewind it. 

Just buy sticky Velcro circles 

and punch the whole in the center.

Attach one to the bobbin and one to the empty spool.

Ready!

Just hold the top of the spool, when winding, to prevent it from wobbling.

Enjoy!

Natalie Quiltessa

Needle threaders: what's the difference?

If you are a beginner in sewing and quilting, you might want to know the difference between needle threaders: why some of them are cheap, but the other ones, Clover or Tulip type, are much more expensive. Are they worth the money? Yes, to me! Watch my video and see the difference 

How to know instantly which needle is in your sewing machine right now? Best tip ever!

I never have trouble organizing my needles, since I arranged them in this perfect size fit pill box:

But I don't always remember which needle I had last in my sewing machine!

You might like this tip I found recently on Facebook, but.... what if you have more than one machine?  To tell the truth I was not really satisfied with that idea, especially when using more than one machine, with separate storage for additional needles! I also have several sewing bags, which are always ready to grab and go sewing, depends on the project I am working on; those bags are "furnished" with special clear vinyl bags to keep additional sewing needles there!  That means I  keep my needles somewhere separately from my sewing machine. When I want to find out which needle case was used last time, I need to leave my sewing space, to find one of those needle cases. Waste of time to me! And the worst part of it is when I finally find that needle case with some kind of marking in it (toothpick, paper clip or nail polished on the old needle - additional steps again, steeling my time), then I realize, that the needle I want is already in my sewing machine! Such a waste! Most of the time I just need to be sure there is a needle, which I need at the moment, without taking it out and looking for the magnifying glass, if I forgot when/if I changed it last time.

So, after making multiple researches, I still couldn't find a good tip which would work fine to me. Sorry if I missed something! But finally I came up with my own decision. Maybe a little time consuming in the beginning, to get it done, but since it's there, it will work forever!

So.....

With this tip you will always know which needle you had last in your sewing machine(s)! 

 Finally, I came up with this solution!

I printed the type of the needles I use most of the time and their size numbers on a shipping label stickers, so I can adhere it to my machine and easily remove, if needed.

Now I wrapped around the lid on the top of my machine, where the labels already attached, with clear elastic 3/8" width, pulled both ends to make it tight enough and joined them with a stapler.

Now I need to make some markers, so I can move them and anchor every time when I change my needle. Safety pins would work fine for this purpose, and I also decided to decorate them with tiny silk flowers. It will look pretty and also will make it easier to visualize where exactly your anchor is.

I sewed them first to the pin, then put a little drop of Gorilla glue on it. This glue has a tendency to create a little bubbles and small rubbery ball when dried off, - it will prevent the pin from unnecessary sliding.  

Now lock these flower pins on the elastic and anchor them accordingly to the needle in use right now!

It really works on my several sewing machines so far!

Flowers and pins can be easily substituted with any flat tabs, for example, cut off piece of plastic or vinyl, cut two slots and insert the strap in it.

Hopefully you can also use this tip and save some time for doing more things you love!

Please, leave a comment if you like it, or have a better idea, or know how to improve this tip!

Enjoy!

Happy sewing!

Natalie Quiltessa

Spool + bobbin winder. NEW!

I don't know about you, but use this tip all the time!
How to use the bobbin winder on your sewing machine to wind one or multiple colors of thread to one or several used empty spools. With the help of velcro you can replace spools using only one bobbin!

All you need is just ONE bobbin, one (or as many as you need) used thread spool, Ultra-mate adhesive velcro pads (available in Walmart) and hole punch.

Using a hole punch make a hole in the center of one pair of velcro, the rough part will be adhered to the bobbin and the soft part to the spool (or reversed, it doesn't really matter!). Heavy duty adhesive is more recommended.

If you want to use more spools, make more holes in the soft ovals (they are also available in circles).

This would be very handy if you want to clean your spool rack or need several certain colors one one spool. 

And you will definitely appreciate it when you have only one large serger spool of certain color left, but you need at least 3 or 4 (depends on serger brand) to complete your project! All you can do is wind the same color thread from the same large spool onto multiple smaller empty spools!

And here's one more simple trick! 

You can divide your spool for several segments for different color threads using small rubber hair bands!

AND! They can be used not only as dividers: you can tighten the end of the thread with this little rubber mate! 

I hope you enjoy these tips!

I will appreciate if you leave some comments and let me know if you used this tip and if you liked it! 

Hope you do!

Read in my next post how handy and usefull Gutterman spools are!

Happy sewing!

Natalie Quiltessa

QOB now in batik

My new Quilters Organizer Bag, now in batik.

 Size 14"x7"x7". Separating zipper allows to open it flat, snaps on the sides keep it box-shaped. 4 D-rings + detachable shoulder strap makes it easy to carry, not necessarily to zip every time, just hook both D-rings. Ruler and mat slides under the pockets. Total is 10 pockets! 
PDF file is on Craftsy.

You definitely need at least 3 clear vinyl bags. Now in new bold colors in my Etsy store.

Happy sewing!

Natalie Quiltessa

How to use sewing feet, Part 2

How to use a Binder foot - video is here.

How to use a Roller foot - video is here.

How to use an Overcast foot - video is here.

How to use your sewing feet, video tutorials. Part 1.

How to use a Ruffler foot - video is here.

How to use a Gathering foot - video is here.

How to use a Hemmer foot - video is here.

How to use a Blind Hem foot - video is here.

How to use a Cording foot - video is here.

How to use a Double piping foot - video is here.

How to use Bias binding or Tape Stitching foot - video is here.

How to use a Felling (Flat Felled) foot - video is here.

How to use a Satin Stitch foot - video is here.

How to use a Flower Stitch foot - video is here.

How to make budget magnetic ring pincushion

 Save the top from orange juice pack, half-n-half or olive oil bottle.

 Use glue gun to attach little magnet to the back side of the top.

 Cover it with nice piece of fabric. Glue piece of felt to the back side. Ready!

 You can also make a fancy ring pincushion, but you need special ring and special glue for it.

And this little tiny magnet has nothing to do with computerized machines, trust me! It's not that strong to ruin any machine, and you put it on your finger! Even magnetic pincushion attached to my machine, you can see it on my video, doesn't affect my Pfaff, and it's there already for more than  two years! So, no worry about magnetism! Lol!

Read more in previous post.

You can also watch my demonstration video here.