More Dollar Store Treasures

/ quiltinggail

In my last post HERE, I talked about back to school and dollar store items for your sewing room / studio. I had forgotten to mention that I also like black Sharpies. I used them when I made the wall hanging from Helen Godden’s Flower Power Quilt Along. I also use them when a light thread shows through on black fabric. The flowers in the wall hanging below were outlined with black sharpie prior to being coloured and sewn. All of this as per Helen Godden’s instructions.

Tips and Hints from Others

Norma, from “Notes from Norma,” said that she spent around $15 at Dollar Tree and here’s what she bought … “little plastic containers with lids for my embossing powders, a 2021 calendar for my studio, envelopes, plastic spoons for containers, cosmetic wedges to use with inks when stamping, index cards, glue tape, toothbrush for spattering ink, sponge brushes.” Now … you must go visit her blog to see her fantastic work!

Emily, from “The Darling Dogwood” said that she likes little post-it notes for labelling tiny pieces (which she’ll later pin) and kid’s glue sticks. She said this about them, “I like the Elmer’s Disappearing Purple glue sticks, but do have to warn you that the shade of purple when the glue goes on will freak you out that you ruined your project–you didn’t!” It’s good to know that the purple will not ruin your work!

One friend, Roseanne, from “Home Sewn by Us,” commented on how clean my gloves were … I was caught!!! I have a nearly new pair that I use for videos and pictures, but in real life … well, you decide … the ones on the left are what I usually wear. I’ve washed them, I’ve soaked them … they are still dirty looking. However, when quilting on white fabric, none of the “dirt” comes off. Do you have any hints on how to keep these quilting gloves looking clean?

Wendy, from “Pieceful Thoughts,” said that she has another tip for the shelf liner: “cut a small 2″ square and place it between your small square ruler and fabric. It will keep the ruler from shifting.” What a great idea!

Bonnie, from “In Stitches with Bonnie,” couldn’t figure out how I used the hair ties. These are the small hair ties … they are cloth covered elastics. You can see in the picture how small they are. When my thread and bobbins are in the drawer, it’s super easy to figure out which bobbin goes with which spool of thread. Plus there isn’t miles of thread all over!

Design Wall

Piecing:

Bouquet Murder Mystery: There is progress on this UFO!!! The borders are on! Now to piece the back!

Quilting: 

UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_38e3

The Carpenter’s Wheel (Star) is in the process of being quilted! I’m outlining all the star points with Stitch in the ditch and using my straight ruler to fill in the blue portions.

Stash Report

SS yellow

No finishes, no shopping, no change in the numbers …

  • Fabric Used this week      0 yards
  • Fabric Used this year:        230.5 yards
  • Fabric Bought this week:   0  yards
  • Fabric Added this year:      23.5
  • Net Fabric used                    207  yards

Stitchin’ Time

I am aiming for 30 minutes/day – at least!  I switched from 15 minutes / day to 30 minutes/day in April!

  • 15 minute days:  January – July: 210 / 212
  • 30 min days/  Aug:   14/ 16
  • Total days in 2020: 224 / 228
  • Percentage = 98% 

For more Stitchin’ Time, you can check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces

TO DO 

I’m linking up to Roseanne & Sue’s “TO DO” Tuesday. Their blog is “Home Sewn by Us.”

Last weeks list:

I kept my list short, because I knew I wouldn’t be available to sew every day … but I got it done!

  1.  Start Quilting Carpenter’s Wheel   √   done
  2. Add borders to Bouquet Murder Mystery  √   done

This weeks list:

  1.  Finish Quilting Carpenter’s Wheel  
  2. Make label and bind Carpenter’s Wheel
  3. Make backing for Bouquet Murder Mystery 
  4. Make label and finish binding my niece’s baby’s quilt.
  5. Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.

No new starts this week … no finishes … there is progress being made on the UFO I’m working on!

One who sleeps under a quilt is covered by LOVE!

Happy Quilting!    
Gail 

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17 thoughts on “More Dollar Store Treasures”

  2. Hi Gail! I think this is the first time I’ve seen the finished version of the Helen Godden’s QAL. Wow, this turned out just fabulous, don’t you think?! I followed along and enjoyed the heck out of it, but I didn’t actually sew along. Nice job! I hope you’re enjoying it somewhere to keep you motivated. Now to tips – LOVE Wendy’s idea about the shelf liner. I am doing that!!! So clever about the hair ties!! Who would have thought – Bonnie, apparently. Oh, I can’t WAIT to see the quilting on your Carpenter’s quilt . . . I do need to make one sooner than later. Wow – that’s quite a list for this week. I know you can do it. Thanks so much for the shout out and for linking up. I’ve got to read these comments for glove cleaning suggestions! ~smile~ Roseanne

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  4. I understood the small hair elastics for bobbins, but using the larger ones for spools is genius. I have cones of embroidery thread and that could take the ends nicely!

    I have bought measuring spoons to use for fabric dyeing at the dollar store and of course various small storage bins. The Plastic shoe boxes are great for low volume immersion dyeing.

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  5. Pingback: Sunday Stash August 16, 2020 | quiltpaintcreate

  8. Great tips. I buy small containers from there for my studio. I also bought a wooden coat rack with small (approximately 1″) knobs and hang my embroidery hoops on it!

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