Ponytail holders. Some people call them hair elastics. I originally bought them as closures for little notebooks folios, and then a friend showed me how she uses them to attach a bobbin to its matching spool of thread. It keeps them paired, but it also keeps the thread from unwinding from either spool. My friend is a smart woman.
Glue stick. Oh, sweet Elmer’s glue stick, where would I be without you? I use a glue stick to hold fabrics together when using a straight pin is not practical. Like when stitching down the back facing over a gathered seam. Usually you have to press under the seam allowance, pin it in place, and then stitch in the ditch from the topside hoping that you catch that facing. It never works out that way for me. Turns out that the pins actually buckle the fabric you’re trying to keep straight. Use a little gluestick instead, and it’ll all stay flat and happy while you’re topstitching. Perfect seams, yay! Glue stick is also helpful for keeping bias tape in place when you’re topstiching it down around tight curves.
Water sprayer. So this one isn’t all THAT nontraditional, but you won’t typically find it at the sewing store. I use it when I need a little steam to press my fabrics. Instead of pouring water into my iron and spilling it all over my ironing board in the process, I just spritz my fabric with the water. Much easier, and you don’t have to empty the water out when you need iron with a dry heat. It’s also helpful when removing erasable marker.
Erasable fabric marker. This one really shouldn’t make the list of nontraditional sewing items, but I rely on it sooo much that I couldn’t leave it off. I use an erasable fabric marker for temporary marking on my fabric. It’s GREAT for teaching a child to sew – just draw the stitch lines on the fabric with the marker. It’s easier for a child to line up the stitch line with the center of the presser foot than to keep the fabric straight and align the edge with the seam guide on the side of the face plate. I also use an erasable fabric marker when measuring elastic for an elastic waistband.
Resources : Sewing Pattern home sewing simple tutorials techniques
Sharpie. Sometimes you need to make a mark that’s permanent, and for that I keep a Sharpie handy. For example, I use them to write on the top of my bias tape makers the size of the finished tape that it will make and the size of the strip to cut. This keeps that information where I can see it easily.
Thin craft stick. This is basically a popsicle stick, but a thin one. I use this to help poke out corners and curves when turning something right-side out.
Scrapbooking bone folder. Same use as above, but has a slightly sharper point. I only use this when I need my corners sharper than what the craft stick can do for me.
Old TV antenna. I stumbled across this “tool” several years ago when having to turn some long fabric tubes. I didn’t have any fance tube turners, so my sweet husband rummaged around in the basement and brought me the antenna. It telescopes out for longer tubes, but pushes together smaller for easy storage.
Packing paper. I got mine from an IKEA bookcase system we bought last year. Besta bookcase, I love you for organizing my living room and making it look like grown-ups live at house… And the packing paper wrapped around each extra shelf or door makes AWESOME pattern-drafting paper. I’ve also heard of people using discounted wrapping paper. Grab some rolls after Christmas when they’re on deep discount.
Misprints from our printer. You know, those extra sheets of paper that get printed by accident when you print out a website or a recipe? The ones with all the comments after the post? Or just the tags and endmatter? I save them and put them in my studio as scrap paper. They’re also good for drafting smaller patterns, like for doll clothes.
Large mailing envelopes. I store my self-drafted patterns in large mailing envelopes, the ones that are 6″ x 8″. You can usually find them inexpensively at the dollar store. They’re large enough for my clothing and purse patterns, but still organize neatly with my purchased patterns.
Baggies. For my smaller patterns, I often use baggies. The smaller pieces are easier to see and retrieve from the smaller baggies, as opposed to the larger mailing envelopes. I use my Sharpie to label them.
