Magnetic Needle Cases & Cuffs

I've found magnetic needle cases to be a very helpful tool.  No, they are not absolutely necessary, but they can be very nice for large projects.  My small, metal case with the cat picture on it holds my tapestry needles and an extra seam ripper, so I always know where to find them.  It has a nice, strong magnet inside.  The larger, pink case is made of plastic and has a magnetic sheet with an adhesive backing.  Its magnetic pull is not as strong (I wouldn't be as comfortable up-ending the case, for example), but it does close securely.  A large, flat case like this is very helpful when you are working on a larger project, like the hoodie towel robe or the skylight covers, where you need to re-use a large number of pins, and do not want to risk the pins falling all over the place.  Again, the magnetic aspect is not absolutely necessary, but it is a bonus.

 If you're working on the floor, to take advantage of the greater workspace, any kind of case is especially helpful.  I never want a repeat of the time I was pinning a blanket, and an unsuspecting friend came in to check on me and wound up with a pin sticking out of his foot!  I always put my pins into their container immediately now...

I like that these cases are compact and easily recognizable storage cases.  I can quickly grab them from my tool bin and put them in my bag, or shuttle them to my workspace, or tuck them back out of the way.


A quick magnetic cuff that I made out of scraps.

Some crafters wear magnetic wrist cuffs (or pin cushion bracelets) for easy access during a project.  Similar cuffs are sold in some hardware stores with stronger magnets embedded in them, for easy access to loose screws and nails during construction.  I made this sample cuff one evening with scraps and a fridge magnet.

Knitting Needle Tote



Knitting Needle Tote from above.

As I've showed you before, I normally store my knitting needles and crochet hooks in decorative jars, as a display item.  Then I just pull out what I need for my project.

If I need to transport all of them, I pack them into a knitting needle tote I made a long time ago for a textiles assignment (I believe this was in 2005). 

To make this tote, I cut out the back panel of an old sweater, and I chopped up a pair of my uncle's old jeans.

I cut the bottom portion off one of the jean legs, to use as a pocket.  The rest of the legs I cut into flat panels.

The entire tote was hand-stitched.  I made the main tote out of a folded denim panel, and then sewed the sweater panel onto the outside of the bag as a decorative element. 

I had cut the sweater panel carefully, cutting outside of all stitched seams, so that the sweater panel would not unravel while I worked with it.

The knitting needle pouch just inside the zipper is made from the extra length of the sweater panel (the neck), which was folded down into the bag to create a tube, instead of being cut off.

Then I stitched the sides of the tote together, adding small panels at each end to create inner pockets.  These pocket panels also alter and hold the main denim panel into a basin shape.  

The bottom of the pant leg was cut off as an intact tube and stitched directly onto the bag (ankle-end-up) to create the main outer pocket, with the industrial hem of the ankle creating a nice, clean opening.  I added pocket flaps made of the sweater material to the open end of the knitting needle pouch and along the top the outer pocket.

Lastly, I added the zipper, handles, and buttons, and edged the outer pocket flap and the knitting needle sleeve's closing flap with green yarn and crocheted button holes.

I wrapped and sewed the green yarn around and through the twine handles.  I used a "figure 8" stitch at the neck of each loop, to pin the loose twine ends to the handles  To make the buttons, I spiraled twine and stitched it together with the green yarn, also using the "figure 8" stitch, like when starting a twine basket.

Then I sewed the handles just below the top of the bag on each side.

The Final Product:

Front.  The pocket flap is a strip of sweater edged with button stitch.
The button and handles are made of twine, which was tightly wrapped in green yarn. 

I use this side pocket for sewing notions and other small tools.
It is made out of the already-hemmed bottom of the pant leg.

Back.  The bottom stocking stitch of the sweater adds a decorative element to the top of this side.

I keep my slim knitting needles in the top needle tube.
The big needles go in the main compartment.

This pencil case my aunt gave me perfectly holds all of my crochet needles,
 as well as my small, double-ended knitting needles.



The crochet needle case fits into the main compartment with the bigger needles.
There is an extra inner pocket at each end of the tote, for thread spools or measuring tape.

The fun thing about this project was that it followed a whimsical, spontaneous design.  I wrapped the sweater panel around the denim bag, and found there was enough of the neck left to roll into an inner knitting needle pocket.  I slapped the bottom of the pants leg onto the front of my tote, as a pre-made pocket.  All I had to do was stitch down the sides and bottom.  I had denim scraps, and I like pockets, so I used the scraps to add two extra inner pockets when I was sewing the ends of the tote together--you always need more pockets and compartments than you think you will!  My outer pocket gaped open, so I sewed a handmade button onto it, and then I took a scrap of sweater and made it into a decorative flap that would hold the pocket closed.  Then I added a green zipper I'd found at a thrift store as a closure.  I happened to have the twine and green yarn, so I used those to make matching handles and buttons, instead of going out and buying them.

TO MAKE YOUR OWN TOTE:
If you want to try this for yourself, all you need is:

 

*Sturdy base material.

*Optional sweater/decorative material, or yarns for contrast or accents.

*Needle and Thread or Sewing Machine.  You can of course make your tote much stronger than I did by sewing it with a sewing machine, but I did enjoy the spontaneous decisions that came out of hand-sewing this piece.  If you want your tote to be able to carry heavier items, you should probably use the sewing machine.

*An idea of what size items you want your tote to hold, as well as how many compartments or pockets you might need.

*Some way to fasten your bag, whether you prefer buttons or zippers.  I like the zipper for the main compartment, because it keeps everything from falling out accidentally.

If you want to be very basic, all you need to begin with is a rectangle of cloth.  Stitch down the front and back edges, to create a clean, sturdy top seam, and then fold your panel in half and stitch each side closed.  You'll end up with the narrow tote that I made.  If you want more of a tote, start with a longer main panel, and include a proper side panel (such as a half-circle or square), to create a roomier interior.

For inner or outer pockets, sew on a decorative panel or tube of fabric.  It's really that simple.  If you're feeling more ambitious, you can plan ahead and sew some pocket panels  into your seams.  Here is a link I've posted before, with a lovely selection of beautiful pocket tutorials, for if you want to do something more ambitious or decorative.

You can of course stitch multiple panels together, to create multiple inner compartments.  Or try pleating, or adding elastic.  Let your imagination run wild!  Your tote has endless possibilities.

My only complaint with my own tote after years of use is that the handles feel uneven, and sometimes bend oddly.  It was fun to make them on my own, by wrapping folded twine with yarn in the basket-making technique, but for better comfort and appearance for your own totes, I would recommend using actual store-bought handles, or a pretty tube strap made out of your fabric.  Or leave out the handles, and make a notions clutch!

HOME ORGANIZATION TWO: PORTABLE WORK STATIONS

How do I make my ongoing projects more portable?

AT HOME (The Macro-Tote)

Before I add stuffing to the mix, plushie construction is very compact and amenable to being folded up and tucked out of the way (my looms and bins of supplies on the other hand, will always expand beyond their designated sections of floor and shelf space...)

What I usually do is this: I have a large portable work station  that I can cart around the house (it's a BIN DRAWER--so convenient!).  This box of items contains all of the smaller odds and ends that I would need to work on a plushie: a few pieces of fleece and felt, my boxes of thread, my bag of scraps, my bag of patchwork eyes, my idea notebook, my sewing notions, extra scissors and pens.  I should note that I have several boxes of colored thread and several bins of fleece, so I only include the colors that are relevant to my current projects in "THE BIN."

All smaller scraps of fabric and my numerous tiny items (like my ever-growing piles of hand-sewn eyes, my thread, and my sewing notions) are kept in clear Ziploc bags, to facilitate organization and sorting.


Current Brainstorm: Mini-Ornaments or Keychain Fobs

I usually keep my sewing machine and my gigantic bag of stuffing tucked away in the corner until I need them, although they are technically also portable.

The sewing machine usually lives on a worktable or tucked away in a corner.

Only need a little stuffing? I'll just unclamp the bag and grab a handful!

OUT AND ABOUT (The Mini-Tote)
When I go out and want to bring a craft project with me, I of course cannot take quite so much in the way of supplies.  That is when these Ziploc bags perform their second function--I can take a couple of these small, categorized baggies with me in a crafting tote, and know that I have everything I'll need to work on that specific sub-project if I find myself with extra time on my hands.


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All of this fit into two baggies?!

HOME ORGANIZATION ONE: SORTING AND STACKING!

You have sooo many craft supplies!  You pack them away in boxes and then you can't find anything!  Someone needs to borrow your scrapbooking supplies and you can't find them!

Now, I'll readily admit that I have more craft supplies than I can handle.  But I have found a couple home-organization techniques to be very helpful.

 

ONE: CLEAR, STACKABLE DRAWERS

Must have more stacking!

No, this is not the most elegant storage solution.  Yes, it is plastic.  But I can see what is in each drawer, and I can even unsnap the drawers and re-order them if I need to.  And I can add SMALLER drawer bins on top!  The small, three-drawer bin in the upper left holds most of my sewing equipment, so in a pinch I can just take it with me to my craft table or out to a crafting party.



 

TWO: CLEAR, STACKABLE BINS

An otherwise empty corner of my closet:
Wrapping paper, fabric, and my misc. bin.

I used to randomly buy attractive or cheap bins and boxes whenever I needed more storage space, and I would hoard and reuse cardboard boxes that were lying around the house.  But I eventually realized that it really does make a difference if your containers A) are clear, B) are stackable, C) are relatively airtight, and D) have comfortable handles. 

You can immediately see what is stored in each bin or drawer, and you can be sure that all of your bins, new and old, will stack on each other (and you'll have the bonus of having them match). 



My main stash (8 bins of yarn, fleece and felt).

You don't have to worry about creepy bugs nesting in your yarn and waiting to surprise you, and you know that when you need to carry the filled bins around, the handles won't cut into your fingers.  It's also probably a good idea to choose bins that E) will not be too large or heavy when filled for you to lift and carry on your own, when necessary.

 

 

THREE: SMALL BOXES & BAGS



Left: Jewelry and embroidery supplies, my bag of buttons...
Right: My ribbon box; very sparkly!

I am not as super-organized with all parts of my life, but I do find it helpful to keep my crafting supplies somewhat organized.  Through accumulated headaches and experience, I eventually realized that it can be very helpful to have each bin or bag contain one category of supply, so that you can easily find or reorganize your stash.  Small, clear packaging, like food containers and sealable baggies, can help you keep your piles of beads and buttons under control.  These can even be stored in a larger bin or drawer to streamline storage and sorting even more.

FOUR: (OPTIONAL): HANGING SHELVES

Frequently-used items.

We still use a couple of these for storing everyday clothing.  But I am paranoid about leaving crafting supplies sitting out for months at a time in an open container, steadily accumulating dust and bugs. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A friend's storage solution for
all those tiny craft supplies.

I ended up buying two of the clear, hanging sweater shelves that had a zip-up front for this reason.  I stored my yarn in them, and it was nice to be able to see what I had.  But one of the zippers broke early on, and I found that I had to be careful not to overload each of the little shelves.  These shelving units would probably work best for more lightweight supplies like ribbon or stuffing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FIVE (OPTIONAL): HIGH SHELVES ON BOOKCASES

 

As a shorter person, I cannot actually use the top shelves of a bookcase.  This means that they either get designated as someone else's book territory, or they get commandeered as a display and storage zone.  Here, I have a difficult-to-store belt loom with an unfinished piece that becomes an instant art piece.  Throw in a few finished plushies and some framed pictures, and we have tons of personality.

SIX (OPTIONAL): DECORATIVE JARS

This storage method is nice if you have lots of a pretty and perhaps difficult to store item, like extra-long knitting needles or dozens of chopsticks and drink stirs.  It does take up counter space, if you are short on that, but it can turn your compulsive knitting-needle-buying habit into a decorative bouquet.   Simply find an attractively narrow yet sturdy jar, and voila! 

For more customization: select a narrow food jar or box that is strong enough to hold your items and has a clean lip that will not rust or scratch.  Lightly paint the container in craft glue, then wrap it in decorative paper or fabric (a friend uses hoarded scraps of wrapping paper and origami paper to great effect).  Cover a couple inches at a time, and smooth away all of the air bubbles as you wrap.  Cover the rough edges at the top with a thin strip of matching paper or ribbon, and you have an instant accent piece.