A Use for Old Sewing Machine Needles

Wow! Have you ever noticed how nice and smooth your sewing machine runs after you've placed a new needle in it?

A good rule of thumb is to change the needle when you start a new project...Of course, I'm bad about working on several projects at a time.

For those who use there machines for long periods of time, you may find you need to change the needle every day or after every 8-10 hours of sewing...more
often if you happen to hit a pin while sewing. 

I know...I know...I'm not supposed to sew over the pins!

I notice that my machine will start making a little popping sound when the needle starts getting dull. When I start noticing that sound, I try to take a break in my sewing and make time to change the needle.

If I have to change the needle because it has gotten dull and not because I bent the needle, I also take the time to clean the lint out of the machine then too.

The machine just seems to run so much smoother then.

So what do you do with those old used needles? 

I have an old medicine bottle that I save all of my old needles in. I'd hate for someone to get stuck with one if I just threw it in the trash.

A Use for Dull Needles

I have been teaching my little granddaughters the basics of using a sewing machine.

I put one of the dull needles in my machine, then using some of there old school papers, I let them practice sewing on the lines (without thread).

I'm dulling my good needles by sewing through the paper, and they are learning to control the speed of the machine and learning to sew 1/4 inch seams using the lines of the paper.

The girls are having a blast learning to use the sewing machine!

It's a good thing I have a back-up!

What other uses have you found for your old needles?

Sewing Space...

This week I've been re-organizing my sewing room. It had gotten in such a mess. I would pull fabric for this project and that...not put it back...and soon it was in a mess. 

My sewing room...since I've had one only a short time..has become a place where I can go and think, plan and create. A place to go and just...reboot.

When I fixed up my little sewing studio from a spare bedroom, I first decided where best to place my sewing station.

Then organized my fabrics, thread, patterns, etc around that.

But above all else, I wanted my space to be warm and inviting. To encourage relaxation and creativity.

I have an easy chair where I can sit and write, read or just work on some hand work, or for company  to sit and visit.

I made curtains to make my room look loved.

(please forgive the picture quality)

Signs of encouragement.

And entertainment when I need a little break!

My sewing studio..or my fabric pantry (as my husband calls it) has become so inviting that it is one of the first places my grandkids run to when they come to visit. It's where they want to play...and where they want to sleep at night.

When I'm in there sewing my husband likes to sit with me and read. And when I'm not home, he still will go and sit in there. He said it makes him feel closer to me. 

My sewing room is cozy, warm and inviting. It not only is a place for me to be creative, but also a space for my family to find peace.

My family says that "this is mom's sewing room"...
but they all know that they are welcome.

Is your sewing space shared with the whole family...or is it still your space?

Sunday Scripture

Pleasant words are a honeycomb,

sweet to the soul and healing to the

bones. Proverbs 16:24

Works in Progress!

I have continued to work on some scrappy string blocks this week. These are a few more that I finished up. 

I'm still not seeing a dent in my scrap bucket though!

I did receive my Farm Girl Vintage book by Lori Holt of Bee in my Bonnet! If you don't have one, I encourage you to get your copy. I love it!

I did get my first block from her book done this week. This is my Apron Strings Block!

I also made some of the little design boards that Lori has a tutorial for on her blog. I used some left-over binding to put around my design boards. They are very handy!

I would love to here what you have been working on this week!

Spring Fling Table Topper

I've been busy making some string blocks from my scrapbag the last several weeks. So, I thought I would make a little table topper.

I just picked out nine of the blocks and layed them out in a 3x3 lay-out. My blocks are 5 3/4 inch square, unfinished.

I sewed the blocks together with a 1/4 inch seam allowance, then pressed the seams open.

This red print is a flannel piece that I picked up at a resale shop when my daughter and I were out one day. 

I cut this piece in an 18 inch square.

I then layered the top and bottom fabric, wrong sides together. I chose not to add batting. My daughter didn't want the topper to be too thick. I then quilted it by following the seam lines with one of the decorative stitches on my machine. 

I then folded the backing over the edge to bind the quilt.

It finished out 16 x 16 inches square.

  Originally, I started making the string blocks this spring as a way to clean up my scrapbag...a type of spring cleaning...So, I am calling this little table topper my Spring Fling Table Topper.

What have you been making out of your scrapbag? I would love to hear.

Check out what others are doing at these great Linky Parties:

TGIFF

Work in Progress

One of the first quilts that I ever made was a Puss in the Corner quilt. Sadly, that quilt is wore out and starting to fall apart. 

That quilt has kept us warm as we snuggled under it for many years. It's hard to give it up. So, I decided to make another like it. 

I have been working of these Puss in the Corner blocks this past week. Another work in progress.

See what others are working on at these Linky Parties:

Cooking Up Quilts

Love Laugh Quilt

Sunday Scripture

An anxious heart weighs a man down,

but a kind word cheers him up.

Proverbs12:25