Organizing My Tools

I have several completed projects to share with you today. I’m slowly putting together some functional items from the fun fabrics in my stash – not sure if I’m even making a dent in the fabrics yet, but I’m having fun making things! I found a tutorial for this weighted pincushion on Pinterest (from Sew Mama Sew!) a few weeks ago and knew I had to make one.  I had still been using the little tomato that came with my first sewing basket, but I was always losing it (and the rest of my tools) as I moved back and forth from the ironing board to the sewing machine. So this pincushion seemed ideal for keeping everything organized in the same place, as well as giving me a place to put scraps and thread to throw away.  You can’t see in this picture, but the top of the cushion even has a felt strip for holding needles.  It is weighted with fabric bag full of instant rice and fits perfectly next to my sewing machine, or even on the arm of the couch if I’m sewing by hand. I love it!

The other organizer, which I just finished this afternoon, was for my knitting needles. I made a large felt needle roll a couple of years ago for all of my straight needles, but it doesn’t have any smaller pockets for double-pointed or circular needles. I’ve been carrying mine around in a ziplock bag but wanted a better way to keep them organized. I still had some of the bright fabric left over from the pincushion, so I decided to try this tutorial from Turkey Cookies today. I’m thrilled with how it turned out! Everything fits, and there are still a few pockets left over for more needles in the future!