Applique Organizer Folders (Continued)

This is a followup to yesterday's post (Click here) about Applique Organizer Folders. 

Glenda posted a comment that "Threaded needles could probably be kept here as well."

She is so right! Here are pictures of my needle folder. I can thread lots of needles in advance for teaching a class, doing demos, traveling in the car, quilting, or preparing for any sewing project. It saves a lot of class time. I don't have to thread needles in a hurry, or while bumping along in the car.



Needle Organizer

This folder was made the same way as the Applique Organizer. Then I added an extra piece of batting, folded in half, along the top. This is simply pinned onto the glued batting with long quilter's pins -- the ones with the big yellow ball. (Flat ones would be even better.)
Because this batting piece is loose, I can easily insert my various threaded needles, extra ball point pins, etc.

The threads are then laid flat on the batting where they will cling. The top flap folds down to secure all the needles even more. You don't want them slipping out!
(Note to self: Attach a little flat magnet to hold empty needles!)

At the bottom half of the folder, there is a folded scrap of muslin just laid on top. This makes all those loose threads behave when I remove a threaded needle -- as I remove a threaded needle, I place my hand on this muslin scrap -- it helps "contain" all the other threads and prevents tangles. I used the pinking cutter to trim the muslin, so it will not ravel.

P.S. I love the pinking cutter blade to cut out my applique blocks -- they don't ravel with all that handling of the block. Then I trim the blocks to size with the straight cutter before assembling my quilt.

Keep Stitching!
Barbara M. Burnham

(c) 2013 Barbara M. Burnham. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any kind is expressly prohibited without prior written authorization.

Applique Folder

Here's a great idea for storing and travelling with your applique. You will need:

• leftover cotton batting, or felt
• a gluestick,
• rotary cutter, and
• a file folder.

Cut the batting straight on one edge with a rotary cutter, to place at the center of the folder. If you have leftover strips of batting, cut into sections enough to cover one entire side of the inside of the folder. I enjoy using the pinking cutter - it seems to make the sections fit together nicely with those pinked edges. 

Rub gluestick inside the folder, carefully lay the batting on the glue, close the folder and press flat. Let it dry, and trim off excess from the top and bottom.

Now you have a handy place to store and carry your applique pieces until needed. They stay flat, clean, and easy to find. The batting holds them in place! 

Make a folder for each project!