Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Empty spools


I save empty spools...most of the time.  I started out for no real reason just a few years ago, then thought I would let Lorelei play with them after she was born.  But I didn't do that.  I always have binding left over when I bind a quilt, so had the idea to wrap it around the empty spools and pin the end in place with a straight pin.  It helps keep it in order.  Every now and then I need just a short piece, say for a potholder.  I can look and see what I have already made.
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By the way, I counted the empty spools I had saved, and I had 9 that had held 500 yards of thread, and 9 that had held 300 yds.  Then there are the spools that are shaped like the ones shown here that I don't save at all.
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I cannot even think how many of these I have thrown away.  And I have a lot of spools of thread that are almost empty.  Some from quilting and some from making clothing.

I wondered, does every woman keep thread and needles just for repairs?  Do you just keep a couple colors of thread or do you go buy the color as needed?  I cannot imagine not having a sewing machine, but I know a lot of people don't sew at all.  

13 comments:

  1. great idea on re using these spools. i don't sew but i have a sewing basket with a plastic bag of thread, i keep all the noraml colors, and have needles and pins in case a hem comes out.. i have been know to hem something with a color that was close but no match... have not used the basket since 2006 when i retired. once in a while i have to sew on a button.

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  2. It's rare that I have to go buy thread. I have about thirty or so spools of basic colors in a box, along with all those fun leftover buttons!

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  3. What a good idea! Also there are lots of great crafts you can make with them, maybe you could do one with Lorelei. I have a whole box full of different colors of thread, plus my needles and pin cushion. Just for mending, sewing on buttons (which I do the most), and hemming pants hat are too long. I also have a button box, the kids love looking through it. We do crafts with buttons too. One simple craft is to put different buttons on a heavy piece of paper, or cardboard. Make them in the shape of a heart and glue them on.

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  4. I always piece with either grey or cream thread, but have a multitude of different threads. I prefer Guttermann threads. Bought some Sulky ones and hate them. So using them up piecing things to get rid of it.

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  5. Rose, I still save every spool that has a bit of thread on it, just in case I need that color for something. Thread has gotten very expensive. I still have my machine, but don't use it all that much anymore.

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  6. Hi Rose, This is a great use for the old spools. My grandmother was a seamstress and taught me to sew at a young age. I made clothes for many years and had thread in every color it seemed. I developed a tremor in my hands and cannot sew now. I always enjoy your sewing projects.

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  7. Hi Rose, This is a great use for the old spools. My grandmother was a seamstress and taught me to sew at a young age. I made clothes for many years and had thread in every color it seemed. I developed a tremor in my hands and cannot sew now. I always enjoy your sewing projects.

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  8. What a great idea. I save them too but just have them in a jar. I may have to try your creative idea! Hugs, Diane

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  9. Brilliant idea for the empty spools!
    In my stash I have just about every colour of thread under the sun in a variety of weights, plus a massive selection of decorative threads: embroidery, metallic, couching threads…you name it. Even though I will probably never run out of thread in my lifetime, I always seem to need a new spool of white all purpose thread :)

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  10. I enjoy your posts for one of many reasons, I don't sow and I don't have a sewing machine. I was never very clever at it so get my enjoyment of sowing by coming here and seeing the lovely things that you create :)

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  11. All creative people SAVE EVERYTHING I think... I have a friend who is creative like you ---and she never throws anything away that she thinks she might use sometime....

    Love what you have done with the spools. That is NEAT!!!!!!

    I have a 'heavenly' post today. Check it out --if you haven't yet.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  12. If I sew on a button once every 5 years, I'm doing good. lol. Sewing is not my thing. I think I'm allergic to sewing machines :)

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  13. Good idea putting the binding on spools. I've been wanting to make some spool blocks for a small wall hanging. Have you ever made spool blocks? They look easy. I think it will be fun to decide what colors to put on each spool.

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