How To's & Tips
I came across an old metal shoe polish tin (Kiwi brand) where the polish had
dried up, and I just couldn't throw it away!  I washed it and thought it would
make a great portable sewing kit.  It really involves no cost to make it; I used
things I had on hand.  I painted the cover silver for a vintage look. (I used my
son's metal car model paint ~ it worked beautifully.) The bottom was already
painted gold.  I then decoupaged an image of one of my quilts on the top, added
some  trim & buttons.  
Voilà ~ a cute & useful sewing tin!
Embellish with any number of things: buttons, polymer
clay, fabric, decorative papers etc.
Inside I made a little pin/needle cushion
from cotton batting, edged with a
blanket stitch Place a piece of  
adhesive Velcro to adhere it to the top
lid to store needles or pins.  You could
also use a strip of adhesive magnet to
store your needles & pins.
Bobbins are my thread supply.
We've all received those tins containing CD's in the mail and after
receiving a few it occurred to me that these would make great
needle storage cases!
You can easily make it magnetic to store all of your different size
needles by using the magnetized stripping with adhesive backing
sold in craft/hardware stores. Cut it to fit the tin; it's very easy to
custom cut with scissors.  Next, label each spot for the different
sizes & types of needles you want to store. Your needles are
organized, handy & stay in place. If you want to decorate your tin,
it can be  painted with the metal model paints (the type used
when making toy car models). Clean the tin with alcohol to
remove any oil finish that might not allow the paint to adhere to
the tin first.  Embellish with decoupage, buttons, polymer clay,  
fabric trim, beads, etc. I put a picture of Vera the Mouse on mine!
Small candy tins or Altoid's tins also make wonderful portable
sewing kits. Just place a strip of the adhesive magnet material in
the tin bottom or the lid and this will keep your needles secure.
You'll  have room for  needles, needle threader, scissors &  
thimble.  These are small and easily portable.
~ I use mine all the time! ~
Portable Sewing Kit
Needle Keeper
Here's a handy tip when making a quilt that has many small applique pieces.
After cutting out my freezer paper templates,  ironing them to a selected fabric, I then cut out each fabric
appliqué piece. I  next clip them together according to type, for instance flowers, leaves, lanscape  pieces, using
Fons & Porter's clips.  You could also use any inexpensive clip from the grocery or dollar store, (the type used to
keep potato chip bags closed). I pin these clips on my design wall, and when ready to begin applique, I take the
clip that contains the pieces I need. This keeps everything organized, easy to locate and neat. No lost pieces!
Another Tip For Appliqué
(The pictures are of children's clip on ties.I just cut the clip off.)

INSTRUCTIONS:  
The following directions are for men's ties.
Lay tie on flat surface. Measure up from wide end approximately 11" & cut straight across.  Turn in cut edges on both
ends & whip stitch closed. Next bring the narrow end of the tie up about 1/3 of the way fold & press (this is Section 1),
next fold the top or wide portion of the tie (Section 3) down over Section 1 & press.  Tie should now be folded in three
with Section 1 underneath Section 3 (make sure they line up). Next sew a large snap to Section 1 & Section 3. This
closure is very secure.  Another closure is to snip off the label from the underside of the tie & restitch it on the front of
needle keeper. It is sewn about 1/2" up from the bottom fold of Section 1. The pointed tip of Section 3 will slip through this
label.  Sew 3 rows of beads (about 3/4" to 1" long) on  point of Section 3. Slip beads through to secure your keeper
closed! You could also sew buttons or charms that dangle. Lastly, cut 2 pieces of fulled wool or cotton batting to fit center
section (Section 2). This will vary for each tie. Center  wool vertically on Section 2 & sew in place using a decorative or
straight stitch on sewing machine.  
- This is an easy and attractive needle keeper. They're an interestingly different gift - Enjoy!
"Tie" Needle Keeps
The taller scissors holder is made from the larger white plastic dominoes. I used 10 dominoes for this one. The base
uses 2 & the remaining 8 form the sides of the holder.  Stamp dominoes with desired images using a permanent ink.
Now glue dominoes together (using an epoxy glue) in the shape & size desired. I wanted a holder for a larger pair of
scissors & the larger dominoes work perfectly in this case.  When the glue is completely dry, spray 1 to 2 coats of a
thick clear sealer again & let dry thoroughly.  These holders keep almost any pair of scissors at easy reach - Enjoy!
Easy Scissor Holders!
I love to have my scissors handy when at my
sewing machine. I made these scissors holders
from dominoes!
One is made from black dominoes. The base   is
made from 4 dominoes glued together: 2 for first
layer, the second layer placed in the opposite
direction.  After glue has completely dried. The
remaining 8 are glued together in groups of 2
vertically. (2 for front, 2 for sides and 2 for
back). Then glue the eight together according to
the aforementioned pattern. Next glue top
portion to base. When glue is completely dried,  
spray holder with 1 to 2 coats of a thick clear
sealer & let dry thoroughly.
TIP FOR APLIQUE:    When beginning an appliqué project, I usually trace all of the templates on freezer paper.
I then cut all the pieces out. Some are small and can be easily lost. I have found a wonderful way to organize them and
keep from losing any. My husband  received a carrying case for fly fishing tackle from the North American Fishing Club.
He doesn't fly fish anymore, so I asked if he minded if I use it. He told me to help myself! A wonderful acquisition! In
looking it over, I knew it would be perfect for all the freezer paper templates I had just cut out for my Miss Lucy's
Cottage quilt.  After the freezer paper templates have been cut out, I place them in the clear plastic pouches according
to type i.e. flowers, leaves, clothing, hair, etc. This keeps them neat and organized until I'm ready to choose the right
fabrics for them.  I also keep the freezer paper "window templates"  in the pouches. Freezer paper "window templates"
are the space left in the freezer paper from which the template was cut. These are wonderful to preview just the right
spot on my fabric for each applique element.  

This was a perfect "catch" for my studio!