A Sewer’s Guide to Keep Supplies Organized

Straw Organizer

Doing some knitting? Keep yarn from getting tangled, especially if you’re working with two strands at a time, by running the ends of the rolls through straws. If you pull the yarn through straws as you knit, they’ll straighten out each strand.

Soda Bottle Organizer

Yarn can get out of control fast (especially if you have cats), so keep each ball of yarn in a dispenser made from an appropriately sized soda bottle (cleaned-out, of course). Cut a hole in the bottom big enough to slip the yarn through, then place your skein inside and pull the string out through the bottle opening.

Basket De-Tangler

If you’re working with a ball of yarn or twine that keeps getting tangled, find two baskets and overturn one to make a cage. Place the ball inside and run the end of the string through a hole in the basket. The ball will be caught inside while the string unspools freely.

Screwdriver De-Tangler

Here’s a super-easy way to keep twine or other string untangled as you use it. Use a screwdriver or sharp knife to poke a small hole through the center of a plastic lid of a take-out or other container. (Be careful!) Run the twine through the hole and the lid will prevent any knots. Who knew?

Baby Wipe De-Tangler

Here’s a crafty idea for keeping your yarn in order: Place one ball of yarn inside a baby wipes container, and pull the loose end through the opening at the top. No tangles, no knots!

Label Buttons

When a new item of clothing comes with an extra button, label its plastic bag with a permanent marker so you know exactly which garment it belongs to. Then stash it in your sewing kit for future emergency button replacements.

DIY Sewing Kit

We love this ultra-crafty idea for a homemade sewing kit so much, we’ve passed it on to all our budding seamstress friends. Hit up the farmer’s market for a “shabby chic” style egg carton (a regular one will do too, of course). Then designate the separate compartments for various supplies: spools of thread, buttons, beads, measuring tape, and so forth. Cut a piece of pretty fabric to fit the inside of the carton’s lid—this will be your lining. Before gluing the lining in place, reserve one-half for storing safety pins: Stick a wad of batting underneath that portion of fabric, then hot glue the entire piece to the underside of the lid. Safety pins can be inserted and kept safely in the batting-stuffed cushion. Use the other half of the fabric lining to hold small sewing scissors: stitch a short strip of elastic into the lining, and slip your scissors behind the elastic. Finally, make a pincushion. Wrap another small bundle of batting inside a new piece of fabric. Pull the fabric taut around the batting, stitch it shut, and place it inside an egg compartment.