A to Z Quilt Challenge: N = Notions

 For the month of April, I have taken up Frédérique's Quilting Patchwork and Applique challenge to blog daily (except Sundays) on a quilt topic related to a letter of the alphabet.  

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One of the great things about quilting is all the gadgets and notions that aid our day-to-day sewing.   A quick look around my quilt space reminded this "Gadget Fanatic" of some of the things I like to use:

Chain Ripper Seam Ripper

This seam ripper is small enough to fit in the harp of my machine so it is always handy for those times when I need to cut apart chain pieced units.  It can also be removed from its base (or not) to "unsew" a seam.  It can be flipped down into the base to keep kids and pets away from the sharp point.

Thread Stands:  I need these for my vintage machines since they were not made to handle the modern cross-wound thread spools.  For my Featherweight, I originally I used a traditional one...

...until I saw this one on the Singer Featherweight Shop site made to go right on my machine!

This one works for my 401.

A Sidewinder Bobbin Winder allows you to wind new bobbins without having to re-thread your machine.  

And when you need to keep track of those wound bobbins, put a Bobbini with your spool to keep the bobbin with the matching thread!

Speaking of thread, when it's time to switch to hand work, Needle Threaders are a god send!  The little red one came from my grandmother's sewing box!

Speaking of hand work:  Often I want to re-size applique motifs and this Proportional Scale comes in handy to figure out how much to reduce or enlarge an image to make it the size I need.

Tote Bags

For store shopping or for project storage.  Appropriately enough, this one is holding all the Quilts of Valor tops I've made.

Lastly, these Timer Cubes are great for when you need to clock how long you have to sew.  They come in many different time configurations so search for one with the increments that work best for you.

What are your favorite notions?  Is there something you've been wanting to get to assist your sewing?

Linking up with Frédérique and the other Challengers at Quilting Patchwork and Applique.  Bonne journée!