Tip: Uses for the Humble Prescription Pill Bottle

I've been using pill bottles for storing my hand sewing needles - I seem to have fewer problems with the needles falling out of these or poking through the packaging than I do with the factory cases.

A tip that I saw on a quilting list also makes them useful for stashing broken needles quickly and safely.  Drill a small hole in the lid of a prescription bottle that's large enough for the needle to slip through (if you're like me and are constantly trashing ball-tipped sewing pins, the hold will have to be large enough for the head of the pin).  It takes quite a bit of shaking for the needles to fall out, so this makes it easy to keep it next to the sewing machine for those "oh $h!t" moments when the needle decided to self-destruct.

I have also used long, skinny bottles to hold bobbins when I ran out of room in my bobbin case.

Another little tip: when the needle breaks, leave the tip threaded until you have removed it from the machine.  The little bit of thread is easier to grab than trying to fish the needle tip out of the machine or carpet.

JoAnn Coupons - Expiring 8/31 & 9/11

Free Shipping on online orders of $40 or more (expires 8/31/2010): EYD243
40% off the regular price of one item (expires 9/11/10): EED254
40% off the regular price of one item (expires 9/11/10): DES254

10% off your total purchase (some exclusions including gift cards and patterns, valid 9/3 - 9/6): DGSE249

Is It Just Me?

Am I the only one who manages to get excess PUL sucked into a seam (like the body of the diaper shifts over and I have at least 5 stitches into what certainly isn't "seam allowance").  I'm glad that my serger and I aren't in good terms, because that would have been quite a few holes in the PUL (not counting a close encounter with the knife).  No, I didn't take a picture.  Maybe I will next time.  I seem to do this more frequently on the "turned-in-leg" diapers where the PUL outer is wider than the inner fabric.  I actually tried taping the excess PUL (since I really can't pin it) to get it bunched up and out of the way.  Anyone have any good suggestions on how to keep pesky PUL from migrating into harm's way?

Link of the Day - Quick Snap Flap

So here's another "new to me" pattern. There was a little discussion on one of the diaper lists about camping with diapers. Of course, a quick-to-dry pattern was suggested, but when I went looking for that pattern, I couldn't find it. I guess I wasn't the only one, because I found a "try this one" link. Yay! Another freebie!

Quick Snap Flap

Diapers made with Cloth Revolution Pattern

I just made a half dozen Newborn size diapers for my nephew using the Cloth Revolution Diaper Pattern.  I did deviate from the instructions somewhat: I made the pocket in the manner described in the Jalie tutorial, the laundry tabs on the inside weren't on the pattern, & the soakers aren't from the pattern.  The soakers are 4"x12", two layers of regular-weight bamboo fleece with cotton "Warm and Natural" batting in the center.  One side of the soaker has the "right" side of the fleece out & the other has the "wrong" (fuzzy) side out.

The outer shell is PUL (not Fabrite or Joann, but I can't remember which Coop I bought it from) & the inner is white "Costume Weight" Alova Suedecloth from Joanns.  These are the first diapers that I made with  hook & loop (and, of course, I can't remember if I had bought Aplix or Touch Tape - it's one of the two).  I added 1" diaper tabs on the inside of the diapers to help keep the hook free of gunk while in the wash.

Enjoy!