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What to put on the pin on top of my Millie? Gadgets!!!???


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My 2014 Millie is here!!!  Installed and I'm stealing midnight time till the weekend playing around with scraps and trying her out.  I have a pile of personal quilt tops to get to and a Christmas project list if I'm lucky.  And I'm SO excited!!  But here's a question...

 

There is a pin on top toward the front of the machine, just behind the control screen, that looks like a thread rest, and I asked the installer what it was for, and he said:  your scissors. 

While I was clicking around this forum narrowing down what machine was right for me, I seem to remember photos of all kinds of gadgets you clever ladies have attached to your machines.  I can't find them now, or remember what they all were but I would LOVE it if you all could chime in.

Do you put your scissors on that pin?  Your glasses?  Do I remember magnetized add-ons that hold tweezers and other tools?  I DO remember the tattoo decals and have the link for that, but what else can I do that personalizes my Millie and my quilting experience, and puts my go to tools at my fingertips?

Thanks so much for all the ideas!!

Waiting for the weekend...

Beth

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I think that a lot of people put their scissors up there.  It's actually the front mount for your laser light.  I wear my scissors on a retractable "leash" on my waist, and use the holder for a paper coffee filter.  I cut a small slit in the bottom of the holder and that's where my trimmed threads go.  You'll find what the right thing is for your laser post eventually.

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That spindle is actually for your laser, but I use mine to park my scissors. Some owners push on a fluted paper coffee filter to catch threads snippets. And some have made fabric bowls for the same purpose. Since the head is aluminum, a magnet will need to be glued on if you want to use it for your various needles. (Obligatory disclaimer---I suggest a safe spot well away from the stitching area for needles used to bury thread. You don't know what panic means until you lose that needle while you're working on a baby quilt. Don't ask me how I know this! :blink: )

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I put a sticky velcro strip on the top of my millie right behind the place I put my scissors and stick a pin cushion on it, I also include a pair of tweezers to help with pulling threads that are too short to grasp and then I rubber banded a big sand stuffed strawberry to the handle where I keep my easy to thread needles I use in burying threads...  

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I, too, use it for my Castle Ruler or other small rulers with a hole in them, in between uses.  I just hook it over that spindle and it goes with the machine back and forth across the quilt and it there when I need it.    I put a 3M sticky back hook on the front of my machine and another on the back where  hang my little scissors so they are always handy for snipping threads at the front of the machine and for when I am changing threads on the back.  My scissors were always on the wrong end of the table when I needed them.  Now they go with me and the machine.    I can't wear the scissors around my neck........kept sticking myself.    :o Don't even use the front laser.

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I used to loop my snips on the post. Then I discovered Needle Nannies!! (thanks Matt)

 

Puffin and Co have these beautiful metal art pieces that also make great gifts.  www.puffinco.com 

I wear my dragonfly Needle Nanny top left of my MQX work apron (I'm right-handed). I never have to look for my snips and just slap my chest to put them away! 

(Just remember to turn the points in or they can catch your chin :blink: )

 

I taped a small piece of batt just behind post to put thread ends while working. I keep another piece of batt at my left hand on a table also to put thread cuts on, keeps them away from working parts.

I keep a thread burying needle stuck in the black foam of the right handle, close to machine end. It's very secure and I can reach it from front or back of machine. I tried a rubber mount needle holder stuck on side of machine, but felt the needles would fall off and it wasnt as fast to jab the needle in.

To each their own habits!!

Anne

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I also use the post for scissors, or as others have commented, sometimes for a smallish ruler, that has a hole in it.

 

I use a piece of batting to catch thread ends, and to "sweep" them off the quilt, or use hemostat gloves for both.

 

Also when I wear a cotton top, or a sweater, I slap the threads onto my left shoulder..  when densly populated, LOL,

they gather right up and it takes very little work to clean that area off.

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Thanks everyone for the great ideas!!  I'll employ many of them as I learn and go.  Moving up from a mid arm with a very different frame, I had a hanging caddy (very much like a small shower caddy, but made for over the door inside a bathroom cupboard) to hold all my pins/cushions/spray air/machine oil/snips and used a small scrap bag over each side handle of the top rail of the old frame.  New APQS frame (awesome) does not allow for my little habits, so new ones begin with your great suggestions.  

So excited!!  Thank you all very much!!

Beth

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I have a magnet on my right handle that my snips stick too. I have a pin cushion velcroed to the left handle. A small clear pin tin lid covering the top oil wicks, my thread catch bag clipped to the laser post and a plastic cup hugo taped to the second post of my vertical spool holder for my tweezers, purple pen, un picker, chalk pencil

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I keep a pair of little scissors, a tape measure and a little finger pin cushion with extra pins.  I use my little scissors constantly and if I make or find a boo boo as I'm quilting along I put a large safety pin in it so I can find it easily to mend.  Funny you can't see any large safety pins.  I wonder if I used them in the last quilt...lol.  No I didn't there is one towards the back. 

post-4696-0-82752000-1416724902_thumb.jpg

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