Using pool noodles in your sewing room may seem a bit strange but they have so many uses for only a few dollars (or less) a piece. I’ll share some fun ways that you can use them!
Pin Cushion and Finger Savers
I just took an ordinary pool noodle and cut off a little section with a serrated knife. Then, I cut it in half again and, presto change-o, I had a little pin cushion that worked really, really well.
You know when you have needles, how they poke your finger? My husband is a pilot and I stole a couple of his ear plugs and put them on the ends of my needles for years. Now I see them selling these in sewing stores for a lot more than what you would pay at a sporting goods store.
I use them to cover and pad the end of the needle. Number one, I can identify it as a sewing needle with a quick glance at my pin cushion and, number two, I don't accidentally poke my finger on the end. You could cut up a little scrap of the pool noodle and do the same thing.
Binding Keeper
I used to wrap my bindings around a cardboard toilet paper tube. I found that I like using the smaller pool noodle a little bit better for bindings. I can pin straight into it to hold binding ends in place.
As an added plus, I like the pool noodle option better than the toilet paper roll because the pool noodle holds its shape while the cardboard roll gets flat over time.
Quilt Storage
I would recommend using the bigger sized pool noodle to store a quilt. Roll the quilt up with the outside facing out, not with the wrong side facing out. It is said to be better on the fibers and you'll get less wrinkles and creases in your quilt. If the pool noodle is a little bit floppy from the weight of the quilt, slide dowel rods in the center. It is a handy way to transport quilts too!
Storing Quilt Blocks
Ordinarily I like to store my quilt blocks flat in, say, a scrapbook container because they're 12” by 12” and that will fit most quilt blocks. But if you had a bigger quilt block, e.g., a 15” by 15”, or an odd-shaped block that would not fit in a 12” by 12” scrapbook box, then I would definitely use a pool noodle. Cut the noodle to whatever length you need and roll the block around it with the right side out.
Thread Stand Sponges
If you saw my blog on Avoiding Thread Nests and Broken Needles, you know that I love using serger sponges on the base of my thread stand. The sponge supports your thread spool. If thread happens to puddle down around the base, it can get caught underneath and then not feed properly on your machine. That can result in bent and broken needles and tension problems.
The sponge itself is nothing special. It's just round and it has a little hole in the middle. I took my trusty knife and cut my pool noodle about a half-inch thick. They are really easy to cut. I measured, marked it with a ruler, and cut a slice.
When you put the pool noodle slice on your thread stand, it does have a bigger hole in the center than the serger sponges. Most common embroidery threads sit on top just fine.
So, if you can’t find serger sponges, pool noodles are a great substitute. They work really well on big cones.
You can see the full video here.
Interested in the designs on the quilts in the background? They are Eggsquisite Jewels, Enchanted Flowers, and Feathered Friends.
May your day be blessed with perfect stitches and GlitterFlex!!
Bonnie Welsh - September 10, 2019
Helen—Mine didn’t break up like you’re describing. Still, I was just demonstrating unconventional uses for in the sewing room and not making recommendations for children’s toys. Sounds like they’re not a good option as a toy.
Helene - September 10, 2019
Sorry I wasn’t clear. I am cutting pool noodles into 2" circles so my grandson can make towers, etc. from them. When I cut them, they did not cut clean but have fibres wherever I cut them. When I was handling them, I was getting some of these fibres on me…some can just be dusted off, others are still stuck to the pool noodle. They don’t look nicely cut as yours do but my knife was sharp. From a distance, they look like there is fuzz on the area that’s been cut. I don’t mind vacuuming them although there’s about 150 of them….but some fibres are not loose but still attached to the noodle….(sigh).
Bonnie Welsh - September 10, 2019
Helen—I’m not sure what you’re talking about. I didn’t have little bits hanging off. Maybe your pool noodle was made with something different? Also, I’m not following what you mean by “making blocks for your grandson”. Are you talking quilt blocks or pool noodle blocks? How are the pool noodle hanging bits getting to your grandson? Just trying to understand more clearly. =)
Helene Berg - September 10, 2019
I didn’t notice that you have little hanging bits from cutting the noodles. I have so many tiny bits hanging off each one. I’m making blocks for my grandson but the little bits will get in his mouth, stick to his clothes and get onto other toys. What did you do to avoid this? I used a sharp knife to cut. I have a mess.
Bonnie Welsh - June 27, 2019
Susan—Thank you for your kind words! It’s great to hear you’re enjoying them no matter when you have time to read a few. =)
Susan - June 27, 2019
I really like your ideas. I usually read them late but a bunch of them at the same time.
Bonnie Welsh - April 07, 2019
Karin—What kind words to say—thanks! It’s always fun to see what can be used to do a job more economically. =)
karin bennett - April 03, 2019
Thank you for these great ideas, who would have known. Love your ideas and your designs are so cool and the glitter sheets are great. karin
Bonnie Welsh - April 02, 2019
Kathleen—You’re very welcome!
Bonnie Welsh - April 02, 2019
Eva—Oh how sweet of you to say! I figure if the tip helps me, then it might help someone else. =)
Bonnie Welsh - April 02, 2019
Betty—Yep—that’s how the quilting while you roll is done. Clever huh? Do you use fleece or flannel? Are you sure you didn’t mean flannel for the backing? Seems fleece would be really thick. =)
Bonnie Welsh - April 02, 2019
Merilyn—You’re most welcome and thank you for your kind words! It really helps to keep the creases from setting in.
Kathleen De Verville - April 02, 2019
Interesting ideas, thank you.
Kitt
Eva Hada - April 02, 2019
Love this idea! Don’t know how you do it but you always have something to help me!
Betty Johnson - April 02, 2019
Use the noodle to sandwich your quilt together, lay down backing ( I use fleece because we live in Florida) roll quilt onto noodle back down and then just roll the quilt onto the sprayed fleece.
Merilyn Schieber - April 02, 2019
As always good ideas! Especially the “storing a quilt on a pool noodle” Thanks.