Date: 11/19/09 5:27 PM

So I am relatively new to sewing. I have converted a second bedroom into my own sewing space. The bedroom has berber carpeting, and in the past I have paid someone to come and do light housekeeping, including the vacuuming of the carpet.

With the economy doing what its doing, I don't know how longer I can afford to have someone clean after me and my messes. So tell me this, what is the best way to clean up your fabric trimmings and loose pins?

Is there a specific type of vacuum cleaner that you adore, that does a good job sucking up loose sewing "stuff"

Sorry for the silly question, but really, I am at a loss. Thanks!

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Subject: How do you clean your fabric scraps Date: 11/19/09 5:38 PM

I bought a small shop vac at Sears after reading a tip here on PR. (Might be posted in sewing notions).
It is a Craftsman, I think. Cute little red shop vac. Not too much money if I recall. It's good for quick, end of day pickups.

Also, I keep small trash containers (size of large pencil holdes) by my machines. If you get in the habit of not tossing threads and scraps on floor you really don't end up with much mess. As I cut fabrics I continually throw scraps in trash can at my feet.

Place several small trashcans around your room...not just in one spot. This helps also. (Ironing board, machine, cutting/work table etc)

If I drop a pin I don't continue without stopping to find hte pin. I use a magnetic wand if necessary. Have cats and don't want them stepping on pins and needles!

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Subject: How do you clean your fabric scraps Date: 11/19/09 5:42 PM

I also keep a trash can at my feet, and try to make a good habit of tossing everything in there.

I also go get a largeish box (I need to go find a tub or real plastic garbage can--short/squat tub might be easier than a taller garbage can) and put it under my cutting table, so all scraps go right in there from the get go. It makes it soooooo much easier to stay clean.

I have wood flooring, which is nice because I just keep the broom in my sewing room.

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Reply to kcstarr49
Subject: How do you clean your fabric scraps Date: 11/19/09 9:50 PM

I keep a small lunch bag taped on the side of my sewing desk. Into this I put small bits while I am sewing and clean it out when I'm finished.

As to pins, I keep them in a small box, not in a pin cushion. The box is then covered and placed in one of my drawers.

Now as to a vacuum; I use a small cannister, with a regular type head (not the beater bar/upright type). This is because there might be pins or small pieces of broken needles on the floor and if I were to get one caught in my upright, it would be expensive to fix. I use the canniser just for my sewing room. The vacuum I've had for 18 years, a Kenmore, and it's still going strong.

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"Having to squeeze the last drop of utility out of the land has the same desperate finality as having to chop up the furniture to keep warm" -- Aldo Leopold
http://tree-sister.blogspot.com
"Don't cry; don't be sad; make happy"--Peggy Jones. Rest your weary body, dear friend.

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Subject: How do you clean your fabric scraps Date: 11/20/09 3:51 AM

Cleaning, a very evil word in my vocabulary! However when it must be done I use an upright Dyson with hepa filter. Makes the air really fresh just by using it and gives the carpet a really good vacuum. I wouldn't recommend sucking in bits of fabric with it nor pins though, or any decent vacuum...
If I have to dust I like the enjo dust mit or use a hand towel and then wash.
For pins, I try to keep track of them, pick one up if I see it fly off work at hand. Bits of thread I find the Dyson deals with very well indeed. Pieces of fabric, if they are not incredibly small I pick them up and toss in the bin (line your bin with plastic or cloth bag to stop all the bits working their way out again if you have the sort with slots or holes in it).
For larger scraps of fabric, I toss them in a basket. About each month or two I sort it out and if it is useful for patchwork-which is mostly what I sew plus I like cotton clothing), cut into squares, rectangles or strips by the sizes I like to use and store in plastic tubs or old shoe boxes.
If the scraps are other fabric types I generally donate them to the local school's art/ craft section or the school classroom, as my children are small and craft items are always sought. Otherwise daycare centres are good bets to offload fabric scraps to, so long as they are free of sharps.
Hope some of this is useful for you.

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Bernina 820, 440, 380, 215, 807 vintage mechanical, 800DL overlocker, 009DCC cover and chain
Quilt and sew like there is no tomorrow!

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Subject: How do you clean your fabric scraps Date: 11/20/09 12:13 PM

I just roll me desk chair back and forth between the machine and the serger and the wheels pick it all up:-) Just kidding... actually, I use a magnet on a handle to check for missed pins and then I use a swiffer or pet lint roller depending on if I am on hardwood or carpet. Then vacumn. Lint rollers are also great for cleaning the cutting mat, and the ensuing fabric "dust" that occurs.

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Subject: How do you clean your fabric scraps Date: 11/20/09 7:22 PM

My area is carpeted. I get on my hands and knees and look for any stray pins. I always pick up needles I drop, but not always the pins. Then I take my hands and run my fingers through the carpet and clean up threads and scraps. Any small threads will be vacuumed up, but I do try to get the longer ones.

I've never really though of it before.

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Annette
http://needlesnails.blogspot.com/

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Subject: How do you clean your fabric scraps Date: 11/21/09 0:32 AM

When I first read this post, I thought you were referring to laundering the scraps. I'm thinking, "why would anyone wash their fabric scraps?" Slinking back into my cave now.

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Marilyn

January 2009 to January 2010 81 yards out and 71yards in January 2010 to the present 106.7 yards out and 146.5 yards in. January 2011 to the present: 47 yards out and 69 yards in.

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Subject: How do you clean your fabric scraps Date: 11/21/09 7:02 AM

At a recent ASG event, where we introduced ourselves and shared tips, two ladies mentioned their techniques for handling lose threads and fabric bits on a carpet.

One was a toilet brush (new and not ever used for its original purpose!)

The other lady mentioned another kind of brush, I believe it had metal bristles.

They both said the brushes picked up ALL threads -- the nemesis for your home vacuum cleaner. You can damage the vacuum cleaner if the roller gets too full of threads and strains to operate properly.

As others have mentioned, I also use lint rollers, lots of trash cans, and those magnetic wands for finding any pins and needles that might have fallen when I wasn't aware.

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Yahoo group: Sewing with Industrial Machines
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Sewing-with-Industrial-Machines/

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Subject: How do you clean your fabric scraps Date: 11/21/09 11:03 AM

I also have carpet -- it is a dark navy, white, gray tweed that the pins love to hide in. I use the pins with the large yellow heads so they are easier to see. I also purchased a pack of the flower-head pins that I keep misplacing (so much travel to sewing classes) that work great when I find them. I also have an auto-repair magnet on a telescoping rod that I can extend. It is very powerful and will pick up pins without my having to bend over. DH found it at a flea market for only a couple of dollars but they are probably available at auto repair stores.

Another thing that I keep handy is a roll of wide masking tape. I pull out a strip, wrap it back on itself, and roll in along the floor. Then I just tear it off and throw it away. I have a plastic chair mat under my sewing chair that catches a lot of the small stuff that falls so the area that needs to be cleaned is pretty small (of course if I would just find time to clean the rest of the sewing room, I might have more floor space). My room is only 8 x 10 and full of shelves, countertops, tubs, etc. so not a lot left to keep clean.

My sewing machine dealer has lots of small litter bags around her big class table. They have a ceramic tile (not a good idea because they break) in a flat top section that fits on top of the table (with pin cushion top) and a bag that hangs down to hold loose threads, etc. I bought the pattern, but as usual, too many things to make and too little time, haven't made it. Instead, I use the bag that fits under the edge of my serger to catch the edge that is serged off. It is handy and easy to empty. I only use it for clippings, however.

One thing I learned the hard way -- don't keep a wastebasket near the edge of your sewing table. It is easy for things to get knocked off into it and thrown out unless you want to go through your trash piece by piece. I lost some sewing feet this way. Make sure the wastebasket is completely underneath your table edges.

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Total fabric on hand: 1/1/12 1598.9823 yds.
Sewn in 2011: 224.771 yds
Fabric Stash Contest goal: 100 yards
Goal for 2012: 400 yards

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