I Give You ... The Lowly Toilet Paper Roll

This has to be the handiest little gadget going ... that's right, the lowly toilet paper roll.

I use them to keep electrical cords neat and tidy. Just fold the cord in half a few times and slip an empty toilet paper roll to keep it folded. Works well with extension cords too. I use toilet paper rolls on cords for the iron (when it gets put away), toaster, kettle, hair dryer, sewing machines (when they get put away), blender, extension cords ... you get the idea.

They are also invaluable when making bias bindings. I roll the bias bindings onto an empty roll on the ironing board after I've pressed the bias strip in half. Secure it with a straight pin and the binding isn't going anywhere.

As I apply the bias binding to the quilt, I unroll it off the roll as I go. That reduces the chance that the bias binding will get stretched as I work with it. After one side is pinned and ready to sew, I use a strong clothes peg and clip the roll to the edge of the quilt. Then I can sew on the binding without worrying about stretching the rest of the binding if it falls out of my lap or drops on the floor.

I also store any leftover bias bindings on toilet paper rolls to be used for scrap quilts. Keeps them all together, easy to find in by scrap box(es) and they don't get stretched while I search through looking for something else.

When a roll gets worn out from being used, I just pop it into the recycling when another one becomes available. A friend of mine covers hers with holographic shelf paper so they don't look quite so ... realistic.

The rolls from aluminium foil and paper towels can also be used to store applique blocks that you don't want to fold. You can also roll up miniature quilts for storage.

I'm sure that there are more uses for these little beauties but that's what I use them for.