Sister's Choice Quilts

My interests are quilting, reading, cooking, family, decorating, and matters of style. I post regular quilting tutorials and book reviews of current fiction.

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A Great Tip

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Do you struggle to get your quilting books to lie flat? Me too. I have been known to use all sorts of objects to hold my pattern books open while I read the sewing directions. For some reason, the Sampler Spree book seems to be especially stubborn about staying open.

I took matters into my own hands this week and took it to a little hole-in-the-wall photocopy shop in my town. "Can you put a spiral binding on this book for me?" I asked the proprietor. He was a bit flustered at first but said he thought he could do that. He requested that I return in two hours, so I left the book with him. I was hoping he wouldn't ruin the book and also that it wouldn't cost more than I paid for the book to have him put a spiral binding on it! 

I returned in two hours to find that he had done an excellent job and also that he only charged me $5.

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Now my book lies perfectly flat while I sew! No more flopping shut, losing my place, or having to weigh it down with heavy objects.

I plan to return to him next week with several other quilting books that I have purchased recently and have him fix those up for me as well. 

42 responses to “A Great Tip”

  7. I did this years ago with my Dear Jane book and several others, at the time Staples charged me $3/book. It’s a game changer, isn’t it?

  8. I did this years ago with my Dear Jane book and several others, at the time Staples charged me $3/book. It’s a game changer, isn’t it?

  9. I did this years ago with my Dear Jane book and several others, at the time Staples charged me $3/book. It’s a game changer, isn’t it?

  10. You can also ask them to put a clear plastic cover on the front and back. Costs a little more, but well worth it.

  11. You can also ask them to put a clear plastic cover on the front and back. Costs a little more, but well worth it.

  12. You can also ask them to put a clear plastic cover on the front and back. Costs a little more, but well worth it.

  13. I have never done this trick but have friends that have and it is a really good fix!
    Mary

  14. I have never done this trick but have friends that have and it is a really good fix!
    Mary

  15. I have never done this trick but have friends that have and it is a really good fix!
    Mary

  19. That’s a great idea! I’m sure the shop owner will appreciate the repeat business. Plus you’re shopping at a small local business helping him out, too!

  20. That’s a great idea! I’m sure the shop owner will appreciate the repeat business. Plus you’re shopping at a small local business helping him out, too!

  21. That’s a great idea! I’m sure the shop owner will appreciate the repeat business. Plus you’re shopping at a small local business helping him out, too!

  22. I have done this with my quilting books for quite some time. Be mindful that prices can vary more than a few dollars from FedEx to Office Max to Staples. I always have the clear plastic cover placed on the front and back also.

  23. I have done this with my quilting books for quite some time. Be mindful that prices can vary more than a few dollars from FedEx to Office Max to Staples. I always have the clear plastic cover placed on the front and back also.

  24. I have done this with my quilting books for quite some time. Be mindful that prices can vary more than a few dollars from FedEx to Office Max to Staples. I always have the clear plastic cover placed on the front and back also.

  25. oh, man! $5?! bargain! and yes, I do have this problem. try to stay cool this weekend and don’t forget to take drumsticks….

  26. oh, man! $5?! bargain! and yes, I do have this problem. try to stay cool this weekend and don’t forget to take drumsticks….

  27. oh, man! $5?! bargain! and yes, I do have this problem. try to stay cool this weekend and don’t forget to take drumsticks….

  31. I have done that to several books and it works out so well. Quilting and cookbooks are good one for the spiral. Staples does it here but I would love to have a small shop that would do this.

  32. I have done that to several books and it works out so well. Quilting and cookbooks are good one for the spiral. Staples does it here but I would love to have a small shop that would do this.

  33. I have done that to several books and it works out so well. Quilting and cookbooks are good one for the spiral. Staples does it here but I would love to have a small shop that would do this.

  34. I’ve had that done for my music books for on the piano. Game changer. I got the Electric Quilt book for Christmas and the spine was broken when it arrived. I should get that one spiral bound. Thanks for the idea!

  35. I’ve had that done for my music books for on the piano. Game changer. I got the Electric Quilt book for Christmas and the spine was broken when it arrived. I should get that one spiral bound. Thanks for the idea!

  36. I’ve had that done for my music books for on the piano. Game changer. I got the Electric Quilt book for Christmas and the spine was broken when it arrived. I should get that one spiral bound. Thanks for the idea!

  37. I have taken all of my books that I know I will be “using” to Staples for years for this. I think the original price was around $3; now around $5. On tutorials that have lots and lots of pages I have them put a clear plastic cover sheet on them along with the spiral binding. Game changer 🙂

  38. I have taken all of my books that I know I will be “using” to Staples for years for this. I think the original price was around $3; now around $5. On tutorials that have lots and lots of pages I have them put a clear plastic cover sheet on them along with the spiral binding. Game changer 🙂

  39. I have taken all of my books that I know I will be “using” to Staples for years for this. I think the original price was around $3; now around $5. On tutorials that have lots and lots of pages I have them put a clear plastic cover sheet on them along with the spiral binding. Game changer 🙂

  40. I asked for this for my birthday one year and it was the best present! I gave my mom a bunch of books and they came back spiral bound 🙂

  41. I asked for this for my birthday one year and it was the best present! I gave my mom a bunch of books and they came back spiral bound 🙂

  42. I asked for this for my birthday one year and it was the best present! I gave my mom a bunch of books and they came back spiral bound 🙂