When you begin to use the sewing machine, you will be snipping many threads. Keep the area around your sewing table neat by using a paper bag for a wastebasket for scraps of material, paper, and thread. Fasten it to the edge of the table where you can reach it easily when you are sitting at the machine. [Illustration: {Wastebasket on table}] Organize a box or basket for tools and supplies All of your sewing tools are like a happy family—each has a job to do to help you sew. You will therefore, find it helpful to know where your tools are and to keep them in place when you are not using them, instead of leaving your thimble on the arm of a chair, the shears hidden under a newspaper, or a bobbin in your pocket. A box is easy to organize into an equipment box and convenient to store in your dresser drawer, on your closet shelf, or in a bigger box which will hold your projects. You should look for two kinds of boxes—one large box and many small ones. The large box should be sturdy, clean, and long enough to hold your longest tool. The pincushion may become the tallest tool when it is covered with pins and needles. The small boxes may vary in size. Tiny boxes like those used for earrings are good for small items like the thimble, bobbins, etc. Bigger boxes are needed for the pincushion, thread, and other items. When you have all of your boxes collected you will be ready to start your project. Separate the box tops from the boxes. Then arrange the smaller boxes so they fit into the larger box. Be sure to save enough space for the 12-inch ruler or the length of your shears. Then have mother help you staple or paste the sides of the open boxes together and fasten them into the large box. [Illustration: Staples] To make this box even more useful, you could label each little partition with the names of the tools or supplies you plan to store in each, as shown in the picture of a well organized box on page 6. If you would rather have a container which could be easily carried from room to room, you might like to buy a fishing tackle box like your brother uses for his supplies. Choosing one with dividers in it will help you to organize your sewing tools very nicely. Some girls use little doll suitcases, or a small cosmetic case like grown-ups use when traveling. Either of these are very nice, because they are usually pretty in color, and will open up wide so you can see all your sewing tools at one time. They also have a latch to fasten the cover and a handle which makes them easy to carry. [Illustration: An example of an organized box. The number of small boxes and their arrangement will vary.] Masking Tape or Scotch Tape Thread Pin Cushion Measuring Tape Seam Gauge (Sewing machine attachment) Pins Dressmaker Chalk Bobbins Needles Thimble Paper Bag 12 inch Ruler Case Holding Shears and Scissors, Measuring Gauge Learn to use mother’s sewing machine