Taking your sewing with you

Inspired by Valerie Knapp's lovely sewing kit (she uses her own printed fabrics), I set out to make one myself. So many decisions - size, fabric, pockets, fabric for pockets, size of pockets - and plenty of examples on the internet.

An oilskin kit - very "must have", but not for me -

A soldier's sewing kit, in camoflague colours -

aA tiny kit with prethreaded needles (for one-time-only use) -

Another tiny one (minimal supplies could be kept in a proper matchbox too) - 

Indeed, this one has a list of its contents here -

Thinking about the design

I'm basing my own design on the tools I need to have with me for "a bit of sewing" -

• scissors
• thread(s) - on spools, wound on cards, or in hanks or plaits
• thimble, or "thimble pads", or micropore tape, in case sewing is sustained
• needles of various sizes
• a dozen or so pins
• maybe even some bits of fabric
• and one of those little rulers might be useful ... or might not

And maybe a seam ripper ... a teeny pull-out tape measure ... a little flat tin to keep a few buttons in ... a needle threader ... a nail file ...

This calls for various pockets for the loose bits, and pads to stick the needles and pins into (is there a way of adding a proper pincushion?). There needs to be a way to keep it closed - zip? velcro? button? tie? A bright colour or distinctive texture might be good, for ease of finding at the bottom of a bag. 

As it's a "travelling" sewing kit, it seem appropriate to use bits of the fabric I printed with "journey lines".

 The outcome

It seemed to take ages to gather materials and decide sizes, but eventually one, and then another, were made. I took notes along the way.

The pockets are a felted wool, perfect for needles and pins. The black pockets are inside the "pillowcase" before it's turned right way out; the blue pockets are applied afterwards. As the wool stretches a bit, the edges are bound.

The scissors need to be secured, otherwise they will slip out of the pocket. Perhaps an angled pocket will make a tie or snap unnecessary. 

And what about the tie that holds the kit closed - is there a better way? Suggestions are very welcome!

Stage 2 of developing this is to use more of the "journey lines" fabric for the outside and small pockets. Stage 2, or should it be stage 1B,  also includes trying out different configurations of pockets, and making templates for the various pieces, to get into production-line mode.