My handy sewing carry-all

@JudyEv (328122)
Rockingham, Australia
January 30, 2017 7:34am CST
We have some wonderful quilters and needle-women (sounds better than sewers) on myLot and I thought I'd show off my 'sewing basket' which holds all my bits and pieces. It is a mini tool-box really but it suits me as a sewing basket. The top lid lifts to reveal little pockets where I can put needles, pins, perhaps buttons and other odds and ends. A longer pocket along the length of the lid holds my crochet hooks. If you lift the whole top piece, the underneath holds measuring tape, bias binding, cotton reels, etc. Do you have a fncy sewing basket? Although mine is quite small it holds most of the stuff I use most often. I do very little sewing really.
37 people like this
36 responses
@silvermist (19702)
• India
30 Jan 17
I do not do any sewing. You seem to have a very orderly and compact sewing carry-- all.
4 people like this
@silvermist (19702)
• India
31 Jan 17
@JudyEv And if it is not organized,we have to hunt for needle,thread and button here and there.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (328122)
• Rockingham, Australia
31 Jan 17
@silvermist That's true. This way everything is together.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (328122)
• Rockingham, Australia
31 Jan 17
Thanks. I do very little sewing either but sometimes I need to sew on a button or two.
1 person likes this
@just4him (310126)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
30 Jan 17
I have three sewing baskets. One is mine, two belonged to my mother. They aren't fancy, but they are sewing baskets, made for that purpose. A tool box sounds like a great use for a sewing basket.
4 people like this
@JudyEv (328122)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Jan 17
This one is a good size for me. It isn't used too often. :)
1 person likes this
@cacay1 (83237)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
31 Jan 17
@just4him , That makes things safe and ready to use any time, easy to remember. I try to have like that.
2 people like this
@just4him (310126)
• Green Bay, Wisconsin
31 Jan 17
@JudyEv The last time I used my sewing baskets was when I made the pillows for everyone a year ago, Christmas.
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45121)
• Canada
30 Jan 17
I do have a little sewing basket and once in a awhile I actually use it to sew a button of fix a hem.
4 people like this
@JudyEv (328122)
• Rockingham, Australia
31 Jan 17
Even if you don't often sew you need somewhere to keep needles and thread.
3 people like this
@cacay1 (83237)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
31 Jan 17
@1hopefulman , good for you, me none.
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45121)
• Canada
1 Feb 17
@JudyEv Yes, as there are at times emergencies. A missing button could be embarrassing.
1 person likes this
@much2say (54010)
• Los Angeles, California
30 Jan 17
I don't sew much, but we do have sewing stuff just for when we need it. I never had an official sewing basket . . . long ago I found a cubish green fabric box that was big enough to hold all needles, threads, etc. But in the past couple years, the box has started to fall apart - in fact now I don't know where the lid is. So I need something like this!
4 people like this
@much2say (54010)
• Los Angeles, California
31 Jan 17
@JudyEv That's true too. I do like the idea of little compartments like you have in your tool box there . . . otherwise the little stuff gets all over the place (like it is in mine). Having a handle is ideal too!
2 people like this
@JudyEv (328122)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Jan 17
A biscuit tin does quite well too.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (328122)
• Rockingham, Australia
31 Jan 17
@much2say I find it very useful when I do need something from it.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130543)
• India
30 Jan 17
Stitching and me are poles apart and so I do not have such a sophisticated kit box. Happy for you.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (328122)
• Rockingham, Australia
31 Jan 17
I like things with neat little drawers and compartments. It's mostly just for show.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (130543)
• India
31 Jan 17
@JudyEv Just like my trolley. I have a post on that
2 people like this
@JudyEv (328122)
• Rockingham, Australia
31 Jan 17
@allknowing I'm not sure if I've seen that post. Did you have a keyword/search word for it?
2 people like this
@DianneN (247205)
• United States
30 Jan 17
I rarely sew, but have a true antique sewing basket with compartments and multiple layers. The tailor suits me just fine.
4 people like this
@cacay1 (83237)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
31 Jan 17
@DianneN , wow very smart lady.
1 person likes this
@DianneN (247205)
• United States
31 Jan 17
@JudyEv Definitely!
2 people like this
@JudyEv (328122)
• Rockingham, Australia
31 Jan 17
No sewing basket, no matter how antique or how many layers it has, beats a tailor.
2 people like this
@jstory07 (134806)
• Roseburg, Oregon
31 Jan 17
That is a good idea. Thanks for sharing.
3 people like this
@cacay1 (83237)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
31 Jan 17
@jstory07, That encouraged me to buy.
@JudyEv (328122)
• Rockingham, Australia
31 Jan 17
It works for me.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (49131)
• Canada
30 Jan 17
That's a nicely contained sewing basket. Mine is literally just a small wicker basket-I don't sew much.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (328122)
• Rockingham, Australia
31 Jan 17
Sewing baskets used to be quite fancy and some were quite big too. I think previous generations were always mending or making garments or whatever. Not so many do that nowadays.
2 people like this
@garymarsh6 (23392)
• United Kingdom
30 Jan 17
My wife has a similar box she used to sew big time but not any more!
3 people like this
@JudyEv (328122)
• Rockingham, Australia
31 Jan 17
I used to do a lot when the boys were little. Buttons are about it now. :)
@PainsOnSlate (21854)
• Canada
30 Jan 17
I had one that was similar but it was plastic and got dropped once to many times, now I have a try of the few things I still use like needles and thread..and a button box. I don't sew anymore..
3 people like this
@JudyEv (328122)
• Rockingham, Australia
31 Jan 17
I only do what I have to - running repairs, buttons but I also have my crochet hooks in this one and bodkins for sewing in the ends of items when I've finished them.
1 person likes this
@Morleyhunt (21748)
• Canada
30 Jan 17
As needle women we prefer the term sewists. Sewers has such a negative connotation. Now you've inspired me to take a picture of my sewing "basket". That could form my next discussion. Thanks for the inspiration.
3 people like this
@Morleyhunt (21748)
• Canada
31 Jan 17
@JudyEv hey sewing basket has been photographed and the post has been written....now to get back to my sewing.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (328122)
• Rockingham, Australia
31 Jan 17
@Morleyhunt Well done. You have a lovely 'basket'.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (328122)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Jan 17
Thanks for that. I haven't heard of sewists but that's a much better term. I'm glad I've been an inspiration. I'm sure there are some lovely sewing baskets among our members.
1 person likes this
@acelawrites (19273)
• Philippines
30 Jan 17
Yes, it is a tool box. I only uses a recycled biscuits can which I found to be so beautiful so I decided to reuse it.
3 people like this
@cacay1 (83237)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
31 Jan 17
@acelawrites It seems like all purpose box.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (328122)
• Rockingham, Australia
31 Jan 17
I have an empty tin at the moment which once held chocolates. It is too nice to throw out. I'm sure I'll find a use for it soon.
1 person likes this
@acelawrites (19273)
• Philippines
31 Jan 17
@cacay1 yes, it is.
@teamfreak16 (43419)
• Denver, Colorado
31 Jan 17
My girlfriend has a sewing kit, but it's nothing like that.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (328122)
• Rockingham, Australia
31 Jan 17
It's probably a bit of overkill for most. :)
1 person likes this
@Ronrybs (17928)
• London, England
30 Jan 17
All my sewing stuff lives in an old biscuit tin. I do buttons and that is about my lot!
3 people like this
@JudyEv (328122)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Jan 17
A biscuit tin would be quite a good size too if you didn't do a lot of sewing. It's good you can do buttons. My niece couldn't even do that but took her garment to my sister to have buttons put on it. The mind boggles.
1 person likes this
• United States
30 Jan 17
I have a plastic stand with drawers that I keep by my bedside. It serves the purpose of holding my sewing items, some craft items, notepads, books, and other things that I only use occasionally. I keep our lamps on them as well. I have seen small tool boxes used as sewing boxes. They really are handy. My mother-in-law left hers behind for me. I kept that and have it in the junk room. Now to get that junk room organized. Ugh.
2 people like this
• United States
31 Jan 17
@JudyEv I was thinking today that I need to go through my linens and perhaps get rid of some. But you know just as soon as I do, one will rip or get extremely soiled and I won't be able to get it out.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (328122)
• Rockingham, Australia
31 Jan 17
I think every house needs a junk room, doesn't it? I have quite a bit of storage but at the moment I have bed linen coming out my ears. I've emptied the bus/motor-home of linen and the new caravan came complete with a lot of linen which I've brought in to wash and sort. I'm not complaining as it is a good position to be in really.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (328122)
• Rockingham, Australia
31 Jan 17
@ElusiveButterfly That's very true but I really do have too many sets of everything.
1 person likes this
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
30 Jan 17
That is a great sewing "basket"! I don't like to sew and only do it when I have to repair something. My sewing kit is a small tin that used to hold mints. It has a few needles, a couple of small spools of thread, one of those needle threaders since I can't see to do it anymore, and a seam ripper. It's been months since I used anything from it!
2 people like this
@JudyEv (328122)
• Rockingham, Australia
31 Jan 17
Mine doesn't get opened too often either. I'd forgotten about needle threaders. I'll have to search through mine and see if I still have one. I could certainly use it now. The seam rippers used to get the most use when I used to sew.
1 person likes this
@amadeo (111942)
• United States
30 Jan 17
not fancy but do have one
2 people like this
@JudyEv (328122)
• Rockingham, Australia
30 Jan 17
Ron Rybs (@Ronrybs) has a biscuit tin which sounds a good idea.
@MALUSE (69388)
• Germany
30 Jan 17
I have a hand-crafted wooden one. Maybe I should take a photo.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (328122)
• Rockingham, Australia
31 Jan 17
It would be lovely to see yours Malu. You could easily write a paragraph or two and share it in a post. :)
1 person likes this
• United States
30 Jan 17
You have a smart idea. Lot's of dividers to keep things organized. I have a wooden one that lifts out on either side and has a large drawer underneath. I inherited it from my mother in law. It's great to have a specific place to store things. The drawer holds buttons. I love it.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (328122)
• Rockingham, Australia
31 Jan 17
I have seen these types. They are lovely aren't they? I love all the little compartments too.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (328122)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 Feb 17
@Jeanniemaries I am much better organised than I used to be. I also have much less clutter around the place.
1 person likes this
• United States
31 Jan 17
@JudyEv I love being able to put my hands on a needle and thread instantly, or a pair of scissors. I was so unorganized for many years. Now I have it all together. I can even put my hands on a bobbin for the sewing machine I never use.
1 person likes this
@FayeHazel (40246)
• United States
30 Jan 17
Mine is a fabric covered square. Though I bet this is great - functionality wise
2 people like this
@JudyEv (328122)
• Rockingham, Australia
31 Jan 17
I can't remember if I bought it specifically for my sewing bits and pieces or not. I might have bought it as a present for Vince then decided I had great need of it!