Have Kit, Will Travel

Have you had a look at Blackbird Designs new blog? It's as lovely as everything else they do. Alma has been taking great pictures of her handwork; knitting, samplers, and hexagons. Susan Stiff from Moda gifted us all at the recent Designer's Retreat with a little kit to make a hexagon pincushion. I haven't started mine yet as I had my own hexagon project in the works there. Which brings me to today's post - sewing kits, baskets, boxes or bags. Whatever you need to carry the essentials with you when you want to do some handwork. This is what I have been using the last couple of years. It's a Moda Lunchbox that came out with the fabric collection Chocolat by 3 Sisters. I modified it a bit by installing a pincushion in the lid. I wrapped some wool batting around a piece of cardboard and covered it all with Chocolat fabric. I then hot glued it inside the lid.It carries all that I need for a project; needles, pins, thread, scissors, etc.. Here are some of my favorite tools: a needle book and needle case, pincushion, a scissor fob, an emory bag, my thimble and it's case. All but the thimble are handmade and all were gifts. I love my tools. When in Kansas we actually had one evening where we sat and did handwork while we talked. I need to keep my hands busy and I wasn't the only one. There was a discussion about zen, handwork, and relaxed breathing. It's true - studies prove that people who do needlework have similar brainwaves than those who practice zen meditation.

This is what I worked on in Kansas. I started a hexagon project. I did over 100 sitting there chatting. That's the thing about handwork - it adds up quickly. Any stitching done in spare moments adds up to, well ..... quilts! My project will become a purse I hope. I will use my red scraps and these handles.It's fun to stock your sewing kit. I highly recommend everyone have one - just in case. You never know when you would like to sit and stitch with friends.

Laurie