carrying quilt pieces and sewing around

[kim B.]

I was wondering if any of you are hand piecing quilts. I would like to know what kind of bag you carry your supplies in. Currently I am using a plain canvas bag and spend considerable time searching for items. I am looking for something with compartments.
I am hoping some of you may have found the perfect bag.
Thanks,
Kim

[kim B.]

I have mine in large A3 zip lock bags because they are see through but I also use the A5 size. These are small enough to put in my handbag and hold quite a few blocks worth of pieces, some folding scissors, a small snap box that once held Clover pins and in there I have a few pins, some needles and a bobbin wound with the hand thread.

I have about three of the A5 'kits' ready to go and always have one near me if I'm goinig anywhere. Now and then I have to have a bit of a re gathering to see where I am but it works well!

It will be interesting to see what others do and what ideas we can pinch from them!! :wink:

[kim B.]

When I was doing my DJ hand pieced quilt I put everything in a zipper notebook with plastic sleeves.

The patterns and fabric selected for the blocks each had their own sleeves nicely organized. The pieces were usually cut out prior to going in to he folders.

I kept the emboildery sissizors, needles, thread and notions in a zipper case like those used for pencils and pens... everything was kept organized and ready to use... I carried 6 to 8 blocks in it at all times.

[kim B.]

When I did my grandmother's flower garden, I carried all my supplies in a kid school box. It was plastic and latched tightly. Everything fit in it and I could stick it in a tote with my bottle of water.

[kim B.]

Thank you for the suggestions. Here I was looking for the ultimate carry-all and as usual the simpliest solutions are the best.
Thanks

[Lynn K.]

I used something from the fishing tackle line at the Sports store. Works wonderfully!

[Beth A.]

I once took a class from a teacher (don't remember who) who said that she carried her applique with her in a recycled frozen orange juice can!

BethMI

[Diane F.]

There is no "perfect" storage system that works for everyone. The orange juice can idea scared me!

Please be careful to avoid using containers that might be mistaken for garbage...I have personal experience with this! [Many years ago I lost my address book because a custodian mistook the container for garbage.]

Also, do you have pets that like to chew? If so, be careful.

I had a cat who was attracted to plastic, rubber bands, Styrofoam, etc. She could smell them in containers. She would tip over trash cans in search of her treasure. She even learned how to open the lid to my quilt basket --I thought that she was playing with one of her "Kitty Hoots" toys...NO she was EATING a plastic zipper bag that contained one of my quilt blocks! Yes, her teeth broke the fibers and I had to replace the fabric!

[kim B.]

Wow I know what you mean about cats and plastic. My cat spends hours licking plastic. When my daughter was young I use to get mad at her for leaving her hair rubber bands laying around on the floor until one day I witnessed the cat gingerly swatting at one on the dresser to knock it to the floor and proceeded to "kill it". Got to love those cats.

[kim B.]

I got a bog at Joan's I really like it. It has pockets and it zips shut

[kim B.]

Our lovely male cat who passed away last summer loved to punch his teeth through plastic. He wouldn't eat it though. I have so many nice zipper top bags that I use for projects and they all have sweet reminders of him. Nothing is air tight either.

Our current cat, a female, prefers to chew cardboard. So now all the cardboard boxes that might be around have her teeth holes punched at the top edges.

My 10 month old male kitten has the wierdest habbit of any cat I've ever had. He'll latch on to a bump on an afgan or blanket and suck away. He does that sweet kneading with his paws and I swear he thinks he's nursing. So cute!

Every cat is different and so interesting! Nancy in western Ny where we're bracing for a blizzard!

[kim B.]

Oh Nancy, more snow? I just finished a nice morning walk and for the first time heard the birds singing. Spring is springing here in Oregon. Sorry about the snow.
Our first cat use to suck her foot pad which was very endearing. I have a charka spinning wheel and a spindle with her teeth marks offering me a chance for fond memories. All though I will admit at the time I wasn't so fond of her.

[Judy M.]

I have several small notions carriers that I have either made or bought. I use one for hand quilting that only has quilting needles, a thimble, quilting thread, etc. My applique supplies are in a round fabric drawstring bag that has several inside pockets. I keep a bobbin saver in the bottom that is filled with Superior Thread's prewound bobbins in all colors. My favorite hand piecing notions holder is one I bought at a quilt show. It has room for a needle threader and my favorite is the small plastic zippered area for thread that has a grommeted hole to release the thread--no rolling spools on the floor!!! When I'm transporting a project, I put the appropriate notions carrier and my project in a small/large project tote bag. I'm also a nut for cute scissors and scissor fobs--I try to match the scissors to my notions carriers. I don't have to search around the tote bag with all the notions in one place.

[Judy M.]

Found a cool way to dispense embroidery floss. Wind it on a bobbin by hand then insert it into an empty dental floss dispenser. Pull out as much as you need and cut the amount off on the cutter provided. Doesn't knot up-stays clean-travels easily. :idea:

[Hannelore N.]

Thanks, that's a great idea, Pat. And I have been throwing away those floss cases for years.

Lorchen