This weekend I designed a travel sewing kit for carrying all the necessities you might want to tuck in your purse so you could do some handwork on the go, or be have a nice organizer for any supplies you might need to take to a class. This is version 1.0 and I plan to make a few tweaks/improvements as I use it and see how well it works.
When closed, it is approximately 9″ x 6″ and depending on how much you have in there, could be about 2 – 3″ thick. I used fusible fleece AND decor bond on the exterior to give make it nice and sturdy – and then the lining piece has decor bond. I opted not to interface the zipper pocket or interior pockets because I didn’t want it to be too bulky. I will probably use some light interfacing in version 2.0 as I can see already that the pockets will have a lot of wear and tear.
When it is open, it is about 9″ x 18″ and can hold quite a bit of stuff! There is a slip in pocket behind the zippered pocket that can hold a pattern and a small cutting mat. In the zippered pocket you can carry pins, measuring tape, seam ripper, etc. The pockets hold a pen, notepad, scissors, small rotary cutter, and seam gage. I will play around with the pocket sizes to get the optimal combination. I included some elastic to hold spools of thread, but will probably remove this in the next version. I figure it is easier to carry thread in the zipper pocket, and to use the space for a needle/pin holder instead. Once I get the design perfect, I will make a few and try to sell them on Etsy or at one of the local shops.
Any comments/suggestions on what to change? I would love to hear what you think!
Keep it Thimble 
Cute design, I would suggest putting ribbon to hold the scissors in place and a flap over the rotary cutter pocket to help hold them in place.
Having a ribbon holding everything closed rather than a button and elastic would also allow for some added storage space.
Good luck with the design.
Thanks for the feedback Sandi. I was wondering if adding a flap would be a good idea – it certainly would keep things from falling out. I will have to experiment with it (and with the ribbon too).
beautifully done.
Awesome Heather – I was going to say also that something to hold the scissors in but other than that I am ready to make one!!
Is there a place for needles?
No, but I do think it would be a good idea to add one.
Hi Heather!!!
Been a long time!!! 🙂 I see you and your friends are having a porch sale this weekend….I was just in Raleigh last weekend fighting through the crowds at the fair. I’d love to check out the porch sale….have to see how DH is after his minor surgery on Friday.
Mary
Mary, great to hear from you! We were at the State Fair today and it was a lot of fun. I hope you get a chance to make it to the porch sale – hope your DH’s surgery goes well :).
Design one for embroiderers. Add a ribbon top to bottom, stitching at one inch intervals to loop floss, needle holder in pocket or with snapped flap, etc..
Great suggestions Betty! Thank you for commenting. Sorry it took so long to reply!
V smartly designed
It’s a bit late, but than you so much for the comment!
Is this something that can be purchased, is there a tutorial somewhere? It looks very nice.
Thank you for the comment Valerie! I haven’t written up the pattern yet, but I hope to in the next few months.