Make a Grab and Go Sewing Supplies Kit

This grab and go sewing supplies kit is something that I take every time I sew. No matter if it’s sewing local or long distance (think quilt retreat) I have all my favorite supplies with me.

It has saved me a few times because I have extras. Extra bobbins, needles, thread, and random things. Today we get to take a look inside.

I am pretty lucky to have a local quilt group that I can attend – not only that, but they meet a few times per month for a few hours of sewing.

It’s one of my favorite times of the month. I get to haul my machine and supplies and sew nonstop for a few hours surrounded by quilt friends.

This kit follows me everywhere. In fact, it does not ever leave the bag with the sewing machine. It stays with it. All the items inside are duplicates of what I have in the sewing room.

In reality I shouldn’t be taking anything from this at any point because I already have what I need in the sewing room.

This really helps when packing for a sew day or retreat. I don’t have to think about it, it’s already in the bag and ready to go.

I do have a few other things that I bring along – like the larger rulers and iron, but this kit has mostly everything I need and it helps me not waste time gathering notions.

It also means that when I go to sew, I have what I need and those are my favorite things too! I am not usually finding myself without something and I really like that.

The case that I have for my travel sewing kit isn’t that large. It features a few dividers inside. The lid opens up really nicely and there are clamps to make sure it keeps shut and nothing falls out.

I did have an issue with knowing which side was the top or bottom, so I added a few stickers to the top so I could recognize it and open it properly.

It is about 1″ to 1 1/2″ thick and fits a rotary and thread just fine. There were a few other containers that I wanted to use inside, but they were too tall and wouldn’t allow it to close, so I switched those out for others that do work.

This kit is ever growing and changing. I had to add new sewing machine needles because the pack that I had was empty and the bobbin scenario was a little grim as well – so this gave me an opportunity to re-evaluate what was inside and add or remove things that I needed or didn’t.

Name Tag

I keep this in my kit. I can set it by my sewing machine or wear it.

1/4″ Seam Tape

The 1/4″ seam guide tape made by Cluck Cluck Sew – and it’s such a good thing to have on hand! You can use the tape to your sewing machine to help you keep your 1/4″ seams straight and if you are sewing any half square triangles, you use this to line up your squares and just sew.

I also can use this as tape if I need. I should add a roll of washi tape to the kit, but for now I can use this to hang up a quilt block or two on the wall.

Sewing Pins

I have a container that is loaded with pins. Currently I don’t have pin cushion in the kit, I probably need to add that. But for now, a sewing pin container works great. I have a variety of pins in here as well and it’s ok.

Sewing Machine Needles

Quilting Needles are a must have in your kit. I recently had to buy a new set to put into the kit as I used the last one. You never know when you need a new needle. During your sew time, you break needles and nothing is fun about having to stop sewing because you don’t have a replacement. I try to mark the old needle with a marker or something so I don’t try to use it again.

Mini Highlighter

Mini highlighters are great for marking on your patterns or highlighting notes that you have made on your pattern. Sometimes we chat a lot and stop paying attention to what the sizes we need to cut or what the next step is. Having a highlighter can help!

Glow Ruler Tape

Glow tape is a game changer if you have never used it. This is a bright tape (it comes in a few colors) that you can place on your ruler to mark. I use it to mark where I need to trim to or if I am cutting a lot of strips or squares, you simply place the tape to that measurement. It makes it so you don’t have to recount or continue to do refind the measurement on your ruler. I love using this tape.

Rotary Cutter

Having a second rotary cutter in your kit is a must. I love the small rotary and so I have this in my kit. It never leaves this kit. I don’t swipe it to use somewhere else. It is always in here. I currently don’t have extra blades – and maybe need to think about adding a few in here for it. When I notice that it’s dull, I do trade the blade before using it again.

Wood Presser

The wool presser is a great little tool to have on hand. You use this to smooth the seams when you don’t want to get up and down to the ironing station. This is expecially great for using on paper piecing projects.

The Purple Thang

The purple thang multi-tool. It has a tip which you can use for turning things right sides out, pushing out points, or even use it as a stileto at the sewing machine. The other tip has a small square which is 1/4″ and you can use to see if your sewing machine needle is the correct 1/4″ seam. This has so many uses, it really is a good thing to have at your fingertips.

Marking Pens and Pencils

I know that we usually have pens and pencils in our bags, but having it in the kit is the best. I have a mechanical pencil for marking half square triangles and for writing notes on patterns. I also now have a frixon pen (there are other pens out there that do the same thing) for marking applique, stitching, etc.

Seam Ripper

You never know when you will find yourself needing to unpick your stitching, so having this on hand is needed. I have a travel sized one that has a lid and is small. It features a rubber tip that helps you pull the little tiny threads out of the fabric.

Small Snipping Scissors

Small snipping scissors – I typically have these right next to my sewing machine. They are easy to grab and snip thread and even do some small cutting if needed. I maybe should have a larger scissor in the kit, but currently this is what I have.

Prefilled Bobbins

I love, love prefilled bobbins. They are so handy to have on hand. They are wound so nicely that they pack a ton of thread and it takes longer to actually use one. I have small container that keeps them organized inside the kit. I do have one that is off color as well, just in case I need a dark thread. With these, just double check your size so you get the right one for your sewing machine.

Notepad or Sticky Notes

These are great to have on hand. You can make notes on projects that you are sewing, keep track of the next step you need to begin with if you are leaving your machine for the evening or whatever. These are sticky notes so they can be stuck anywhere, but a simple notepad will work just fine as well.

Glue Stick

You never know when you need to tack something together, so having a glue stick on hand is so handy. You can use this for binding, putting paper together (paper piece) and whatever else.

Spool of Thread

I have another color of thread on hand as well as the one that I have for the sewing machine. This is a dark color and great if you are doing the button hole stitch on applique or raw edge applique or really whatever. There are times when you just need a different color.

Hand Stitching Needles

There are times when you get a little tired of sitting at your machine and need to just do a little bit of hand sewing. I have this little container with hand sewing needles, but really a needle kit or something similar is just as good. I may need to add a few DMC floss to the kit so I have a variety of thread to choose from if I am doing embroidery.

Clips

These are a great option to have if you don’t like using pins or for whatever reason you don’t want to use pins. These quilt clips are great for binding as well and come in handy when you just need a few things placed together.

Empty Bobbins

There are times when you need an empty bobbin. These are leftover from the prefilled ones, but they are really handy for filling with thread in a different color. I even use these bobbins for the top thread as well, if I am using a different color.

Travel Iron and Cutting Mat

This is such a handy thing to travel with. The travel iron and cutting mat is just about the right size for hauling around. It features a velcro closure and handles so it’s easy to carry. I usually don’t have it set up open, I fold one side or the other underneath so it takes up smaller space on my table. Sometimes I don’t have a lot of space.

A Few Things I’m Thinking of Adding

Add a Quarter Ruler

The Add A Quarter ruler is a great thing to have – I use it for paper piecing, but it really could be handy to have on hand for anything. It has the measurements on the side and then the groove on the other for lining up on the seam.

Scant 1/4″ Seam Gauge

This is a great ruler for the sewing kit. You never know if you will be sewing on your own machine or a borrowed machine. The scant 1/4″ seam guide helps you set your needle up so it’s a scant quarter inch. Even if you are sewing on your own machine, travel can make things bump and move so setting up your needle again is really a good thing.

Travel Sewing Kit Video – Let’s Take a Look Inside

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