The Hand-Stitcher's Go-Bag

The Hand-Stitch Go-bag

The equipment we talk about is aimed at making us more efficient. We can plan and execute our DIY home decor projects easily.
If you have places to be and people to see, you'll need to take things along with you. Your hand-stitch go-bag (also called a ready-bag) will come in handy.

Whether you're traveling around the world or popping to the park for a picnic, a hand-stitch go-bag allows you to be a mover and a maker. You can create your indoor world while having outdoor adventures.

Each time you look at your furnishings, you'll be reminded of the escapades that you had while making them.

The main function of a hand-stitch go-bag is to hold the main tools that you will need to stay on top of your decor sewing projects. You can think ahead and be organised. In the planning stage, you can decide on what items you will sew that week or month.

You can choose which parts of your home decor project are done in your craft space and which parts you'll sew while out and about.

It's easier to time-manage your projects as you decide how often you want to work on your project and how much time you'll spend in each session.

A good go-bag is like an extension of your craft room. Its size and type will depend on the size of the pattern pieces or design items that you want to work on.

You may need a larger-sized bag for things like joining borders to sofa cushion panels than you would for hand-embroidering a monogram on curtain tie-backs. As always, you're in control, so you get to decide which items you will need to carry in your go-bag.

Essential Hand-stitch Go Bag Tools

Let's say you've been invited to a party in the park. You'd love to tag along and soak up the hazy sunshine, enjoy the buzz of the chatter, and sip on something chilled and delicious.

You should definitely accept that invitation. Then select an outfit and then get your hand-stitch go-bag packed up and ready to go.

That's the best thing about a hand-stitching project. You can take it with you just like crocheting and knitting projects.

You don't have to miss out on anything - I've even worked on my projects at weddings (which can be very drawn-out affairs).

The hand-stitch go bag is my secret weapon for less-than-exciting shindigs. I can easily slip my project piece out and hand-stitch away.

Unlike whipping out your kindle or headphones, hand-stitching is a less anti-social activity. You can talk, listen and laugh with other people. With machine sewing, there isn't much of a choice.

You could go to the event and then spend the entire time secretly wishing you were back in your craft room, making things happen.

On the other hand, you could decline the invitation and stay back to work on your project. Be prepared to be secretly miffed when everyone is 'rubbing it in' about the event that you missed and the good times that were had by all.

Sometimes we'll need to attend less fun things, like work, and commute in less fun ways, like using public transport.

In this case, your go-bag will need to be multi-functional. It should have pockets for work-related items and valuables, as well as a padded space for your laptop, charger and phone. If you work in a 'stylish' environment, your go-bag needs to reflect that too.

Hand-stitching in the Air

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) website is the best place to check for all the items that you may bring on to a flight. If you still feel unsure, you can call a TSA officer or airport security to clear up any doubts. Make a note of the time, date of the call, and the contact details of the advising officer.

Luckily for hand-stitchers, we are allowed to carry and use all of our essential furnished by hand tools, on the plane.

Needle Wallet

Magnifiers with light

Stapled pattern pieces

Thimble

Magnet

4 inch scissors

You can hand stitch a gift and complete it before you reach your destination, or you may just need a distraction from a crowded plane. Either way, if you plan to succeed, things will go smoothly.

staple the pieces together in your craft space

If you are not using it, put your scissors away.

Keep it simple and just sew on the plane.

Note down the number of needles you have

Don't secure your pattern pieces with pins or clips.

Don't use your scissors to snip at the fabric.

Don't store needles in the arm rests

Don't secure your pattern pieces with pins, which can get stuck in the seats or other passengers, or clips which can ping off and hit someone. Instead, draw your seam guild-lines, and securely staple all the pieces together in your craft space before you leave your home. You can sew your seams while you're on the plane and leave the staples in place until you reach your destination, then you can cut them off and throw them away.

You won't get in trouble with the airline or other passengers, and you won't have to look for your fallen pins and flying clips.

Don't be tempted to use your scissors to snip at the fabric.

Thread fibers will end up on clothing, in the air, on the seats, and floor. This will annoy other passengers and the flight crew. Keep it simple and just sew.

Count how many needles you have threaded in your needle horse and note it down on a piece of paper so that you don't forget it.

Assuming you've used secure staples instead of pins to hold your fabric together, your needles and scissors are the only things that you need to 'bother' about before you exit the plane. Make sure that they are all accounted for.

If you are not using it, put it away. Keep your scissors in your closed needle horse until you need to snip thread, and then put it straight back when you've finished. One more thing - please, please don't stick needles in the armrests or any other part of the plane - that's what the needle horse is for.

Go-bag Specifications

Whichever bag you choose, you'll feel a lot more confident if you use a good quality, well-made bag that will protect your sewing projects along with your personal items. Here is a checklist of essential and desirable qualities for your go-bag.

Essential

BSCI or SA8000 Accredited

Waterproof

Strong / durable

Comfortable handles / straps

Space for Needle Wallet

Space for magnet + thimble

Desirable

USB charging port

Crush-proof pocket for magnifier