What's In My Sewing Basket?

Sara and I bought these fun little faux wicker baskets at Target over the weekend.  They were only $5.99 and we thought they would be pretty cute along side our sewing machines, full of needful things. 

They did not come with the snazzy little cloth liners--I made those from a fat quarter when I got home.  I just measured the bottom and sides of the basket and cut out the fat quarter accordingly.  The bottom measured 7 1/4" x 9 1/4".  The sides were two strips 7 1/4" long by 5 1/4" tall, and two strips 9 1/4" long by 5 1/4" tall.  I sewed the sides together to make a rectangle and pressed and stitched the top hem down about 1/4".  Then I attached the sides to the bottom, fitted it into the basket and folded the top over the edges of the basket.  Easy peasy.

We plan to fill these with the items we tend to grab most often and keep them ready, right by the sides of our sewing machines.  Here is what mine looks like all filled up.

What the heck is all that stuff?

A divided pencil cup (also from Target) which holds my extra glasses, sharp little scissors, Pigma marking pen, ruler, seam gauge, and a funny little daisy pin cushion that just looks cute in there.  I could put my seam ripper in there as well, but the ones I like to use are so short they disappear.  I need to dig out my wooden finger presser and stiletto and put them in there as well.

The little wooly pin cushion I use to hold my U pins.

A little bag of hard candies.  These have been unexpectedly popular, and I think they will figure heavily into my future.  My sister gave them to me in a Grandmother's Survival Kit she made up for me.  Turns out the things that Grandma needs to survive are also essential for the well stocked sewing basket.  Here are some other goodies she put in the Kit that are must haves in my basket:

Hand cream, lip balm, bandaids and a pretty hankie.

Not as exciting as the Grandma's Survival items:  Special feet for my Bernina that I reach for often (open toe applique & zipper foot), those little seam rippers I like, extra bobbins (filled and unfilled) in old prescription bottles, extra needles, and the "key guide" for my Angler 2.

Last but not least, small scraps for "leader/enders" for beginning stitching and keeping my thread from making a tangled knot on the back of my unit.

So, what did I leave out?  What's in your next-to-the-machine sewing kit?

 

Comments

[Wendy]

my "Purple Thang" has to be close by too. It is a combination stiletto, 1/4 inch checker, fabric/block guide and cord/elastic threader. Can't do without it!

[Christine Thomas]

Within handy reach are several short scissors, definitely my Purple Thang, seam ripper, needles (machine, hand), snips, magnet pin cushion, machine feet, and bobbins. Oh yes, glasses (2 pairs), bunny tails (what you call leaders and enders), Machinger gloves. I'm sure I'm leaving something out. Receptacle for threads and little snips of fabric.

[sillysally]

Cool basket liner! That brings little Christmas gifts to mind....... I like seeing what you keep close by. When I took my first quilting class, the teacher showed us how to use the leader/ender scraps. She called them "flags" and I've used them ever since!
sillysally aka choc chip addict

[Jan]

I keep post-it notes and a pencil for labeling rows and piles of fabric I'm assembling. I also use my first seam gauge from home ec (I was in Jr. High in the 60's)!! Your basket looks complete...those U pins continue to amaze me with the accuracy they produce!! Happy sewing in your studio with Sara and Eva!

[Pam]

I haven't seen U pins...I'll have to check them out. Good little basket idea! I keep a lint brush nearby, pin cushion, and also my purple thang, and a cute little pair of polka dot scissors, leaders and enders, my bernina 1/4 inch marker, a frizion pen, bobbins, a little cloth bag for threads, seam ripper, doggy treats, kitty treats, and a mug rug! I need a cute basket asap!

[Adrienne]

Love your pretty basket! What a great idea. Think I'll stop at Target soon and see if I can find me a basket. Oh, wait - I think I have one that will work. I love the idea of coralling all of my sewing necessities and containing them close by. Thanks for the inspiration!
~Adrienne~

[Sandie @ crazy'boutquilts]

I have a big pin cushion/thread catcher and a chopstick in addition to your things. :-) Love the lined basket.

[Mary]

It's such fun to see what others keep next to the machine! Where did your sister find the hand cream? I'm always looking for lavender hand cream and it's not always easy to find.

[annette]

I love your basket, so cute. Thanks for the inspiration for a post. That was a fun idea.

[Kathy L]

Eva is so cute. Enjoy.