In my recent epiphany about organizing my studio I realized some things about me and stitching on the road. I have optimized many of my choices for tools to be portable. The stuff goes into project bags or my purse and comes with me.
Here’s how I deal with my essential stitching tools.
First off let’s talk about needles. I lose them constantly. I also tend to use mostly one size of needles (22) and so about a year ago I stocked up. John James makes 25 packs of needles you might be able to find. Many of them live in a little tin that goes in one project bag. It’s the size of an Altoid minis tin and I bought it on Etsy. Usually there are a couple in every project as well, but not always. I was stick waiting someplace in the car and lost my needle. Usually there is one on the floor, but not that day.
So now I have a second, zippered needle case in my purse. I keep it there stuffed with even more needles, just in case I run out. It doesn’t take up much space and I know I’m always ready to stitch.
Scissors are another important things. You need to have them, but many scissors have points that will pierce even a reinforced project bag. I like these little titanium scissors. They are small with sharp, but not too sharp points and big comfy fingerholes. I have four pairs of them and usually they all are in project bags.
Since I found the little flat Lantern Moon ORT container (reviewed here) I take that with me. I’ve looked at other portable ORT containers, but this is the one that works for me. Another one might work for you.
The newest edition to my traveling kit is my iPodTouch. It has several stitch dictionaries on it and so I can look up stitches easily on the go.I also use the note pad for ideas, Weave (a free to do application) to keep track of projects, and if I had time to do it, thread inventories — all in the size of a small notepad.
These things sound small, and they are, but they have changed my stitching life. I can be organized, I don’t worry about not having a needle, a stitch idea, or a place to put my ORTs. I know my stitching will stay neat and I will be organized and that peace of mind is worth so much.
About Janet M Perry
Janet Perry is the Internet's leading authority on needlepoint. She designs, teaches and writes, getting raves from her fans for her innovative techniques, extensive knowledge and generous teaching style. A leading writer of stitch guides, she blogs here and lives on an island in the northeast corner of the SF Bay with her family
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