Create a textile toolbox - PEP BB textile.straw.toolbox

Here is my textile toolbox.

I have many boxes in my 'sewing corner' ...


Shelves filled with boxes for hand crafts


There are two boxes for 'repairing', this is one with patches, buttons (in jars), zippers , etc.


All sewing stuff spread out on the floor. In the large box (the other one as you saw before) are many different colours of sewing yarn (all polyester, for real cotton and linen I have a different small box), and for the rest it's filled with elastic bands and patches for repairing. The pink box has two sides both divided in small spaces with small tools in them.
Most of the time my scissors and my pins are not in a box, but next to the sewing machine on the table.
Probably my measuring tape is between my knitting/crochet stuff at the moment ...

In the 'vintage look needle booklet' I made are two pages of needles: sharp needles and blunt needles. And the tiny embroidery scissors (I showed in another BB) is in there and some more small hand sewing tools.
I had the idea of making a video showing all of that, but I'm not such a good video maker at all ...

Looking at my photos I discovered my measuring tape!

Inge : I could just be missing it as this BB is like an I SPY book but ... could you point out the scissor sharpeners please?

Ashley Cottonwood wrote:Inge : I could just be missing it as this BB is like an I SPY book but ... could you point out the scissor sharpeners please?

Scissor sharpener? Is that required? I never sharpen my scissors. I don't need to, because I use my 'textile scissors' only for textiles. So it stays sharp (for years, probably even decades).

Inge Leonora-den Ouden wrote:

Ashley Cottonwood wrote:Inge : I could just be missing it as this BB is like an I SPY book but ... could you point out the scissor sharpeners please?

Scissor sharpener? Is that required? I never sharpen my scissors. I don't need to, because I use my 'textile scissors' only for textiles. So it stays sharp (for years, probably even decades).

Hi Inge, according to the BB (or my interpretation) it is required:

It should contain at least these things:
scissors
scissor sharpener
black, white, and grey cotton thread
thimble
needles
straight pins
cloth measuring tape
safety pins
needle threader (optional)
seam ripper (optional)
little knife (optional)
sewing machine oil (optional)
beeswax for waxing thread (optional)

Inge Leonora-den Ouden wrote:
Scissor sharpener? Is that required? I never sharpen my scissors. I don't need to, because I use my 'textile scissors' only for textiles. So it stays sharp (for years, probably even decades).

Hi Inge! I never need to sharpen my TEXTILE SCISSORS, or as I call them, my fabric scissors, because I only use them for fabrics, yarn maybe. As children, my kids knew not to use these for paper or anything else, and thought it funny to use this quirk of mine as something of a threat. All in fun, they would tell me they would use my fabric scissors on paper or cardboard!! To this day, my son (in his 30's) still occasionally uses this threat.

After well over 10 years of faithful service, my one pair of orange-handled fabric scissors broke at the pivot point! I have since invested in 2 pair, the first is for heavy/multiple layers and was well worth the investment. The 2nd is my first pair of pinking shears. There is just nothing like having a really good pair of scissors for cutting the multiple layers I tend to cut for most of my textile crafting, as most of it requires many strips of cloth.

Inge Leonora-den Ouden wrote:

Ashley Cottonwood wrote:Inge : I could just be missing it as this BB is like an I SPY book but ... could you point out the scissor sharpeners please?

Scissor sharpener? Is that required? I never sharpen my scissors. I don't need to, because I use my 'textile scissors' only for textiles. So it stays sharp (for years, probably even decades).

It looks like it's on the list so it's required.

It does seem an essential part of the kit.  Even if it's just for the non-fabric scissors as these dull really quickly.  And comparing used-for-fabric-only with never-used-before scissors (of the same quality) - yes, sheers dull with use!  The older pair may not feel dull because we are used to them, but the difference can be shocking.  

My grandmother was a seamstress and used to have her fabric-only sheers sharpened every other month.  She knew how important it was to have a crisp, clean, cut.

Dull scissors can cause inaccuracy, wrist strain, and crush rather than cut the material.  

This little sharpener is the one I use https://www.amazon.ca/Fiskars-98547097-Scissors-Sharpener-Orange/dp/B0002JT0PK/

It's a little bit bigger than my thumb and works brilliantly.  

Thank you R for showing that small scissor sharpener. If that's all, I'll invest in it (being Fiskars brand it probably isn't a cheap thing). And then I'll experience what you say, that the scissors do get dull in use and really sharp scissors work so much easier ...
And then I can get the BB

scissors - full size and snips for thread
scissor sharpener - orange
black, white, and grey cotton thread - black is stored on a bobbin and large black and white spools stay are handy in craft room
thimble - gold-tone - sitting on thread spools
needles
straight pins and T-pins (both in tiny boxes plus a pin cushion)
cloth measuring tape
safety pins in metal "Altoids" box
needle threader (no but wool needles near scissors can be used)
seam ripper (included)

Here are my supplies for my sewing box, it made me hi through which was very helpful!

Here goes...

Most of my tool boxes are old projector carry cases, I work as an audio visual technician.

I keep my sewing stuff in the bag with my sewing machine. The whole lot is around 5KGs to make transport easier.

Starting top left:
Broach pins,
Buttons,
Sewing machine needles,
Safety pins,
Needle case with thread wrapped around for when I don't want to carry the whole kit, camping etc.
2 seam rippers,
Pins,
Measuring tape,
Scissors sharpener. Saw it because of this thread, didn't realise I needed it until I used it.
Leather ring thimble, I hate losing the feeling in my finger tips with normal thimbles.

Still in the box:
Button foot,
Black, grey and white thread on wooden reels are cotton,
White thread is light polyester,
Black thread is v69 sail thread for heavy repairs, polyester,
All my bobbins and the screw driver for the machine are inside the the blue cone.

Did I miss anything?

Sewing kit

Hi all,

here is a small selection of the many sewing and leatherworking items in my home. The large embroidery needles came from my grandfather, the steel scissors from my grandmother and the sewing machine oil, along with a hefty cast iron sewing machine, from northern India (RIP suitcase). This small sewing kit lives somewhere easy to access. Large quantities of thread, buttons and other more specialised kit live elsewhere.

Items pictured are:

2x scissors
2x freebie sewing kits from hotels with a needle and thread
1x sewing machine oil (stored next to the kit, not inside, as it would leak)
1x thread cutter
1x straight embroidery needle
2x curved embroidery/sailmaking needles
1x thimble
6x safety pins
5x straight needles (these roll up in the leather, as in the second photo)
lots of leatherworking needles (these are stored in the wooden case)

I assembled a sewing kit!
I am using a Longaberger basket for my kit. The basket has a plastic insert within a pocketed, zip-up fabric lining to keep the contents secure and organized.
Included in the kit and depicted below are the following:

(Required)
-scissors (with sheath)
-scissor sharpener
-black, white, and grey cotton thread
-thimble (mine is white-and-painted porcelain, so I store it in a pouch padded with wool, but it is very usable)
-needles
-straight pins
-cloth-measuring tape
-safety pins

(Additional/optional)
-seam ripper
-tennis ball for sock darning
-button jar (a repurposed prescription bottle)

Did the requirements change since I submitted my BB? I'm sure it was at least three of the required items, hence why I highlighted them in bold. I am happy to expand my kit and re-submit but the rejection really took me by surprise!

The requirements have not changed since you submitted. Even if they had any prior submissions would have been grandfathered in.

I'm not exactly sure why yours was marked as incomplete by the experts in this area. My hunch is the safety pins & the scissor sharpener. Are those some uncommon type of safety pins shown with the more traditional types? Is that orange plastic thing on the right a scissor sharpener?

OK, thanks, it must simply have been my misunderstanding then. I'll add the missing bits and resubmit in a week or so. I've never seen scissor sharpeners - I just use a little abrasive stone. I presume that will suffice?

I don't know the answer to that Luke. Here's my opinion & best guess ...

The reviewers are rather picky about following the requirements. Inexpensive scissor sharpeners are commonly used. BUT I could make a strong case for using a whetstone to sharpen them. Partly because it would work & partly because it would involve no plastic. If you have a rather dull pair of scissors & can demonstrate your ability to sharpen them to a very good edge with a whetstone it just might fly. Be aware that clear detailed pix of the before & after edges are required for sharpening BB's. Especially so in this particular case.

Here is my resubmission. I'm afraid I must have misread the instructions the first time ("must contain at least these things" as "must contain at least three things").

scissors
whetstone for sharpening scissors (see tool.straw.scissors submission)
black, white, and grey cotton thread (plus loads more)
thimble
needles
straight pins
cloth measuring tape
safety pins

It should contain at least these things:
scissors
scissor sharpener
black, white, and grey cotton thread
thimble
needles
straight pins
cloth measuring tape
safety pins
needle threader (optional)
seam ripper (optional)
little knife (optional)
sewing machine oil (optional)
beeswax for waxing thread (optional)


To document your completion of the BB, provide proof of the following as pics or video (less than two minutes):
-  the above items laid out
-  the above items inside the textile toolbox

My straight pins are in the round tin can. It was my Great Grandpa's tobacco tin, and it's of great sentimental value to me. The needles are in the paper envelope. The safety pins are in the whitish/clear plastic box. The measuring tape is also of sentimental value, as my Mama used it to sew many of my own clothes as a child. The scissor sharpener is the yellow/grey gadget above the scissors. I also have the optional seam ripper and a little bottle of sewing machine oil.

I’m a little confused by the requirement for a scissor sharpener in a sewing box. Quality shears do not need to be sharpened often if used correctly, and sharpening them at home is not recommended by experts. It can actually damage the blades, as every brand has their blades set at a different angle that may not be compatible with your sharpener. Fiscars’ sharpener is only compatible with some of Fiscars’ shears, for instance, but will ruin a pair from Gingher. It can destroy the twist of the blade and cause the edge to burr- which can in turn cut you or shred the edges of your fabric. [https://threadsmonthly.com/how-to-sharpen-fabric-pinking-scissors/]

Why is this a required item when it’s not something we should be using?

Melody Goretti wrote:I’m a little confused by the requirement for a scissor sharpener in a sewing box. Quality shears do not need to be sharpened often if used correctly, and sharpening them at home is not recommended by experts. It can actually damage the blades, as every brand has their blades set at a different angle that may not be compatible with your sharpener. Fiscars’ sharpener is only compatible with some of Fiscars’ shears, for instance, but will ruin a pair from Gingher. It can destroy the twist of the blade and cause the edge to burr- which can in turn cut you or shred the edges of your fabric. [https://threadsmonthly.com/how-to-sharpen-fabric-pinking-scissors/]

Why is this a required item when it’s not something we should be using?

You are right, quality shears don't need sharpening (at home).  But scissors do.  

We can sew without shears but it's mighty difficult to sew without scissors.  Since the kit calls for scissors, not shears (although feel free to include shears in yours), the requirements include a scissor sharpener.  

Another way to think about it.  Shears are only used to cut fabric.  Whereas scissors cut fabric, paper, thread, zippers, ribbon, tape, interfacing... all things that dull the blades.  Thus, they need sharpening.  

Also, a big part of doing BBs is showing that we can follow directions as given.  Another part of it is choosing the right tools for the situation.  Choosing the scissor sharpener to match the scissor brand is a good thing to think about.  Although, unlike shears, most scissors are built to a standard angle.  

Found a lovely yarn shop so managed to fill the gaps in my sewing kit. This is just the start. I plan on making a cloth roll for my knitting needles and crochet hooks.

I repurposed a small camera gadget bag to put all the small things in. The sewing kit all the other bits and bobs are now in my old wooden chest that my Grandfather made for me over 40 years ago.

Here’s the pictures with all the requirements.

My sewing kit is pretty small, but it has a two-zipper layout with a center section that lets it hold a lot more than it looks like it should. (I also have an entire shelving unit full of other sewing-related tools and supplies, but that's beside the point.)

Pictured:
- Cotton thread in a variety of colors
- Two different pincushions with a ton of straight pins
- A metal thimble
- A seam ripper
- A scissors sharpener
- A pair of scissors
- A pair of pinking shears
- A magnetic needle case with a variety of needles, including a few curved ones
- Two fabric measuring tapes
- Safety pins (they got their own picture because I forgot to put them in the first one)

Not pictured because I didn't want to take the time to put them back after I got them out:
- Many, many more spools of thread (mostly cotton, but a few wool and one silk)
- Cotton embroidery floss in a variety of colors
- Two more pairs of scissors
- Another thimble
- A bunch more safety pins of varying sizes
- Small binder clips (my substitute for fabric clips)
- Two more measuring tapes
- A few more tapestry needles
- Another seam ripper
- Tailor's chalk

Was happy to see I already had everything except the scissor sharpener! I had made a leather thimble a few years ago, unfortunately before I saw the BB for doing that, but it has held up remarkably well. This is my little hand-sewing kit that I can bring with me easily; I have a bigger box with other tools more for machine sewing or bigger projects. Next, I want to get some curved needles.