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

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.

I’m going to be doing some sewing on the road soon, so it was a good opportunity to make up a traveling hussif and get a BB.

My hussif is constructed with cabbage—the solid blue parts are a linen/cotton blend, the other pockets are cotton flannel, and the bias tape is cotton. The pin book (I like my little wooden needle case for most needles) is wool, blanket-stitched with more wool yarn. The closure is a fingerlooped cord of wool yarn. The hussif is completely hand stitched with waxed linen thread. After putting everything in, I realized I’d forgotten thread and an awl (helpful for turning under seam allowances to fell them down and invaluable for making eyelets!), so I rearranged things a bit and stuck those in. Ready to go!