Have you ever considered attending a needlework class and in the list of supplies the teacher listed "Basic Sewing Kit"? Just what does a Basic Sewing Kit hold? Well, here's what I keep in mine — my essential stitching tools.

I realize this list looks long, but all my essential tools fit in a little plastic box that is 7.75 inches wide, 5.25 inches tall, 3 inches deep. It's quite easy to carry around, and I usually have everything I need!

At the end of my list are some other items you might want to carry to a class if you have enough room for them.

Cameo's Essential Stitching Tools
Don't go to a class without them!

Taking Notes
• Pen and pencil
• Small spiral-bound memo pad for taking notes or phone numbers
• Nametag
  
  Needles and Threads
• Needle books with assorted sizes and types of needles — embroidery, tapestry, sharps, beading, chenille, millinery etc.
• Laying tool and/or trolley needle for laying threads
• Parking pin or magnet set — one for front, one for back of canvas, to park your needles
• Needle threaders
• Thread Heaven — thread conditioner
• 35mm canister with damp sponge for stripping threads
• Ort Port — container for holding thread snippets
• Dololly or Star Detailer for tucking threads
• Small steel crochet hook for tucking threads
• Rubber needle puller
• Small emery strawberry
  
  Cutting Tools
• Scissors
       — a "cheapie" folding pair of scissors for cutting metallic threads
       — a pair of plastic kid's scissors for cutting paper
       — a “good” pair of embroidery scissors for other fibers
       — use a knitting needle cap on your scissor tip to protect the points or store them in a leather scissor sheath
• Clover thread cutter
• Seam Ripper and/or Lift 'N Snip scissors for frogging/unstitching
• Small tweezers or hemostats — great for Hardanger and waste canvas
  
  Keeping Track on Your Chart
• Single stud earring for marking center of design
• Thread counter
• A spool of light blue sewing thread to help grid my linen with guildelines
• Magnifiers — I carry a compact one and some magnifying glasses
• Colored pencils or highlighters for marking charts as I stitch
• 6" ruler
• Transparent yellow plastic gizmo that you put on your chart to highlight the area you're working.
• Lap Lighter — it's like a 12" x 14" fabric pillowcase with dark on one side, white on the other.
  Put it in your lap to see the holes in the canvas/fabric more easily.
  
  Hand Care
• Small container of Udder Cream, a non-staining hand lotion
• Thimble or ThimplePads
• Fingernail file
• Wet Ones — hand wipes

Miscellaneous
Add these items if you have room

• Small embroidery hoop or Q-Snap
• Small screwdriver to tighten your hoop
• Small pincushion and straight pins with colored heads
• Fabric-marking pencils
• Fabric eraser to remove fabric pencil markings
• Boo Boo stick or Scotch brand "magic" tape to remove the remnants of frogged stitches
• Wand magnet for finding dropped needles
• Pillowcase to cover work while transporting it
• Light — needed in most rented facilities
• Frame holder and stand
• White Quilter's cotton thread to baste fabric to scroll bar strips
• White string or twine and twill tape to use when lashing fabric to sides of scroll frame
• Frame weight or C-clamp to hold canvas frame to table
• Bee's wax — especially helpful for beading
• Small wire cutters and needle nose pliers — also useful when beading
• Fray Check

Personal Care Items
Add these items if you have room and use them for your own comfort during classes

• aspirin
• mints
• antacid
• small band-aids

This list is available for reprint in needlework newsletters. Please contact me for permission and instructions.