The Christmas Challenge. The mobile mending kit by Jane.

I have been looking forward to posting this!  Jane was sharing a project with me as she was making it.  The whole idea was so nice I said this better be a tutorial!

Over to Jane!

‘Grab and Go’ Sewing Basket.

I have been sharing with Annabel a project that I was working on for my DIL. Whilst we were all camping together in June, she saw me get my ‘Grab and Go’, little hand sewing basket to sew a button back on one of Tilly’s overalls. She was quite taken that I would have something in the caravan to mend clothing. In fact, she was quite taken with the idea that you could mend clothing. We did a bit of work together and she now feels she can mend using hand sewing.

This led me to think that I would make her a needle case.

I went on Pinterest and found some ideas and then I put this together. I didn’t have any felt for the needle pages, but I did have some flannelette. Inside the back cover I made a pocket. On the outside of the pocket I have used ribbon to tie on a needle threader. In the pocket, I have some embroidery scissors, that I have also tied in with ribbon.

The little needle case by itself, just didn’t seem enough and was the catalyst for the idea of making a “Grab and Go” hand sewing basket, just for Jo.

In my gift cupboard, I had a cane basket that I picked up at the Op shop. I painted this gold. It still looked ordinary.

  I decided to line the basket. I did this by tracing around the base and cutting that out. I then measured around the sides and cut out a long strip. Onto this strip I sewed another to form pockets.

I attached the sides to the base and then another strip as a gathered frill for around the top. Elastic was sewn to the underside of the frill. I used ribbon to hold the edges together around the handles. The entire lining can come off easily to be washed.

It was then time to fill the basket with simple sewing items...

Pins are required for most sewing activities. To keep these in check a pincushion is a good idea. I chose a pattern off Pinterest for a little bird pincushion. This was a quick and relatively easy project. I made it a little nest so that it would sit flat in the basket and not tip over.

 The next addition was some small, rice filled, pattern weights. These are just triangles formed up into little pyramids. There are lots of Pinterest patterns for making these. 

This little basket holds quite a bit. 

 Scissors, thread snips, Three basic coloured threads and two primary brights, three tape measures with one being retractable, Two thimbles, glue stick, pin cushion with pins, pencil, seam ripper, small cross stitch project and a needle case.

 I had a lot of fun putting this together. A lot came directly out of my supplies. I bought all the scissors from Aldi earlier in the year. Some are in the basket and some are still in the cupboard. I have priced this little gift as costing me about $5.

I had a lot of fun making the bits and pieces for this basket. I will add things as they catch my eye.

Thank you so much Jane!  This is not just a beautiful gift idea but something we can make for ourselves!   Also many of the components are beautiful gifts by themselves i.e. the needle book or the pin cushion!    You have given your DIL a great gift too in just sitting with her and teaching her things!  She sounds like a willing learner too which is wonderful. 

I am inspired!  I hope you are too!  

We are in October!  Christmas is in all the stores!  This is the month I make my fruit cakes, review my Christmas cupboard, make a list of what else is needed and get moving! 

I hope your week is going well!  I am off to Aldi today! xxx