PatPitter

When I started sewing as a teenager, my mother bought me a plastic box with trays for my sewing supplies. The box was specifically for sewing supplies. The top tray has special places for scissors, thimbles, spools of thread, small pincushion, etc. The box has served me well for many years. I don't have a sewing cabinet and I do like the portability of the box. But yesterday the hinges fell apart

I've looked online and this type of sewing box is no long made.
I'm considering getting a tool box from the hardware store. I don't really want the boxes that are covered in fabric because I'm concerned about how the fabric will wear over time (I've had this plastic box for 40 years).

I'm wondering what other people use for storing their sewing tools.

Tartan

​I have a sewing box which I only store my zipper collection in. I keep a cookie sheet by my sewing machine for all my tools while sewing. If I go to a workshop, all my bits go in a zipper case that came with my rolling fabric sewing machine cart.

osewme

Pat, I have the same dilemma as you. The handle on my old sewing box broke several months ago & I've looked online but haven't found anything that I want in the way of regular sewing boxes. I'm seriously considering a Homer Box from Home Depot. DH has one for his tools & I think it would be good for my sewing supplies. It has a nice lift out tray in the top & lots of room in the bottom. And it's only $8. All the large sewing boxes I've seen online cost no less than $20 & they go up in price from there.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/The-Home-...1512/202021300

PatPitter

Osewme,
I watch the TV show "Project Runway" and many of the designs keep their sewing tools in a hardware tool box. I think some use a tackle box. For $8 I don't have much to lose! I need to go to Home Depot for a few other things anyway.

rryder

Pat, those old plastic sewing boxes like yours sometimes show up on eBay. I have several that I've gotten from eBay and an very happy with them. You just need to keep an eye out on their listings for sewing supplies, notions, misc. lots etc. I think they're called Wilhold or something like that, but it's pretty easy to find them if you just check the EBay sewing listings every couple of days.

Just be sure and check the pictures to see if they have any cracks, broken latches etc. I've seen them sell for as little as $5 and as much as $35. Sometimes you will find the boxes that that company made to hold thread and patterns as well.

Rob

SuzzyQ

A Toolbox from the Hardware store will also work well but you have to check them all out! My DH picked mine out and there were too many tiny compartments that were pretty well useless.

rryder

That's why I gave up on tool boxes. The only ones that I found that had compartments that were large enough to hold scissors, etc. were so big that they were difficult for me to carry (I'm 5'2"). The plastic boxes that were made specifically for sewing were perfect. It's too bad that the company that made them stopped. Luckily I found several on eBay.

Before I found the ones on eBay I looked at all the modern ones that the fabric stores sell and I didn't think any of them were as well made as the old ones, and they didn't have nearly the storage capacity either.

I made a bionic gear bag that stays open next to my sewing machine. It holds everything that I need for quilting and I can just zip it closed to move it to one of my other machines or to take to a class.

Rob

NJ Quilter

I have one of those plastic ones as well - probably as old as yours! I would look on CL or freecycle. Seems I've seen them listed on either/both sites relatively frequently.

Or, as others have suggested, check out the big box home stores. You also might want to check Tractor Supply. They seem to be a nice cross of the old fashioned hardware store and the big box stores. Might have something more sewing-friendly??

amyjo

I bought a mechanics tool chest. It was really nice to store my stuff in until I could get my stuff into my scrapbox. I emptied it and gave it to my son in law. I used magnets on the side to hold my rulers. Everything else fit inside with storage in the bottom. Best of all it rolled wherever I needed it. It was black in color

ladyinpurple135

I bought my machine sewing box (also have a different one for hand sewing) at Gamder Mountain for about $30 or so. It co,es with dividers to use if needed - I didn't use many. The shallower top opens for smaller things and the bottom part opens separately for the larger items. It's really worth what I paid and it has secure closures that work great except when I forget to use them😳😳😳

Sandy in Mooresville, NC