"have you got anything sharp or dangerous in your hand baggage?"
No. My needle is not more dangerous than that ladies brooch which also has a pointy bit and a very convenient handle to hold when you want topoke someone with it.
Scissors have been a no no for 35+ years, the thread cutters used to be allowed so seeing this TSA thing specifically saying noto them is a bit odd.
Nail clippers are allowed as long as they don't have the nail file pick bit. I have a set of "flight safe" ones I got at an airport which have and emery board built in but it has smooth rounded edges.
I have doen all sorts of sewing on planes, Last flight to Canada I took a hand sewing project that needed pins. I used those tiny little aplique pins which were about 1/2" long. I had enough to go round two of my hexagon pieces and a little pincusion on a brooch.
I have no trouble getting through security. the only attenstion I attracted was from the stewardesses on the flight who were interested in what I was doing and the progress i was making and my battery operated mini LED foldable craft light which was hanging from the collar of my shirt. That thing was essentail as the reading light provided was rubbish.
I keep a hard lipstick case for my thread bobbins and stick a magnetic strip to the mirror for the needle. I usually carry 2 needles in hand luggae and sticka pack in my cchecked bag. I had a spool holder on a lanyard so I have everything attached to me.
the only time I have every been asked to stop what I was doing was during take off and landing when the stewardesses asked me to put the needle away "just in case" I had no problem with that at all.
The trick is to be prepared so it is just the folding and sewing you need to have to do and to hand. I wouldn't want to try and do anything on a frame as there isn't room during the flight, but I have taken one of those snap together quilting frames and an almost twin sized quilt as carry on as I used to hand quilt in teh departure lounge. that quilt would fold up into a fat quarter bag and the frame went into my rucksack. mind you that was when you could have two bags... Although I do remember readin somewhere that you were allowed a bag and a blanket :o) okay so it IS a blanket, it just needs a little "work"
Have a great flight.