Go to Sears or Home Depot and get a plastic tool box - Mine is 14 x 18 x 3. Compartments can be customized to hold scissors, and everything else. I keep ALL my sewing stuff in this box and it is instantly portable for transport to quilt sessions, workshops, and my other sewing room. Many in my quilt guild now have the same system. I have a second box for all my threads. Wouldn't even consider returning to the old style "sewing box."

Lidded baskrt
 

You could check out flea markets for picnic baskets and make your own liner. They are usually pretty reasonable.

I have an old "makeup" suitcase. It has a tray for all the little stuff, bottom holds all my favorite spools and patterns, the inside pockets hold scissors, rotories, rulers, etc. I haul this to retreats and everyone just loves the idea. Also, I have made a "book" using a large crazy oblong square with padding and the inside has crazy square shaped pockets for the seam ripper, small scissors, tape measures, needles, bandaids and one square has been cushioned for pins. A pretty ribbon closes it up. I am creating another with big pockets with flaps for rotories, small cutting mat and small rulers. For the big stuff, another created bag the size of my 18x22 mat (which is glued to a thin piece of plywood with padding attached on the backside for a pressing mat. This bag has pockets for 24" rulers and other "big" stuff. It closes with 2 very long zippers. I can grab my gear and be out of the house to retreat in about 10 minutes. Get creative!

Would you be interested in making your own? "Lacelady" has a very nice tute here on the board. "Fabric covered needlework box" It is quite nice, and could be adjusted for size. I spent the better part of yesterday afternoon going thru the whole thread. I plan to make one soon.

I see baskets with lids and a handle all the time at Joanns. The one I have is a black basket with a black and white Toile padded fabric top. They have them on sale often or you can use a coupon for one if it's not on sale already. Maybe your Joanns ran out of them. They are usually very easy to find there. I was at Joanns yesterday and walked right by some.

I've even seen them at Walmart in their sewing department if your store still carries sewing supplies.

You don't have to spend a fortune on a sewing basket. You can put the money to better use...like more fabric stash. lol

Found some all fabric ones but their website shows many more than this.

http://www.joann.com/square-sewing-b...2-/xprd315858/

I received 2 for Christmas with handles one from Joanne's one from Hancocks, was at Hancocks yesterday and saw a dozen or so, around 20.00$

I have outgrown every cutsie one that I have bought from Joann's, etc. I have a wicker picnic type basket that I have modified to meet my needs. Takes a bit of effort BUT you can get one big enought that you don't outgrow it.

If you have any Tuesday Morning shops near you, check there. I just saw several at the one near me in MI. You might also check the website for Clotilde's, they have just about every notion & sewing gadget imaginable! Happy shopping!

O M G I have two longaberger's in my garage and I didn't have a clue what they were worth! Ha ha ha What a scream. I have seen many sewing baskets at the thrift shops that are made of wood and have legs and when you open them they are on hinges to reveal the all of the drawers on that side. Very nice, but I have no place to store them.

I use a clear plastic and crome folding holder my late friend kitty bought me. It is simular to the old time knitting holders with lots of pockets on the outside. It works great for me. The larger projects I use a big decorative hat box. Concealed and handy in the family room.

Becky, I bought this toolbox at JoAnns, and I LOVE it! I carry everything in it from needles, pins, scissors of all sizes, pencils, basting spray, thimbles, glue sticks, tape measure, bobbins, rulers,...you name it. It looks like a fishing tackle box (mine is purple and green) and I couldn't live without it. You will be amazed at what you can fit inside. A friend of mine who saw mine and bought one for herself said that it was the best money she ever spent. You just pick it up and go, and when it's open, you can see everything in it. (The whole bottom is one big open space for your bigger scissors etc.). I don't think you'd be sorry spending the money on it.

http://www.joann.com/creative-option...le/xprd315919/