Flying and needing some ideas....
 

I am scheduled to fly out to CA and meet my hubby there in a few weeks. I am a hand appliquer and am wondering what the best way to travel/fly with my ;stuff; so I can still use it while flying.

I will have my block, scissors, thread, pins, ruler and maybe a few other items. My ? is can I make up somehting that will hold the block as well as the needed sewing items? I know I can put all the 'items' in a container of sorts but was hoping to have something that would 'hold' the block in place as well.

All suggestions are apprecited.
Any patter ideas? Please feel free to share them .
Thanks everyone!
Have a blessed weekend!

I now use a wheeled carry-on with a tote as my purse over the handle. It is much easier when flying. That way I have my essentials: ID, tickets, credit cards, & cash handy ... yet have whatever I want to take with me, like a book, my Nook. and/or handiwork in my tote.

When I have handwork I usually roll it up and put it in a baggie in my tote. The tote goes under the seat in front of me.

ali

If you can, get a list from the airline on just what you can carry on the plane so you don't run into last minute problems. This is often available on their web site.

Last year I travelled with some "lap work". I followed what was on their list and had no problems. For instance, my scissors were small and blunt tipped. I carried only a few needles, only what I needed. I had my embroidery on a hoop, which was fine. I selected the colors I was going to use on the plane, and packed the rest. My whole "kit" was pared down to the bare essentials of what I needed. I know another lady who didn't even take a pair of scissors. She just used an empty floss container to cut her thread. What makes this easy is that it's easy for them to go through -- the less the better for checking over -- and just try to think like they do. What do you have that could be used as a weapon? And then find a substitute.

I'm not a hand appliquer, so I'm not sure what you mean by "something that could hold the block". If it could be an embroidery hoop, then you're fine. If not, then perhaps someone else could answer that question.

Happy travelling!

put your block in a flat storage container and the thread, needles, small trim scissors ( blade must be less than 4" to bring on board). I carry a pair of fold up scissors when i travel. They don't even look like scissors when they go through the scan and i've never had an issue with carrying them. all this can fit in a pocket of a tote or laptop case. my carry-on is my photo gear bag ( a specialized backpack with a laptop section and my Featherweight sewing machine in a portable carrying case.

I carry everything in a small (quart sized) baggie. Then it slips into my carryon tote bag. Didn't have a problem. My scissors are small--almost like nail scissors.
Sue

You mentioned holding the block together: Do you mean keeping the pieces in the correct position? A lot of times I take the pieces and position them correctly on the block and then do a running/basting stitch around the piece to hold it down. That way it does not move and you can lift the edge if you need to stitch under it. That way you do not have pins sticking you as you stitch, and you don't lose any pieces. If you don't want to do it that way, why not get a small piece of felt and "stick" the pieces to that and you can roll it up.

I'd be sure to call your airline and see what you are allowed to have in your possession--then work with what they tell you.

http://www.checkerdist.com/products/OG2105

This is a link to an Omnigrid fold up item that is padded on one side for ironing and a cutting surface on the other and folds in the middle. They have a smaller size and a larger size. They are great for traveling. You can put your applique block and pieces in the middle and when you fold the unit up it will keep your applique nice and neat, no folds. And, you can attach your needle to the soft ironing side. You will still need a small container for your thread. Instead of sissors when traveling on planes I use the Clover needle threader - it has a thread cutter built in, so need for sissors.
http://www.checkerdist.com/products/4073CV

You can get both of these at Joann's with a coupon for cheaper than what shows on the links I posted.

Or, another option is this quilters traveling case. I don't have one, but it looks like it would work and has good reviews and would hold everything you need along with your applique blocks.

http://www.joann.com/omnigrid-quilte...case/prd18838/