I have recently started an English Paper Piecing project for that purpose too, I am piecing 1" hexagons into flowers. I found it pretty easy to baste and whip stitch even with turbulence on the plane. Fun and easy project. And regarding scissors and pins and needles..I had no problem at all and I was carrying a pack on needles and a few pins and scissors with blunt tips. It is not per airline to decide what items are allowed passed security, but rather TSA in the U.S. And not sure who in Australia.

Now I am thinking I want to make yoyos too.

Have a fabulous trip!

I vote for the English paper piecing. It is easy to carry and you do not have to think real hard. Counted cross stitch is another carry along project. You can make some very cute quilts from cross stitched squares. Have a great trip!

I have 17 fusions in my back and limited use of my right arm. Our family loves photography, hiking, camping, etc. I was thinking that I could pick up embroidery again to have something to do while sitting in the car, at the camp site etc. It has been years, but I have seen some that would be beautiful incorporated into a quilt. Will see if I enjoy it as it would be great to have something to do besides read a good book.

I dont think they will allow you with a needle on the plain.

.....how about embroidery on blocks for a quilt to be made later or yo-yo's. My friend made at least 100 yo-yo's on a very long plane trip, that she used in a quilt after she got home.

Also take a couple ziplocks for thread scraps. I used to do counted cross stitch on the planes. 8-pointed stars would also be good.

Yo yo'S?

Yes they do. I just travelled 3000 miles both ways with many needles and o problems. I think there was a while after 9/11 when everything was banned..but if you go to the TSA government site, it lists what is prohibited to pass through security.

Edited to add: that is in the U.S. Don't know about Australia but found lists of prohibited items here and neither needles nor blunt scissors are on them.

http://www.travelsecure.infrastructu...ted_items.aspx

How about a baby quilt or two that are ready to quilt when you get on the plane, and that you enjoy handquilting for the many hours it will take to get there? My other idea, since you have (UGH!) 18 hours to spend---TWICE---- is a project that maybe you've always wanted to try but never have...handpiecing or applique or maybe both. Make yourself a kit with all the pieces cut before you go. Congrats on becoming a grandma! It's a most wonderful thing to be!!!!!

How about a big needle turn applique project? Im looking at the "Baltimore Christmas" pattern now. Just ordered the first pattern of the set! Prep in advance, place in baggies.

You can use a dental floss container for cutting thread. How about making yo-yos.

Check with the airline and customs first. I had to part with a cherished favourite pair of scissors not allowed in the cabin while flying in the Cdn North where there has been no terrorism for centuries. Now I ask to take the finest 7/8" needles, a whole lot of precut thread, a needle threader and I have one of these little circular clover discs with a rotary blade sandwiched between the 2 halves. It is completely safe, to open it requires a pocket knife which is not allowed on board, fabric, and that's the sewing kit. Otherwise a magazine of pattern book, notebook and coloured pencils to plan the next project?

Maybe plastic scissors?

I don't know if rules have changed regarding certain scissors or cutters but I've always read that using the cutter on a dental floss container works. Not much of a weapon there.

I tried that one time. I was going to sew a grandmother's flower garden quilt. I had all my pieces cut out. I took everything on the plane with me. I had no problems getting my little scissors on the plane. However, I found that it was just too difficult to sew on the plane. There was just too much movement on the plane and I finally gave up. It was a good idea though!

I second the Clover thread cutter. I put one on a thin ribbon so I could put around my neck. Had no problem with airline security at all. Precut pieces and cross stitch got me through 16 hours of flying.

Did you see one of today's post for making Hydrangea flowers? We take lots of road trips and I'm going to start cutting circles so I'll a stack ready to start some flowers.

I fly ten hours every summer to see my daughter and grandkids and I take the grandmothers flower garden to work on. instead of using paper for them I use freezer paper" It is just firm enough to hold the shape while you are stitching them and you don't have to pin them or glue them onto the backround fabric. Now I have the patience to stitch these little hexagons but I do not have the patience to join them into a traditonal grandmothers flower garden so I am appliqueing each flower to a neutral square of fabric and when I have enough of them I will stitch them all together. Have fun. Ohhh if you have a kindle take that along too! I just got one for our anniversary and I am definately going to catch up on some reading.

http://alamodefabric.blogspot.com/20...-tutorial.html

This is a tute for Grandmother's Flower Garden.

Gosh, I'd like a pattern for that!

That IS a great idea and the end product was beautiful!

I once handstitched a mumu together on a flight to Hawaii - the stewardess was amazed!
Cut out some blocks & appliques for baby quilts and make a baby quilt top or two on the way out. Practically speaking you can "pillowcase them" and add the batting, turn and tie them - or give them to someone else to finish...
On the way back make blocks for table runners or a quilt or any project yo can finish at home.

I take a whole cloth pillow cover. I sandwich and baste it before we leave for the Bahamas

What do you do with the flowers after they are made? (sorry if this is a stupid question :)

I always bring a cross stitching project..
Helps me calm stay.

Check www.inklingo.com -
there are free downloadable collections.
No affiliation , just a happy customer.

anything with yo-yo's

how about some precut pieces and making yo-yos for a quilt or wall hanging or table runner or????

How about English paper piecing. And if you check out www.paperpieces.com you can even get the papers cut in several patterns for a reasonable cost.

Redwork is always nice..

Have you ever done any applique work with felted wool? It isn't all the dark, primitive folk art that most people think of. It's also very portable and easy to do (no need to turn edges).
If you aren't familiar with Sue Spargo's designs go to her website at suespargo.com or better yet, her blog at suespargo.blogspot.com you may need to scroll down and click on some archives to see good examples of her work. Her work is so bright, colorful and whimsical. There are a bunch of other great designers and patterns available.

That would be my suggestgion also. I was going to say Yo-yo's but I know I could only do so many of those at a time.
What about doing both? But my first choice would be embroidery. Safe trip and how lucky for you.

You can't count on taking knitting needles----------or even crochet hooks. The most damage you could do with a crochet hook is poke someone's eye out.

Japanese folded patchwork is very portable. Cut out a six and a half inch circle, tack the quarter inch seam allowance. Cut out a 4inch. square of fabric and wadding. Place the wadding then fabric in the centre of the circle and then carefully fold and slip stitch edges of circle over square, taking care to get sharp points in the corners. If you go into the pictures section on here and look at the section for things other than quilts you will see a brown bag I made using this method. It is good for cot quilts as well.

What about a nice cross stitch sampler for the birth of the baby and also a different one to do coming back home. You may be able to finish the birth sampler before you get there, or most of it except for the weight, length, etc. You could do just a cute cross stitch for the new nursery, or perhaps some small Christmas decorations. Cross stitch would usually only consist of the frame, fab. thread, needle, pattern and the pair of scissors. It would certainly help pass the time on the long flight. Congrats on the new little one. Have a safe and wonderful trip.

Another thing you could do is to put two pieces of flannel together , punch holes around the perimiter and chrochet an edginging all the way around it. I think I may do that for the trip later this summer.

One of my projects on my bucket list is a cathedral window. If you do it the traditional way, it is all hand work.

There are so many cool ideas everyone has. My bucket list just grew with my curiousity! Thanks from me too!

Wow, those are small scissors!
http://www.keepsakequilting.com/prod...M-SCISSORS.htm

Have you ever made yo yo's? Rosettes made out of circles of material that could be cut ahead of time and the yo yo's can be made into many things. Google yo yo projects. Have a great trip.