I am making myself crazy trying to organize my various and sundry sewing tools and gadgets so that I can have the things I need with me, but not look like I am moving in when I show up for classes.
So please, what do you take with you for classes, and how do you pack/stow/organize your stuff?

Sorcha (who has stuck so much stuff into so many little containers she can no longer find her straight pins)

For "basic sewing supplies" I take to classes I use a bag that Bernina used to sell. It looks and works sort of like a large cosmetics bag (sort of like a notebook) with 3 "pages" of zippered compartments and large compartments on the inside of the front and back. In it I have:
Machine needles
Hand needles
A flat pincushion with a loop that I hang on my shirt button
Extra Pins
Three pairs of scissors (dressmaker shears, a small pair with sharp points; scissors I can cut paper with)
Rotary cutter
Stiletto
3 spool of piecing thread (white, black, tan)
a list of feet I already have for my machine (so I don't buy it again)
square ruler
ruler for straight cutting
Permanent marker
Pencil and Pen
Small pad of paper
Post-it notes
point turner (you could use the stiletto if it's not too sharp)
I never unpack it and try not to borrow from it - the items were bought just to take to classes.

I put that in a cloth recycle bag and add as needed:
small cutting mat
longer ruler
small iron
Extension cord
specialty threads
fabric
pattern

I take my machine in its travel bag if I have to take a machine - and make sure I take a "table" that fits around the machine to have a smooth surface to sew on.

Machine, Sm cutting mat, Ruler 24 inch, Rotary cutter, Scissors, marking pen, pencil, sm note pad, pins, thread just a couple, Ripper... have been distracted when talking and had oops! LOL couple of needles, project supplies/fabric
.

Back pack type w/sm sewing bx inside. water, phone. Figure I have 2 hands can carry 2 w/cutting board attached together on to bag

Let's see... I've a back pack with all the manuals for both sewing machine and serger... shoulder bag with all the SM feet, SM in roll bag that has large flat bag attached to back with cutting mat and rulers, a small bag with lg scissors, snips, stilleto, rotary cutter, glue stick, chalk markers in several colors, water soluble marker, graphite marker, machine needles, hand needles, straight pins, safety pins, binding clips... it goes on and on...
I've taken less on vacation! LOL

Sorcha

I use a tote that was marketed as a "gardner's tote". It has 8 outside pockets and a large roomy space inside. I keep the outside pockets stocked with all my tools, marking pens, rotary cutters, scissors, extra thread, etc. I can see everything in the pockets at a glance. Inside, I keep an extension cord and power strip. When I'm ready to go to a class, I add the current project (and sometimes rulers) to the bag and I'm ready to go.

From long ago postings, I would say that if you take with you a very expensive pair of scissors, you'd darn well put a long chain on it and attach it to your machine. Several folks way back then were bitter at someone letting their scissors follow them home.

Put tape with your name on templates.

Sorry if I sound this way, lots and lots of my family wear badges and are very cynical about strangers.

I really like e4's response so much I printed it and included it as part of my "class pkg" in each of my sewing machines. In addition, I would add the instruction manual for your machine, extra rotary blades, seam ripper and small trash bag. I also include a make-up brush with my machines not to freshen my make-up but to brush the lint off between projects... I am really liking this thread! Thank you for starting it. I feel I'll only need to grab my fabric and pattern next time I'm heading off to a class. And, yes, I label my machine, the carrier and as many of the tools as I can. Many of us have the same brands, colors... it's too easy for someone to walk away with your tools, even if unintentionally.

Because my sewing machine has 3 books, and my serger has 2 books, I am thinking of perhaps making up a backpack for each with their books, feet, threads etc... Then have a small case with my snips, stiletto etc that I use no matter which machine that I could just drop in the backpack for the machine I need for that class... But I find myself adding more and more to each pile! LOL

All of these ideas have been really good! I think I may see if I can find a bulk package of luggage tags for marking totes, backpacks, trolleys etc
Thanks everyone
Sorcha

Tilladare,

Harbor Freight has a bag of "key" tags that work perfectly for labeling our quilting tools and rulers. I used the many address labels that we get in the mail for this. Worked great.

Pooh! Had not thought of key tags! Smaller and less expensive.
Thanks for a great idea! Now if only the nearest HF wasn't a 7hr drive

I just learned a few , well a bunch of new things! Thanks you are all very great people!
Sherrysue

Wow, some of you take so much stuff. I bring to class what is usually listed on the paperwork for the class.

Usually it is just a ruler (with my name on masking tape on it!)
My rotary cutter (also named)
A small cutting mat
The required yardage of fabric, thread, pen or pencil and paper and my sewing machine. Most importantly I make sure to remember the power cord and foot pedal for my machine! I like to travel as minimalist as possible and have never had to borrow anything from someone else at a class.

Can also take a scrap of fabric you enjoy and cut it into 1/2 inch tie a strip or tape on everything, then all your goodies match and are easy to reclaim if they wonder to a different table. I'd leave the expensive scissors at home, no use in tempting fate :)

It does seem we take a lot! But really most of those things are quite small and don't take up much room. One reason I take "extra" things is that I have been to classes where the teacher forgot to list something we needed - neutral thread, ruler, etc and we all had to make do or buy it. Just got back from Des Moines quilt show where two of the three teachers I took classes from forgot to put some small thing on the list. It was an honest mistake, but happened nonetheless. Fortunately, I had it - yea!

I have a rolling bag for my machine, and a really cool tote made for quilters for my Stuff. One thing I keep packed is a mouse pad. I found that my foot pedal slides on linoleum floors so I set it on the mouse pad.

How many of you take your Real machine with you? I haven't been to a class or 'sit n sew' for a few years. The last couple of sit 'n sews I attended, however, I had just bought a featherweight and brought that because it is so much lighter than my bernina. My sister-in-law, who lives in SF takes her all the time and I thought that was a grand idea. The reaction from the quiltie ladies in my neck of the woods overwhelmed me a bit (I can be a bit on the shy side), and I'm hesitant to do that again, even though I am 'ready' to attend the monday morning sessions again.

Does anyone here use a "traveling" machine, instead of their heavyweight ones?

i took a class -- made a fancy, lotsa pockets tote bag that i can now pack the bare essentials medium-sized folding cut and press [book type], my fav ruler and rotary, the foot pedal and cords, a spray bottle of water, my mini iron, pin tins, patterns, fabrics and whatever else i'm supposed to bring [cookies]

I bring a little machine that only weighs 10 lbs and I can easily pack it in a rolling case. I am hesitant to bring my "good" machine to classes because it has to ride in the car and I worry about the computer in it and the bumps in the road.

E4s response was pretty detailed. I've just recently began quilting and haven't had the chance to go to classes yet but this will be a list to keep handy.