Why use a bag for tools when a tool box or a fishing tackle box is handier, in my opinion. The trays separate and rise up like little stairs and leave more space in the bottom of the tool box. I wouldn't go to class without my tool box. Mine is painted bright red, and my name is prominently painted on it. Label all tools and keep them coralled, if possible. Good scissors grow legs and walk away very quickly.

I started out bringing my travel iron to class; but never remembered to unplug it early, so had to hold it while driving home. Now it stays at home. lol

i'm going to the north carolina quilters symposium in june... i bought myself a tackle box @ dick's sporting goods for all my "stuff"

i have a small chest to the right of my machine with a cutting mat on top.. the top drawer has a silver ware tray w/a sliding addl tray on top...

i figure when it gets close to time to go, i will load all the crap from the tray to the tackle box & be ready to go...

Don't laugh ... The first thing on my list is 'CLEAN' sewing machine. The second is the power cord. The third is the foot control. I can't tell you how many folks have come to my classes without their foot control and/or power cord. Thread cap if you have a horizontal feed on your machine.

Thread, bobbins, bobbin CASE (if yours is removable), specific presser foot needed for class. New needle in machine plus an extra 'just in case'. Rotary cutter, mat, ruler.

Then I lift the specific needs for the class such as pattern, book, fabric, etc.

When I teach I bring colored sticky dots. Each person gets her/his own color and initials it. That way no one gets unplugged in the middle of their project especially when doing machine embroidery which could be disasterous for the person whose machine YOU just unplugged.

I make this in a list form so they can check it off before they come to class and then check it again when they leave class.

Hope this helps.

most classes I have been to tell you just what you will need to brig along ....... happy quilting

120" tape measure, seam gauge, disappearing marking pen, paper scissors, fine permanent marker, small calculator, cone thread holder(?) in case your thread is too large to fit on your machine, ironing mat and travel iron, curved safety pins, long quilting pins.

One thing both my husband and I adore are snips. When I went into Joann fabrics and described to a 20 something gal that I'd bought these thread snips that looked like a ball point pen about- x number of years prior she thankfully didn't laugh her head off over the time passed. Instead she suggested a pair of snips designed for jewelry making use. costing under 2 dollars. We must have bought more then 6 some we have given away. they are perfect fit to the hand and much safer then juggling scissors around your project hoping you don't cut the wrong thing. That and leather thimbles

Great list - love the idea of the colored dots!

I also like to have thinks listed in list form so that it's easy to check each item off.

I know that paragraph form may save space, but I hate things listed that way.

After I've been sewing for a while, the fabric starts to feel slippery under my fingers so I like to add a repurposed roll on deodorant bottle filled with glycerine. A little dab on the fingertips restores the natural tackiness.

I also like the little iron stick whatever it is called.

I'm wondering what this little iron stick is ... do tell more? :)

It is a portable iron like a curling iron & has changable feet and you can get a carrying case that is insulated for it.
Here is the mini iron like a curling iron
http://www.nancysnotions.com/product...ooling+tote.do
And then there is a wooden stick you can use to press small seams
http://www.nancysnotions.com/product...+seam+stick.do

A notebook and pen for taking notes about the class, about tips from others, and ideas for shopping and other things people share, like their contact info. I used to write on whatever snippet of paper, then lose it. lol.

Your sewing manual that comes with your machine.

I thought it great she listed seam ripper first too!

I agree that, for most, a tackle box is great. However, for those of us with two "left hands" and dumb dumb elbows, it's too easy to knock the case and have all those little pieces go flying! :shock: Ask me how I know!!! :-)

I teach sewing and the basic box I give to my kids has: small magnetic pin catcher, box of pins, small acrylic ruler, tape measure, metal ruler (the kind with the movable arrow on it), scissors, 2 chalk marking pencils (a white one and a pink or blue one), small post it note pad and a pen, and 2 pre-threaded bobbins (one black and one white).

Light, name on all my items and an iron & ironing pad. Going to my second class on New Year's Eve so I will be watching this site for ideas that hopefully will result in a checklist. There is a retreat checklist in progress, but this list would be shorter. Wonder if there isn't a way to make a list that first is for beginning to make a quilt, additional pages if going to a class and additional pages of items to take on retreat. That should list everything one could possibly need.

Small iron and mat/board.

I absolutely would not want a BAG for most of those items. I have a cosmetic kit that matches a set of luggage that I no longer use. I would put my tools and things in that. I know it will not hold everything, but the smaller things like seam ripper, thread, needles, etc. will be easily in sight when I open the lid. Iron, ironing pad, etc. larger items will go in a big bag that will be totally unpacked and stuff set up ready to use. The misc. stuff that needs to be available if/when needed will be lost in a flexible bag. I want the big lid that opens to reveal entire contents - including chocolate and tea cup!

I take my thread snippers, the squizzers, an embroidery size and a full size pair of scissors, a small ruler and marking pen, some pins, an assortment of thread, extra machine needles and bobbins, and a tape measure at the absolute minimum.

No matter how much I take, there is always something I need that I didn't include. I have extra everything just to keep in a separate box for classes, but somehow, there is always something missing. ?????? Anyone else experience this?