In two weeks my ds and I are going to California, for an autism research study. We will be gone for 2 days. I need something to take along, that I can work on in the airport and the hotel room. I need some handwork. I tried paper piecing some hexagons with needle and thread, but I found it boring. Any ideas? It's got to be simple, so that a needle and clippers are all I need, as that's all I can get on an airplane.

I need to get on ordering something, so it's here by the 20th.

TIA
Dorian

Oh, if I could hand-sew I would embroider pillowcases. I miss it, but my hands just want to sleep.

Oh this is the sort of time I look for. look in your books, magazines.....pull out something you would like. select the pattern, then the fabric, plan to do it by hand....the pattern. Be brave and select pieces that are from your scrap basket or the really pretty ones you have been saving. Now is a perfect time to do this.......It doesn't have to be a whole quilt just a small one 4, 6, 9 blocks, but do the whole process the old way. cut the templates out by hand, Mark only the light pieces and then only with a small dot to show you where the intersection should be. I love to do this. You will be amazed. You could be working on a special gift or something beautiful for your livingroom, you get the picture. This is how I got into applique. I just love times like this. Every thing should fit in a ziplock bag, Needles ,thread......Wind a bobbin, you can sew for hours on one........I am not sure what the airports are allowing in the way of scissors, templates, pattern and instructions, small ruller if needed. Oh do let me know if you try this, please.

Do you know of any good online sources? I'm looking at Embroidery.com, but I'm not sure what I'm looking for.

I didn't like paper piecing some hexagons but I enjoyed doing it with the plastic template. Always loved the GM Flower Garden. You could even make potholders or something small for Xmas gifts.

I would do something with embroidery or cross-stitch.

When I need something to embroider I usually just find a black and white picture on the internet, coloring pictures are great, then just trace it on to some muslin with a cloth pen; unless it fits in 8x11 then I just print it on some muslin. Seen as how you are going for autusim mabye you could blow up and trace your avatar. Satin stitch the puzzle pieces and simple writing of the words or motto.

Cross-stitch hit a hobby store and pick up a kit when you arrive.

Good luck on your search and your trip.

I like to take small crochet projects with me when I travel, but I don't know if they will allow a crotchet hook anymore

Cut some circles and make some yoyos. I did this every time we traveded and make enough for a quilt I had in mind, use scraps and you will have a pretty throw or bed runner.

I might do this, then donate them to someone here. I've tried sewing them together before, they just don't look good. lol

I'm thinking I'll do some hand embroidered pillowcases and some yo yo's. That way I can switch back and forth between projects.

How about redwork or bluework embrodiery? There are so many patterns available, free online, too :D

Maybe plastic crochet hooks. I took my circular bamboo knitting needles on the plane to make dishcloths in June of this year. No problem.

First take along quilt project was : a needle turn applique that ended up as the middle panel of a quilt.

2nd was a GFG and I am almost done with all the flowers (44 triples) and 8 triple halves. Then I have to put them all together. I am not sure I will carry it anymore...we'll see if I do row by row, I might still be able to take it.

I am thinking about either Pine Burr from Quilters Cache (and making it into paper templates for at take along) OR elongated hexagons -- I think it is called a "lucy boston quilt". I saw it on here...and it looks cool!

When we went to Florida this summer, I was able to carry on a small pair of scissors. I bought some little Fiskars for school children that were sharp but had blunt ends. (I took some crazy quilting squares that needed the seams embellished,)

Go into a Joanns or michaels and find an embroidery project (maybe that comes with the thread)- get a hoop. Don't know if you can even get small embroidery scissors onto a plane but just in case, take nail clippers for clipping thread. If you find something on cotton you can incorporate it into a quilt when you get home... Another idea is to find some prequilted material - Use an iron on transfer to transfer images onto Christmas stocking that you pre-cut at home. Take hoop and thread and embroider enough for the family.

When I travel I usually take along a cathedral window quilt to work on. It's mostly done by hand and I usually do pairs while I'm on the plane and then when I have more room in the hotel I start putting them into rows. It's a great travel project and doesn't take up much room in your carryon.

That's what I would do also very easy to travel with

I make yo-yo's for a scarf for my buffet and some or a christmas tree skirt.

Start a Cathedral Window:) I take mine everywhere...