Sewing box recommendations
 

When I started sewing as a teenager, my mother bought me a plastic box with trays for my sewing supplies. The box was specifically for sewing supplies. The top tray has special places for scissors, thimbles, spools of thread, small pincushion, etc. The box has served me well for many years. I don't have a sewing cabinet and I do like the portability of the box. But yesterday the hinges fell apart :(

I've looked online and this type of sewing box is no long made.
I'm considering getting a tool box from the hardware store. I don't really want the boxes that are covered in fabric because I'm concerned about how the fabric will wear over time (I've had this plastic box for 40 years).

I'm wondering what other people use for storing their sewing tools.

Pat, I have the same dilemma as you. The handle on my old sewing box broke several months ago & I've looked online but haven't found anything that I want in the way of regular sewing boxes. I'm seriously considering a Homer Box from Home Depot. DH has one for his tools & I think it would be good for my sewing supplies. It has a nice lift out tray in the top & lots of room in the bottom. And it's only $8. All the large sewing boxes I've seen online cost no less than $20 & they go up in price from there.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/The-Home-...1512/202021300

Osewme,
I watch the TV show "Project Runway" and many of the designs keep their sewing tools in a hardware tool box. I think some use a tackle box. For $8 I don't have much to lose! I need to go to Home Depot for a few other things anyway.

Pat, those old plastic sewing boxes like yours sometimes show up on eBay. I have several that I've gotten from eBay and an very happy with them. You just need to keep an eye out on their listings for sewing supplies, notions, misc. lots etc. I think they're called Wilhold or something like that, but it's pretty easy to find them if you just check the EBay sewing listings every couple of days.

Just be sure and check the pictures to see if they have any cracks, broken latches etc. I've seen them sell for as little as $5 and as much as $35. Sometimes you will find the boxes that that company made to hold thread and patterns as well.

Rob

A Toolbox from the Hardware store will also work well but you have to check them all out! My DH picked mine out and there were too many tiny compartments that were pretty well useless.

That's why I gave up on tool boxes. The only ones that I found that had compartments that were large enough to hold scissors, etc. were so big that they were difficult for me to carry (I'm 5'2"). The plastic boxes that were made specifically for sewing were perfect. It's too bad that the company that made them stopped. Luckily I found several on eBay.

Before I found the ones on eBay I looked at all the modern ones that the fabric stores sell and I didn't think any of them were as well made as the old ones, and they didn't have nearly the storage capacity either.

I made a bionic gear bag that stays open next to my sewing machine. It holds everything that I need for quilting and I can just zip it closed to move it to one of my other machines or to take to a class.

Rob

I have one of those plastic ones as well - probably as old as yours! I would look on CL or freecycle. Seems I've seen them listed on either/both sites relatively frequently.

Or, as others have suggested, check out the big box home stores. You also might want to check Tractor Supply. They seem to be a nice cross of the old fashioned hardware store and the big box stores. Might have something more sewing-friendly??

I bought a mechanics tool chest. It was really nice to store my stuff in until I could get my stuff into my scrapbox. I emptied it and gave it to my son in law. I used magnets on the side to hold my rulers. Everything else fit inside with storage in the bottom. Best of all it rolled wherever I needed it. It was black in color

I bought my machine sewing box (also have a different one for hand sewing) at Gamder Mountain for about $30 or so. It co,es with dividers to use if needed - I didn't use many. The shallower top opens for smaller things and the bottom part opens separately for the larger items. It's really worth what I paid and it has secure closures that work great except when I forget to use them😳😳😳

Sandy in Mooresville, NC

I've used a tool box, best thing i found. I don't think they make the sewing boxes anymore. about 20 yrs ago, i worked in a fabric store. we had them then and they were very pricey. back then about $30. People wanted them but they felt the price was prohibitive.

Try Good will store or Salvation Army I bought one a few months ago and only paid $2.00 for it.

recommendations for a sewing box
 

I bought a box at Joann's, in the jewelry dept. It has a tray on the top. No small compartments. Don't remember the price, but it was either on sale or I had a coupon. http://www.joann.com/storage-box-16-...opCraftStorage

Oh my gosh, after reading this thread I just had to take a look at eBay...they have a box exactly the same as the one I started with as a kid! It's brown plastic that looks like wicker. I had forgotten all about that box... it's a great memory! Hope you find one that is to your liking. :)

Check ebay, you might find one there that will be just what you want.

I had one of those same boxes. I've seen them at thrift stores and sometimes at the free table at quilt guild meetings or the guild's resale tables at their quilt shows. I'm sure they are to be found at yard sales as well. I know there are new, improved things that could work for you, but if you desire, the old tried and true are still out there!

I bought a craft case from Joann. It has a top area and you pull down the cover on the front and you have 3 plastic case you can pull out. They come in 3 sizes. I really like mine as I can organize every thing.

I use a fishing tackle box for my regular sewing stuff. I just bought several Alex cabinets on wheels from Ikea for my quilting storage (i.e. rulers, cutters). I also have some Kallax units for holding my thread, Mettler TA spray, Best Press, and precuts.

I'm with you. My sewing box just like you described broke a few years ago. Since then I use a smallish tool box I got at Home Depot.

These plastic boxes sound great! I'm looking for something small to carry handwork in: small scissors, thimble, spool of thread, embroidery thread and clips. I bought a cheapy plastic container at Michales, it's nice and small, but the spool of thread doesn't fit!

I went to Joann's and bought a lovely fabric covered box about 10 years ago. It has all the space for my regular sewing tools. Then I went to thrift stores and found 3 more for about $2-$3 each. I keep my hand sewing items in one box and my sewing machine items in another. I love them and they are very pretty. I take very good care of my items so I think they will last the rest of my life.

I use a plastic fishing tackle box when I go remote. Tool boxes are usually metal and heavy. I tell my students that the old fashioned fabric boxes are pretty, but less functional. A tackle/tool box opens all the way, the top sits flat so it is steady and the lower section is large enough for scissors. They are also (usually) a lot cheaper.

I bought a tool box, open at the top with a handle that works well. It has pockets inside and outside and a large area at the bottom. Good luck replacing what you have used so long!

I bought a plastic tool box at Home Depot for about $7.00. It's slightly smaller than the "Homer" tool box.

I looked on ebay but don't want to spend that much money on a plastic box from the 70's. Mine just disintegrated and I suspect others will as well.

I like to go to thrift store so will keep my eyes open while shopping. I don't travel with my sewing so I should by some type of cabinet and find room for it. I'm working on turning the spare room into my sewing room. Right now I do my sewing in the living room with my tools and stash in the spare room.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I have different size tool boxes for my sewing needs. Got a clear tool box about 10 years ago and it has served me well. Paid about $7. Wish I would've gotten the other one. It is a great box to take to a guild to retreat. I have also found different items at estate sales. I have the Bionic Gear bag and a couple other bags I use as busy bags. I use one for my hand embroidery and another for hexies and yo yos. Each bag and box has scissors for that craft along with needle threaders and thimbles.

I've used a tool box and also a fishing tackle box. Depends on the size you need.

PatPitter, I too have what sounds like a very similar sewing box and it too is way over 40 yrs.old. but mine has been missing a cover for alot of those yrs. and I don't even remember when it disappeared. But I still use it for certain items. I now use a sewing basket, I found it at a GoodWill several years ago but I had to put new fabric lining it. And now it is my traveling Basket. My mother passed away this past Valentine Day, and I got her Sewing Basket to use at home for my quilting supplies while watching TV. Love them all.

I found a vintage train (cosmetic) case from a suitcase set. It has a removeable tray and plenty of room beneath for other supplies (fat quarters, a travel iron, some smaller rulers, etc.

PS. It is monogrammed but not with my initials.

My mom had one of those vintage cosmetic cases - we loved to use it when spending the night at a friend's house. When I was cleaning out the house after she passed I considered taking it with me but couldn't think of a use. Now I really wish I had it.

I use a Plano fishing tackle box and it is brilliant! I use the two layer one. The bottom layer is deeper than the top layer and you can adjust the size of the compartments to fit your needs. It works very well!

I bought a pretty fabric sewing box and it makes me happy to look at it. At my age I don't care if it doesn't last 40 years. LOL

I keep my travel sewing supplies in a Bionic Gear Bag. http://bionicgearbag.com
I made another one for travel toiletries as well. It's a great bag. At home, my supplies are in drawers wherever they are used.

About a year ago, I bought a cloth covered sewing box at JoAnn's -- got it for DGD, put her tools on top and fabric squares on the bottom. She loves it. I use a set of plastic drawers that I put baskets in to divide the tools.

I would like to see some pictures of some of the old boxes.
I have all of my stuff in a zipper bag. I have zip lock bags inside with stuff in it, but there is always digging to find anything. It works ok for now, but a little more organization would be good.