Some stitchers collect tins -- the kind that candies, cookies or biscuits come in. Flat ones are perfect. Whitman chocolates often do cross stitch themed tins around the holidays. And oh darn, you'll have to eat the chocolates before you can re-commission the tin. You can even buy new tins at craft stores, including blank lunch boxes that you can decorate with stickers or paint to your liking. I found a few really cute Mary Engelbreit tins at a thrift store with lunch box style lids. Attach a strip of magnet in the lid of your tin to catch all of your needles and pins.
I use a big basket at home, and some stitchers travel with lidded or open baskets. Fun to dig through, and you can kind of heap stuff up and over the top. Baskets aren't so great for keeping charts in pristine condition, but a basket full of projects is so inviting on a rainy day.
Zippered project bags have grown in popularity -- Stitch A Gift makes some really nice ones with custom fabric panels (I have some of these in shop). And you can get these plain, too, for a few dollars. Some are clear, so you can see what is in there. I've also used quilted fabric project packs that come with fun pockets to store scissors and threads. I also recently acquired a Vera Bradley bag PERFECT for projects and the other stuff that goes with a trip -- gum, Kleenex, lip balm, a camera, etc.
If you work on a scroll frame, or like to keep a project on Q-Snaps, make yourself a project carrier. Using quilted fabric, stitch a large pocket to fit over the top -- a little extra can flip over the top as a flap. Stitch a piece of Velcro to the flap and where the flap can close, and you've got a nice bag to protect your stitching and frame.
Some kits these days actually come in packaging that you can re-use as a project bag (like this month's Kit of the Month or the Bent Creek Zippers series). Sometimes sheets/pillowcases come in these clear zippered bags, too. They're too nice to throw away, but what do yo use them for? Stitching projects! When I was a girl, I made a purse out of a Big Mac Styrofoam container. Please don't carry your needlework in a used Big Mac container. Unless you REALLY like Special Sauce. :D
© 2007 Theresa Venette. Articles on this site may be reproduced in needlework group newsletters or other handouts with permission of author and proper attribution. Send questions, comments and suggestions to: xspeddler@yahoo.com