I can’t believe it’s Week 6 already, can you? This summer has been flying by and I’m partly happy (goodbye humidity, hello fall!) and partly sad (My office assistant is leaving for college). I’ve been super busy trying to prep for shows, getting new inventory in and writing patterns.
I decided for this final blog hop post that I’d show you my method for organizing my teaching bag since that seems to be where most of my tools and rulers live. I also acquired a few new things this week to share too!
So for me, teaching is a big part of my business. I travel to my local shop several times a month as well as to shows & guilds & other shops to teach. Regardless of where I’m teaching I always like to travel with my big teaching bag. And surprisingly no I didn’t make it! It’s a small 31 tote that just works great for this purpose. Someday I’ll make myself one!
I like to have my own tools so that 1. I have what I need for demoing hardware, cutting, etc… and 2. So I have the tools I prefer. Don’t we all have favorites that we must use for each project? I have adopted a system of using smaller zippered pouches inside of my larger bag to keep everything organized by type. I like to make zippered pouches in different shapes and sizes (great practice for sewing zippers!) and they make my bag look so pretty too! I have a cutting tool bag that I keep rotary cutters, extra blades, scissors and seam rippers. I have another bag with marking tools and another with extra hardware bits like screws and what not in case someone has misplaced something. I always keep a bag of binding clips too for making bags. This method works great for me and might be a great way for you to get your things in order for upcoming classes. I also have room in the bag for my rulers since I only carry a few small ones with me.
This week I was at my local quilt shop teaching (of course!) and I had noticed these new Stash ‘N Store tool organizers by It’s Sew Emma they had displayed. I was intrigued and had to bring one home. I absolutely love it! It’s more handy than I thought it would be and I like the compact size. It has this colored rubber top that holds your tools upright so they’re easy to grab. It’s slim and fits right next to my machine or even on the window sill. The slotted design isn’t big enough for a rotary cutter but it’s great for scissors, marking tools, tweezers, seam ripper and all the other essentials. I might have to grab another for the office to keep track of all my pens and scissors there too!
Roxy had to check out my new toy!
Ahh the pretty pic on the new English Garden fabric I also acquired this week!
One last thing that I got this week is this adorable little Clip-on lamp from the Daylight Company. Ok, in all fairness I have had this since May when I went to Janome training but I just got the chance to take it out of the box. It’s such a cute little light and it’s great because it’s portable! You can clip it anywhere you like. It has 3 brightness settings and it’s rechargeable. Great for travel, a book lamp, extra light at a retreat or right next to the machine like I have it. I used it tonight while I was adding some hardware to a bag since it’s been so dark and dreary today. The arm can be moved and bent in any direction too so it’s definitely a new must have for me. I also have the larger slim line LED lamp behind my sewing machine that I use for night sewing.
Thanks again for joining me on my journey to get organized. I hope you learned something along the way. I have received so many comments from each of you, some to commiserate and some with great tips that I really enjoyed.
Happy Sewing 🙂
Jessica
The Straight Stitch 
Your bag sounds way too organized! lol I’ve been seeing those Sew ‘n Stash organizers around the net and they sound wonderful. I did wonder how large an item could be before it wouldn’t fit so I was glad to know about the rotary cutter. I have so many fabric markers – I think it would be perfect for them.
Love your new organizer! Roxie seems to approve too! 🙂 I am a pouch user too!! Can store so much & grab & go so easy!
Just yesterday, I was looking at the edge of my desk and thinking about a clip-on light I used to have and wishing I still had it. That clip on light you have would be handy to have. I never seem to have enough light around here.
I think I really need a Stash and Store. It looks perfect and everything is in a spot. I’ve tremendously enjoyed this blog hop! Thanks for participating!
Thank you so much! I hope you’ll continue to follow along. I have more blog posts planned 😉
Thanks so much for sharing all your tips and ideas. Thanks for participating in the blog hop.
I was wondering if the Stash and Store would stand up if loaded and it appears to do so. This blog hop has been such fun and informative, so many good storage ideas to try out. Thank you.
Thanks for sharing! I love my stash and store!
Although the bags are pretty I have a need to see what’s inside without having to unzip stuff. I suppose that if I used travel stuff more that I would have memorized what is where. Thanks for sharing.