What’s in Your Sewing Bag In Color Order?

Floral toiletry bag from Target | What's in Your Sewing Bag In Color Order? | Shannon Fraser Designs #sewingbag

Did you catch the announcement in last week’s Best of 2020 post?

While sharing that the What’s in Your Sewing Bag? series made your Top 10 list (so cool!), I sneakily snuck in that the WIYSB series is back for Season 2!

That’s right!

I’ve got another full year of What’s in Your Sewing Bag? fun planned out for you! To double the fun, they will pop up on the monthly, with some bonus months featuring two posts instead of just one – yay! Be sure to sign up for the newsletter so you don’t miss out on a single guest post!

OK – enough of the WIYSB updates, on to today’s guest!

Since my guests are never random (meaning, I reach out to fellow makers who’ve been a source of inspiration to me), there’s usually a story as to how I’ve come to know them. After all, when I started on my sewing journey, I didn’t know a soul in this industry. Which is yet another reason why I love this series. It allows me to share some of the makers who’ve inspired me along my journey in the hopes they inspire yours too 😊

Which got me wondering, do you ever think back on how you first came to meet someone?

It’s even more interesting when that person is someone you know solely online!

I’m sure I’m not alone in this. As of late, the vast majority of my new friends have been ‘met’ online. This has been made more apparent with the shutdown that’s affected us all.

Today’s guest was an interesting online journey. I originally found a picture on Pinterest of the cutest thread storage rack. I hunted down the original source and landed on In Color Order. A lovely sewing and quilt blog spearheaded by Jeni Baker. I love following her vintage finds and how she often lovingly restores them. She’s also got the cutest bunny named George. That in of itself is a fun reason to follow Jeni. And then you add her cute as a button pouches and it’s constant double tapping happening 😉

Today Jeni’s giving you a full run through of all her notions and tools she tucks away in her sewing bag!

Jeni of In Color Order is today's special guest for the What's in Your Sewing Bag? series Come take a look at her essential notions #quilter

*This post contains affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, if you click through and make a purchase, I may receive a commission.

INTRODUCTION

Introduction – tell us a little about yourself! How did you get started on your quilting journey?

Hi, I'm Jeni! I learned to sew about 20 years ago and I've been quilting for the last 10 years. I love to find ways to live a creative life, through sewing, baking, gardening and even a little woodworking. The joy of making something from a few simple materials hasn't worn off and I love the feeling of making utilitarian projects that fill a need. I'm passionate about sharing everything I've learned over the years through my sewing patterns and blog.

Yes! I love the process of creating something practical out of simple materials. Sneaking creativity into my life on the daily is also an objective of mine. Simple, yet very satisfying!

Jeni's sewing kit (aka toiletry bag) hanging on her closet doorknob | What's in Your Sewing Bag In Color Order? | Shannon Fraser Designs series #sewingkit

SEWING BAG

What kind of sewing bag do you have? (e.g. did you make it? Buy it?)

I've used many different sewing bags but my current favorite is a toiletry bag from Target. It has all kinds of compartments to keep things organized and is roomy enough to hold a small project too. I usually toss it and a few projects in a tote bag (like my Workshop Tote Pattern), when I get together with friends to sew or attend a retreat.

How fun to use a toiletry bag, Jeni! That’s super clever!

Notions and tools packed away in Jeni's sewing bag | What's in Your Sewing Bag In Color Order? | Shannon Fraser Designs' series #quiltingnotions

ALL-STAR ESSENTIALS

What are your all-star essentials? Your tried-and-true must haves that you can never run out of?

My all-star essentials include a nice sharp pair of scissors, thread ships, an all-purpose white thread, sharp pins, a marking tool (or two), seam ripper, rotary cutter and clips. I usually also add in row markers, masking tape, a chopstick for turning and a small screwdriver.

I love that you included a small screwdriver in your list! It reminds me of my hubz always being on the hunt for our most preferred screwdriver and me finally saying “Oh, I’m permanently storing it in my sewing bin. You can find it there!” – ha! When I first started out, I never thought that would be such an important tool in my sewing kit! Happy you mention it 😉

FAVOURITE ITEM

What is your favourite item in your kit? Why?

A really sharp pair of snips are top of the list for me. I have a small pair by Kai that are my absolute favorite. Dull snips are a big pet peeve of mine, so a pair that is sharp all the way to the tip is important to me.

I love a tool that works! Which was one of the main reasons why I kicked off this series – to get to know fellow makers’ most loved notions. I’ve heard of Kai, but really hadn’t spent much time checking them out. I naturally went down the Kai scissor rabbit hole and I spied these *professional ones. They look something fierce!

Kai scissors - Jeni's favourite item in her sewing kit | What's in your Sewing Bag In Color Order? | Shannon Fraser Designs series #kaiscissors

SURPRISE ITEM

What’s one thing we’d be surprised to find in your bag?

There is always a big tube of *chapstick in my sewing bag. I feel like I am constantly reapplying it, and hate to be without it! Plus, it can double as lotion on dry hands in a pinch.

We twin!! Lip balm in a MUST in my sewing kit. I’m currently using these cute *EOS ones, but have been wanting to give *this one a try!

Cocoa butter lip balm another essential in Jeni's sewing kit! | What's in Your Sewing Bag In Color Order? |  Shannon Fraser Designs series #lipbalm

QUILT KITS WILL TRAVEL

When do you find yourself using your kit the most? (Travelling, on the sofa, attending sew-ins?)

I use my kit the most when I travel. I always pack my kit from scratch every time I take a trip. I used to have a kit ready to go with backup tools that I could grab, but found I was always missing my favorites. It's a fun part of getting ready for a trip, grabbing all my essentials from my sewing set up. When I do handwork on the couch, I typically make up a smaller kit in a small tray or pouch.

That’s such an interesting way of looking at the travel prep process, Jeni! There’s something about simple routines/ rituals that I love. I’ve been toying with the idea of creating a second sewing kit for when I’m at the lake, but then thought it was a little indulgent. Reading your comment has me thinking my current approach is working just fine 😉

Pattern and fat quarters being tucked inside Jeni's travel sewing bag | What's in Your Sewing Bag In Color Order? | Shannon Fraser Designs' series #sewingpattern

TRAVEL MEMORY

What’s your favourite travel memory with your sewing bag?

Most years I get together with sewing friends in Wisconsin to sew for a weekend. I look forward to it all year long and we just spend the weekend eating, catching up and of course sewing!

Oh, gosh, that sounds lovely! I can’t wait to attend my first weekend sew-in. With the persistent lockdown, I’m not sure when that’s going to happen, but it’s something I’m definitely looking forward to!

WHERE CAN WE FIND YOU?

Tell people where we can find you?

You can find me on Instagram @jenib320 and on my website www.incolororder.com.

Thank you so much for participating, Jeni! It’s been truly lovely getting to learn more about your path to quilting and giving us a full-on view at all the quilty goodies you stock in your toiletry bag!!

Jeni's floral sewing kit hanging on her closet door knob. Full view of the opened sewing kit on the floor. | What's in your sewing bag In Color Order? | Shannon Fraser Design's series #sewingkit

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For more What’s in Your Sewing Bag fun, check out these guests:

 

I’m always looking for ways to make the series even more enjoyable. Let me know if there are any burning questions you’d love to see added or if you have a guest you’d love to see featured. Share in the comments below!

Happy stitching!

xo

Shannon

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PS don’t forget to sign up for the weekly newsletter so you don’t miss out on any future WIYSB guests!

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1 comment

  • Shannon, this was a great intro to new designers, fabric and notions .

    Suzanne

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