Great posting filled with good travel hints for hand embroidery. Thank you.

Smart post! I love to take handwork with me while traveling too. While it's not always embroidery (it may be wool applique, knitting, hand quilting), I do agree that it's better to have too much than too little. You know what they say about idle hands??!!??? Hahahaha!!!

As a new bride, 49 years ago, I enjoyed teaching myself to sew and knit, and learning all the needle arts. I stitched quite a few crewel projects, mostly as gifts, and one still hangs on my wall today. Then there was needlepoint, again mostly for gifts. I also stitched a large stamped Sampler which has become an heirloom as I have handed it down to one of my children. Probably the one type of embroidery that lasted the longest for me is Counted Cross Stitch. I've made wedding samplers for my children, and oh so many gifts. Since I was a stay at home Mom, I was able to sew during the day and at night I would sit in front of TV with my either embroidery or knitting. 30 years ago I also started teaching myself quilting, and many (at least 100) quilts later, I still spend my days either sewing or quilting, and my evenings doing whatever handwork needs doing. Now, I won't apologize for the length of this Comment, but I must tell you that reading this Post has stirred some old feelings in me to get back to some unfinished pieces of embroidery. At least 3 come to mind. So thank you for this and now, I'm itching to get back to those UFO's so gently tucked away in my needlework basket. Oh, almost forgot, if any time in the car is at least an hour, I always have some kind of handwork with me. Usually it's knitting because I don't need to be constantly looking at it.

I use a quilted satchel I bought at Joann's a long time ago. It looks like they might not sell it anymore, but it wouldn't be impossible to make. It's kind of like a looseleaf notebook (but soft sided) with a zipper, but there are sideways pockets on the inside of the front and back that are perfect for protecting the project and holding hoops, etc. The small rings sewn into the middle can hold various types of organizer inserts for floss and notions.

Thanks for the ideas ladies: I've been trying to figure out a needle work bag that would be just right and you have given me a few more ideas: someday I'll get it finalized and made!! :-) And could you do a post or note from Kaari Meng to tell us where we could get her floss? Thanks so much!!

Wonderful post! I always take a hand embroidery project with me. It is fabulous how much stitching can be completed on either a short trip or a long trip. I really like the variety of styles that each stitcher stores their supplies in for the road trips. Thank you for sharing and have a wonderful creative day!

Yazzi makes bags like the one you're describing. Joann's carries one or two of them

I grab my pouch with my, Quick Yo Yo maker, 5 in charm pack, needle, thread and scissors and I am ready to make Yo Yo's. Crochet is my next carry on project.

I also have a small LED lamp in my travel bag in case the lighting is poor. I have a clip on book light for the smaller bag and a flashlight size with a swing-up light bar for the slightly larger bag. The size of the bag depends on whether I am flying or driving. I have a little quilted bag that was meant for a notebook computer that contains a hand piecing project and an embroidery project plus basic tools for plane travel especially between Australia and the U.S. It fits in a slightly larger project bag with a few extra goodies for shorter trips or car trips. It is always ready to grab when needed such as stitching sessions with friends.

I love your blog/posts and the many things (and products) your share - thank you! I, too, love many forms of needle arts and embroidery is one of them. I love to do English smocking and when my kids were little, I made many things for them - now I am reliving it again as I smock for my grandkids. It's great to see various kinds of containers and pouches to keep supplies in. I had no idea French General had designs and I love them too... I can see more projects to add to my to-do list! Exciting!

I remember learning hand embroidery to dress up jeans jackets and patch places on frayed jeans. I didn't wear much of it, but my sister benefitted nicely. She also managed to wear the first shirt I made that I couldn't wear because I could see the flaws.
In the many years since, I have taken embroidery on the road a good bit. Now, I typically take knitting and/or crochet.

I love to do hand work on the road but since I am the principal driver in my family not too much gets done. I have a hexie project going that I figure will be 5 years to finish and inspired by my friend Vicky's Santa finish last week I went and found. Halloween sampler started many years ago. Maybe it will be delighting the little spooks that come to call this year!

thanks