Basic Mending and Travel Kit

Traveling? What to pack for repairing minor wardrobe malfunctions or needlework......

Except for the dental floss and a larger eye needle, this little kit was purchased complete at JoAnns Fabric Store.






Of course, you could purchase all of the bits and pieces at a sewing store like JoAnns to put your own kit together, but often a little cost effective kit like this one can be purchased at a grocery, department store, or pharmacy where such kits are carried in the travel size toiletries department, socks and underwear area, or crafts area near the hardware.

Look for a kit that contains at least 2 hand sewing needles (it's so easy to lose a needle) and try to find a kit that has needles with a little larger eye for the thread to go through. Some needles are so fine and it is often hard to thread the needle if you are trying to make a repair in the poor light of a plane or hotel. Note the difference in eye size in the needles above. 

It is not essential but some straight pins can be helpful,

a safety pin or two is of great use,

extra buttons like those commonly used on a shirt in white, clear or black, snaps, too are beneficial

and of course a small amount of some thread of different colors, especially white, black and grey. 

A needle threader is also a great help for threading the eye of the needle in poor light or without glasses

and a tweezer is handy for removing tiny thread ends, or helping to hold needle or thread steady, etc.

Although very cute the  little scissors that came in this set will not even cut thread, so another cutter is needed.

If traveling by air, the most difficult piece to take with you are scissors. Your scissors may fit the rules which are that scissors must be blunt tipped and have blades less than 4" long. However, airport staff vary in what is accepted. Sometimes they will not allow any scissors through. Recently my sister in law wasn't able to take her Clover cutter (a round cutter with small protected blades within a case) through either. It is possible to ask for a supervisor in such a case, but perhaps it's not worth it to you to take the time or aggravation for this.  

Clover Pendant is 1.5 diamet

It is often the case that the little kit scissors do not cut so a possible alternative is to use the toiletry you probably already have with you for the trip - a box of dental floss. The little floss cutter will cut thread too and the floss itself makes a great thread - very strong - for sewing on a button or hook or tacking up a hem.

It's a little thick to go through fabric and if the thread will show on your garment, not the best choice for a repair for other than emergency fixes. Just make sure that your needle eyes in your kit are large enough to take the floss.

A couple of nice things to add to the sewing kit group are:

A flexible dressmaker's measure tape can be packed in anywhere and is very useful for many things besides mending.

and if you can find it, airplane safe scissors that will pass muster and will actually cut.

This pair of airport friendly scissors were purchased at a the Phoenix Sewing and Craft Show last year. They easily have gone through the airport in my purse along with my bamboo knitting needles several times. I use them for sewing and knitting. However, they will only cut thread and the little blade is only 1/2" long, which is good for the airport but not the best for sewing and needlework. For more stories about scissors and air travel check out this link from Fodor's Travel.

These scissors can be pricey, however, and depending on the air checkpoint you might lose them. My daughter uses childrens' craft scissors purchased at the dollar store. They cut both thread and fabric and are blunt tipped and less than 4" blade lengths. Definite possibility for travel.

There is a second use advantage to preparing a travel sewing kit  --- the same kit can be used at home for mending repairs too.  More about that next time. Until then - happy travelling. :-)