Whether I’m stitching on the go or settling in for a cozy session at home, my needlepoint bag is always packed and ready. Over time, I’ve curated a collection of tools that not only make stitching easier but genuinely more enjoyable. From the absolute must-haves to the “how did I ever stitch without this?” gems, here’s a peek inside my needlepoint bag.
First up: The Essentials
Embroidery scissors are a given, but I like to keep a backup travel-safe pair in my bag just in case. My everyday scissors are the gold bamboo pair from Morgan Julia Designs, but Super Snips are my go-to for travel. They are compact, safe, and surprisingly sharp.
I also carry a needle threader or two - my favorite is from Lycette. It has a few decorative shells and beads, which make it both beautiful and easy to find at the bottom of my bag.
I love Tulip tapestry needles - They glide through canvas like butter and are incredibly durable. If you've never tried them, they're worth the upgrade.
Now for the unsung heroes
One of my favorite lesser-known tools is the Snag-Nab-It: a tiny, textured needle that works wonders on pulled threads or small snags in your stitches. It’s a lifesaver, especially when stitching with silk or metallic threads.
I always keep a Micron pen in my bag (usually in size 01 or 02) for marking canvas edges or mapping out irregular shapes. It’s archival-quality, fade-proof, and won’t bleed onto fibers.
A small retractable tape measure is a constant companion - you can find affordable options on Amazon or at your local sewing store. I splurged on one from Liberty London this summer, and I love the smooth retraction, compact size, and beautiful design. This goes hand-in-hand with my micron pen, when I am tracing out background dimensions.
Because I love adding beads to my projects, I keep an EZ Beader handy. It's essentially a needle minder with a sticky pad to hold beads in place while you stitch and it's been a total game-changer in the past few months.
A compact project light is another must-have, especially when stitching in low light. I have found a few on Amazon that work great. They’re small, lightweight, and incredibly bright for their size.
A quick note on organization
To keep things tidy, I store the fibers for each project in their own labeled bag - yes, it’s a bag within a bag, but it works! I use simple zipper pouches I found on Amazon, but even Ziplocs will do the trick. I label each bag with a piece of masking tape and write the project name so I can easily grab what I need without digging through my bag.
What do you like to keep with you in your stitching bag? I'd love to hear your thoughts!
Happy Stitching,
Anne