sewing box / basic sewing kit

[DanZZZenAroundTheTreeAgain]

can anyone recommend a nice sewing box (and/or sewing kit to get started)?

It's for dd for Christmas but don't necessarily want a toy. Can anyone recommend a nice one?

[ChippyMinton]

Saw some pretty ones in BHS's xmas section.

[sazziej]

John Lewis have some really nice ones

[DanZZZenAroundTheTreeAgain]

thanks very much, I'm overseas, so I'll have to see if I an get them online. I'll have a look

[Quiltingmoomin]

try ebay t oo - there's all sorts there

[DanZZZenAroundTheTreeAgain]

thanks, I'll have a look. Hard to say wtihout actually opening them, how practical they are but for dc probably doesn't matter all that much.

Those John Lewis ones that look like two storey houses are nice..

[FindingAManger]

Cath Kidston have some cute ones too

[greenlotus]

How old is the DD? Do you have a local sewing shop where you are overseas?

I only say because sewing kits IME invariably have a rubbish selection of items in, cheap scissors that don't cut, no pins, some rubbishy cheap thread. When i was about 8 my parents gave me a sewing box with real "grown up" equipment most of which I'm still using now.

[meltedmarsbars]

I have a proper mechanic's metal toolkit, one of those expanding ones, given to me by my dad years ago.

He painted it all over the outside and lined the boxes with felt and velvet.

It is lovely and a thing of beauty and function!

I agree with Greenlotus that it is far better to get good quality scissors etc separately than to buy a cheap kit.

[greenlotus]

The top one on this page looks good.

Prettier one here

[greenlotus]

at Marsbars custom sewing box!

[meltedmarsbars]

You need a giant suitcase for fabric! The collection will soon outgrow any sewing kitbox!

Pincushions and needlebooks are the sewing queen's first projects!

[slug]

I have an old fishing tackle box of FIL's. It's one of those with a deep bottom section and lots of compartments in the top that is hinged with the lid so it opens up into two tiers. Cheap, practical and roomy.

[DanZZZenAroundTheTreeAgain]

some of these ideas sound great but I must get a move on with it.

we are in the Czech Republic and dd is 10 but not yet a sewer, so this is to get her started. I think we need something biggish though, since no doubt she'll collect moreand more stuff as time goes on.

Will have a look at some of your ideas tonight when she is in bed. Just nipping in quickly here to say thanks!

[DanZZZenAroundTheTreeAgain]

actually there might be a sewing shop round here. I have no idea and hadn't even really thought about that. Good idea thanks