Even if a college student sews how often do they have time to sew? When you are on vacation, you want to enjoy and relax not mend your clothing. These items in a closing plastic bag or small plastic container from your kitchen can save the day when a button comes loose or a hem needs mending.  

 

Fusible is not something you will find in an assembled sewing kit but it is one of the best ways to make repairs on the run. Most hotel rooms have an iron (or one available) which is the only tool you need if you have a roll of fusible tape in your on the run sewing kit.  

 

A shank button is an easy repair with this sewing notion... or you can change out all the buttons on a jacket for s new look with out threading a needle. The buttons need to be the same size to fit the button holes but you can easily double your wardrobe with Button Pins You can still thread a needle and sew on a button... you have to with a flat button.  

 

Any and every sewing kit should have a couple hand sewing needles. A large strong needle and a fine needle are the bare minimum. Many people try to sew with a needle that has a large eye so that it is simple to thread. Although the One Second Self Threading Needle or a large eye seems like a solution, a needle threader and knowing how to use a needle threader is a better solution.  

 

Some repairs are going to need to be sewn and thread is the way to sew. A simple sewing kit doesn`t need every color of thread but you do need a couple basic colors that can punt to fill a need. White, black, tan, brown and any color that is a constant in your wardrobe should be in your sewing kit. If you know someone who sews a lot, bring them some bobbins and gather a sampling of colors on bobbins for your sewing kit.  

 

If you`ve ever had a button fall off but a wad of thread remain in the fabric, you know it can be difficult to sew through that wad of thread and it can be unsightly. A seam ripper is the perfect tool to have on hand.  

 

If you have ever tried to sew with thread that was broken rather than cut, you know it can be impossible. Having a small pair of sharp scissors in your mending or sewing kit is the best way to know you`ll have them when you need them. You may even be amazed how many times, aside from sewing, that those scissors are called to action... just remember for fabric scissors to remain sharp, they should only be used to cut fabric.  

 

If you`re like me it`d be easier to keep a mini sewing kit around, such as the My Nimble Craft Premium Travel Sewing Kit, rather than making a baggie full of sewing materials or a large sewing kit. What I like about this is how compact it is at 6.4 x 4.1 x 1.2 inches in size and how convenient it is to carry around. I`m not a sewing expert by any means, but I can sew a button and the very basics when necessary. This kit has everything needed in an "emergency" type of situation - loose button, small hole, quick stitch, etc.

 

Each kit includes:   A 60" fuss free retractable push button tape measure, A stainless steel Travel Scissors with safety cover, A Seam Ripper with safety cover to pick out stitches, A sturdy Needle Threader to thread a needle fast and easy, A neat Needle Compact with 15 sharp needles for different fabrics. To retrieve the needles, simply rotate the needle compact to the corresponding needle slot and remove the needles, 12 Spools of Sewing Thread in various colors, A Metal Thimble to protect your fingers from the pointy ends of needles.  3 Safety Pins, 3 Shirt Buttons, 3 pairs of Snap Fasteners and 2 Bead Pins - These will come in handy to mend a tear in a hurry  While the style of the kit is nothing fancy, I do like the design. It`s just slightly different than others I have seen. It`s a nice quality kit, nothing complex and straight forward. It`s definitely a must have in my house and would be great for college students as well!