I’ve been planning and pondering (I do really do a lot of pondering don’t I!) what I’ll pack with me for Japan. Every time I go away the clothes thing is generally quite easy and the ‘what will I want to stitch, read, write’ aspect is the hardest.

Of course, going to a whole new country, and a totally different climate, is making the packing of clothes harder than if I’m going to visit my in-laws for a few days. But, so far (2.5 weeks away from leaving) we all *mostly* have our clothes planned and prepared.

I do find that I always take more creative supplies , books and reading than I ever use. But then - what happens - if I really really need to do some writing! I mean, come on! Don’t tell me I’m alone in this.

Which leaves me with wondering what to take with me in terms of stitching. Ok ok - I know that I won’t do much at all. For starters all our days will be so full, and I know I’ll be pretty exhausted when we get home each night. And I also know that probably I can get ANYTHING I want or desire to do some creative work.

But, there are a few things that I’d like to take, because I know whenever I don’t they really are the things I wish I’d taken. And we do have 9 hours on the flight, which might not be much, but I like to think that maybe I’ll get something done in that time. Please do give me advice that I’m being ridiculous… I’m ever an optimist.

Anyway, here are some little needle cases that I’ve been making. One I will take with me. One I’ve already gifted. And some are giveaways in my Stitch Circle Community.

I loved doing the simple stitching and then creating these pouch-type shapes to have threads, needles, pins, scissors. The button and string closure I made using the same fabric. Making string out of fabric is quite satisfying. And I made little buttons like this what feels like a million years ago, so it was fun to come back to it again.

While we are in Japan I have organised a walking tour with Sashiko Lab. She’s going to take us to see some of the hidden treasures around Kyoto’s backstreets and unknown areas. I think there’s also an old needle shop, which I’m very excited to see. I can barely imagine the amazing places we’ll visit and don’t even know how I’ll manage to either not bring everything home, or find a spot for it in our luggage.

We have paid for extra luggage coming home, but even that won’t be enough! My family loves textiles, ceramics, beautiful things… it’s going to be for us to not want every.single.thing we see. Perhaps we’ll need to get a shipping container. This is why people set up shops, isn’t it! So they can buy and hold all the beauty and be able to appreciate it, while also not overwhelming their homes.

The fabrics in these needle cases are from the ones I’ve been blogging about lately. The scraps that DogStar sent me with their collaboration with Tiel. Using such little treasures for everyday use is a special thing to do. The blue one (above image - top right needle case) is some from my screen printing quite a few years ago. I made skirts with these one-off prints. So, the ones I have left I decided to repurpose into usable things - rather than them staying sitting in a box.

The Sashiko quilt below, indigo dyed and with block printed spots, is a mini-one I made and it makes me a little bit happy seeing it here. I’m not sure what it’s use it, at this stage, but it’s good to make and finish small things.

So, tell me - what do you take with you when you go away? A lot of things, or not much at all….?