Voted by quilters like you
The 5 Best Zipper Cases and Project Bags, Voted by Our Customers
5 picks · 6 min read
Every quilter has that collection of essential notions: bobbins, presser feet, your go-to seam ripper, and the good scissors. They’re easy to misplace and impossible to work without—especially when you’re packing up for a retreat or sewing day.
Our community has strong feelings about keeping these treasures safe. Here are the five most-recommended organizers, from compact nested zipper pouches to spacious, full-sized project bags.
The short version
- Quilt Town Nested Zipper Cases — two sizes that tuck inside each other, ready for guild night.
- Zipper Cases Garden Trio — three pretty cases for hand sewing, travel, and gifts.
- Ingrid’s Nesting Zipper Cases (4 pack) — four sizes for machine feet, bobbins, and retreat kits.
- Ingrid’s Wildflowers Project Case — a whole project and its tools in one bag.
- Ingrid’s Wildflowers Nesting Zipper Cases — the matching set for your Ingrid project bag.
Key Takeaways
- Give each project its own bag. Pieces, patterns, and tools stay together, so you can grab them and go.
- Keep machine parts in one case. Feet, bobbins, and plates travel with the machine, so nothing gets left behind at a retreat.
- Nesting cases save space. They tuck inside each other when you aren’t using them all.
- They’re not just for sewing. Makers use them for travel, makeup, chargers, and medicine, too.
- They make easy gifts. Retreat prizes, gift exchanges, and stocking stuffers come up again and again.
The 5 Cases, Voted By Our Customers
Missouri Star Quilt Town Nested Zipper Cases - 2 pack
Two Quilt Town nested zipper cases
★★★★★
$15.95
A small case and a larger one that nest together. Makers fit a rotary cutter, needles, and bobbins in the small one and scissors, feet, and thread in the large one — and take both to the guild.
Shop the 2 packFeatured customer reviews
“Great travel cases for quilting”
The small one is a perfect fit for my rotary cutter when I travel to guild. I will put in needles and bobbins for my machine. I can use the larger case for scissors, feet, extra thread, and other necessities. They are both well made.
— Kathy
“A great price!”
I received one of these in my Christmas box two years ago. It is a very sturdy case. It is great when you travel. And it's not just for your sewing supplies. It works for things that could break easily too!
— Elizabeth Stephens
“fantastic and sturdy -- with pretty colors”
these "pod" type cases are wonderful for storing my "on the go" supplies for my latest project. I use each one for my thread, embroidery floss, needles and little scissors!
— Julie Thompson
Missouri Star Zipper Cases Garden Trio
Three floral zipper cases
★★★★★
$19.95
Three pretty cases, larger than most expect, that hold hand sewing projects, travel essentials, or a gift. Makers buy one for themselves and one to give away.
Shop the Garden TrioFeatured customer reviews
“Favorite!!”
These little cases are so handy to use for all my hand sewing projects. And especially nice to take along on craft days
— Lynn Kunze
“So fun!”
I love these zippered cases! They're so cute with cute patterns and convenient for storing sewing projects or anything. I used the smaller one to hold jewelry on a recent trip. They also make great gifts.
— Renee Bronson
“Great for traveling!”
I will be using my boxes next week for travel. One for meds and supplements, one for makeup, one for all the small items always needed! I will be more organized than ever, and all my items will be protected!
— Lois Phillips
Missouri Star Ingrid's Nesting Zipper Cases (4pk)
Four Ingrid’s nesting zipper cases
★★★★★
$24.95
Four sizes for everything that travels with your machine — feet, bobbins, plates, clips, and seam rippers. Lay them on the retreat table, and everything is within reach.
Shop the 4 packFeatured customer reviews
“Perfect for organizing sewing accessories”
I'm putting my new sewing machines accessories in them, including feet, bobbins, and plates. I always keep them with my machine, so I don’t have a senior moment. I don’t want to be at the retreat and not have them.
— Roxanne
“Perfect for quilt retreats”
I am going on a quilt retreat and packed my clips, pins, scissors, and seam rippers. Everything is nicely stowed and ready to go when I arrive. I love them. I can have the cases on my table for easy access.
— sara
“Outstanding quality and price”
These are beautiful, quality zippered cases. My daughter immediately scooped them up for her sewing supplies and was giddy over them. The price and quality are outstanding. This is the 4th set of zippered cases I've purchased. They make great gifts, and I've also used them for travel cases for makeup, toiletries, etc.
— MomToFaith
Missouri Star Ingrid's Wildflowers Project Case
Ingrid’s Wildflowers project case
★★★★★
$33.95
Big enough for a project, its pattern and all the tools — scissors, cutter, thread, even a small iron. Makers keep one bag per project and grab it on the way to class.
Shop the project caseFeatured customer reviews
“Perfect for travel projects”
The size is perfect to take a nice size project with you. I use it for when I travel and want a project to take with me. It has a place to put all the scissors, cutters, and accessories all in one place. A small iron can also fit in the bag with plenty of room to spare. Great case.
— Debra
“Project case”
I really enjoy these project bags. I have 6 and they really, really help keep all my project pieces separated and yet together. I also use some of the tool bags from the holiday box so I don’t have to think about which project bag they are in. I can pick up any project bag and the tool bag and meet my friends and work.
— Barbara Rennie
“Project Case”
Love this project case! Easy carry and is the perfect size to hold everything i need for a project class.
— Kim Smith
Missouri Star Ingrid's Wildflowers Nesting Zipper Cases (2pk)
Two Ingrid’s Wildflowers nesting zipper cases
★★★★★
$15.95
The matching small cases for Ingrid’s project bag. Bobbins, thread, and your favorite scissors go in here; the project goes in the big bag, and nothing goes missing.
Shop the nesting setFeatured customer reviews
“Perfect for project supplies”
I'm using it to carry my extras for the project I am working on that I put in my Ingrid’s project case. I use it for bobbins, thread, and my favorite scissors. The ones that fit my hand just right.
— Colleen
“Nesting zipper bags”
I have purchased 4 nesting box sets. Some I use myself for organizing sewing machine accessories and also charging cords for phone and computer. Others I have used to "wrap" gifts to friends and family. They are very well made and beautiful.
— Patricia Macfarlane
“Wildflower Zipper Case”
Handy to help organize your hand sew project. Bought one set for myself and another to gift to a friend. Love how it coordinates with the Ingrid's Wildflower Embroidery kit.
— Carolyn Sue
How These Five Compare
| Case | What you get | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri Star Quilt Town Nested Zipper Cases - 2 pack | 2 nested cases | Guild nights and hand sewing supplies | $15.95 |
| Missouri Star Zipper Cases Garden Trio | 3 cases | Hand sewing, travel and gifts | $19.95 |
| Missouri Star Ingrid's Nesting Zipper Cases (4pk) | 4 nested cases | Machine feet, bobbins and retreat kits | $24.95 |
| Missouri Star Ingrid's Wildflowers Project Case | 1 project case | A whole project plus tools | $33.95 |
| Missouri Star Ingrid's Wildflowers Nesting Zipper Cases (2pk) | 2 nested cases | Bobbins, thread and favorite scissors | $15.95 |
A tip from the notions wall: Pack a “go bag” before retreat season: one zipper case for machine feet and bobbins, one for cutting tools, one for hand sewing. When the invitation comes, you’re packed in five minutes.
Not sure where to start? The two-pack of nested cases is the easiest, yes — one for your machine accessories, one for your hand sewing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do quilters keep in zipper cases?
Bobbins, presser feet, needle plates, rotary cutters, scissors, thread, embroidery floss, clips and pins — anything small you need at the machine or want to take to a class.
What is a nesting zipper case?
A set of cases in graduated sizes that tuck inside each other. Use them all at once, or nest them to save space.
What is a project case for?
Keeping one project together: fabric, blocks, pattern and the tools you need to work on it. Pick it up and you’re ready to sew anywhere.
Are these cases sturdy enough for travel?
Several makers above take them to retreats and on trips, and one says they work for things that could break easily too.
Do these make good gifts?
Very. They’re among the most popular retreat prizes and gift exchange presents in our reviews, and they fit nearly everyone.
How were these picked?
By our customers. We looked at the cases in our shop with a long review history, kept the ones you rate highest, removed anything out of stock, and quoted verified buyers directly. Quotes are trimmed for length only.