Monday, December 26, 2016

Shippin' off to London

So, what the heck does one take with them when studying abroad for one semester? That's what we are going to look at today: packing.


Category 1: Tools



(From left to right): Tool box with sewing & drafting supplies, pencil case with drawing utensils, pencil case with colouring utensils, felt markers, hip curve and grid ruler.

I tried to keep the amount of tools I brought with me to a minimum, especially with what I am bringing in my tool box. It is easy to get carried away with what you think you'll need supplies wise. 

These items made my short list:
  • Fabric shears
  • Pinking shears
  • Paper scissors 
  • Spool of black thread
  • Spool of white thread
  • Notcher
  • Awl
  • Button hole punch
  • Drill hole tool
  • Numerous drafting pens & pencils 
  • Screwdriver 
  • Tailor's chalk
  • Wax
  • Pin cushion
  • Pins
  • Hand sewing needles
  • Industrial machine bobbins
  • Industrial machine bobbin cases
  • Industrial machine needles
  • Soft measuring tape
  • Seam gauge

I decided to forgo bringing a square ruler, because a grid ruler makes it obsolete. Drawing utensils are needed as they can be costly to repurchase.


Category 2: Tech


(From left to right): Backpack, laptop, important documents, tablet, phone, iTouch, camera bag (with camera components). Not pictured: Headphones, UK SIM card (phone) and all the chargers!

This category encompasses everything that I will be carrying onto the plane (I want to make sure all my electronics arrive safely with me!). I think all of these are self explanatory, they will serve as a means of in-flight entertainment, then as tools for my school work. 


Category 3: Clothes

My thinking was: take a selection of clothing that will work with whatever weather and with a variety of occasions which would be easy to mix and match outfits; otherwise known as a capsule wardrobe.


T-Shirts x7

Casual Dresses x2

Pants x6 (4 Leggings, 1 Pair of jeans, 1 Pair of black dress pants)

Jackets x2, Hoodies x3, 1 Shawl

Footwear x4 (sneakers, ballet flats, ankle boots, tall boots)



BAM! It all fits! 

Other important tid bits I am packing:
  • Underwear! (not shown for obvious reasons)
  • Adapters (I am bringing 3)
  • A hair dryer with correct wall plug (curtosey of my aunt)
  • A selection of makeup (a couple lipsticks and eyeliner, mascara, eyelash curler)
  • Slippers
  • My pillow (I have come too accustomed to sleeping with my pillow)
  • Mattress cover and pillow cover (both bed bug and mite proof)
  • A small selection of towels (a face towel, hand towel and bath towel)
  • Toiletries (to last me until I move into my student housing)
  • Medications

I do plan on purchasing some items when I arrive in London. Those being:
  • Bedding
  • Plates
  • Cutlery 
  • Some appliances (because of the voltage difference)

That's all for the items I am bringing with me! Some other housekeeping items include:
  • Registering with the Canadian Government, notifying them on my travel 
  • Printing copies of important documentation 

See you in London!



x Chels x