Today is Day 5 of 31 Days of Sewing School.
While it seems like there is an infinite amount of gizmos, doo-dads and thingamabobs out there for whatever hobby you choose, I do think there is a short list of required items if you want to take up sewing (with a machine). Tomorrow I’ll talk about some of the more frivolous tools that I enjoy, but today is about the basics.
I’ll be linking to most of these on Amazon, but you can probably find most of them at your local Joann, Hobby Lobby, other fabric or sewing machine store, or even a WalMart or sometimes Michael’s. These are the staples that would be required if you were taking a sewing class.
Scissors
Anyone who grew up with a mom who sews fairly seriously can probably tell you the cardinal rule of sewing scissors: they are only for cutting fabric.
To be realistic, they can also be used for soft notions like ribbon, elastic and the like, and I also use mine on thin pattern/tissue paper. But that’s it! Otherwise, stick to fabric. That keeps your scissors smooth and sharp.
I don’t have an expensive pair like these Ginghers but just a decent pair from my local fabric store. I like to have a large pair for fabric and a smaller pair for snipping threads on hand.
Thread
The general rule I follow is cotton thread for quilting, polyester for clothing and other projects, but sometimes I cheat, and just use whatever I have for whatever I’m doing.
Pins
Straight pins are a definite sewing staple. They usually come in a box, but a pin cushion is the most easily-accessible way to store them. Choose pins with a large ball on the end, as they’ll be easier to use. You might have to experiment to see what size you like. My mom likes short ones for sewing and long ones for quilting. I tend to like the longer ones most of the time.
Seam Ripper
My sewing machine came with one of these, but if yours didn’t, it’s a worthwhile investment. These are invaluable for correcting inevitable mistakes. I keep an extra one handy, too, just in case. Even the most experienced sewista will want to have a seam ripper handy.
Iron
If you’re a total sewing newbie, you might be surprised at this one, but an iron is a must. I was given that vintage hand-me-down one pictured above and I ended up loving it even more than my newer iron… which is to say, any iron will do.
Measuring Tape
A flexible measuring tape will be useful quite often with sewing, whether it’s for taking your baby’s measurements, checking your seam allowance (I’ll explain what that is later) or sizing up your fabric swatch.
Storage, etc.
You’ll probably want a tote, box, basket or some other method of storage to keep your sewing supplies in. I recommend something portable because traveling will be much easier– and sewing with friends is super fun.
Go ahead and throw in a notebook while you’re at it because you’ll often be wanting to jot down ideas, notes, or measurements as you go.
And lastly, you’ll need your sewing machine, and all that that entails. But we’ll be getting to that in just a couple of days…
If you have any questions about the bare necessities, feel free to ask in the comments. If you’ve got sewing experience, it might be helpful for you to mention what I may have left off this list, or what brands you like. Tomorrow I’ll share about some additional fun tools.
About Nicole
I have a small, lightweight plastic toolbox, and love it; thread and scissors and other things I use constantly go in the shallow tray on top (thread just goes on its side so I can spot the color I need at a glance), other things (notions, etc.) go in the area below the lift-out tray. A lot cheaper, more durable, and easier to store and use and haul around than some of the “officially for sewing” caddies.
Admittedly, it’s not as cute as the specifically-for-sewing caddies or baskets are, but it works. For interim not-yet-committed sewers, a shoebox or a small plastic tub or tote bag or almost anything can work fine for keeping sewing things together and dust-free – but it is a really, really good idea to have all your “stuff” together and in something that you can bring to wherever you’re sewing (whether that’s somewhere in your own house or not!).
When I have long-ish projects going on, I use bags for each one; each project’s bag includes its pattern and directions, the fabric (or partly-cut-out or partly-sewn-together pieces, whatever stage it’s in), its thread and bobbin (if they get evicted from the sewing machine for another project’s thread), and all its intended buttons/elastic/lace/etc. If I take it somewhere, then I just grab my scissors, toss them in the bag, and I’m ready to go; whenever I’m not working on it, the pieces go back in the bag and the bag gets tied closed so the project doesn’t collect dust, get dirty, or lose buttons. Makes life a lot easier.
I do the same thing for projects- it’s so helpful to keep the supplies organized!
I cannot stress using quality thread strongly enough. Cheap-o thread will cost you so much more in the long run. It doesn’t hold up over time, doesn’t sew as well, and is hard on your machine. A basic tuneup on my sewing machine runs $120, so the extra expense of quality thread is worth it.
BTW- Gingher scissors are on sale periodically at JoAnns, just watch for it.
I totally agree; uneven, cheap thread [a 99 cent "variety pack" of 7 cardboard spools of thread] actually broke the plastic piece that held the tension on my (cheap) sewing machine, when a slub/lump came through. I had no idea that there was thread sold that could break a sewing machine in one blow. Not Worth It.
That said, I’ve never had any issues with Coats and Clark, which is probably the cheapest among name-brand threads, so there’s potentially some middle ground available, although the more expensive brands can be nicer to work with. I’ve always had more lint gather from fabric than from thread, and need to clean that out regularly… possibly more regularly than I do.
Yep! I heartily agree.
I have been trying to figure out a way to take the iron out of the sewing equation…it hasn’t happened yet, but if anyone has any ideas I am all ears
Sorry, Heather, I can’t help ya there! I find ironing to be absolutely essential. I have a fun tool to share tomorrow though that might make ironing less intimidating.
Only exception to ironing I’ve found is when sewing fabrics like polar fleece that just don’t need ironing. Sorry, never found a way around it otherwise. I suppose, to be more precise, I’ve never found a way around it that I did not profoundly regret later on in the project.
Good post
Amen to the good quality thread and scissors. I have had the same pair of scissors for 15 years… initial investment well worth it!
Let me tell you a little secret. The thread you use is important to your machine when it is made it is twisted for specific made machines. American Made and European Made. Gütermann‘s and Mettler for the European makes. Coats and Clark for American made. The way the thread is twisted really does effect the way it goes through your Sewing Machine (as some of you have experienced) Good Luck! You are right not to buy cheap stuff to put through your machine… your machine wasn’t cheap…
who knew. Thanks for this great tip!
Nice to be here and see your post!