Beginner Sewing Supplies/Equipment
These are the top 8 things I think every beginner sewist should have on hand for all different kinds of projects.
Beginner Sewing Machine
Here’s the one I have: Singer Sewing Machine
The great thing about sewing is that practically any machine will do. I started sewing with a hand-me-down sewing machine from my mom. It was $150 on Amazon and it has done the job (multiple jobs) for me!
With this machine, I’ve been able to make dresses, shirts, tote bags, toiletry bags, stuffed toys, and other various things around the house.
It’s also very easy to thread, and for a beginner, sometimes the threading is the most intimidating part! It’s a very simple machine and there are lots of youtube videos walking you through how to use it, etc.
Iron
Here’s the iron I have: Iron
This is probably the second-most important piece of equipment. Any iron under the sun will do, you just need something to press your seams. I learned from my mom that this is one of the most important things and greatly determines the outcome of your project.
Mine is a very simple, cheap iron from Amazon and it is perfect for what I need it for!
Fabric Shears/Rotary Cutter
Another essential is a good pair of fabric shears. If you’re going to invest in a high-quality item, shears are where I would invest! There’s nothing like a good quality pair of fabric shears, and it’s worth noting here that your fabric shears should be used on absolutely nothing but fabric. Using them on anything else will dull the blades overtime, and you want them to stay as sharp as possible so you don’t end up throwing them out the window when they won’t cut through a piece of fabric!
I’d also recommend having a rotary cutter on hand. These are especially great for cutting out large pattern pieces of fabric. I’ve found over time that I actually prefer to cut my fabric out with my rotary cutter, tracing around the patterns, instead of my shears. I think I’m able to get a cleaner cut. But some people love using shears to cut out their fabric, and that’s fine too!
Sewing Pins/Clips
This may be controversial, but I am 100% a clip girl. I started using pins for every project, and I still do use them quite a bit, but getting these clips and using them has been a game changer! It’s much easier to just clip things together and it’s not difficult to remove them when I’m feeding my project through the machine.
But, needless to say, you definitely need a good set of pins and (potentially) clips!
Snips
Here are the ones I have: Snips
When you’re sewing at your machine, you’ll need a pair of snips to cut the thread when you pull your project away from the needle. A pair of small snips like the ones linked above are what I love to use (instead of regular-sized scissors), because you can also use them to cut loose threads away from your project. The snips are just able to get a lot closer to the fabric than your shears will be able to.
6 x 24″ Ruler
Here’s the one I have: 6 x 24″ Ruler
Really the point here is that you have something to measure fabric with. I love my 6×24″ ruler because it’s great for cutting a straight line. Tape measures are great for measuring something like your waist, bust, etc. for dressmaking, but I like my ruler more for everyday use!
I also quilt a lot of my projects, and technically that’s what this ruler is for, but I use it for almost every project I work on.
Thread/Bobbins
My bobbins (varies from machine to machine): Bobbins
You’ll be using thread for every project you make, so I like to have a lot of neutral colors on hand. Unless I’m working on something where I’ll be using a contrasting top-stitch, I really just like to stick to the neutrals!
In your sewing machine, there’s a top thread and a bottom thread. These two meet down in the machine each time the needle passes through the fabric to create a stitch. The top thread will be visible on the top of your machine, but the bottom one will need to be wound periodically in your bobbin case. Having a few sets of bobbins on hand makes it easier when switching back and forth between colors.
Seam Ripper
Here’s the one I have – Seam Ripper
I almost forgot the most important thing – a seam ripper! This little gadget will be your best friend. I inevitably have to rip out at least one seam in every project I make, so I always make sure to keep one handy at all times.
The beauty of sewing is that most of the time, you can rip a seam out and start over – but the downside is that it’s easy to make simple mistakes like this, so you likely will end up ripping out a few seams!
How to Start Sewing?
I hope this was helpful for you all as just a jumping-off point equipment-wise. I know sewing can be so intimidating, but there are people all over the world learning how to do it too! My best piece of advice when starting sewing is to just start. Find a Youtube tutorial on something really simple and just go for it! Use resources along the way to troubleshoot different projects. You can even consult your local sewing shop for questions and help – they’re usually happy to help!
If you have any other questions about sewing or any recipes on my site, feel free to email me at sarah@sarahsdayoff.com or send a DM to me on Instagram and I’d be happy to chat with you!
Happy sewing 🙂
Love,
Sarah
“In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly father.” -Matthew 5:16-
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