Sewing has been a favorite pastime for many generations and continues to inspire more each time they first sit at a sewing machine. After you find the perfect sewing machine for you it's time to gather the tools you need to start creating.
There are many tools out there and it can be a little overwhelming to choose which ones you need. Check out this helpful list of tools you for your very first sewing toolkit.
1. Needles: Your machine comes with needles to get you started, but there are a variety of needles available for each project or fabric type. Your machine manual will let you know what type of needle you should use for a specific fabric or technique. We recommend changing our your needle every 6-8 hours of use or after every project.
2. Pins: We recommend using glass heads. These provide better visibility and quality when holding seams together while you are stitch or basting layers together for a quilt. Other pin options are ball point silk and extra long sharp pins that will not bend.
3. Scissors: There are a few different types of scissors you need in your kit. The first is the standard paper cutting scissors. The second is fabric scissors. They are designed to cut through fabric easily and should not be used to cut paper. You may also be interested in a pair of bent handled dressmaker shears - the lower half of the blade lays flat on the cutting surface in addition to the sharpness of the blades. A good pair of pinking shears is a great way to finish the edge of a seam or create a decorative look. Here's a pro-tip: tie a scrap piece to the fabric and dressmaker shears.
4. Thread: Just like needles there are various types of thread. Depending on the type of project you are creating, you will need a quality thread to keep your project intact to enjoy for years to come. We recommend having neutral colors like black, white, brown, and grey thread always at the ready. You may also consider selecting colors that blend with your project fabric.
5. Tape Measure: Their primary use is for taking body measurements. However, this flexible tool can also be used for measuring fabric, positioning paper patterns, checking hem depths, and drafting patterns.
6. Marking Tools: There are various marking tools available depending on what project you are creating. We recommend tailors chalk, fabric marking pens, or chalk marker. Take your fabric type into consideration before selecting your marking tool.
7. Bobbins: While your machine comes with bobbins, it is always a good idea to have a few empty ones to spare. Make sure to select the right type bobbins that fit your machine. Most domestic machine models take Class 15 bobbins, but there are other options. Check your machine manual for additional details on the correct size.
8. Binder Clips: Unlike pins, binder clips are ideal for securing fabric layers. They come in several sizes (small, medium, and large) and are ideal for securing fabric layers. They also are great fabrics like leather and cork where you don't want to damage the material with pin marks.
9. Thread Snips: Even though most machines are equipped with thread cutters, it is always handy to have a pair next to your sewing machine to remove stray threads.
10. Iron: Our in-house experts always say pressing makes all the difference. A good press provides a clean and crisp appearance to your finished project. Depending on the project, you may want to press as you go. There are different iron options varying from steaming, heat settings, size, and more. Finding an iron to match your needs will make pressing easy. Make sure also to have an ironing board or pressing mat available.
11. Seam Ripper: Mistakes happen! It's a good idea to have a seam ripper handy if you need to rip out a few stitches or a row of stitches. While your machine may come with a basic seam ripper there are many on the market that fit every need, so make sure to search for “seam ripper” to view all the options available.
12. Pin Cushions: Since pins are small, sharp objects, you will need a designated spot to place them when not in use. You can use a common tomato pincushion, magnetic pin dish, or a wrist pin cushion.
13. Rotary Cutter: One last handy tool you should have in your sewing tool kit is a rotary cutter. Primarily used by quilters to cut fabric, this handy tool is great for cutting straight lines, around curves, and shapes. They are available in several sizes, so make sure to select the one that is right for the project you are working on. You will also need a cutting mat to protect your table from the sharp cutter's blade. An optional tool to help achieve the perfect cut line is a ruler designed to be used with a rotary cutter.
