Let us consider the equipment and tools you will need to get started on the road to sewing.
EQUIPMENT: (You do not need all of these items immediately, especially if you are a beginner. The ones you absolutely need right away have *) You can purchase a basic sewing kit that has most of these items in it, including the scissors.)
- *Sewing Machine: Search Amazon.com for sewing machinesThere are a lot of sewing machines to choose from. There are basic sewing machines, embroidery machines, quilting machines, combination (sewing/embroidery/quilting) machines, computerized, etc. There is no reason for you to go out and buy the most expensive sewing machine you can find, with a lot of features you know you're not going to use, and believe me there are some sewing machines out there that are expensive and have a whole lot of features you may never use. On the other hand, if your goal is to learn and use all of these features in your sewing adventures, then, go ahead and make a list of all the features you want to utilize and shop around for a machine that has as many of those features as possible. As for the feature(s) that you would like, but the machine does not come with them, see if you might me able to purchase an attachment for your machine that performs that function. Study your owner's manual and get familiar with the features and the options.If you purchase a used sewing machine, ask the owner for the owner's manual. If they do not have one, maybe you can find one either from the manufacturer or online.
- Serger: Search Amazon.com for serger machineThere is nothing like a nice serged edge on your garments. Also, you can actually serge an entire garment/outfit. A serger sews, finishes your edges and cuts, all in one. If you haven't used a serger, you're in for a big surprise.
- *Iron: Search Amazon.com for Iron.Many people may think that an iron is not really necessary, but it is. A good quality iron is just as important as the sewing machine. You must iron or press almost as much as you sew. This is a key factor in making a beautiful, professional-looking garment as opposed to one that just looks "homemade."
- *Ironing board: Search Amazon.com for ironing boardIf you are going to be doing a lot of sewing, especially for other people, buy the larger ironing board. There is a lot more room, and the padding is nice and thick.
- *Scissor/Shears. Search Amazon.com for sewing scissors professional, Nice, sharp scissors are a must. If scissors are not very sharp, they will ruin your fabric, and it takes a lot more time and muscle. Also, when you want to clip or snip, you don't want to inadvertently cut the garment instead. Pinking or Scalloping shears. These are used for finishing seams and raw edges. They will make the edges ravel-resistant.
- *Seam Ripper. Search Amazon.com for seam ripperA seam ripper is used to take out unwanted thread and seams.
- *Tracing Paper. Search Amazon.com for tracing paper. You will use this to make any marked instructions, such as, darts, buttonholes, etc. (They will be marked, mainly, with a tracing wheel.) Also, a marking pencil for those straight lines and other markings.
- *Tracing wheel. Search Amazon.com for tracing wheelThis is used for marking on material
- Taylor's chalk. This is used in marking lines on your fabric and fitting alterations.
- *Needles. Search Amazon.com for sewing needlesYou will need to purchase a supply of needles. Both machine needles and hand needles. For hand sewing, the higher the number, the finer the needle. --For machine sewing, the lower the number, the finer the needles. Sharps are very good needles to use; they are the most common. If you will be sewing knits, use a ball point needle. If sewing leather and vinyl, you must avoid making holes in the fabric; therefore, use wedge point needles.
- Extra bobbins that fit your sewing machine.
- *A tape measure is used for taking body measurements and other measuring. Search Amazon.com for sewing tape measure
- A yardstick is used in measuring hem lengths, and laying your pattern on the straight of grain. If you use a wooden yardstick, make sure that it is smooth; otherwise, it may snag your fabric. Metal is also available. Search Amazon.com for sewing yardstick
- *A hem/sewing gauge is a ruler with a movable indicator. You will need this or a plain 6" ruler for marking hems, spacing buttonholes, and measuring other small areas. Search Amazon.com for sewing hem gauge
- Skirt marker. This is used for marking hems and skirt lengths. The one with the chalk is better, because you don't need anyone to help you. Search Amazon.com for skirt marker
- French curve. Used for drawing curves or transferring curves (i.e., necklines, armholes, etc.) Search Amazon.com for sewing french curve
- Sleeve board. This is used when pressing hard-to-reach areas, such as, sleeve seams, sleeve caps, shoulder seams, etc. Search Amazon.com for sleeve board
- Tailor's ham. I really like this one. You will use this for pressing curved seams, sleeve caps, darts, etc. Search Amazon.com for tailor's ham
- *Press cloths are a must when pressing on the right side of your fabric. You never want to scorch your fabric or garment, or make it shine because of the heat. There are several items you can use for a press cloth. Search Amazon.com for sewing pressing cloth
- You can use a piece of the material you will be pressing.
- You can use washed muslin. It must be natural, not bleached.
- For wool fabrics, you will need a wool press cloth used with steam.
- You can buy specially treated press cloths.
- If you want a press cloth for just about everything, you need to buy t double-faced cloth which is cotton on one side and wool on the other side.
- *Don't forget the pins. Fine, sharp dressmaker pins are the best ones to use. Just make sure you buy rust proof pins. I have made the mistake of just going to the store and picking up the first pins I saw. Well, first of all, they did not go into the fabric well; thus, causing a few snags. Also, they made marks on my white material. What a shame! What a shame! The ones with the colored heads are nice because they are very easy to see and grip. The long pins are better to use when working with heavy material. Search Amazon.com for sewing pins
- *There are many types of pin cushions. These will hold your pins while sewing, pinning fabric, pressing, etc. I like to use the ones that fit on the wrist, because your pins are always there--when pinning, pressing, sewing and other tasks. Search Amazon.com for pin cushion
- An emory bag is used for cleaning your pins. The little tomato pin cushion has a little emory bag attached to it already.
- When you are doing hand sewing, one of the best instruments to use is the thimble. The thimble protects your finger when pushing the needle through the fabric; otherwise, you might get sore, hurting, bleeding fingers. If you have long fingernails, there is an open-top thimble just for you.
- *Thread. When buying thread, you should buy it one shade darker than your fabric; therefore, you should take your material with you to the store or buy it at the same time. Also, the fiber content should be similar to the material. The thread most often used is, mercerized cotton and cotton-wrapped polyester. Nylon thread is very strong, but it is the one most difficult to work with. Polyester thread is stretchable and it is good to use on knits. Silk thread is used on silk and sometimes on wool. Search Amazon.com for sewing thread
- Beeswax is used to give your thread added strength and causes it not to tangle when sewing on buttons, hemming, etc. Search Amazon.com for sewing beeswax
- A point turner is a small, flat, wooden tool with a pointed end used for pushing out corners of collars and other pointed items. The round end is used to open and flatten seam allowances before pressing. Search Amazon.com for sewing point turner
- A loop turner is a long, thin, metal tool with a hook on the end for turning bias tubing, cording, etc. Search Amazon.com for sewing loop turner