Now that fall is here, I feel like I finally have some time to get to some of my sewing projects. With all of the cool stuff on Pinterest, I don’t know how people can resist taking up sewing. And, I don’t know about you, but all things are soooo much easier if you have the right tools to do the job.
If you plan to take up sewing this year, or get back to it after a long season of digging in the dirt, here’s 10 must-haves for your sewing basket:
- Good shears. Seriously, this will save you a lot of heartache, misery, and fabric.
- Pins. Lots of them. And a pin cushion to hold them.
- Measuring tape.
- Seam ripper. Just in case–I’m sure I never make any mistakes, but I like to have it just in case. {Okay, I use it pretty much EVERY project!}
- Needles. Get a package with a couple of different sizes. For small projects or finishing a seam–unless you’re taking it old school and sewing everything by hand, in which case, I wish you the best.
- Pattern cutting board. At the very least, it gives you a huge flat surface to work on, and at the most, it really helps take the guess work out.
- Fabric marker. That way you can mark your fabric to your hearts content and it washes right out with cold water.
- Rotary cutter. This thing is a bit of a luxury, but it makes cutting so much faster and cleaner.
- Cutting mat and ruler. If you are only doing small projects, you can get away with omitting #6 and just getting these. They make cutting accurately a breeze.
- Fray check. Oh, Grandma would be jealous of this stuff. It is basically a clear glue that keeps frays at bay. {It works awesome on ribbon.}
What sewing projects are you working on right now? Did I miss anything?
~Mavis
SHARE:
mildred lane says
I have been in the process of repairing my comforter, quilt, and have made 2 totes from a favorite t shirt. Just sew across the bottom x2 for support, cut the neck and sleeves out larger than they are. This makes the handles. Handy, fast, easy, cheap, enjoy.
Lisa in IL says
while in theory a pin cushion is nice I just find them bothersome personally. I glued a magnet to the bottom of an old tea cup & that way while I’m sewing I’m not constantly fumbling with the pin cushion. I just drop them in the cup & they stay there. It’s also pretty to look at. I also lock my “good” scissor handles together with a key lock, only I know where the key is because sometimes the people that live with me think there isn’t a difference between cutting fabric & cutting paper. It’s the kiss of death for sewing shears I tell ya! Currently I’m working on pillows, aprons, & travel bags – lots of holiday gift sewing going on currently. Just finished a dog bed for my daughter’s 80 pound dog. The only thing I would add to your list is good lighting – makes a huge difference when trying to sew during the winter months.
mildred lane says
I have the magnet in my tin sewing basket to catch stray pins but love the teacup idea and will try it. thanks
Diana says
I’d add a steam iron, and ironing board/surface to the list of must-haves. An iron will smooth out a lot of seams that don’t look quite right at first. I too love the magnets for pins.
Ros says
I don’t use fray check – anything synthetic (most ribbons, etc) that I’d use it on can be stopped from fraying by waving the edges over a candle flame (carefully!) to singe the edges a bit, and that holds everything in perfectly. Cutting on a bias also works for most ribbons. Other than that, your list pretty much matches what I use on a regular basis – everything from mending to quilting to making baby clothing and housewares!
I also have 2 sewing machines – one that I bought a few years ago (flimsy, but light and easy to set up for quick sewing projects), and one that I just inherited from my grandmother (soooo heavy and hard to drag out, but much more resistant – I can quilt with this one, while the flimsy one balks at any material thicker than a light chambray cotton). I wouldn’t have bought a second one, but man am I glad to have it when I need to hem winter pants and bind quilts.
The purchase I’m dithering over is a serger. There’s a lot I’ve been buying that I could make myself with a serger (diapers, nursing pads, tshirts and anything made with stretchy fabrics, dresses, etc), and seams sewn with a serger to stay put a lot longer and need less mending… but they’re so pricey! If anyone has recommendations for sergers that work well and don’t cost the world, I’d appreciate!
Janet says
Is $200 too pricey? I saw that Joann’s Fabrics had one on sale for $199, regularly $299.
.
Ros says
Ooooh. I’ll go check that out! Thanks for the recommendation!
I’d been looking at the Brother that seems to be what every sewing blogger has… mostly because it seems functional and cheap, and I don’t know that I REALLY need more than that unless I start sewing a whole lot more than I have been!
Beverly says
My advice for a serger or sewing machine is to buy the very best you can afford and make sure that the parts and gears, etc. are metal and not plastic. A “cheap” one from Joann’s or wherever may not be your best investment. Also buy the very best thread, not that cheap stuff. The cheap stuff has so much lint that you are constantly cleaning out your machines and can actually cause needed repairs. That’s another thing, if you go to a reputable dealer for a machine, they will make repairs which are rarely needed. My machines are well over 20 years old and have a lot of miles on them.
Leanna says
About 18 years ago my husband bought me a Bernina serger ‘just because’ – no special occasion or anything. And he picked it out and brought it home as a surpise. I have to say that is a sewing tool I would hate to be without. The upfront cost was not cheap but in all those years I have had no problems with it, and my daughters and I use it alot.
mildred lane says
I am lucky enough to have a sewing area to leave my sewing machine up all the time. I use a t shirt cut off under the arms and hemmed w/ the bottom sewed together to slip over the machine to keep out the dust. So easy to just sit down and use. Ready at any time..
Janet says
Anyone know where I can buy bulk microbeads like the ones used in squishy pillows? My dogs love my big pillows but I haven’t been able to find them big enough on-line or locally which leads me to believe no one makes them big anymore. I will definitely have to try to make them myself. I’ve found the beads in bulk on eBay but they don’t specify the size of the bead so I’d like to see and feel them before I buy.
AnnDenee says
A good basic sewing machine for the beginner. Watch on craigslist and local fb buy/sell pages to pick on up for a decent price. I just picked up one that’s 15 years old, but in like new condition with a box of notions for $50.
And I’m in the (new) business of making custom pillowcases.
I keep my pins in a shallow dish after using both a pin cushion and magnet, and not being happy with them. I do like the idea of putting a magnet under my dish.
Thanks!
Leslie says
I’m a new sewist- this list is helpful. Thank you!