Beginner’s Sewing Tools
Let me help you skip the headache of figuring out what you need as a beginner sewist. Back when I started my sewing journey I took lots of trips to the fabric store, it was a roulette game of trying to figure out what I needed as I kept working on a sewing pattern. Here are a few that are obvious and some that are not.
Common Sewing tools for beginners
Sharp pair of scissors - A good sharp pair of scissors will be something you will use every single time. Not only will you cut fabric but threads and such. You want to make sure you pick a pair that is used exclusively to cut fabric. Do not use them for anything else like cutting out a paper pattern because you want to make sure your scissors stay sharp. You don’t need an expensive pair of scissors, an 8” seamstress scissors will do the job. I like Fiskars 8” scissors. They are inexpensive and lightweight. If you are left-handed they also have them in stock. When the blade gets dull you can either get them sharpened but I usually just get a new pair and keep the old ones in case I need to cut thru fabrics that may dull the blade such as sequins, fur or silk.
Rotary Cutter and Cutting Mat- I love scissors but I do have to say I use my rotary cutter most often as my hands don’t get tired as much as with cutting with scissors. They come in different widths I usually use a 45mm width but they are handy when you have a lot of fabric to cut. They are sharp so watch out with that blade. Use a rotary cutter with a self healing mat. I have something similar to this rotary cutter by Fiskars and I replace the blade once it gets dull.
Beginner’s Sewing Machine - You don’t need an expensive machine to learn how to sew. You just need a machine that can stitch straight, zig zag stitch, that can do a buttonhole and that can do reverse stitch so you can lock in your stitches. Janome and Brother has excellent beginner’s sewing machines. Or ask someone in your family if they have a sewing machine you can borrow. You would be surprised how just about everyone has one laying in their home that goes unused.
Measuring Tape - You will use this constantly to measure yourself, measure a pattern, measure fabric. They are sold rather inexpensively at the fabric store or online. I get mine for 0.99 cents and I replace it every year or so as plastic measuring tapes they tend to stretch over time which is not so great when you want accurate measurements.
Seam Ripper - I hate to say this but as much as you will sew seams, you will rip a fair share of them too. Most sewing machines have a little seam ripper included but I’m telling you right now its worth getting another one because you will use it. I have this beauty by Clover and my trusty seam ripper from my sewing machine. They both get some quality use.
Thread snips - Ive had my black Silhouette Studio Carta thread scissors for quite a long time and they are easy to find around my sewing space. They are used for precision cutting. Used when you want to cut some of those long threads after machine sewing or hand sewing. I keep them close to my sewing machine and I use them often. You don’t need anything this expensive there are some other great options like Fiskars Thread Snips.
Tracing Wheel and Tracing Paper - You will need this when working with sewing patterns. Some times you just don’t want to cut into that paper pattern, you will want to trace the pattern into your fabric, in comes the tracing wheel and tracing paper to get the job done.
Tailor’s Chalk or Water Solube Marking Pencil - perfect to mark notches or markings onto your fabric. After you are done you can dust it right off or it will disappear once you wash your finished garment. Make sure you test it first on a piece of scrap fabric before you use it. Some prefer tailor’s chalk and other such as myself prefer a water soluble chalk pencil.
Sewing Gauge - Perfect to measure seam allowances and make sure you are hemming dress, pants, sleeves or skirts all in the same length. I’ve had my Dritz sewing gauge for quite some time.
Hand sewing needles, thimble and glass headed pins - Inevitably every now and then you will have to hand sew seams, a thimble so you don’t puncture your fingers hand sewing some thick seams and glass headed pins so you can pin fabric together before you sew it on the sewing machine.
Iron and Ironing Board - Press those seams after you sew them each and every single time. It makes a huge difference. Make sure you can control the steam and temperature but any home iron will do. Not only useful to press those seams but also perfect to iron those wrinkled paper patter before you set them on your fabric.
So this is it, it seems like a lot but I promise you, you will use these tools all the time. There are many others such as bodkin (aka loop turner), yard stick, clear see thru ruler, French curve, bias tape maker, point turner, jean-a-ma-jig and tailor’s ham but for now those can wait. Sewing doesn’t have to be an expensive hobby. You can find many of these items at a lower price ( wait for those sales! ) or better yet try to find some of these at a thrift store.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. What the heck does that mean?! It means that if you click on the links above and you make a purchase I earn a small commission from it.
