CHAPTER 1: The 7 Sewing Essentials for Beginners (Reviews Updated 2022)

Best Sewing Essentials for Beginners

• you get overwhelmed,
• you get discouraged, and…
• you eventually quit.

How cheap is too cheap?

Beginner’s Sewing Essentials

Seam Ripper

A good pair of fabric scissors is essential.

A decent pair of embroidery scissors is a must-have.

To cut your sewing thread or multiply embroidery thread, you’ll need a good pair of embroidery scissors. The distinctive long sharp points let you snip threads in very tight spaces while maintaining a neat, fray-free cut. Because embroidery is a very exact form of sewing, special scissors are required to tidy up difficult-to-reach ends.

Scissors for pinking

Pinking shears are a type of pinking shears that are used to sew for novices.

Pinking scissors have saw-toothed blades rather than straight blades, allowing you to cut a fashionable zig-zagged line, but they also serve another purpose. If you’re using fabric with unfinished edges, cutting it will cause a lot of fraying. While pinking scissors can’t stop the cloth from fraying, the zig-zag pattern reduces the length of frayed threads, resulting in a cleaner finish.

Measurement tape

A tape measure is essential for all sewers, not just those learning to sew. One of the most crucial things you can do to assure the success of your project is to measure your cloth. “Measure twice, cut once,” as the old adage goes. The last thing you want is to make a lovely handcrafted outfit that is too small or too huge.

Rotary Cutter 

The moving circular blade of a rotary cutter helps you to cut curves more precisely. Your rotary cutters can cut through multiple layers of cloth at once, allowing you to quickly cut out pieces of the same form and size. They come in a variety of sizes and can be used for a variety of applications. Small rotary cutters, for example, are great for cutting out small, intricate curves, whereas large rotary cutters are ideal for cutting straight lines or larger, more broad curves fast.

Parchment paper/dryer sheets

Beginner sewing may not include appliqué right away, but once you’ve caught the bug, it won’t be long before you give it a shot. Dryer sheets, which are used in the dryer, are a handy little trick for quick appliqué. Regular parchment paper can be used, but it is thicker and less malleable than drier sheets.

To get started with dryer sheet applique, here are a few pointers:

• Make a pattern on the dryer sheet by tracing your design.
• Place the sheet, right side up, on top of your fabric.
• Sew around the pattern using a sewing machine, stitching the dryer sheet to the fabric.
• Remove the excess fabric from your stitched pattern by making a rough cut around it.
• Using a snip, make a small hole on the dryer sheet.
• Turn the fabric inside out by pushing it through the holes.
• The dryer sheet is sandwiched between the cloth and the backing now.
• All of the raw edges are tucked beneath the fabric facing to prevent applique shredding.
• Have fun appliquéing!

Quilting ruler in squares

A square ruler is an essential piece for your sewing beginners kit if you want to try your hand at quilting. This is the sewing industry’s version of a scientific calculator, unlike any other ruler you’ve ever seen. It may appear intimidating at first, but the grids, numbers, and varied angles are written on the ruler’s face are all intended to help you and guarantee that each piece of fabric fits together properly.

Pin holder made of magnets

You can acquire a regular pin cushion, but a sewing community member told me that a magnetic pin holder is far more useful. Rather than wasting time looking for misplaced pins on the floor — or aggravatingly discovering them later! – use a magnet to grab them all in one simple flourish.

Washable markers or chalk

You’ll have to mark your cloth at some point, either to indicate where to cut or to map out your sewing lines. You obviously won’t be able to use a standard pen, so invest in some chalk or washable marker pens that won’t destroy your fabric.

Band-Aids / Thimbles

When working with sharp objects, it’s not surprising that you might prick your finger. It’s not a major issue, but if you start bleeding all over your beautiful cloth, you’ve got a problem. When hand stitching, use a thimble and carry a supply of band-aids in your beginner sewing kit just in case!

Gauge for seams

It’s a must-have sewing tool for novices because it’s used to mark and measure widths. It is more dependable than regular measuring tape because it is straight, durable, and usually comes with an adjustable notch. One of the most common uses is to measure hem widths, buttonhole widths, and other details. The center slider, which allows you to precisely mark your spot, is the major feature that distinguishes this from a standard ruler.

Mat for cutting

I recommend investing in a self-healing cutting mat if you don’t want to ruin your table. Yes, they protect your surfaces, but they also feature marks, angles, and measures to help you cut the fabric precisely. You can purchase a basic one that’s good for beginners, but it’s worth looking for a decent one that lasts longer so you don’t have to replace mats every couple of years.

Threader for needles

It’s possible that this will become your new favorite thing ever. Gone are the days of delicately feeding a thread through the eye of a needle while licking the tip of a thread and pressing one eye shut. This tiny beauty takes care of everything for you.

Fabric selection for a sewing project

The last thing on my list is a collection of fabric samples, which are only limited by your own creativity. 

The Perfect Sewing Setup for Newbies

With the following 7 items:

1. Thread
2. Needle
3. Sewing Machine
4. Patterns
5. Notions and Supplies
6. Storage
7. Accessories

What you have is a simple working sewing setup, perfect for anyone just starting out with home sewing.

And here’s why:

1. It allows you to start ASAP with a minimal investment in both time and money.
2. More importantly…it’s the perfect foundation to build upon later as your skills mature.