Getting Started: Sewing Essentials
If you’re just getting started on your sewing journey and are ready to start investing in quality sewing tools, I’ve got you covered!
Let me start by introducing you to WaWak.
This is hands down the best place to shop online for sewing tools and notions, they have just about anything you could need and are usually a fraction of the cost compared to Amazon or a big box stores like Joann. I’m in no way affiliated with Wawak (I wish!), I simply just wanted to point you towards a good and cost effective resource.
My list
Sewing Machine:
Buying a sewing machine is such a big and personal decision. I recommend going to a local sewing store and working with someone who will help you find the perfect machine that will suite your sewing needs and ambitions, as well as your price range. The nice thing about buying from a local store is they can help you service your machine should you need a tune up and can usually answer any questions you might have about your machine. At Sew Club, we sew on a Viking Onyx 25 sewing machine purchased locally from Smith Owen Sewing & Quilt Center, this is a great entry level machine with no frills, but there are many great machines out there available in a wide rage of prices so I recommend exploring your options.
I promise there will be a time when you need to finish off a part of your garment with some slow hand sewing for either aesthetic or practical reasons (buttons, hand-basting, etc.). Having a small pack of hand sewing needles is essential, even if you don’t always end up using them with every project.
A soft measuring tape is needed to accurately measuring the curves of your body and determining what size garment you’ll make. Every sewist should have one handy.
Heavy-duty fabric scissors are key to a clean and professional looking garment. I’ve linked the scissors we use at Sew Club above, these are great high-quality scissors for an average price-point, but I recommend exploring all your scissor options, as there is a wide range of prices and style out there.
The tool you’ll need to un-do all the sewing you just did. Mistakes happen, but usually it’s nothing some seam ripper can’t fix.
The majority of patterns are going to require you mark your fabric in some way. I find disappearing ink pens work great on most fabric, however, It’s also a good idea to keep a white fabric marker on hand for marking darker fabrics and denims.
Pins are essential to line your fabric up neatly and hold it together as you sew. Glass head pins are great because you can iron over them if needed. You’ll also need a pin cushion to store your pins when not in use. I’ve personally always used a magnetic pin cushion because I love being able to just toss my pins aside when I’m in a sewing grove, but a classic pin cushion is a fraction of the cost and will work just as well too.
Sewing Clips are not technically essential, but they are personally essential to me. They are great for holding thick or slippery fabric together, but can also be used for your everyday sewing as an alternative to pins. They don’t have the poke factor of pins, so they are much more pleasant to work with in my opinion.
Rotary cutters are great for cutting straight and accurate lines with ease. They are also great for cutting out smooth curves. You’ll need a cutting mat if you plan to use a rotary cutter. I recommend going big for your cutting mat, as it gives you more workspace and will keep your tables and rotary blade safe from dings and damage.
A large quilting ruler is needed for making straight lines and is handy for doing accurate strip and long bias cuts.
A hot and steamy iron is key for making your projects come out with a professional and clean finish. As with most sewing tools, there is a wide spectrum of prices and quality when it comes to both an iron and ironing board, but I personally l believe you only need an entry level iron and ironing board to get you going; you can always upgrade down the line.
