As I plan my projects for the coming year, I am also thinking about the tools and equipment I will need to make these great projects. After our initial discussion of how to use the sewing machine, I always spend a fair amount of time on identifying the tools and equipment my sewers will be using in our classes. Besides a good working sewing machine and an iron and ironing board a beginning sewer will need certain tools and equipment to help them sew their projects. Sewing tools and equipment are also called sewing notions. You will find most of the items listed in the notion section of the sewing store. The sewing tools listed below are not the only tools that should be in your sewing stash but they are the basic ones, in my opinion, to get you started on your sewing journey. More tools will be introduced to you as you gain confidence in your sewing ability and move into trying new sewing skills which require new notions and tools to complete them.

So, let me tell you what’s in our beginner sewing tool bag:

Scissors

Good scissors are essential to any sewer for accuracy in cutting anything from threads to fabric. I prefer Gingher scissors but they are fairly expensive for my kids to purchase so I recommend Fiskars because of the ease of finding them in most sewing stores. Do not cut paper with any of the scissors or shears that cut fabric! Paper scissors are a must! For your tool kit you will need:

• small pair of scissors with approximately 5″ blades, preferably with rounded points, for snipping threads and clipping curves
• Paper scissors for cutting paper patterns
• 8″ Shears, for cutting out patterns

Pins

For myself or for my adult sewers, I recommend glasshead pins because they will not melt under the heat of the iron. For the kids and in my classroom I use a Long Pearlized Pin by Dritz. The kids like the colorful heads (which will melt) and their fingers are able to manipulate the long 1 and 1/2″ bodies.

Pincushion

Pincushions are a must to keep pins off the floor and not scattered everywhere on the tables. I usually have my young sewers make a square pincushion during the first lesson because it demonstrates the beginning techniques that we will learn. However, there are the traditional tomato pincushions in the sewing stores as well as several designer pincushions introduced each year.

Hand Sewing Needles

Hand sewing needles come in a variety of sizes and lengths depending on what you are trying to stitch. I usually recommend to my new students to get a variety pack of needles until they can familiarize themselves with the uses of each needle and decide on their favorites to use and have in their stash. With my younger students I usually use a general purpose sharp needle. However, if they are having trouble threading the needle I will let them try an embroidery needle (used with embroidery floss) with a bigger eye.

Tape Measure

A tape measure is a must for measuring the body or any other object for that matter and for measuring grain lines on pattern pieces to ensure the patterns are on the fabric correctly.

6″ Omnigrid Ruler for Measuring OR a Seam Gauge

I love the omnigrid rulers for ease of measurement. The increments are clear and concise. The ruler is 1″ wide. I also have these rulers in a variety of sizes and use them constantly!

Seam Ripper

This is a very valuable tool in your box of essential tools! They come in a variety of sizes and shapes; some are even erogonomic for your comfort. For my beginner sewers I recommend the inexpensive blue seam ripper.

Fabric Markers

There are so many fabric markers on the market. Different markers help you achieve different things. For instance, if I am doing heirloom lace work, I need a water erasible blue marking pen. However, for everyday marking, this home economist likes either a chacoliner or a tailor tack for her markings. A chacoliner has a wheel inside of its body. When the wheel is moved across the fabric it leaves a line of chalk to mark your fabric. I prefer yellow or white for best removal. The Chacoliners are by Clover and I sell them online. My most favorite type of marking for fabrics are tailor tacks.one with a double thread that is not knotted, several stitches are made, the loops are cut, and then the 2 pieces of fabric are slightly lifted apart and the threads cut. Sounds more difficult than it is to do but there are no markings left once the thread is pulled from the pattern piece. Try it!

Safety Pins

Safety pins are great to have to help thread elastic and ribbons through casings. I also like to use them to temporarily hold elastics in their place while fitting a garment. I usually have a box of safety pins in my stash for my sewers to use.

Thimble

Thimbles are great if you are hand sewing and don’t want to get your fingers pricked by the motion of the needle. I use a leather thimble because it feels less cumbersome. If you purchase a metal thimble, be sure to get one that fits the size of the finger you will be protecting.

Sewing  Basket, Drawstring Bag, or Plastic Box

Most of my sewers love choosing a sewing basket for their sewing tools. Bright and colorful, the baskets usually are in the notions section of most sewing stores but become plentiful around Christmas. In the schools I either carry the tools for the kids in my bag or have them make a drawstring bag and put their name on it for easy identification. A plastic box is also  suitable storage space for the sewing tools and notions that they will use during class. These are the tools that I require my beginner sewers to purchase for their use.