The 5 Essential Sewing Tools for Beginners
If you’re ready to embark on your first sewing journey, there are a few tools you’re going to need along the way. As a beginner sewer or sewist, browsing through all the sewing tools that you see around yourself can get so overwhelming. So we made a simple list of absolute essentials that you can keep in your kit. Investing in the right tools from the start, will make the sewing process so much easier, hassle-free and more pleasant. That's what we all want, no?
1. A SEAM RIPPER
Seam ripper: Mistakes do happen to the best of us – and this little tool can be of big help during those tough times. It removes stitches easier, more precisely, and faster than using scissors. Also allows you to fix those seam allowance errors, take apart pieces that shouldn’t have been sewn together, remove basting stitches, and open buttonholes. Trust us - this tiny tool is going to be super handy in your kit!
“A seam ripper can be your best friend and your worst enemy - use it wisely”
Invest in one that comes with a sturdy and comfortable handle.
It is always a good idea to have more than one seam ripper in your sewing space.
Invest in one that comes with a sturdy and comfortable handle.
It is always a good idea to have more than one seam ripper in your sewing space.
2. FABRIC MARKERS
Marking pens: These are going to be your best friends to get a clean and professional output from your project. Forget the traditional chalk - and make sure to invest in something that will help you mark cleaner and more precise lines!
There are 2 kinds of pens that you can use:
Heat erasable fabric marking pens: Want your lines to simply disappear with a little heat? Then check out these pens! These are best for intricate lines as they come with a sharp tip.
Chalk marking pens: You can use chalk but in a more modern way with our chalk marking pens. Achieve more defined lines with the amazing technology of these pens
Read more about different fabric markers in this blog where I compare different types of temporary markers.
3. FABRIC SCISSORS
A sturdy pair of fabric scissors or shears: These can prove to be the best tool in your sewing kit! The longer the blade, the more fabric can be cut with a single cutting stroke, so choose the longest blade that fits most comfortably in your hand.
4. SEWING PINS
Some pins and a pincushion: The perfect pin for beginning sewing is the simple glass headpin. These pins are about average length, have a sharp point, and have heads made of glass that will not melt if you accidentally forget to remove them before ironing your project. These pins will help you mark up your projects with pins while the pincushion will help keep your desk organized (And also keep you free from those pin injuries!)
5. A SEAM GUIDE
A seam guide is an absolute must-have, believe me! And this is not just for beginners: No matter how experienced you are: seams (as in accurate seams) can be seriously intimidating. This is where a magnetic seam guide will help you out. Position this little metal magnet at the seam allowance you need, and use the guide to sew straight all along that edge. Sewing a straight and consistent line will become such a breeze with this tool! Attach and reposition it on the metal throat plate of your sewing machine as much as you want, and you’re results will improve drastically!
As a beginner it is not always easy to know what tools are a must and what tools are optional. You don't know what you will need for the projects you have in mind. And maybe it changes. You can start with sewing pillow cases and then notice quilting is your thing. The five tools we listed in this blog are for every stitcher, every sewist, every quilter, however you refer to yourself in the sewing craft space.
Do let us know if you think any other essentials should be added to this list! 😊
An
Blogging for Madam Sew
12 comments
This is so true I had a double pair of scissors it was the worst thing in the world
Excellent tools love them all.
A small tape with hook to attach to the front side of the machine to hold small scissors so you are not always looking for them as we use them so often.
FYI – I ordered the quilt storage bag from you – using my credit card – and it prompted a Fraud Alert phone call to me. It seems that the item comes from out of the US so my credit card was put on hold until I verified the purchase.
I thought you might want to know that this is happening.
Jus
I do have everyone of those tools and they are used all the time.