Important Tools for Beginners

In my classes students new to sewing often go out before the class and get all kinds of supplies they think the need to get started. Sewing kits are often sold with thread, scissors, pins and many other things, but often there are a few key tools that are missing or are so low quality that they are unusable. So I thought I would put together a list of beginning tools and where to get them, so you might be able to gather the key tools you need to succeed and not extras you don't need, or won't for a long time.

1. Sewing machine

   This is by far the most expensive tool you are going to invest in. Of course, you don't have to have a sewing machine to sew. People sewed for thousands of years before sewing machines were invented. However, it is a very useful tool. My personal favorite brand is Janome, because they are very dependable. If you find a machine secondhand or have one passed on to you, that's great, but remember these machines should probably be serviced by a mechanic to make sure they are functioning well after being stored for a long time.

2. Scissors

   The most important thing about scissors is how sharp they are. I suggest investing if you can, and getting a quality pair of scissors that are worth sharpening. Gingher is a brand that is well known and is not horribly expensive.

   
   

   

   Gingher brand scissors

   You can also get Fiskars fabric scissors for cheap and save up for a better pair later.

   
   

   

   fiskars brand scissors. They also have child size scissor if you need a pair for a young sewist.

   My first pair of fabric shears are now my paper scissors, because I had to save up for my nicer pair.

3. Pins

   I am very particular about pins. The price difference between good pins and bad pins isn't enough of a difference. Go for the good pins from the beginning. You want to get silk pins with glass heads. Silk pins are thin sharp pins that don't snag on fabric as you pin your pieces together. They make lining things up much easier. The glass head means you can iron over them without them melting. They are also just much more durable, since plastic heads with eventually fall off. You can get pins that are metal at the head, but I find these hard to handle because of the head shape. These are the ones I use.

4. Seam ripper

   There are two types you can get. First is a normal seam ripper that looks like this:

   
   

   

   Standard seam riper, comes with most sewing machines.

   They work well and are safer for your finger, but a lot of more experienced sewers prefer to use razor blades. This kind of razor blade to be specific:

   
   

   

   These are paint scraper razor blades and you can get them at hardware store.

   When you get used to it, it can be much faster and easier to take out long seams. I use the razor blades most often, however I do pull out my old school seam ripper every now and then.

5. Ruler

   A ruler is a tool that is often overlooked, but it's your main tool when altering patterns. When sewing clothes, you will be making adjustments and using the ruler to mark corrections on the pattern, and also on the garment if you are doing alterations. There are two types of rulers used in garment making. One is a basic straight ruler. The other is called a french curve. These are best when they are made of a see-through material. I recommend this one, which is both a curve and straight in one.

   
   

   

   This ruler has both a french curve and straight ruler included making things simpler.

6. Pattern paper

   I often do self-drafted patterns, but I also use store bought patterns as well. I use pattern paper for both. This is because I don't cut store bought patterns. I always trace them onto pattern paper. This is for two reasons. First, this allows you to use all of the sizes included in the pattern (which can be a lot). Second, the pattern paper I use is much more durable and less likely to be destroyed when handling more than a few times. The pattern paper I use is called Swedish pattern paper. It's a tracing paper made from cellulose, which makes it composable. A similar product is called Red Dot and it's nearly the same, but it has red dots in a 1" grid and is made from polyester fibers. Red Dot is also slightly more expensive.

7. Measuring tape

   Make sure you get a dress makers measuring tape (flexible not stiff). They come in two main styles: retractable and non-retractable. Both work perfectly well for garment making.

8. Pin cushion

   Any pin cushion will do, but you should have. Whether it's the classic tomato, or one you sewed together yourself, it doesn't matter as long as you have one. I find having several is useful, because it's nice to have one at your cutting table, and one by your sewing machine. I made one that velcros onto my sewing machine, and I love having one there! If you want ideas for DIY pin cushions check out my board for some of my favorite ideas.