17 Sewing Kit Must-haves | Bernina Sew N' Quilt Studio
Everyone who’s made sewing into a hobby, a habit or a trade can provide a list of the tools they consider essential to every project they take up. However, when it comes down to it, whether you’re just starting out or you were born with a thimble on your thumb, there are some items that are truly indispensable in any sewing kit.
If you are on the newer side of a pastime spent in stitches, here are 17 items you’ll want to be sure are in your sewing kit.
Fortunately, most of these aren’t likely to break the bank. In fact, unless you were lucky enough to be handed down a family heirloom, there’s a decent chance the box you buy to keep all this stuff in could cost more than any one thing on this list.
Your Sewing Essentials
The Scissors
Straight Scissors: Don’t go for just any pair; opt for one that is obviously sturdy enough to stand up to hopefully years of projects with comfortable handles. You’ll use them a lot, so you want to be sure you don’t mind.
Bent Handle Shears: You’ll want a pair with sharp blades, comfortable handles (this is a theme), and well-balanced weight that make it easier to hold and use them. They’re used for cutting fabric laid flat on your workspace.
Pinking Shears: This is the pair you’ll have to keep out of the hands of any children who might be around because they make fun patterns in materials they cut. For fabrics, their zigzag cuts help prevent fraying.
Embroidery Scissors: Used for cutting off loose threads, these small snippers are especially useful when you’re using a sewing machine.
The Pointy Things
Sewing Needles: This one is a no-brainer, but smart stitchers go for sets that include multiple sizes of “sharps” because you never know. They’re designed for specific work and types of fabrics, so make sure you have the ones you need for the work at hand.
Straight Pins: Indispensable for a wide array of tasks, including holding patterns to fabric, holding seams and gathering the cloth, where necessary. Opt for some with larger heads that are easier to grasp.
Safety Pins: Not every sewer relies on these, but those who do swear by them. They’re a little more dependable than straight pins since they clasp and are less likely to stick you.
Pin Cushion: The next two are really for managing the pointy things, obviously. Pin cushions provide an easy way to manage needles and those with wrist bands can keep those close-at-hand when you need them.
Thimbles: Thimbles are worn over the tips of fingers used to push needles into the fabric, work that can otherwise be very painful. These come in multiple sizes, designs and materials, so you can find one that works perfectly for each task.
Hand Tools
Tape Measure: The trusty, soft tailor’s measure will come in handy for any measuring you have to do of people’s bodies. Measure twice, cut once.
Clear Ruler: These typically flexible measures make it possible to keep an eye on previous measurement markings as you make new ones.
Tailor’s Chalk: This chunky writing utensil saves your measurements, then kindly disappears when the project is done.
Seam Ripper: For those uh-oh moments, these are used to pull out stitches in seams that go wrong.
Seam Gauge: Hopefully a tool to help reduce the work of the seam ripper. Set the slider to the appropriate measurement and use the open area to mark the fabric with your chalk.
The Elements
Thread: The longer you sew, the more thread you’re likely to have. That’s good news.
Buttons: If you did get a hand-me-down sewing kit, you may also be incredibly lucky to find it includes an old cigar box or other vessel filled with buttons saved from projects and discarded garments.
Zippers: Critical closures for countless openings.
If you’re ready to pick up essentials or need more advice on sewing essentials and how to use them, come see us at Bernina Sew N’ Quilt Studio or call us today!