Basic Sewing Essentials
Measure, mark, cut, sew!
Multipurpose Sewing Clips
After poking myself one too many times with pins I decided to try out sewing clips years ago. Pins are still needed sometimes, but the majority of the time I use these sewing clips to clip/pin fabric pieces together while sewing. These are especially great for kids because you don't have to worry about injuries from pins or broken sewing machine needles from accidently hitting a traditional pin. I would HIGHLY recommend! Plus they come in a super cute little tin! AND they are wonderful for keeping toddlers busy while you sew.
Quilters Ruler
A quilters ruler is important for measuring and making straight cuts with a rotary cutter. I like this size and brand for my general use.
Soft Measuring Tape
Essential for taking body measurements when making clothing! They are inexpensive so buy a couple, they always go missing or get stollen by my littles for play, haha.
You should never go by your ready to wear size when choosing a pattern size. Always use body measurements to choose your size. The great thing about making your own clothing is that you can blend together multiple sizes to get the best fit for your (or your child's) body. Something you can learn in our beginning knit clothing lesson!
Hot Hem Ruler
I'm a big fan of everything I've purchased from Madam Sew. In my experience they have consistently great products for sewing. Pressing/ironing is SO important in sewing if you want to get a nice clean finished product. This Hot Hem Ruler is great for getting consistent hems by allowing you to iron directly on the ruler. Just fold your raw fabric edge over the ruler to the desired hem width and iron. Super easy and helpful!
Fabric Marking Pens
You will need something to mark your fabric that is not permanent. I really like these pens because the different color options are great for marking on light or dark fabric.
Great for Kids!
For kids, washable markers or a pencil work well for marking on fabric. My 7 year old daughter has an easier time cutting out pattern pieces when I trace the shape onto the fabric with a marker or pencil and she can cut it out herself without the pattern piece sitting on top.
Fabric Cutting Tools
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Fabric Scissors
Click here to see on Amazon!The shape of these scissors makes them great for cutting out fabric while it's laying on a flat surface with pattern pieces on top.
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Rotary Cutter
Click here to see on Amazon!A rotary cutter is an important tool for accurately cutting out fabric pieces. I use the OFLA brand of rotary cutters and blades. They have consistent cut quality, but BE CAREFUL you can cut yourself really easily/deeply with a rotary cutter. I don't recommend them for kids, or would recommend having kids wear protective gloves if using them.
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Cutting Mat
Click here to see on Amazon!Especially important when you're using a rotary cutting tool! I use this large mat for cutting out all of my pattern pieces
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Fabric Scissors
Click here to see on Amazon!These fabric scissors are a good size for kids (and anyone). For longer lasting use it's important to only use your fabric scissors for fabric.
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Seam Rippers & Thread Snippers
Click here to see on AmazonSeam rippers are another essential for sewing. You will make mistakes! I like this set because it's good bang for your buck. Great for getting started and the little pouch helps keep these smaller tools organized.
Machines We Use/Recommend
In my opinion great beginner machines are the ones that are the least expensive while still being reliable and having all necessary stitch features. A machine shouldn't be prohibitively expensive to get started but you also don't want something so cheap it is unreliable and frustrating to use.
Computerized Sewing Machine
This Brother CS7000X is one of the machines we have for students to use at The Sewing Room, and another similar machine that is the older version of this model. These are great started machines as they are on the inexpensive side for sewing machines while still being high quality and including all the stitch options you will likely need. These machines should last you for years of sewing. I especially like these machines for the ability to set the speed to slow, which is helpful for kids and beginners.
Great Beginner Machine
This is another great beginner machine due to the low price combined with quality and stitch options. I highly recommend purchasing a machine that has a "lightening bolt stitch" as this is my preferred stretch stitch to use for sewing knits on a standard sewing machine.
Serger Machine
I really like the Juki brand of sergers and coverstitch machines. In my experience Juki machines are very reliable and consistent. Mine are still going strong after many years. This is a great starter machine!
Coverstitch Machine
Not a beginner essential, but very nice to have if you are making a lot of knit clothing. A Coverstitch Machine creates the nice double line hem stitch you see on manufactured t-shirts and other knit fabric clothing. If you don't have a coverstitch machine you can use a double needle on a regular sewing machine to simulate this stitch, or you can use a zigzag stitch. You should not finish hems on knit fabric items with a straight stitch as it will break when the fabric is stretched.