From rudimentary to sophisticated tools, you never run out of options in the sewing world. However, if you are starting your sewing journey, you will not need all these tools. Some include the must-have tools, as others are supplementary or just for fun. To choose the right set of basic sewing tools for beginners, you need to know the purpose of each tool. But can I tell the purpose of each sewing tool in one day?
We are aware of your starting journey. It has been said a journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. Keeping this in mind, we have done the tough work for you. With deep consideration of every tool’s purpose, ease of use, and availability, we have brought you a list of the most basic sewing tools for beginners.
Read on to learn about these tools, how they work and much more.
Basic Tools For a Sewing Machine
You may have acquired a sewing machine or received one as a gift, but you have no idea of the right tools to use with the machine. Here are the basic sewing tools for beginners that you can use with the machine.
1. Bobbin
Most machines will come with this tool. But if you receive a machine without, you can purchase one at an affordable price. The bobbin is crucial for holding the thread below the sewing machine needle. In simple terms, the bobbin is the tool that feeds thread for stitching.
Read Also: How to Load a Bobbin in a Sewing Machine
2. Screwdriver
A screwdriver is another must-have tool for sewing when using a machine. This tool is responsible for changing the needles. You can also use this tool to disassemble and assemble the machine to expose the machine’s inner parts when doing a cleanup.
3. Sewing Machine Oil
This is also one of the sewing essentials for beginners that most sewists forget. Since the machine has some moving parts, keeping them in the best working condition is essential. This is why machine oil is necessary for lubricating these parts regularly.
4. Duster
This is another essential tool necessary for keeping the sewing machine in the best working condition. The duster is used for cleaning lint from the machine. Most machines come with specialized dusters for this purpose.
However, you can also employ your old toothbrush for this purpose.
Basic Sewing Tools For Measuring
There are those things a beginner sewer needs most in their sewing arsenal. Measuring tools are one of them. Some experienced sewists tend to estimate lengths when cutting fabrics or thread. But this is not advisable.
To avoid costly mistakes and make accurate measuring in your sewing projects, you need some measuring tools. Here are the essential measuring tools for beginners you will require.
5. Tape Measure
A tape measure is crucial in making more accurate cuts in your fabrics or other materials involved in your sewing projects. You may opt for a 60-inch or 120-inch tape measure. You can also find a tape measure labeled in centimeters on one side and inches on the other side.
If you want a product that will last, go for the tape measure with metal ends. This type of tape measure are sturdy and resist stretching.
6. Clear Ruler
A clear ruler is also one of the sewing essentials for beginners. The tool is used for drawing straight parallel or perpendicular lines on fabrics. In addition, it is crucial when making seam allowances and drafting patterns.
7. Seam Gauge
This measuring tool is responsible for making more accurate measuring. With its central sliding gauge, you can adjust it to make marking easier when working on your fabric.
The seam gauge is 6 inches long made from metal material. It is ideal for accurate checking of hems and seam allowance.
8. Button Guide
Probably working with buttons is one of the common projects beginners engage in. To make your work easier and more accurate, you need a button guide. This tool is essential for determining the exact size of a button.
Essential Sewing Tools For Cutting
The greater part of sewing involves cutting fabric to get suitable pieces. This demands an appropriate tool that does the job perfectly. There is a wide range of cutting tools.
Unfortunately, most sewists use the wrong tool for cutting purposes. Check out the essential sewing tools for cutting below and their use.
9. Sewing Scissors
These are the common scissors used by machine sewists and hand sewists. The tool is cheap and can be used easily by any beginner. However, avoid using the scissors on cutting other materials such as paper to keep its blades sharp.
10. General-Use Scissors
General use scissors is an excellent option to keep in your sewing arsenal for cutting purposes. Instead of using your sewing scissors in cutting materials that are not fabric, you can keep this tool in hand.
For example, the general-use scissors can be used in cutting metallic trims, zippers, papers and plastic.
11. Bent Scissors
The bent scissors are designed with a bent lower blade. The blade is intentionally bent to keep both blades parallel to the table when cutting fabric. This gives you more cutting precision.
12. Tailor’s Scissors
Although the Tailor’s scissors work the same as the sewing scissors, the Tailor’s scissors are heavier than the sewing scissors. These scissors are made from sturdy metal.
They also contain a tapered, pointed blade. If you want durable scissors that will stay sharp for long, you might find these scissors the best option.
Must Read: 10 Different Types of Scissors for Sewing
Basic Sewing Machine Tools For Marking
Sewing is an art. Before you start sewing, you will need to make some markings on the fabric. This will also help you avoid wasting your fabric and time mending your mistakes.
Marking tools work hand in hand with measuring tools in most sewing projects. Check out the basic sewing tools for beginners below necessary for appropriate marking.
13. Tailor’s Chalk
When marking your fabric, one of the main things to consider is to avoid making permanent marks. With this in mind, most sewists find the Tailor’s chalk an ideal marker in their projects.
The tool comes in various shapes and colors. With the Tailor’s chalk, you can make marks on fabric that you can easily rub off using your fingers. The only limitation with this tool is it cannot mark multiple layers of fabric at the same time.
14. Disappearing Ink
This is another basic marking tool you can opt for as you begin your sewing journey. Different from the Tailor’s chalk, Disappearing ink evaporates, disappearing by itself after a certain time.
Alternatively, you can use a damp cloth to remove it from your fabric. It is recommended to test this ink on a scrap of fabric before using it on your fabric.
15. Water-Soluble Marking Pencil
This is the most common fabric marking pencil available in the market. The pencil comes in two colors. That is blue and white. To have a wider precision over your fabric, you can acquire both colors.
The blue water-soluble marking pencil is ideal for making marks on light-colored fabrics. On the other hand, the white marking pencil is used on dark colored fabric.
Also, test these pencils on a scrap piece of fabric before using them to ensure that you can remove the marks after completing your project.
16. Tailor’s Tacks
This is another excellent option for marking your fabric for more accurate sewing. It is one of the traditional marking techniques but still relevant today. If you run out of the Tailor’s chalk or ink, you can use your pins to transfer information from your original pattern to your fabric.
Basic Sewing Machine Tools For Pinning
Pinning is one of the exercises that are inevitable in most sewing projects. However, to undertake this process smoothly and safely, you need the right materials.
They include:
17. Pins
Pins are essential for holding pieces of fabric together before stitching or when you want to make some cuts. Pins come in different sizes and lengths.
Some also come with beautiful heads uniquely designed with different colors to add elegance to your sewing table. Use thinner pins for fine fabric such as silk to avoid making permanent holes in the fabric.
18. Pin Cushion
Pin cushion works hand in hand with pins. The cushion is essential for keeping the pins in place to make it convenient for you to grab your pins whenever you want to use them.
This tool is also necessary for safely keeping the pins in one place to avoid accidents and losing them. Most pin cushions also contain beautiful patterns, shapes and sizes. Some individuals may prefer a pin magnet over a pin cushion.
Essential Sewing Tools for Pressing
After sewing your fabric, you will want that perfect finish. If you are into details, you might also want your finished projects to look neat. This is where the following sewing items for beginners are crucial.
19. Iron and Ironing Board
An iron and ironing board are those basic sewing tools for beginners responsible for making your work look more professional. Always ensure the iron is in the appropriate heat setting depending on the type of your fabric before using it.
Iron is not necessary at the end of the project alone but also before you start working on your fabric. Experts assert that ironing the fabric before working on it makes cutting the fabric easier and increases your cutting precision.
Must Read: The 14 Best Ironing Board Reviews 2022
20. Seam Roll
Seam roll is used in ironing tubular pieces such as sleeves without making unnecessary creases on them. Seam roll contains one side specifically for pressing at a high temperature and another side for pressing at medium temperatures.
Basic Sewing Items for Sewing
Needles could be the most basic sewing tools for beginners. It does not matter whether you are using a sewing machine or sewing by hand; this tool is appropriate for your sewing project.
There are two main needles for sewing. However, both categories have a wide range of needles that vary in size and shape. Needles also come with different eye sizes and shapes as well as varying thicknesses.
For beginners, it is advisable to go for average needles that can undertake a wide range of sewing projects. Below are the two categories of needles for beginners.
21. Hand Sewing Needles
When it comes to hand sewing, you can tell the kind of needle to use by determining the type of thread to use in a particular sewing project and the type of fabric.
Sewing tools manufacturers produce several needles varying in shape and size for achieving more desirable sewing. For instance, silk fabric will dictate using the finest needle while embroidery floss finish will demand thick needles which mostly have a larger eye.
Letter materials will demand more robust needles, which may force you to opt for thicker needles.
22. Sewing Machine Needles
These are also crucial essential sewing tools for beginners with sewing machines. They vary slightly in their design. However, like hand sewing needles, sewing machine needles come in different sizes and types. These essential sewing tools are also made this way to cater for different weights of fabric.
Basic Tools For Threading
23. Needle Threader
Some sewists can easily thread their needles very fast. However, if you don’t have an eagle’s eye, don’t waste your time. You will need a Needle threader. The tool is designed to help you thread your needle easily without much strain.
Basic Tools For Ripping
24. Seam Reaper
Our list of basic sewing tools for beginners will not be complete without talking about the ripping tools. In this case, there is only one primary tool used explicitly for ripping seams.
That is the Seam reaper. Mistakes are prone to happen, especially for beginners. To mend your mistakes flawlessly, you will need this tool.
Read Also: How to Use a Seam Ripper – 4 Easy Techniques to Use a Seam Ripper
25. Thimbles
A thimble is a basic tool for hand sewing. Every beginner starting the sewing journey and likes sewing by hand might find this tool one of the must-haves. Thimbles are necessary for protecting your fingers from accidents.
The thimble is also crucial for keeping your finger safe while pushing the needle through thick layers of fabric. You can opt for a metal, plastic or leather thimble.
Conclusion
Sewing can be an amazing hobby or profession when you have the right set of tools. You may need to begin with basic projects that at times may seem tedious, but as you advance, you will find it more fun and exciting when working with different types of sewing tools and materials.
We have divided the tools above into different categories. This will make it easier for you to acquire the right set of basic sewing tools for beginners essential for various sewing functions.
Read More:
How to use a Sewing Machine for Beginners with FAQs
How to Thread a Sewing Machine Needle
How to Clean Sewing Machine -Sewing Machine Cleaning Tips
How to use Handheld Sewing Machine – An Ultimate Beginner’s Guide
How to Sew by Hand for Beginners – An Absolute Guide
