Sewing School Lesson 3: Sewing Supplies

Tilly and the Buttons

This is Lesson 3 in our Sewing School series.  Today we are going to cover sewing supplies and next lesson we will cover sewing machine basics. New to sewing school?  Get caught up: lesson 1: welcome and intro first, lesson 2:  Guide to Buying a Sewing Machine.   


The cool thing about learning to sew is that you don't need a lot of supplies.  While there are a ton of notions (sewing supplies) you can buy (we'll get into more of that in a future lesson), there are only a few very inexpensive items that you will actually need.  You will find the below supplies at any sewing stores under the notion section.  You can even find some of the below items at your local drug store or Target.

What You Will Need To Get Started

• A pair of really good scissors while you might not need a super nice pair or scissors to begin with this is the one item (next to a really good iron) I would suggest spending a little more cash on.   Any sewing store will have a few good scissors to choose from.  Make sure to get a pair that is all stainless steel and about 8 ".  They typically are priced $25-$50. Now that you have a new good pair of scissors, repeat after me "I will not use my new scissors on anything but fabric".  It will get dull quick if you do.
• 1-2 seam rippers I seriously use mine all the time.  They are used to take out stitches.  I would suggest getting a few, since they cheap, indispensable, and easy to lose.
• Pins (with heads) and a pin cushion
• Thread to match your first project fabric
• Needles (sewing machine standard size and hand sewing)
• Marking Tools there are to many different options to cover them all, but here are a few: tailor's chalk, washable markers, tracing paper and wheel.  Really any one will work just use which one you feel comfortable with. 
• Iron, an ironing board, and a press cloth.  A good iron is very helpful.  You don't need to go top of the line but I would not go with the cheapest iron you can find.  I have a Rowenta that I probably spent $50-60 on over 10 years ago.  I love it and have had no problems with it.  Make sure that your iron has an option to shoot steam through the fabric.  It is so worth the extra money.  Other features that are plus but not essential are being able to use tap water (otherwise you need to use only distilled water so there are no mineral deposits on your iron), having a larger water tank (so you don't have to keep refilling it), more holes in the sole plate (more even distribution of steam), and a higher wattage (allows for higher temps). A press cloth is used to protect your iron from man made materials melting onto your iron or from fabric that has melted on your iron to your fabric while ironing.  Any clean 100 % cotton fabric will do.  I use an old hand towel for mine.  You just place your press cloth between your iron and your fabric your ironing. 
• Tape Measure 

Here are is a video from threads magazine about notions and equipment which covers an even broader range of items then we have discussed so far, like rotary cutters, mats, rulers, etc.  I hope it helps to watch the tools in motion.

Notions 101 Threads Magazine

While shopping in the notion section you will notice a lot of items.  I would take some time out to learn what is available, but don't get to overwhelmed all you need is what's mentioned above to start with.  We will in a later lesson go over some other supplies that might be helpful after you learn the basics.


Homework

• Your homework is to go shopping at your local sewing store and look at the notion section.  So now you have an excuse to shop!
• Start or join a discussion on this page under comments about what your favorite sewing supplies are or ask any questions you still might have. 

Next lesson : Sewing Machine Basics, Learn About Your Machine.

New to sewing school?  Get caught up:
lesson 1: welcome and intro first,
lesson 2:  Guide to Buying a Sewing Machine.   

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