Are you learning to sew?

Here’s a list of tools that will help you immensely as you begin to navigate the HUGE arena of sewing. You’ll notice, I’ve not even mentioned a sewing machine – this needs an article all of its own and there’s plenty of advice online about sewing machines, overlockers and all sorts of other machinery gadgets you might want in the future.

When you're standing in the sewing machine section of your local fabric store, wondering where to start, this list of sewing tools might help get you on the right track.

Even if you’re starting out sewing Bubs & Bobbins Ready to Sew Kits, you'll certainly need some of these inexpensive tools to get the maximum enjoyment out of making your project.  Makers can only make, with the right tools!

Good luck and may the Goddess of Sewing Bliss be with you all!

Sewing tools for beginners

Pins

A fundamental basic in every seamstress’ toolkit!  Get good quality pins. You’ll find that, whilst they may all look the same, they are not…  no, all pins are not created equal.  The cheap ones will have you tearing your hair out because they’ve created a pull or a hole, or caused a run or they simply won’t slide easily through your fabric. 

Please save yourself a headache and buy a good quality brand.

Image: Courtesy of Amazon

Pin Cushion

Some folks prefer a pincushion, and others prefer a magnetised bowl making it easy to collect the pins if you have a jaggy spill, but it’s really up to you, but you definitely need something to hold these little suckers in place, especially if you have pets (although I don’t recommend your fluffy bubs go anywhere near your fabrics… full stop… hairs… they go everywhere).   

There are also wrist pincushions which are pretty handy but go for one that has some layer of protection underneath so you don’t stab yourself with pins constantly. 

Why not try making your own?

Image: Courtesy of Amazon

 

Seam ripper!

As the name implies, this is an aggressive little tool on seams. I defy anyone to say an experienced sewist doesn’t need one.  We all make mistakes eg sewing the wrong side or the wrong piece to the wrong piece.  It happens.  This little soldier will rip the offending seam in no time.  It’s perfect for delicate work as it will slice stitch by stitch if necessary.

You could use scissors but in my experience, they are too bulky and you run the risk of cutting more than thread.

Scissors

You’re going to need to cut fabric in order to sew!

Even though you may be sewing a Bubs & Bobbins kit, there will be many occasions you’ll need scissors, even if just to trim a seam allowance.  The kitchen shears simply won’t cut the mustard here, so purchase good quality scissors, folks!

There are many different types of scissors and I recommend you invest in a quality pair of tailor's scissors and don’t allow them to be used for anything other than cutting fabric or thread.  They are very special scissors and should NEVER be used for cutting paper. 

A "friendly" notice to family members warning of the consequences to using them is strongly advised ☺

Image: Courtesy of Amazon

 

Pinking Shears

These are scissors with sharp zig-zag blades used to reduce or limit fraying to the cut edges of fabric. 

No-one wants to look to the inside of a garment and see raggedy threads and fraying edges (they will keep on fraying forever…) yes, forever... including shedding inside your washing machine.  Pinking shears are a MUST have.

Image: Courtesy of Amazon

 

Thread snips

I absolutely LOVE my little snippers, trimmers, clippers or whatever you want to call them!  I’m a neat freak sewer.  I don’t enjoy loads of threads and straggly bits hanging off my loved project so, I’m a bit of a snipping addict. 

Some sewers leave their major snipping till the end of the project but that would be my personal nightmare lol

I always encourage beginners to snip as they go, rather than at the end.  That way your project will always look nice and tidy, not just at the end of the make.

Plus, you’ll never get in a tangle with your presser foot either. 

Image: Courtesy of Crafty.com

 

Clear ruler

I recommend having at least two, one always gets lost amongst fabric or is on another desk.  I chose to have a few scattered around my cutting room because I constantly need to measure when cutting the kits and sometimes a ruler works better than flexible tape measures.

Image courtesy of sewmanyways.blogspot.com

Tape measure

A tape measure or two is absolutely necessary if you sew for pretty obvious reasons such as checking lengths of legs, arms, seam allowances and so on. 

I keep several retractable measuring tapes lying around the cutting room and in my handbag (lol) because I never know when I’ll see a child I want to measure.

Chopstick

Yes, chopsticks are wonderful because you can use them as pokey, proddy things, poking out corners or turning a narrow tube inside out. 

Last year, I bought a tool specially made for the purpose or poking out corners etc – I won’t mention the name/brand of it.  Suffice it to say, I should have kept my $10 and spent it on fabric.

My $1 chopstick works better than the fancy gadget.  My advice for next time? 

If it’s not broke, why fix it? 

Chalk and marker pens

There aren’t many times you’ll need to use these with a Bubs & Bobbins kit, but you’ll be doing heaps of sewing from other websites, buying your own fabrics and (heaven help us… patterns lol).  You might go on to alter your own clothes or make new ones! 

Sewing is addictive, so I definitely recommend markers of some sort.  I prefer to use non-toxic washable felt pens in various point sizes and I always have tailor’s chalk on hand.

Image: Courtesy of Aliexpress.com

Tube turner/Loop hook

A very handy gadget to have for turning a thin fabric tube (eg like a hair band) right side out.  I’ll do a video on this at some point but this little tool is very, very useful particularly if you are sewing small items that need to be turned right side out. 

Cheap as chips to buy on Amazon I think.

 And SEW... that's it for now!

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