So, you’re a beginner sewer. Maybe you’re a complete newbie who’s borrowing a sewing machine from your friend. Or maybe you forked over some hard-earned cash and bought yourself the latest computerized piece of machinery, but you don’t know where to get started. Obsessive Beauty understands. Taking the jump into becoming a seamstress is a long-time commitment. It’s not for the impatient or the get-rich-quick schemers. It’s a commitment to a creative art that requires time, energy, space, money, a giant mess each time you sew, classes, and most importantly—patience. But it demands other requirements too—supplies. For every sewer who’s just starting out, she’s going to need to build up her supply closet, stocking and organizing more essentials than you thought were necessary. In this blog, we’ll take a look at some of the things that are must-haves, even when you’re first starting out. Because when your bobbin freaks out on you and your thread gets tangled up, you’re going to need a fine pair of scissors and a seam ripper to cure your first big mistake. Take this list to the sewing store and ask a clerk to help you locate these essentials:
Iron
Ironing board
Good light source: table lamp
Universal Point needles
Needles for jeans, knits, etc.
General hand sewing needles
A variety of thread
Pins
Seam Ripper
A handful of empty bobbins
A bobbin holder for storing your bobbins
A bin for storing thread
General organizing bins for fabric, interfacing, zippers, and small items
Bodkin
Tape measure
Yardstick
Rotary cutter
Self-healing rotary mat
Clear ruler
Clear Omnigrid ruler
Large cutting scissors
Fine cutting scissors for thread
Stash of fabric
Stash of elastic and interfacing
Variety of zippers and buttons
Anti-fray product
Lubricant for the sewing machine
Sewing gauge
Tailor’s chalk, or blue or white fabric marking pen
Tracing wheel
Tracing paper
A variety of “feet” for your machine: zipper foot, button foot, etc.
You can find the above supplies at Judy’s Sewing Center, Hart’s Fabric, Beverly’s Fabrics and Crafts, or Joann.com.
