The right tools and equipment help us do the job.  When we are sewing, or working on any craft project, we need to have the right tools to help us complete our project.  Putting together a sewing kit, with the basic tools, will be the first step in learning any fabric craft, be it hand-sewing or sewing with the machine.

You can buy either baskets or containers for your sewing kit.  Keeping your tools in one place will mean that you always know where your tools are and you won’t waste time looking for that one little tool.  Your sewing kit is not for your craft supplies.  The sewing kit is only for the tools that you use for fabric crafts.  Glue, fabric paint, fabric, interfacing, embroidery threads, beads, etc do not belong in your sewing kit, these are not tools but rather supplies.  These things belong either in your craft cupboard/container or in a particular project bag.

A project bag is to keep your unfinished project altogether.  It maybe another small plastic container, or zip lock bag, or even a small basket and you need one such container for each project you have on the go.  This is to contain the instructions and all the supplies you need for that one project.  This container does not include the tools – only the supplies.  The only time I break this rule is when I have more than one pair of thread snippers (small scissors) so I can keep a pair with my embroidery as well as in my sewing kit (do not do this unless you have multiple pairs of scissors!)  Your project may have specialized tools, such as a cutting wheel for quilting, keep this in your sewing kit.

When you have a moment for your creative projects you grab your sewing kit and your project bag and you have all that you need to spend some productive time on your chosen project.

Your Sewing Kit

These are the basic tools you need to start any sewing project.

• scissors  – scissors for material only
• thread snippers – it is quicker and easier if you have a pair of little scissors to pick up as you sew along, plus you are less likely to drop your material scissors which will shorten their useful life.
• tape measure
• tailors chalk, or disappearing marker
• seam ripper (quick-un-pick)
• needles (we use different size needs for different projects so to have a selection in a needle case is the best option)
• pins – in either a pin cushion or a tin (pins need to be sharp, if you find they don’t slip into your material easily they are too blunt or thick)  Younger children will probably find a pin cushion easier with their little fingers.  Pins with the plastic bubble on the top tend to be longer and easier for little fingers.

Optional

There are so many sewing notions, tools and gadgets available but we don’t need them all.  Some are fun to have and others we collect project by project.

• sewing thread – start with the basic colours – white, black, natural/beige though you will build a collection of these for certain.  You can buy spool organizers or have them loose in one box.
• buttons – buttons are always fun to have on hand, start collecting now (fancy and plain), store in a jar, bag or box
• thimble
• needle threader
• safety pins – various sizes
• press-studs, hooks & eyes,
• paper scissors, never use your material scissors on paper

Sewing Machine kit

Your sewing machine kit can either be a separate box, or in your sewing kit.  I personally prefer it separate.

• extra bobbins (if mother and daughter/siblings are sharing a machine I suggest 3 bobbins each)
• spare machine needles
• various sewing machine “feet” – use the right foot for the job
• mini screw drivers
• machine instruction book
• Thread snippers – I like an extra pair with my sewing machine (this is a personal habit; helpful but not necessary)