When starting a new creative hobby, you want to buy the necessary equipment to start your learning well. In sewing, the choice of equipment is so vast that it is sometimes difficult to determine what is really necessary and what is just a gadget.

I invite you to discover my selection of essentials for the apprentice dressmaker!

Let's go!

1. Tailor's scissors and embroidery scissors

For the tailor's scissors, I advise you to invest in a good quality pair with well-sharpened blades. If you like sewing, don't buy cheap sewing scissors, they will last 6 months / 1 year before being good to throw away because unfortunately most of these cheap scissors cannot be sharpened 😅. 

Choose a pair of scissors that can be sharpened and will accompany you for several years in your learning process. 

Count a minimum of 25/30 euros for your first purchase. Choose a pair of at least 20cm, this will make cutting large pieces of fabric easier.

For the pair of embroidery scissors, I advise you to choose small scissors with sharp blades whose circles fit well around your fingers. This pair will be used to cut small threads, mark your assembly notches, trim, and possibly open a buttonhole...

Some pairs are decorated or use animal patterns. Everyone has already seen the famous golden bird pattern: the famous storks!

Count about 10/15 euros for this type of scissors. 

Finally, to complete the trio of scissors: the pair of scissors for paper. This one can be bought cheaply.

You can recycle your office scissors, that will be perfect. It is strictly forbidden to cut anything other than fabric with tailor's and embroidery scissors because you will damage the blades. They will become dull and will never cut fabric as well again.

If you have children or an unscrupulous 😂 or misguided partner, keep these two pairs out of their reach ;-)

2. The seam ripper aka my friend

The seam ripper: my friend! When you start sewing and even when you are more advanced, you rip seams and that's perfectly normal. So when you make a mistake, you will need a seam ripper.

This one is a kind of small knife that allows you to undo seams quickly and well.

Be careful, despite its size, the seam ripper is very sharp/pointed. It's a small knife. In fact, each seam ripper has a cap. Close this little cap well to avoid injuring yourself and be careful when handling it. This tool will also be useful later for opening buttonholes.

There are seam rippers with thinner or thicker handles, it's a matter of taste. For my part, I prefer the small ones. 

3. Pins

For the pins, start by buying basic pins made entirely of metal, preferably medium (neither extra fine nor too thick).

Decorative needles are tempting but they are not very practical for beginners.

4. Sewing needles

For the needles, I recommend buying small kits including several lengths and thicknesses of needles. This will allow you to discover which ones suit you best.

Hand needles as well as pins should be replaced from time to time because they can bend, wear out with the acidity of finger sweat.

Don't hesitate to replace them. 

5. A pin cushion / magnetic pin cushion

To avoid losing and scattering your needles and pins all over the workshop, I recommend two purchases: a pin cushion to store your needles and a pin magnet. 

For my part, I have 2 magnets and I couldn't do without them! I leave one on the sewing table and the other near my machine. This tool allows you to gather pins and especially not to lose them. The worst that can happen is when you spill your box of pins... with the magnet, that's a thing of the past.

6. Sewing thread

After cutting your pieces, you will sew with good thread. Don't skimp on thread!

A good quality thread is a good investment and will be necessary to sew a garment that no one will guess is handmade. A good quality thread will not pill, break easily, or damage your machine's mechanism. 

To start, you can buy basic colors like white, black, beige, navy blue, and red. This will allow you to already match your threads well with the fabrics of your first creations.

Some haberdashery brands offer starter kits, you can buy these which allow you to save a little money.

7. Basting thread

The basting thread is a thread used to temporarily hold fabric pieces together so they don't move during machine sewing. The basting thread will then be removed after machine sewing.

This thread breaks easily, it is fragile, which is normal. You will find large white spools, or smaller models in white, light blue, yellow, or red. The goal is for it to contrast with your fabric so it can be spotted and removed once the operation is done.

8. Marking tools: chalk, felt tip...

Depending on your projects, you will need to use marking tools. Several are available, the best known is the classic tailor's chalk but I find it inconvenient to use. I prefer to use a chalk mechanical pencil with a white or colored lead depending on the color of the fabric on which I need to mark.

The drawback of this one is that the line is rather thick. To overcome this defect, you can use a Bohin mechanical pencil. 

There are also heat- or wash-erasable pens. I recommend testing them on the fabric of your project to see if the mark disappears well because sometimes the pens leave traces.

9. The measuring tape

The measuring tape will help you take measurements. Indeed, to determine your size, you will need to take your measurements. Most of the time, you will have three measurements to take: bust, waist, and hip circumference. Based on your measurements, you can refer to the size chart provided with the pattern and determine the size you will copy.

I also use the measuring tape at the sewing table to check my margins, transfers, measurements... It's always very useful to have it around your neck. 

10. The iron

Invest in a good iron if you don't have one. It is mandatory to have an iron nearby when sewing:
- for ironing the fabric
- opening seams
- marking pleats and hems
- ....

It's a must-have, really.

Bonus: the sewing machine

If you are starting sewing, I advise you to test different brands before choosing.
I refer you to my article "How to choose your sewing machine? My 7 essential criteria to avoid mistakes." If you want to discover a bit more about the machines I chose for the workshop, I also wrote an article on this subject "I test the workshop sewing machines: Janome Sewist 780DC".

As for me, I always sew with the workshop machines especially when I test new courses and otherwise I always have my personal machine: my Skyline S7. 

There you go, you know more about the basic equipment to start sewing well.

And you, do you already have this equipment in your sewing kit?

Ready your needles!

PS: I will add a little gadget quite indispensable... I call it the fabric tester. It's a little animal that checks the quality of fabrics before cutting or during, depending on the nap time.

But maybe you already have one! 😂

Gala wishes you a great sewing time too! 

See you soon!