Sewing Tools

A list of required tools for sewing by hand or machine- you will need all of
the listed items based on type of sewing you will be performing before class
begins. Some classes will also require additional tools, which will be listed
in the specific class requirements. Feel free to message me if you have any
questions.


Hand Sewing

  • Scissors- a good sharp pair, 6 to 8 inches is a good size- you can absolutely start with a brand new pair of cheap craft scissors, and keeр them just for fabric, before buying a fancier pair of fabric scissors/shears
  • Snips or small scissors/embroidery scissors- these are better for cutting threads
  • Hand Sewing Needles- I like to start with a “Sharps” variety pack with a few sizes
  • Thread- good quality all purpose thread, start with a spool of white, and add colors based on your projects
  • Pins- there are so many options, I like the ones with plastic pearl heads, as they are easier to pick up
  • Pin Cushion- a place to keep your pins safe, I prefer the magnetic ones, but a traditional “tomato” is a great option too!
  • Rulers- I highly recommend the clear style rulers- 1″ by 6″, and 2″ by 12″ are great to start with
  • Tape Measure- a soft, flexible 60″ is best (the rigid roll up ones for home use are not what you want here)
  • Marking Tools- Pencil, Tailors Chalk, Heat Erase Pen- all of these are good to have, but you can start with a plain #2 pencil
  • Seam Ripper- everybody hates them, but we all need one!
  • Needle Threader- there are several styles, and they really are useful!
  • Thread Conditioner or Beeswax- keeps your thread from tangling
  • Thimble- these come in many styles, and materials- and sizes- try to get one that fits your middle finger
  • Iron & Ironing Board/Surface- it’s a necessary part of sewing! I recommend an iron that has a steam option, and there are options for ironing surfaces, like towels on a heat proof flat surface (NOT on a wooden table though!)
  • Fabric & Trims- will be specified for each class

Nice To Have

  • Safety Pins- a great way to keep things together
  • Sewing Clips- these are a great alternative to Pins, I use both!
  • Sewing Tweezers- useful tool to have on hand!
  • Point Turner- many options here, including using a chopstick or
    dull pencil
  • Pinking Shears- these are great for finishing edges of cut fabrics!
  • Task Lighting-keep your eyes safe with good lighting.

Machine Sewing

All of the items listed in Hand Sewing (except Machine Sewing Needles
instead of Hand Sewing Needles, and you don’t need a Thimble here), plus
a Sewing Machine!

  • Power Cord
  • Foot Pedal
  • Machine Needles
  • Throat Plate
  • Needle Plate
  • Regular Stitch Presser Foot
  • Bobbins
  • Bobbin Case- depending on your machine the Bobbin Case may not be a
    removable style.


Your machine must have everything for it to run
Your machine must be in working order- if you have not used it in a while, or it is a hand me down/bought second hand/etc, please have it serviced before class.

Additionally, you will need

  • A Flat Surface to work at- a dining table is ideal, where you can sit and reach the foot pedal comfortably.
  • The Manual for your machine- if you do not have the original, they are easy to look up online and download- you will need a print out of the pages detailing how to thread your machine, wind a bobbin, and insert the bobbin, as well as the troubleshooting guide, at a minimum.
  • Sewing Machine Needles- I recommend a “Universal” multi-pack
    with various sizes- usually 10/70 to 14/90 is good
  • Small Screwdrivers- depending on your machine, it may come with a specific screwdriver or set, it may require Flat or Philips head, or both
  • Serger Tweezers- you will need these for machine sewing- I prefer the serrated tips style.

Nice to Have

  • Cleaning Kit- Lint Brush, Q-tips, Soft cloth, Sewing Machine Oil (if you have a vintage sewing machine, Sewing Machine Oil will be a requirement)
  • Sewing Mat- this is a padded rectangle for your Machine to rest upon to protect your table, and lessen the sound and possible skidding of your Machine- a dishtowel or similar is perfect for now!

Great! Where do I get all of these things!?!

There are plenty of places in person and online to source your sewing supplies!
Ask your crafty family and friends- many people have extras of these items, and maybe you can trade!
Check your local craft and sewing stores- there are often lovely small shops that cater to a specific craft, and they will have some, or maybe all of the items on your list! There are also nationwide chains, such as Michaels (Please avoid Hobby Lobby, they donate to right wing zealots, and are
against women’s rights).
Thrift stores often have crafty tools and supplies, at excellent prices. I will note to avoid thread, as it has a shelf life, and old thread may be brittle or break easily, not what you want for sewing!
For online shopping- I highly recommend Wawak Sewing Supply for all of your tools and notions- they ship super fast! There are other online options- Sewing Parts Online, Online Fabric Store, MadamSew- all are great places to find what you need, and I am sure there are more! (I’m not gonna recommend Amazon, because there are so many better options! Let’s not give our money to assholes!)

Ok, I need the nitty gritty of what brands do you really like to work with?

  • So, I’ve been sewing a long time, and I am picky!
  • Scissors– my most used pair is from Mundial. I also love Fiskars, Gingher,Kai and Wiss.
  • Pinking Shears– I have a great pair from Mundial brand, and I have an amazing vintage Singer brand Pinking Machine! It looks like a pencil sharpener of sorts, with a hand crank and a rolling cutter wheel that cuts a zigzag shape into fabric as it goes through the machine!
  • Snips– honestly my Wiss brand snips are 30+ years old and need to be sharpened! Any basic pair will be fine, or embroidery or needlecraft scissors are great options too! Kai brand has a great one- N5000 series Needle Craft Scissors. Wawak carries a great selection of styles, as do other stores.
  • Hand Sewing Needles, my favorites are Bohin brand, followed by Dritz brand. I use a variety of different needle types, depending on the project.
  • Machine Sewing Needles– for most domestic home sewing machines, Schmetz brand needles will fit, and are easy to source. I also use Klasse and Singer brand needles.
  • Thread– I mainly use Coats & Clark Dual Duty, I also like Gutermann, Mettler and Sulky brands, depending on the project. Deep dive- I also use silk and linen threads for specific projects, and heavy duty or other specialty threads too!
  • Pins– I really like the Long Pearlized Pins #24 1 1/2″ long from Wawak, І also use Quilters Pins, and Glass Head Pins for certain projects. I rarely use the tiny dressmaker or silk pins.
  • Pincushion– my magnetic pincushion is from Clover brand, Wawak has a great magnetic one, as well as the classic ‘tomato” shape with strawberry needle sharpener attached, and many other companies carry fun styles
  • Rulers– I use the clear view ones sold by Wawak, the maker is Westcott, and they come in many sizes- the measurement grid is printed in red on clear plastic. Wawak also carries other brands and styles of clear rulers.
  • Measuring Tape– I have had my favorite one for years- it’s pink! No idea where I got it, but any flexible 60 inch tape measure will be fine- Wawak of course carries them!
  • Marking tools– I use everything! A #2 pencil is my basic, and for really precise makings I use a Mechanical Chalk Pencil from Bohin brand- it’s like a click pencil- with colored chalk inserts that are super thin! I also use heat erase pens, tailors chalk, Sharpie pens and Silver Gel Pens or metallic art pens for marking on black fabric.
  • Seam Ripper– my favorite one is in a wood handle that was a gift from a dear friend! Dritz, Wawak and many other companies offer good options.
  • Needle Threader– I prefer the old fashioned metal piece with a weird “loop” of super thin wire, but there are plenty of options here!
  • Thread Conditioner/Beeswax– I highly recommend Thread Magic! thread conditioner- this stuff really helps keep your thread from tangling and fraying! Available from Wawak and many other stores.
  • Thimble– I have several different styles- closed top, open top, open sided, leather, soft, stick on fingertip, but I mainly use my vintage metal closed top styles, one was from my Gramma! Wawak carries several options, including Clover brand.
  • Iron and Ironing Board– My iron is from Maytag brand and it works great! I invested in a giant rectangle ironing board from Bartnelli brand, but any basic board will be fine. You could even get a half size table top model if you prefer. (not so fun when ironing larger quantities of fabric though!)
  • Safety Pins– quality matters! I use stainless steel regular and quilting styles from Dritz brand.
  • Sewing Clips– I bought mine years ago from an online seller, Wawak and Clover brand sells them, and I’m sure there are others.
  • Point Turner– I’ve had mine since the 90’s- its bamboo and they are still available from some online sellers. Wawak carries different plastic options too.
  • Screwdrivers– I invested in a set from Chapman Tools, that are specifically sized for sewing machines- Singer brand machines in particular. I also have a classic 4 in 1 screwdriver from a hardware store in Manhattan, from the 1990’s, that works great for lots of things!
  • Serger Tweezers– Wawak carries the serrated tips style, with bent tips. I also have a medical style pair of tiny straight tip tweezers that I use a great deal.
  • Task Lighting– my favorites are from Ott-Lite, the color balance and brightness of the light is perfect for sewing!
  • Machine Parts– if you are missing something, I highly recommend SewingPartsOnline.com- they carry so many parts- throat and needle plates, presser feet, foot pedals, power cords, machine motors and more! You will need to know your machines make and model to ensure that the part is correct for your machine, they will also help you determine what to order!
  • FABRIC– where to go without Joann Fabrics? This is next on my list, for now please feel free to reach out to me for suggestions, based on your projects!