We're always getting new DIYers on this site, so I thought it'd be helpful to do a post explaining the tools every sewer will find most useful.

I want to first note that so many of these items you can get used. If you have the time and are strapped for cash, go to neighborhood yard and garage sales. When I was 10 and getting into crafting I found a set of dozens of knitting and crochet needles for (which would have cost hundreds if purchased new), which I still use to this day. Have patience and you'll be surprised what you can find.

This info is pretty basic, but I got a lot of guidance from this article from sew4home.com. The six categories you'll want to cover are: Measuring, Marking, Cutting, Pressing, Sewing and Storage

Measuring. It's hard to do any project with out measuring tools. Whether you're figuring out your own body measurements or adjusting a pattern, these tools are a must.

A complete crafter will have these three types of rulers: a see-through ruler, which is best for a rotary cutter and cutting mat and come in plenty of sizes; a tape measure, which should be flexible but not stretchy; and a seam gauge, which is a small ruler with a double-pointed, sliding guide for marking seam allowances and hems.

On the cheap: Your best investment will be the measuring tape. You can probably do without the other rulers as long as you have the standard foot long hard ruler that you would have used in grade school.


Marking. Proper marking is so important, especially if you are short on tools. A good mark for cutting will make up for not having a rotary cutter.

The two options are pens and chalk. The pens are not your normal kind; you can get either invisible ink (where the ink evaporates away) or water soluble (that can be washed away). Fabric chalk is different from what you'd use on a blackboard, it's meant to rub of easy.

On the cheap: I've gotten away with using just a normal pencil, but if you don't want permanent marks you should have, at the very least, a piece of chalk or chalk wheel.
Cutting. So important! If you cut a bad, jagged edge on your fabric, it will make it that much harder to hem or sew properly and you'll have uneven looking projects. You'll be better off if you have the following tools; a good pair of scissors, a rotary cutter and cutting mat, and a seam ripper.

For your scissors you'll want at least one good pair (Sew4home.com recommends that you "get yourself a good pair of 8" bent dressmaker shears ... They should have a bend of about 45˚ at the pivot point."). Buy the best pair you can afford and use them for cutting fabric only! Another small pair is also nice to have on hand to cut off loose threads, etc.

Rotary cutters are fantastic, especially when doing projects with many pieces (like quilting). They're shaped like pizza cutters and when paired with a see-through ruler they make the perfect tool. Cutting mats are necessary when using a rotary cutter , but they're also nice to protect the surface you're crafting on and they often have horizontal and vertical rulers, help to make sure you're getting square corners when cutting.

Seam rippers are great of cutting threads of a stitch, especially stitches done by sewing machines.

On the cheap: You can do without a seam ripper if you don't have a sewing machine and without a rotary cutter if you aren't doing lots of projects, but a good pair of scissors is just so important. Even though you could skimp and use your momma's kitchen scissors, buying a pair is a great investment.


Pressing. This one is pretty simple and there's no way around it. To make professional looking pieces, you need an iron (with steam power). An ironing board also is great, but you can get past that using a big piece of wood (like those pull out cutting boards in old kitchens) wrapped in a towel if you need to.

Never under estimate the impact you'll get from washing and ironing every piece of fabric you use prior to getting started. Also iron every hem and fold in the project to get it as straight as possible.

On the cheap: Borrow one, but you need an iron.

Sewing. And the final tools, the ones to actually get sewing. Since I'm trying to focus on newcomers and doing this inexpensive I won't get into anything about sewing machines. I wouldn't advise going out and getting a machine right when you start learning to sew because it's such a large expense and you should make sure you really enjoy sewing first. If you'd like information on sewing machine tips check out this great on-going thread on the forums.

With the items below you will find hundreds of varieties and sizes and numbers in packages. At first only buy what you need and once you figure out you what you like and are likely to use then you can buy the pack of 100 assorted needles and 30 colors of thread.


One of your biggest assets wil be your pins. Get steel straight pins with the colored balls on the top. They're easier to insert and easier to see and pick up when you spill them all over the floor. You can store pins in the plastic container they'll come in or you can make a pin cushion (which makes a great first sewing project!) I also like have a magnet strip nearby my machine when I'm pulling pins out at a fast rate; they're less likely to get away from you that way.

To sew you will need a needle. (Duh!) They come in so many sizes and shapes for a variety of purposes. For start get a small variety pack of straight needles, which should give you a few options on needle and eyelet sizes. A tip for not losing needles and to easily grab them is to keep a bit of thread in them (usually left over from the previous project they were used on)

And finally, with your needle you will need thread. Start with all-purpose thread (unless the project you're working on calls for something different). Keep on hand a few standard colors (such as white, black, beige and blue) which are great for repairing clothes in a pinch and handy in most projects, but also buy thread that coordinates with the fabrics you're using.

On the cheap: These sewing supplies are all necessary, but luckily are very cheap so get them all! But if you're really, really, really strapped for cash you can find alternatives for the pins lying around the house (like bobby pins or clothes pins)


Storage. Once you have all your sewing supplies you should have a place to store everything in one location so nothing gets lost (and the money spent on them wasted). There are many types you can purchase (from plastic tubs to nylon carrying cases to woven baskets) and all have their upsides and downsides. What is most important is to keep in mind the amount you have to store (and if that quantity will keep growing). You'll also want a container with lots of separators, pockets or containers inside of it, to keep your smaller items like needles, pins and seam ripper from getting misplaced.

On the cheap: Make your own (perhaps with an old egg carton)


As you continue one with your sewing there will be more things you'll be adding to your kit (leftovers from other projects most likely) such as extra buttons, elastic, ribbon, scrap fabric, clasps, zippers, etc, etc, etc.

Do any of you experience sewers have tips for the new sewer?