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Finding beauty in our everyday life in the farmhouse

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Home | Simple Sewing Series | Basic Sewing Essentials for a Beginner

Basic Sewing Essentials for a Beginner

February 3, 2019 by Lisa 18 Comments

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Learn the top essentials for beginner sewers. This list is super short and easily affordable.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. 

I get asked all the times all the time what the essential items are for a beginner sewer. They really are quite simple and can be lumped into one sentence. They also do not take up a lot of room.

This post is for all the people who have no idea what they need to begin sewing.

Basic Sewing Essentials Video

Shop the sewing essentials

Seam ripper 
Brother sewing machine
Bobbins and tape measure
Straight pins
All purpose thread
Universal needles
Sewing scissors
Steam iron
Serger                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Embroidery machine                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Measuring Tape

Get the rest of the Simple Sewing Series in this playlist on Youtube.

Basic items every beginner sewer needs

button loop for diy tank top

Sewing Machine

I get asked all the time what sewing machine I own. The brother sewing machine we use for my shop was actually discontinued, but I would recommend this Sewing Machine for a beginner sewer. I actually use this Sewing Machine often because my employees are using the one upstairs, so I bought one similar like this one at Walmart.

sewing essentials for beginners

Thread

I use a large spool of white thread because I sew a lot, so it takes me quite a while to go through this one thread. Just grab an all purpose thread. I sew nearly everything in white, but it would also be good to grab a black and navy blue. If I am sewing on a fabric that is very dark, like denim for example, I will reach for navy instead of my trusty white. I like the way a nicely stitched topstitch looks in white on a floral print, stripe patter or light fabric. It’s rare I actually switch out the colors.

Bobbins

You will also need a few empty bobbins to put in the lower part of the machine. Don’t worry I’ll show you how to actually wind them and load them into the machine in the next lesson.

Extra sewing machine needles

Having extra sewing machine needles around is super handy to have on hand if your sewing machine needle breaks. This happens especially when I am making something with many layers of thick fabric, like when I am putting piping into a handmade slipover.

Scissors

One of the most important things a beginner sewing needs to have in their sewing box is sewing scissors.  As a sewer, I value a scissors that are sharp and can cut through thick fabric. If you buy the nice ones, you can sharpen them often, and keep them for the rest of your life. That is if your kids don’t steal them first!

Tape Measure

You will need a tape measure nearly every single time you sit down to start a project. Whether it is measuring your daughter to determine the length of a dress, cutting out the right width of fabric to cover a 20″ pillow form, or measuring your windows to find out the curtain size. Yep, a tape measure is important. Keep a few on hand, because I promise you those things disappear when you least expect it!

Pins

Pins are very important to help hold the fabric in place while sewing. I have several boxes of Pins because they seem to disappear around here like socks out of a drier. I also need a ton when I am doing a large project, like a custom slipcover.

Iron

You will need a steam iron to create hems in your projects. I also use an iron on occasion to press seams flat. Sewing is the only time I actually really use an iron, but I couldn’t be without one!

Potential Supplies for when your sewing skills advance

Serger

I am so happy that I own a serger. I actually own one because we use it in my farmhouse inspired soft goods shop to give a nice finish to our products. I find this serger is super handy to have around when I am sewing so that each of my sewing projects has a nice finish. Having a nice finishing stitch also helps the fabric fibers not to unwind in the washer and drier.

Embroidery machine

I absolutely love having a serger in my sewing room. Not only do we use this weekly in my shop, but my girls also use the Embroidery machine to monogram presents for friends. I also used it to monogram pillows for my girls room makeover.

And that’s it!

And that’s it! Were you expecting something else? Collecting these simple items is really quite easy.

Shop my recommended sewing essentials

Seam ripper 
Brother sewing machine
Bobbins and tape measure
Straight pins
All purpose thread
Universal needles
Sewing scissors
Steam iron
Serger

Embroidery machine

Easy beginner sewing tutorials

How to make Fabric Bunting for Children’s Room

How to Sew a Tank Top Sewing Tutorial for Beginners

How to Make Muslin Swaddle Blankets

How to Make an Apron from IKEA Tea Towels

Simple DIY 20 inch Buffalo Check Pillow Covers

Super Simple DIY Pillows from IKEA Tea Towels

Other Simple Sewing Series Posts

How to Thread a Sewing Machine

How to Thread and Wind a Bobbin

How to Sew a Seam

How to Sew a Hem

How to Sew a Pillow Cover

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8 Basic Sewing Essentials for a Beginner

Filed Under: Sewing, Simple Sewing Series

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Comments

  1. Jody says

    February 3, 2019 at 11:32 pm

    Arrrghh!
    My biggest trouble is a pedal that races. So I can’t seem to get that slow even sewing pace. Does it need adjusting or servicing or lubing? Very frustrating to constantly be ripping out seams.

    Reply
  2. Mary says

    February 4, 2019 at 3:02 am

    ZIPPERS and how to install them!! They are my nemesis!

    Reply
  3. Rochelle says

    February 4, 2019 at 7:37 am

    I just had my old sewing machine serviced a few months ago. This is perfect timing!!

    Reply
  4. Rachel says

    February 4, 2019 at 7:54 am

    Buttons! I’m getting back into sewing (I LOVED it as a kid) and my grandma taught me everything. I remember a lot, but for the life of me cannot remember how to sew nice button holes! Help!!!

    Reply
  5. Kay says

    February 5, 2019 at 2:39 pm

    This article is perfect timing as I was thinking just the other day about getting a new sewing machine and making a mental note in my head to check here because I remember you recommending one you purchased at Walmart. What a great refresher on sewing! It’s been too long. 😊I have to sew something…anything…😂

    Reply
  6. judy says

    February 6, 2019 at 11:29 am

    Perfect Timing! Can you talk about tension. My thread always bunches up.

    Reply
  7. Megan says

    February 11, 2019 at 8:55 pm

    It’s like you wrote this post for me! I’ve wanted to get into sewing but felt so intimidated.

    Reply
  8. Lara Maciel says

    September 8, 2021 at 9:05 pm

    what model brother sewing machine do you have in these pics?

    Reply

Hello! I’m Lisa

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