Sewing machines: Beginner's guide to using a sewing machine Essential kit for your sewing machine
Must-have kit for your sewing machine
Before you start using your sewing machine, there's some essential sewing kit you'll need. Check out our shopping list below to find out how much this will cost.
If you haven't bought your sewing machine yet, our guide to buying a sewing machine will help you choose the best one for you. And check out our sewing machines review for our Best Buy recommendations.
Sewing machine checklist
| Shopping list for sewing | |
|---|---|
| Item | Cost |
| Bent handled shears | From £15.00 |
| Sewing scissors | From £5.00 |
| Pinking shears | From £5.00 |
| Thread clipper | From£3.00 |
| Retractable tape measure | From £1.50 |
| 30 cm ruler | £1.00 |
| 2x Tailor’s chalk pencils | £1.60 |
| Pins | £2.35 |
| Pincushion | £2.50 |
| 7 spools of thread | £8.50 |
| Seam ripper | £1.50 |
| 3x spare bobbins | £2.00 |
| 5x universal machine needles | £2.00 |
| Total | From £50 |
Sewing kit essentials
What you need, and why...
1. Scissors
Must-have sewing machine kit includes at least two pairs of scissors
You'll probably need at least two pairs of scissors.
Bent-handled shears
A pair of bent-handled shears is used for cutting out fabric. The lower blade is angled so that it allows fabric to lie flat while it's being cut. Use these scissors only for cutting out fabric - never cut paper with them, as it will blunt them.
Sewing scissors
You'll need a second, smaller pair of scissors for trimming seams and facings.
Pinking shears
If your sewing machine doesn't have an overlock or zigzag stitch, it's worth investing in a pair of pinking shears, which have zigzag blades that form fray-resistant edges.
Thread clipper
A thread clipper is a small tool which has spring-action blades but no handles; it's quicker to use to clip threads as you sew than a pair of scissors.
A tape measure is essential
2. Tape measure
You'll need measuring tools to obtain pattern and body measurements, and to help you create good-quality work on your sewing machine.
A tape measure is essential; make life easier for yourself by buying a retractable tape measure which automatically rewinds the tape at the touch of a button.
A clear plastic ruler can be useful for marking out where you'll sew your seams when you're just getting started.
3. Marking tool
You will need some kind of marking tool for transferring pattern markings on to fabric, and perhaps for marking out where you want to sew your seams.
Tailor's chalk blocks are the most basic sort of marking tool; chalk is removed from fabric by brushing.
You can also buy tailor's chalk in pencil form, use a quick-marker pen, or use dressmaker's carbon paper with a tracing tool.
4. Pins
You can use a wine cork as a substitute pincushion
Pins are essential for joining pieces of fabric together temporarily as you assemble your work. Look for all-purpose pins to begin with, but remember to invest in finer pins if you will be sewing delicate, expensive fabrics.
Pins with colourful plastic heads can be easier to see, both on your fabric and when you drop them on the floor. A magnet is helpful for retrieving steel pins.
5. Pin cushion
Very useful for keeping your pins and needles to hand while you're sewing. There's also less chance of creating a horrible mess with a pin cushion than an open tin of pins, if you knock it on to the floor by accident.
A wine cork makes a satisfactory impromptu substitute.
6. Thread
Buy spools of all-purpose polyester thread in white, beige, black, navy, green, brown and red to start off with.
7. Seam ripper
Unfortunately, you're bound to make mistakes when you first start sewing, so a seam ripper is useful.
Also known as a Quickunpick, it's a small hook with a blade at the bottom that you push through the fabric to open up seams and buttonholes.
Undo sewing machine mistakes with a seam ripper
8. Sewing machine needles
Buy a multi-pack of sewing machine needles in different sizes so you'll have something for light, medium and heavy-weight fabrics.
See our section on choosing the right needle and thread for more about the different kinds of needles and thread.
9. Buttons
There's no need to go out and buy a wide range of buttons. Remove the buttons from clothes that are too well-worn to go to the charity shop, and keep the spare buttons that are supplied with new clothes.
10. Sewing box
It's useful to have somewhere to keep all your sewing stuff together.
It doesn't need to be a dedicated sewing box; a simple plastic food box is good enough to begin with.
Keep all your sewing gear together in a sewing box
11. Ironing board and iron
You won't get great results from your sewing machine if you work with crumpled fabric. Pressing your work as you go is the key to creating beautiful garments and soft furnishings.
Use an ironing board with a padded cover, a steam iron and, if necessary, a pressing cloth. See our steam iron reviews for current Best Buys.
12. Sewing machine instruction booklet
If you use your sewing machine frequently, it's likely that you'll become familiar with all of its functions. But most people get their sewing machine out only when they have a project to do - and forget the details that help them get the best results.
Keep your sewing machine manual to hand when you're using it, as it'll come in helpful if you encounter a problem.
13. Sewing books
A good book on how to sew can make life easier for sewing machine and needlework beginners.
Look for a book with a guide to the parts of a sewing machine, using and adapting patterns, how to use stitches, plus basic and advanced techniques.
