Sewing people

[sugarbear]

I am a novice sewer (seamstress? Ha). I have a machine, pins, thread, bobbins, fabric pencils, several scissors. I don't even know what else I need, but I'd like to put a few things on a Christmas list.

Are there sewing tools you have that every sewer needs? Tell me!?!

[mrsb53]

Probably a thimble if you plan on doing any hand sewing

[bania]

Seam ripper
Multiple pin cushions (I keep one by the ironing board and one by the machine. I have 4 in total)
LOTS of pins
Gift card for fabric?

Other non-essentials but make life much easier:

Rotary cutting board (self healing)
Rotary cutter (is this the right name?)

[wannabe]

Seam ripper. You'll hate it, but you'll need it sometime.

[bania]

Do you have a fabric measuring tape?

[sugarbear]

Nov 24, 2014 15:24:47 GMT -5 bania said:

Seam ripper
Multiple pin cushions (I keep one by the ironing board and one by the machine. I have 4 in total)
LOTS of pins
Gift card for fabric?

Other non-essentials but make life much easier:

Rotary cutting board (self healing)
Rotary cutter (is this the right name?)

If I had these, would I be able to cut in straight lines? Because evidently I missed that lesson in kindergarten, and it's really starting to bite me in the ass. 

Good call on the gift card for fabric. I have a few thimbles, seam rippers, and pin cushions, all inherited from my grandma so they are each about 50 years old. LOL.

[my4girls]

I really like my bobbin winder. I find it so much easier to load the bobbins with it than with the machine
www.amazon.com/Simplicity-SideWinder-Portable-Bobbin-Winder/dp/B001CE8JBU

extra tape measure because I always seem to lose mine :/

I prefer these scissors, but some people would rather have a rotary cutter and mat if you want to try those

[sugarbear]

Nov 24, 2014 15:24:37 GMT -5 wannabe said:

Seam ripper. You'll hate it, but you'll need it sometime.

Oh, yes. I use it often. 
and hate it, too. 

[sugarbear]

Nov 24, 2014 15:26:09 GMT -5 my4girls said:

I really like my bobbin winder. I find it so much easier to load the bobbins with it than with the machine
www.amazon.com/Simplicity-SideWinder-Portable-Bobbin-Winder/dp/B001CE8JBU

extra tape measure because I always seem to lose mine :/

I prefer these scissors, but some people would rather have a rotary cutter and mat if you want to try those

This looks awesome!

[bania]

Nov 24, 2014 15:26:18 GMT -5 sugarbear said:

Nov 24, 2014 15:24:47 GMT -5 bania said:

Seam ripper
Multiple pin cushions (I keep one by the ironing board and one by the machine. I have 4 in total)
LOTS of pins
Gift card for fabric?

Other non-essentials but make life much easier:

Rotary cutting board (self healing)
Rotary cutter (is this the right name?)

If I had these, would I be able to cut in straight lines? Because evidently I missed that lesson in kindergarten, and it's really starting to bite me in the ass. 

Good call on the gift card for fabric. I have a few thimbles, seam rippers, and pin cushions, all inherited from my grandma so they are each about 50 years old. LOL.

YES! Like PERFECTLY straight lines.  I don't have these myself but my mom does.  I need them because I can't cut in a straight line to save my life.  

[sugarbear]

Nov 24, 2014 15:27:32 GMT -5 bania said:

Nov 24, 2014 15:26:18 GMT -5 sugarbear said:

If I had these, would I be able to cut in straight lines? Because evidently I missed that lesson in kindergarten, and it's really starting to bite me in the ass. 

Good call on the gift card for fabric. I have a few thimbles, seam rippers, and pin cushions, all inherited from my grandma so they are each about 50 years old. LOL.

YES! Like PERFECTLY straight lines.  I don't have these myself but my mom does.  I need them because I can't cut in a straight line to save my life.  

I just added one to my list. This might cure many of my sewing ailments, all of which have to do with uneven seam allowances.

[auntie]

Sewist.

Or so I'm told.

What you need depends on what kind of sewing you do.

Things I swear by-

A very good Rowena Iron- 90% of how you project looks is pressing

Magnetized straight pins and a magnetized pin hold- I have a dish and a wrist catcher

A good stable ironing board- I have European sized one, in a perfect workd I'd have a quilt sized model

Top of the line shears

Extra bobbins

A bodkin for threading elastic and cords

A pointing tool for corners and collars

Pressing ham for ironing shoulders and bodices

An invisible zipper foot

A cording/piping foot

Ruffler if you sew traditional girl clothing

Large T square for making window treatments

An assortment of needles for your machine- a worn or slightly bent needle is the devil

Fresh seam rippers

[lintscreen]

Yes on the rotary cutter and mat and add a thick plastic ruler, it makes such a difference in cutting straight lines.

What about a sewing box/kit to keep it all in?

[auntie]

Nov 24, 2014 15:26:09 GMT -5 my4girls said:

I really like my bobbin winder. I find it so much easier to load the bobbins with it than with the machine
www.amazon.com/Simplicity-SideWinder-Portable-Bobbin-Winder/dp/B001CE8JBU

extra tape measure because I always seem to lose mine :/

I prefer these scissors, but some people would rather have a rotary cutter and mat if you want to try those

OMG yes. Fabric measuring tapes and a small metal one to carry in my purse/car.

I like those scissors for straight cutting- like curtain panels. I <3 my Kretzer Solingens but would be happy with Ginghgers, too.

[sugarbear]

Nov 24, 2014 15:32:50 GMT -5 lintscreen said:

Yes on the rotary cutter and mat and add a thick plastic ruler, it makes such a difference in cutting straight lines.

What about a sewing box/kit to keep it all in?

I have my grandma's old basket, which isn't really meeting my needs, but I have a sentimental attachment, kwim? I should add a new crafts organizer thingy, though.

[bania]

Nov 24, 2014 15:39:53 GMT -5 sugarbear said:

Nov 24, 2014 15:32:50 GMT -5 lintscreen said:

Yes on the rotary cutter and mat and add a thick plastic ruler, it makes such a difference in cutting straight lines.

What about a sewing box/kit to keep it all in?

I have my grandma's old basket, which isn't really meeting my needs, but I have a sentimental attachment, kwim? I should add a new crafts organizer thingy, though.

You could keep the basket with a few needles and thread, seam ripper etc in the living room (tucked away, I know you have LOs) for hand mending when you're in front of thr TV.

[beefcheeks]

Nov 24, 2014 15:24:37 GMT -5 wannabe said:

Seam ripper. You'll hate it, but you'll need it every time.

FTFY

lol maybe it's just me, but I mess up A LOT. :-)

[beefcheeks]

A very good iron (Rowenta).

A seam measuring tool thingy.

[disappointedkittens]

A walking foot! Its my favorite ever
Also I really like this seam ripper
www.amazon.com/Seam-Fix-Seam-Fix-Ripper/dp/B008W8N11M
I got a nice big magnetic bowl from the hardware store and its so handy for my pins.

[katfco]

If you want them to look more commercial, a serger.

[sugarbear]

Nov 24, 2014 16:18:01 GMT -5 katfco said:

If you want them to look more commercial, a serger.

So, my machine has a serge setting. And I'm talking, the occasional baby blanket, super hero cape, halloween costume. Do you think I need a dedicated serger? 

[aprilsails]

The rotary cutter and mat will change your life, but a thick non-slip acrylic ruler is also necessary to add to the set.

Amazon Link

If you can swing it, the 18"x 24" mat is the first useful size. Especially if you're making curtains or quilts. I really want 24 x 36 now but I can't justify the cost.

[sugarbear]

Nov 24, 2014 16:12:34 GMT -5 disappointedkittens said:

A walking foot! Its my favorite ever
Also I really like this seam ripper
www.amazon.com/Seam-Fix-Seam-Fix-Ripper/dp/B008W8N11M
I got a nice big magnetic bowl from the hardware store and its so handy for my pins.

What's a walking foot?
Egads, I have so much to learn!

[aprilsails]

Nov 24, 2014 16:20:50 GMT -5 sugarbear said:

Nov 24, 2014 16:18:01 GMT -5 katfco said:

If you want them to look more commercial, a serger.

So, my machine has a serge setting. And I'm talking, the occasional baby blanket, super hero cape, halloween costume. Do you think I need a dedicated serger? 

Unless if you are working with knits a lot a serger isn't necessary. I've made a lot of clothes without one over the years.

[MixedBerryJam]

Nov 24, 2014 15:59:30 GMT -5 beefcheeks said:

A very good iron (Rowenta).

A seam measuring tool thingy.

</div>I've never seen one of these before but this is genius! I can see it being super helpful for keeping hems straight, too. If anyone knows what it's called (other than seam measuring tool thingy which is certainly helpful but probably not what Amazon.com calls it) I'd love to know.

[katb]

I got a serger last year from DH for Christmas - my favorite present in a very long time (almost tops the pink bike w/ banana seat that I got when I was 9). Ask for gift cards so you can use it towards that. I also second,third, whatever if you don't have a rotary cutter, mat, and a long ruler to go with it. Get the biggest mat you can - the 18" is too small.

Smaller items - assortment of thread colors (I like gutterman, go with the brand you like), bobbin holder, freezer paper (I use to trace patterns when I have multiple to cut out - you trace/cut the pattern on the freezer paper and then iron it onto the fabric, no pinning), wonderclips.

Go to wawak.com and browse

[my4girls]

Nov 24, 2014 16:25:08 GMT -5 MixedBerryJam said:

Nov 24, 2014 15:59:30 GMT -5 beefcheeks said:

A very good iron (Rowenta).

A seam measuring tool thingy.

</div>I've never seen one of these before but this is genius! I can see it being super helpful for keeping hems straight, too. If anyone knows what it's called (other than seam measuring tool thingy which is certainly helpful but probably not what Amazon.com calls it) I'd love to know.

sewing gauge

[aprilsails]

Another vote for a walking foot - it makes working with slippery or thick fabrics way easier and puts better tension on seams.

You would have to look up what attachments will work for your specific machine but they are awesome.

[FastHands]

Nov 24, 2014 15:26:18 GMT -5 sugarbear said:

Nov 24, 2014 15:24:47 GMT -5 bania said:

Seam ripper
Multiple pin cushions (I keep one by the ironing board and one by the machine. I have 4 in total)
LOTS of pins
Gift card for fabric?

Other non-essentials but make life much easier:

Rotary cutting board (self healing)
Rotary cutter (is this the right name?)

If I had these, would I be able to cut in straight lines? Because evidently I missed that lesson in kindergarten, and it's really starting to bite me in the ass. 

Good call on the gift card for fabric. I have a few thimbles, seam rippers, and pin cushions, all inherited from my grandma so they are each about 50 years old. LOL.

Not necessarily. Not that I'm speaking from experience or anything.

[OrangeBanana]

Nov 24, 2014 15:59:30 GMT -5 beefcheeks said:

A very good iron (Rowenta).

A seam measuring tool thingy.

Definitely one of these! I use mine all the time for almost every project I work on. I make everything from large quilts, little tiny coin pouches to chair covers.

Also a box to hold your bobbins. I have a box that has foam on the inside so that it holds the bobbins tightly so that they don't move around and the thread ends stay put underneath the bobbin. Keeps things much neater. It snaps shut tightly too. It's a nightmare watching a box of 25 full bobbins hit a hard wood floor that has a slight slope to it and watching them scatter everywhere. Not that I would know anything about that.......

I see that many people have already recommend the cutting mat, straight edge ruler and cutting tool. Those are wonderful. 

Spring loaded scissors in a larger and small size. Large to cut fabric, small to trim threads.