How to Sew for a Beginner: Basic Supplies

A needle and thread are among the most basic supplies needed to learn hand sewing.

When you decide to learn to sew, you will need to decide whether you will sew by hand or machine. You can benefit from learning to sew with both methods. If you want to make apparel, you will want to sew by machine. Hand sewing is useful for craft projects and for quilting. Getting started does not cost much, even if you have to buy a sewing machine. Whether you choose to learn to sew by hand or by machine, all you need are a few basic supplies.

Things You'll Need

• Sewing machine
• Hand sewing needles
• Thread
• Scissors
• Ruler
• Tape Measure
• Straight pins
• Box or small plastic tote
• Fabric pencil or pen

Instructions

Basic Supplies for Hand Sewing

1. Clean your box or small plastic tote. It should be clean and dry, free of dirt and dust.

2. Add a package of sewing needles into your box. Choose the ones labeled as "sharps." Leave them in their package for safe storage.

3. Place your choice of scissors into your sewing box. Depending on the type of sewing you do, you may end up with several pairs of scissors. To begin, however, choose basic sewing shears.

4. Store thread spools in the box. Always match threads to your fabrics. Until you know which specific thread colors you need, choose basic colors like white, beige, black, and blue. Beginners should work with cotton threads to start with, but there are many fibers available as you grow in experience.

5. 

   Straight pins help keep fabric in place when cutting patterns.

   Add straight pins to your sewing supply box.

6. Add fabric pencil (or pen) and measuring tools -- a ruler and a cloth tape measure -- to your sewing box. In addition to measuring, the ruler will help you mark and cut straight lines. The cloth tape measure is for measuring items larger than the ruler allows.

Basic Supplies for Machine Sewing

1. 

   Table top machines fit nicely on a table or desk for comfortable sewing.

   Select a sewing machine. Basic portable machines are available with as few as eight stitch options. More advanced models are available with hundreds of stitch options. Typically, the more stitches you choose, the more your machine will cost.

2. Clean your box or small plastic tote. It should be clean and dry, free of dirt and dust.

3. Place your choice of scissors into your sewing box. Depending on the type of sewing you do, you may end up with several pairs of scissors. To begin, however, choose basic sewing shears.

4. Store thread spools in the box. Always match threads to your fabrics. Until you know which specific thread colors you need, choose basic colors like white, beige, black, and blue. Beginners should work with cotton threads to start with, but there are many fibers available as you grow in experience.

5. Add straight pins to your sewing supply box. Keep them stored in their plastic container.

6. Add fabric pencil (or pen) measuring tools -- a ruler and a cloth tape measure -- to your sewing box. In addition to measuring, the ruler will help you mark and cut straight lines. The cloth tape measure is for measuring items larger than the ruler allows.

Tips & Warnings

• Check to see if your sewing machine has needles with it. If not, refer to the manual to know what kind to buy.

• Buy 100 percent cotton fabric when you are learning to sew. The fabric is easier to sew than silks and man-made fibers like polyester.

• Books with sewing terms are a good item to have as reference as you begin to sew.

• When you begin sewing from a pattern, read all instructions thoroughly before beginning.

• Use safety precautions when holding and storing sharp items like scissors, pins and needles.

• Never perform sewing machine maintenance unless the machine is unplugged.

References

• Utah State University Cooperative Extension: Basic Sewing Supplies
• Little Stitches Sewing: Basic Sewing Supplies
• Learn at North: Basic Sewing Supplies for Beginning Sewing Class

Resources

• Craft and Fabric Links: Free Sewing Book for Beginners