New to sewing - what do I need besides machine?

Hello all! 

I am new to sewing - brand new, in fact - and would like to get my first machine soon. I've read articles on various blogs about choosing your first machine, and have picked one I think will be ideal for me.

What I've been unable to find anywhere, however, is a list of things you need to go with your sewing machine. Since I'm new, I have no idea what items are necessary or recommended.

From machine parts to regular sewing items, what all would you ladies say a beginner would need? I don't plan on quilting - at least not yet - mostly just craft & decor items. (No clothing).

Also, when buying fabric, what is a good base amount to buy, if you're not sure of what it will be used for? 1 yard? 2 or more, in a continuous length?

A list of "necessary" items, and "not necessary but recommended", would be very much appreciated, if anyone could pitch in! 

- Heidi

Here's my incomplete list of necessities. Hopefully others will add to it!

• Good scissors that are devoted ONLY to cutting fabric (I like Fiskers with the spring handle so you only do half the work)
• A sewing kit which includes things like a thimble, a seam ripper, a little ruler, a transfer wheel, etc. You can find these at Joanns or Hobby Lobby.
• A book like "Sewing for Dummies" - one that has all the basics, like how to use a rotary cutter, and why to prewash your fabrics, etc.
• A rotary cutter, ruler and cutting mat are not "necessities" until you are cutting quite a bit, or need absolutely straight lines.
• Some fabric scraps (ask a sewing friend rather than buying) so you can practice and learn how your machine stitches before you start on a project.
• If you can, I would suggest taking a beginner's sewing class at a local (independent) fabric shop or sometimes you can find them as a night class at the high school.

And I think the most important necessities of all are patience and forgiveness and acceptance and perseverance!! 

As for how much fabric to buy, it totally depends on the project you have in mind. If you don't have a project in mind, but just love the fabric, then buy at least a yard, and keep a record of what it is (especially if it's not printed on the selvage edge) so you can buy more if you need to. If you don't end up using the whole yard, but love the fabric, you will probably use more in a later project.   

Good luck!

Here's an older post with some great info in it that might help out:
http://www.sewmamasew.com/forum/index.php?topic=2418.0

As you sew more projects, you will acquire more notions but as a beginner, these are the things you will always need:

1.  Quality sewing machine needles in a variety of sizes and types.  (Organ and Schmetz brands are good quality.) Needles need to be discarded after sewing one or two garments and switched often according to fabrics.

2.  Pins.  (I like the kind with colored balls on the end. Discard and replace pins when they become bent.)

3. Pincushion.  (Lots of choices.  You only need one to start.)

4.  Scissors.  (Get the best you can afford.  Fiskars makes good, inexpensive scissors for both right- and left-handed.)

5.  Seam ripper or thread clipper.  (I prefer a thread-clipper to remove stitches.  They are more precise than seam rippers, especially for beginners.)

6.  Quality thread.  (As a beginner, you should avoid buying cheap thread.  It is a false economy.  It can often shred or break and you won't know how to compensate for it until you are a more experienced sewer.  Metrosene or Gutterman thread is high quality.

7.  Good lighting.  Invest in a non-glare light to illuminate your sewing area. 

Great info! Keep 'em coming if anyone can think of anything else - I'm adding most of this to my list  (And mentioning brands is especially helpful, so thank you for that!)

A couple of questions:

1) How do you know what sizes and types of needles to buy?
2) What type of thread should it be? Does it just say 'thread'? I Googled Metrosene and apparently they make regular thread, but also embroidery and quilting thread - are either of those harmful for the non-specialized machine, or bad for basic projects? Also, do I want cotton, polyester...?
3) What is the difference between batting and interfacing, in terms of projects you would use them for? I'm familiar with fiberfill, but I'm also curious for flatter projects - like placemats or anything you would want to be supported inside.

Just thought I'd bump and see if there might be any replies to my last set of questions! 

Everything posted here has been very helpful - thank you ladies!

Needles - Size and type of needle depends on fabric you are sewing. It's good to have an assortment to start with. Usually your sewing machine manual will have a list that makes needle suggestions for types/weights of fabrics.

Thread - I used the Coats & Clark cotton covered polyester for a long time but when I started a business that involved sewing I did some research and decided that 100% polyester thread was probably better all around. It's not a huge deal, just that the cotton leaves lint in your machine. I generally buy Gutermann mostly because I have the color card so I can buy it from online tailors supply at a much better price than what they sell in the chain fabric stores, everyone has their favorites. Just don't buy a no name brand at a big box store. 100% cotton for quilting. One of my personal guidelines is not to use a thread that is stronger than your fabric if you are using a quality fabric for a piece that you intend to last. If there is damage such as a tote bag ripping from too much weight it will be far easier to repair if the thread gives way at the seam than if the fabric itself tears. This is critical when you are sewing with delicate fabrics like velvet. But I have a shelf full of Coats & Clarks and I don't intend to throw it away either. But since you are starting out, you might as well start out with good thread!

Batting vs. Interfacing - Usually batting is used for loft and interfacing is used for stiffness. There are all kinds of both and there are some products that fall somewhere in between. For items that will be washed, make sure that whatever you use inside can be washed in the same way and will keep the desired properties after washing. For something like placemats where you might want something soft but flat I might use fusible fleece. There are lots of options depending on the desired effect and the other components of your project. Most patterns and books will give suggestions for the notions you need to complete the project.

I hope that helps! Also check that thread Irene linked, I know we talked quite a bit about the necessities.

Great, thank you! I did check out the link and make up some of my 'list' from there. I was also wondering about Coats & Clark (I saw it a lot online), so I'm glad you mentioned it - and the reasons for cotton, polyester, etc.

I recently got back into sewing so I have a bunch of my mom's old stuff at my disposal, but what I've used the most so far has been:

-A never-ending supply of pins, or at least a big enough supply that you can stand to throw them out when they get bent beyond repair.
-Some sort of pin cushion. Doesn't have to be fancy.
-A seam ripper. I use mine more than I'd like but it's incredibly handy to have.
-Different sized needles for the machine (I get the most use out of 12-16 sizes) including several back ups since, if you're anything like me, you might break a few in the process of learning to sew.
-Nice quality sewing scissors that you only use for cutting fabric/thread.
-Thread (as others said go for the good stuff) in a few basic colors: Black, white, and navy are the ones I use the most.

Most everything else you'll have to pick up as you go along and your project requires it. I buy most of those supplies from Jo-Ann Fabrics and they're pretty helpful whenever I have questions about what I might need. Hopefully you have a local store that can help you out too!

Thanks! I was wondering about the thread colors, too. Those multi-mega-rainbow-sets are really pretty and tempting, but not cheap! (For the better quality brands, anyway). I guess I'll do it the way I did with embroidery thread, and start off with a few basics, then add to the collection as needed.

One of my favorite things to have is my magnetic pin cushion.  If you drop it, you can just use the magnet to pick up the pins instead of having to do it by hand.  You can find these at most sewing stores.  I like to buy the long quilting pins because they're big enough to go through lots of layers.

Aside from the basics you'll just accumulate things as you go along.  You'll have different needs for different projects.  There's no need to buy lots of stuff in the beginning if you don't know that your project will ever call for it.

Happy sewing!

Wow! How exciting to begin your sewing journey-you will love the creative outlet it gives you!

I love having a portable sewing kit to use for when I want to hem pants or doing hand sewing when I watch tv.
Mine is a pink Rubbermaid cleaning caddy- I put whatever tools and fabric etc. I need in it.

When you have a sewing box, sometimes, I have found, that I can't shut mine, because it's piled high with fabric etc.
I love my sewing box, but this is more versatile!

There is so much great info here-both at this forum and site!I know if I would've had this site when I was learning ( I learned pre-Internet days), well I know I would have had much more confidence and a smaller learning curve!

:)Happy Sewing!
Elaine
Have fun!
Elaine

Hi there!
I am sooo glad that I am not the only one new to the sewing world.  I don't know if you have purchased a new machine yet, but I recently purchased a Bernina for begginers! I love it! I don't know if this is a policy with Bernina or just the store that I purchased it from, but once I am ready to advance with more features on the machine,I can return my machine and they will apply the amount I purchased the machine for, to the next machine that I purchase.  I am not near ready to advance and I started with sewing purses. It's perfect for what I need at this point. Good luck with your sewing and would like to hear from you with any resources you have found as well to get your ideas, patterns and tips.  I just joined this forum today and think it will be very helpful to both of us.  Hope to hear from you soon!

I agree with the ideas given so far for things to have, and here is my variation on a couple of them:
-- pins...I recommend long one (as someone said) with GLASS heads - if you iron over one by mistake it won't melt into your fabric or on your iron
-- scissors...best you can afford and FOR FABRIC ONLY, and if they get nicked, have them sharpened!
-- thread - for the best, look for "long staple" thread..this means that the individual fibers within the thread are long and less apt to break or get linty (tempted to work with thread you've had for a while? Try breaking it with your hands, if it breaks easily, it's rotten and needs to be thrown out or used for craft stuff...not for sewing! If it's on a wooden spool (at least in the US)...don't use it except for decoration.
-- seam ripper - buy one that fits your hand. I'm never happy when I have to use one, and if it's awkward or makes my hand tired I'm even more put off. The tiny ones that come with machines seem to be made for 5 year olds!
-- roll of masking tape - hasn't been mentioned, but is great to use when picking up bits of thread after you've "unsewn" a seam...wrap a length around a couple of your fingers, sticky side out, and just tap on the thread/fabric with it. Also good for marking a seam allowance line on the machine if you don't have good markings on the machine, and many other uses that you never think about till you're in the middle of a project...put a piece on the side of the machine and mark it to tell you what size needle is in the machine...or take a used but still good needle out of the machine temporarily and tape it to the machine with a mark to say what size it it..and on and on..

The basic things I require for sewing classes are:

1) Good pair of fabric scissors.  I usually had students cut a scrap of fabric to tie around the scissors hole to indicate it's only for fabric.
2) Regular scissors to cut threads and paper.
3) Tape measure
4) Long pins....I like those flower ones.
5) Magnetic pin cushion.
6) Seam ripper (your new best friend)
7) 6" ruler tool
white marking pencil
9) Hand sewing needles

Regarding thread, buy the best that you can afford!  I usually use Coats and Clark.  Watch for sales at your favorite fabric store and stock up on thread when you can in the colors that you use frequently.  I store mine in those rolling drawer carts.