Whether you are just starting out or a seasoned seamstress one of the most important things you can invest in is your kit. For instance good scissors = well cut pieces = neater assembly.
I have spent the last 10 years sewing and I have trialled and tested a lot of equipment. Here is my list of things you need in your kit and some links to ones I particularly recommend.
The magnetic pin pad
Starting off strong, a magnetic pin pad. See when we are sewing we are having to take pins out as we go along and leaving them on the side will just lead to disaster… This is why I personally love the magnetic pin pad. It also came in handy once when I dropped a whole box of pins. You just flip it round and it collects them all for you.
Magnetic Pin Cushion on Amazon
I can not find my exact one as I bought it a good 6 years ago now however this one is similar to the one I have and has decent reviews.
A good pair of snips
It’s great to have scissors but really it’s not enough. You need a practical pair of snips to keep handy next to your sewing machine. This will help you greatly during your sewing projects and at the end when you need to neaten things up.
My favourite snips came with my scissors, see the last link on the article.
Thermosible pens
I first stumbled upon these when I went to a sashiko stitching workshop, I’d been sewing for years at this point but now that I have found them I can’t imagine making clothes or altering clothes without them. You mark the clothing with them and then it comes off with heat, so when I finish an item and iron the seam it just disappears. I find this more effective than tailor’s chalk.
These are the best ones I’ve found so far - I’ve tried a few versions and haven’t found the perfect ones yet but these ones work much better than the last ones I tried.
A bloody good pair of scissors
Finishing off with potentially the most crucial item a good pair of scissors. Having lovely sharp scissors helps getting into a good flow as you are able to just glide through without being slowed by the friction of slow scissors, not to mention your cutting will be much neater. Remember DO NOT use them on paper.
Good Quality Sharp Fabric Scissors
These ones are the ones I currently use and the best ones I have found so far (I have tested a good 10 pairs). A close second best would be any Fiscar ones, they are a great brand.
There are so many practical tools that you can use when you are sewing and I may create a longer list soon as I have many recommendations on this topic in particular but these are the essentials to get you going. You will find that with time your kit will naturally grow. I definitely recommend starting off simple and investing in the things you know you will use. I think I’ve used my notch maker twice! Not worth my £12 investment in the end.
Happy sewing everyone!