sewing must haves to help you start sewing

[remjsmom76]

These are some sewing must haves.... things that should be in your arsenal of sewing stuff.



Here you have a cutting mat, a strip cutter, scissors, pinking shears, tape measurement, chalk, a seam measurement, soap stone and a seam ripper.


A cutting mat and strip cutter: These two helps you get crisp clean straight lines you cant get with anything else. 

Pinking Shears: help you to prevent fraying when you cut fabric.  Sometimes it is used when you finish sewing two fabrics together, you cut as close as you can to the seam with pinking shears so fraying does not happen

Tape measurement:  The one I have here has a slider that snaps in place when you are taking measurements for someone else.  It marks the place to read for you.  It is good when you are creating your own patterns or to find out what size you need when buying patterns.

Chalk:  I like chalk better than the blue and white pencils you see to mark fabric.  The one you see there has powder chalk inside and a rotary wheel that leaves a line when you roe it over the fabric

Seam ruler:  This comes in handy when you dont have the lines on your machine to help you with seam measuring.  This way you can mark where you will start your seams from the edge of the fabric.

Soap stone:  This I prefer over the chalk when it comes to really dark fabrics like black, navy blue  and so forth.  It shows better

Seam ripper:  Sometimes you get so caught up in sewing that before you know it...you've sewing the sleeve on backwards!!!  LOL...ive had it happen.  Or you need to open up the seams of pants to create mosaic or patchwork jeans.  Seam rippers are your best friend.  You can rip out seams while watching tv.

I hope this has helped you with what you need, besides a sewing machine, to help you on your way to a successful sewing experience!

If you have any "must haves" that you know we need to know about please share with us!

[Lori166]

I have all of these too but have never used my the strip cutter.  How do you like it?

[TexasLady40]

There are a lot of sewing notions needed for specific sewing projects but the one  or make that two things  that are MUST HAVES for me are my Iron & Ironing board.(not mentioned)

[MrsHollywood]

Yep!  I agree!  I hated ironing before but I'll subject myself to it for sewing!  LOL!

Quoting TexasLady40:

There are a lot of sewing notions needed for specific sewing projects but the one  or make that two things  that are MUST HAVES for me are my Iron & Ironing board.(not mentioned)

[alarsen]

Instead of a traditional seam ripper I love using a scalpel.  I found that the sewing store was selling plastic handled ones so I started buying the blades on eBay to replace the blades from the store bought ones..  You can buy a big box of scalpel blades for around $7.00.  That'll last you years!  I love it because there is no pulling on the thread or fabric and you can cut away when you can barely see the tread. 

My cutting mat and rotary blade are essential.  I use plexi-glass and a plexi glass knife to make permanent patterns of stuff that I make alot of, especially handbags and accessories.  Then I just whip around the patterns with them rotary blade.

[Lori166]

That's interesting about the plexi glass.  I would like to hear more about that.  Do you use one sheet of plexi glass for two patterns front and back or one for all? 
I like that scalpel for a  seem ripper.  I'm going to try that this weekend.  Before I try do you mean an exacto knife or an actual medical scalpel?   I think I'll try both.

Quoting alarsen:

Instead of a traditional seam ripper I love using a scalpel.  I found that the sewing store was selling plastic handled ones so I started buying the blades on eBay to replace the blades from the store bought ones..  You can buy a big box of scalpel blades for around $7.00.  That'll last you years!  I love it because there is no pulling on the thread or fabric and you can cut away when you can barely see the tread. 

My cutting mat and rotary blade are essential.  I use plexi-glass and a plexi glass knife to make permanent patterns of stuff that I make alot of, especially handbags and accessories.  Then I just whip around the patterns with them rotary blade.

[alarsen]

Quoting Lori166:

That's interesting about the plexi glass. I would like to hear more about that. Do you use one sheet of plexi glass for two patterns front and back or one for all?
I like that scalpel for a seem ripper. I'm going to try that this weekend. Before I try do you mean an exacto knife or an actual medical scalpel? I think I'll try both.

Quoting alarsen:

Instead of a traditional seam ripper I love using a scalpel. I found that the sewing store was selling plastic handled ones so I started buying the blades on eBay to replace the blades from the store bought ones.. You can buy a big box of scalpel blades for around $7.00. That'll last you years! I love it because there is no pulling on the thread or fabric and you can cut away when you can barely see the tread.

My cutting mat and rotary blade are essential. I use plexi-glass and a plexi glass knife to make permanent patterns of stuff that I make alot of, especially handbags and accessories. Then I just whip around the patterns with them rotary blade.

It's an actual scalpel.  It's much more sharp than an exacto and the blade is a little more fine.  They had them at our sew shop with blue plastic handles as if they were disposible but you can buy a nice metal handle and replacement blades on eBay.  I like the ones that curve almost like a hook because I can reach in and grap a stitch.  BE CAREFUL.!  They are VERY sharp and always put them away.  I've sliced my finger a time or two being careless.

Oh, the plexi glass is awesome.  You can buy big sheets at hardware stores and a little cutting knife.  Well, I use the edge of the knife and scrap away at my lines in long swipes.  You can even do curves.  It's a little tedious doing the cutting but totally worth it.  What ever pieces you use for a regular pattern, you can cut out of plexi-glass.  I have small pieces for small accessories and it's usually just one piece that I can use for front, back and inside.  Like a pouch for my cell phone.  Once you start using that tool to cut, you'll see your possiblities are endless.  I don't recommend using any other cutting tool but the one made for the plexi-glass because you'll want a smooth edge, as not to damage your rotatary blade.  Also use a mat underneath when cutting. 

Once you get your favorite patterns drawn and cut out, you can drill holes in them for hanging on a peg board.  I'll try to take a picture of my patterns to show you if you are intersted in them.  Then they are right there when you need them.

[sweetlilmiracle]

That is great about the plexi glass.  My DH and I were talking about how we could make permanent patterns for me.

Thanks so much for the tip!!!

Quoting alarsen:

Quoting Lori166:

That's interesting about the plexi glass. I would like to hear more about that. Do you use one sheet of plexi glass for two patterns front and back or one for all?
I like that scalpel for a seem ripper. I'm going to try that this weekend. Before I try do you mean an exacto knife or an actual medical scalpel? I think I'll try both.

Quoting alarsen:

Instead of a traditional seam ripper I love using a scalpel. I found that the sewing store was selling plastic handled ones so I started buying the blades on eBay to replace the blades from the store bought ones.. You can buy a big box of scalpel blades for around $7.00. That'll last you years! I love it because there is no pulling on the thread or fabric and you can cut away when you can barely see the tread.

My cutting mat and rotary blade are essential. I use plexi-glass and a plexi glass knife to make permanent patterns of stuff that I make alot of, especially handbags and accessories. Then I just whip around the patterns with them rotary blade.

It's an actual scalpel.  It's much more sharp than an exacto and the blade is a little more fine.  They had them at our sew shop with blue plastic handles as if they were disposible but you can buy a nice metal handle and replacement blades on eBay.  I like the ones that curve almost like a hook because I can reach in and grap a stitch.  BE CAREFUL.!  They are VERY sharp and always put them away.  I've sliced my finger a time or two being careless.

Oh, the plexi glass is awesome.  You can buy big sheets at hardware stores and a little cutting knife.  Well, I use the edge of the knife and scrap away at my lines in long swipes.  You can even do curves.  It's a little tedious doing the cutting but totally worth it.  What ever pieces you use for a regular pattern, you can cut out of plexi-glass.  I have small pieces for small accessories and it's usually just one piece that I can use for front, back and inside.  Like a pouch for my cell phone.  Once you start using that tool to cut, you'll see your possiblities are endless.  I don't recommend using any other cutting tool but the one made for the plexi-glass because you'll want a smooth edge, as not to damage your rotatary blade.  Also use a mat underneath when cutting. 

Once you get your favorite patterns drawn and cut out, you can drill holes in them for hanging on a peg board.  I'll try to take a picture of my patterns to show you if you are intersted in them.  Then they are right there when you need them.

[Marsena]

 I LOVE the plexy glass idea! that would save so much time! is this easy the to do? I can't get DH to do anything for me, so I'd have to do it myself. can I just trace my pattern onto the plexi glass with a sharpie?? right now I have mine on cardstock to make them a little stiffer.

[nadia.nada]

 

 I need that cutting mat! I bought my very own (extra cheap to start) machine. I spent all yesterday in Hobby Lobby! I loved it and was there forever! I only managed to learn how to thread the machine and haven't sewn anything yet. It's a lot to learn but I am very excited!

  I don't know if I will manage to make to many small size clothes for my daughter before she gets too cool, but that little infant that I hope is on the way in the next few years just might be covered head to toe with my creations! I do hope my big kids will like the other than clothes creations that I hope to make them.

  This is crazy fun, I won't give up!