If you're here, we assume you sew or want to, and that's great! Sewing is so much fun! A great way for some to relax, to add some uniqueness to a wardrobe, to expand a wardrobe, to decorate your home... there are SO many reasons people do it! But there are some very common across the board tools that EVERY person will need, no matter the project, and that is what this post is for! So, without further ado, here are our top must-have tools for any home sewist's sewing kit.

10 Things Every Beginner Seamstress Should Have In Their Sewing Kit

1. A sewing machine.

   
   Do you need a top of the line, it practically runs itself machine? Psshh... Nah. Are they nice to have? Of course! But I started out with a low-end Walmart special machine when I started and those projects are still holding up today. As long as you are using it right, the machine does not matter a bit. (well, I wouldn't buy those handheld machines or child-sized ones, but, you get the idea.)

1. Machine feet

   
   Most commonly used feet (for apparel sewing) are the regular foot, buttonhole foot, and zipper foot. Most all machines will come with all 3 of these feet and we will have tutorials on using different types of feet at some point in the future. 

1. Extra machine needles

   
   ALWAYS a good idea. No matter how careful you are, needles WILL be broken. Just make sure you are buying the correct needles for the job! You can grab a variety of needles in large qualities on Amazon for super cheap! Check it out here!* (Another future blog post coming your way soon!)

1. Hand sewing needles and seam rippers

   
   Yes, you will need these. Some patterns will require hand stitching. Even if they don't, they're still a handy thing to have around. You never know when you might have to reattach a stray button somewhere. And the seam rippers will be used often. Even when you're a veteran sewist. Trust me.

1. Thread

   
   Self-explanatory.

1. Straight pins and/or Wonder-Clips

   
   Some experienced seamstresses don't always use things like this, but if you're starting out, you're DEFINITELY going to want to want this anchor to help you out. Even as experienced as I am, I still use them more often than I don't. (p.s. I use both, which one depends on the project). Every seamstress needs a set of pins and a pin cushion, but Wonder-Clips are amazing!  They are super expensive if you buy them in a big box store, but you can grab them for cheap on Amazon.*

1. Measuring tape.

   
   You'll need this for making sure you're sewing the right size if you're sewing a garment.

1. A pattern

   
   If you're on this blog, I'm guessing you're leaning toward garment sewing. And most likely garment sewing for littles. That's awesome! If you're starting out, Bella Sunshine has several free patterns you can use to cut your sewing teeth, like Reagan's Raglan and Isabella's Banded Skirt! Just join our Facebook group here to learn how to get them! Along with this pattern (if it's a PDF pattern), you will need a way to print it (either at a print shop or a home printer), along with scotch tape and scissors for cutting paper. Which are NOT the same scissors you will want to use to cut your fabric. Trust me on this.

1. Fabric.

   
   Self-explanatory. Make sure you have the right KIND of fabric for your project as fabrics can vary wildly and will make a HUGE difference in your finished product. Any patterns you purchase should give you a list of suggested fabrics to use for the best outcome. Pay attention to that list for a superior result.

1. Fabric cutting tools.

   
   Here you have a few options. The way I started out was with fabric scissors and a fabric marker. I laid my pattern out on my fabric, traced it with the marker and then used the fabric scissors (again, different from the ones used to cut paper) to cut the pieces. Nowadays I use a rotary cutter, acrylic ruler, and a cutting mat. It's a little more expensive. It also takes a little practice, especially on the curves, but once you get the hang of it, it is SO much faster and easier than traditional scissors and I can't imagine cutting any other way anymore. If you don't already have a rotary cutter, I really recommend Fiskars for just starting out. It is inexpensive, and they have a great warranty.  You can pick up a starter set with everything you need here.*

*Anything marked with an asterisk is an affiliate link. That means if you purchase something when clicking that link, we get a very small percentage which keeps this blog going. That being said, we only link to products that we actually use and recommend.