The Beginner Sewing Kit: What You Actually Need (and What You Don’t!)

Walk into any craft shop and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed: scissors of every shape,

mysterious rulers, gadgets you’ve never seen before. But you don’t need everything to get

started. Here’s the realistic beginner sewing kit that will cover nearly all beginner projects and a few extras you can add later!

The Absolute Beginner Sewing Kit:

1. Fabric Scissors

Invest in one sharp pair and guard it with your life, NEVER use them on paper! A clean cut prevents frayed edges and uneven seams, as well as making the whole process easier and more enjoyable.

2. Small Snips

Perfect for trimming loose threads and tight corners. Keep them by your machine

at all times!

3. Pins and Clips

You’ll want both: fine glass-head pins for general use and clips for

delicate or bulky fabrics.

4. Measuring Tape

Choose something flexible and at least 150 cm long. Replace when it stretches or numbers

fade.

5. Seam Ripper / Stitch Unpick

Your best friend on bad-stitch days (We’ve all been there.) Choose one

with a comfortable handle, you can get different sizes depending on what's comfortable for you.

6. Tailor’s Chalk or Fabric Marker

For marking darts, notches, and seam allowances without damaging fabric.

7. Iron and Ironing Board

Pressing is half of sewing! If space is tight, a mini travel iron works wonders.

8. Good-Quality Thread & Needles

Stock black, white, and a neutral beige to start. Add colours as projects grow. We recommend Gutermann or Coat's Moon Threads. For machine needles: keep sizes 70–90 on hand.

Essential Kit: Scissors, Tape Measure, Thread, Pins and Stitch Unpick

Nice-to-Have Extras:

Rotary Cutter & Mat: Great for straight lines and quilting.

Fabric Weights: Replace pins when cutting slippery fabrics.

Bobbins Box: Keeps thread tidy and tangle-free.

Tailor’s Ham / Sleeve Roll: For pressing curved seams perfectly.

Needle Threader or Tweezers: Saves eye strain.

Wait to learn your sewing style and preferences before diving in and buying the expensive gadgets!

What You Don’t Need Right Away:

Skip the expensive gadgets until you know your style. Pattern notcher? Bias-tape maker?

Fun later, unnecessary now. Focus on learning the basics first!

Pro Tip: Organise Your Kit

A toolbox or clear craft box keeps everything visible. Store sharp items in one compartment,

soft tools in another. Label it so family members know not to borrow your scissors!

Well organised kit can make your sewing experience so much simpler and enjoyable!

Start simple, grow gradually, and enjoy the process. Learning to sew is a journey not a race and every project will teach you something new!

Come in and browse our Haberdashery section for quality tools and supplies or book a sewing lesson to learn how to use every tool in your kit.

Book a Sewing Lesson