Looking to DIY a beginner sewing kit? There’s never been a better time to finally start mending your old clothes or to learn how to sew. For either endeavor, a basic sewing kit is a must-have that is easy to put together.
Table of Contents
Recommended Buys – Beginner Sewing Kit
Here are my handpicked selections so that you don’t have to search through an endless supply of products.
Please note that some of the links below are affiliate links, and I earn a commission if you make a purchase using those links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
There are plenty of choices out there when it comes to pre-made sewing kits, and for some this may be the way to go. That said, I am not a huge fan of these kits. Most have poor quality and are missing essential items. Building your own kit is my preferred approach because it puts YOU in control of the quality and overall usefulness of your sewing kit. Today I’m going to share what’s in my beginning sewing kit and give you a few tips as you build your own. Let’s get started!
1. A storage box for organizing all of your sewing essentials
First things first, you’ll need somewhere to store all of your sewing essentials.
- 3 tiers of storage w/ removable organizer insert
- DIY the layout according to your needs
- Clear boxes allow you to see what's inside
- Handle on lid for easy transport
2. This needle and thread bundle made especially for hand sewing
Even if you sew with a machine, there may be areas of your project that need hand finishing. Find a quality kit that contains an assorted pack of hand sewing needles, a couple of spools of all purpose thread, and needle threader to add to your kit.
- Coats & Clark all purpose thread in black for dark colors and in white for light colors
- Singer 30 count assorted handles needles with various eye sizes and point styles
- Needle threader saves you time and sanity
3. Quality fabric shears for cutting fabric with ease
A high-quality pair of fabric shears are a must-have for any sewing kit because regular scissors aren’t good enough for cutting through fabric. Make sure to invest in a good pair and only use them for fabric.
- Longer cut ideal for patterns
- Knife edge cuts multiple layers
- Bend handle design hold fabric flat
4. Embroidery scissors for all your thread snipping needs
Embroidery scissors are your go-to for all of your thread snipping needs. They help keep your sewing projects looking tidy by snipping off threads, cutting corners, and more precise cutting work that your larger fabric scissors might struggle with.
- Exceptional durability
- Includes protective leather sheath
- Striking, gold-plated design
5. Craft scissors for everything but fabric and thread
These are just your classic pair of scissors that you already probably have in your office drawer. You use these scissors for everything but fabric and thread. It’s always good to have these handy.
- Corrosion-resistant blades
- Titanium bonded blades for high performance
- Soft handles for comfort
- Multipurpose crafting scissors
6. Straight pins for pinning sewing projects
Glass head pins are used for pinning sewing projects. These thin pins will not leave holes in fabric and have very sharp points for sewing polyester and other difficult fabrics.
- Round ball heads make easy work of inserting and removing pins
- Glass heads are safe to use with an iron without risk of melting
- Assorted colors offer great visibility
7. A pin cushion for keeping pins close at hand
The tomato pin cushion with strawberry emery is a staple for all sewists, quilters, and crafters! It’s the most practical way to keep track of all your pins and needles while working on a project and the attached emery can be used to sharpen and clean pins and hand needles.
- Iconic tomato shape
- Attached emery
- Offered in lime, pink, and purple
8. A thimble that protects your fingers
At some point in your sewing journey, you’ll need to push and pull a needle through fabric. This repetitive work can put a strain on your thumb and index fingers. Relax (and protect) your fingers with the help of a thimble and its grooves.
- Soft sides provide comfort
- Openings allow finger to breathe
- Hard textured tip protects finger and prevents needle from slipping
9. Soft Tape Measures
You will need a tape measure for nearly every project. Use it to take body measurements, cut fabric to size, and more! Look for a 60-inch soft tape measure with double scale to complete your kit.
- Made from non-stretch fiberglass
- Metal ends keep measuring tape from fraying
- Measure curved and flat surfaces
- Includes retractable measuring tape
10. 6-inch Sewing Gauge
The sewing gauge is a small ruler with a slider in the center making it easy to mark seams. The slider allows the gauge to hold position for repeated marking. It’s good for those small measurements.
- Ruler shows inches and centimeters
- Easy to read
- Slider is useful for repeated markings
11. Seam rippers for ripping out unwanted seams
Seam rippers are helpful for fixing the occasional sewing mistake or for ripping out unwanted seams when refashioning. Invest a good sharp one (or two)!
- Two sizes for different requirements
- Sharp and durable
- Red ball end protects fabric
12. Chalk for marking your sewing projects
Chalk can used for temporary guide markings on fabric to indicate where it needs to be cut or left out, shortened or lengthened, or where a pleat needs to be made, and so on.
- Metal wheel dispenses chalk
- Adds a fine, think chalk line
- Refills available, sold separately
13. Adhesive tape for quick hems and repairs
Adhesive tape is a great pinch hitter for quick hems and repairs. You can also use hem tape to hold a hem until you are ready to sew it.
- No sew, iron-on adhesive
- Double-sided
- Permanent bond
14. Safety Pins for holding it all together
Sewing pins are a must. Buy a box with multiple sizes and it will last for years.
- Multiple sizes
- Nickel Plated
- 50-count
15. Marking Pens for marking exact locations in your sewing projects
These pens are ideal for transferring pattern markings and for marking exact locations of buttons and embellishments in your fabric-based projects. The blue marking pen is used for marking light fabrics and the white one for dark fabrics. Wipe off the markings made by these pens using a damp cloth. For best results, use only on washable fabrics.
- Water soluble ink, remove marks with damp cloth
- Blue for making light fabrics
- White for marking dark fabrics
Money Matters – Beginner Sewing Kit
If you purchase everything on my list (assuming you don’t already have any of these items in your home), you can put together a stellar beginner sewing kit for around $136 on Amazon!
Printable Shopping List – Beginner Sewing Kit
Beginner Sewing Kit
What you need to be prepared for the most common sewing needs
shopwithalist.com
Final Thoughts
What items do you have in your at home sewing kit?