Welcome to the world of sewing, friends! Before you dive into stitching up masterpieces, let’s talk about the essentials—because starting without the right tools is like trying to bake a cake without a pan (messy and kind of impossible!). Don’t worry, you don’t need a sewing room full of gadgets to get started. Just a few trusty basics will have you ready to conquer your first project like a pro.
When setting up your sewing space, having the right stations is key to making the process smooth and enjoyable! You’ll need three main areas: one for your sewing machine, one for cutting, and one for ironing.
Sewing Station
Brother CP100x Sewing Machine (most beginner friendly machine on the market)
Sewing Machine Desk (this is the one we use at the studio)
L-Shaped Desk (this is what I use at my home sewing studio)
Machine Essentials
Schmetz Sewing Machine Needles
Cutting Station
In the studio, we love these IKEA tables—they make great standing desks! However, for my home sewing studio I recently purchased the electronic adjustable version—it lets you raise and lower the table with just a button. It’s also more affordable–a win win! You’ll also need a self-healing mat for your cutting station – a 24″ x 36″ size is perfect. Trust me, a well-organized setup will make sewing so much more fun!
Electric 30″ x 48″ Standing Workstation
Omnigrip Non-Slip Rectangle Quilting Ruler 8.5″ x 24″
Omnigrip Non-Slip Ruler 6″ x 12″
Cutting Tools
You’ll want to have a small collection of scissors and blades, each with its own job (because in sewing, the right tool makes all the difference!). Keep one pair of scissors just for paper—trust me, your fabric shears will thank you. You’ll also need fabric shears for cutting fabric, precision scissors for tackling those tiny curves, thread snips for trimming threads, and pinking shears to keep your edges from fraying. For straight, clean cuts through fabric, grab rotary cutters in 45mm and 28mm sizes—they’re a total game-changer!
Ironing Station
CHI Iron
Ironing Board or Wool Ironing Mat
Best Press Spray Starch
Measuring Tools
Marking Tools
Frixion Gel Pens
Pins and Needles
Clover Flat Head Straight Pins
Threads and Fabrics
Set yourself up for sewing success with a quality thread—it’s one of those small investments that makes a big difference! The standard thread weight for most sewing machines is 50wt, which is perfect for a wide range of projects. My go-to favorites are Gutterman and Connecting Threads—reliable, smooth, and perfect for most projects. If you’re feeling a little fancy and want to treat yourself, you’ll absolutely fall in love with Aurifil threads. They’re a bit on the pricier side, but once you try them, you’ll see why they’re worth it!
As a beginner, it’s best to stick with woven fabrics while you’re learning the basics. Woven fabrics, like cotton, are stable, easy to work with, and forgiving, making them perfect for building your sewing confidence. They don’t stretch like knits or slip like apparel fabrics, so you can focus on perfecting your technique without worrying about fabric behavior. You can find a great selection of woven fabrics at local big box stores like Joann’s and Hobby Lobby
Your Sewing Side-Kick
Did you sew a seam a little too close? No worries! The seam ripper’s got your back!
Sewing Organizers
Sewing Bag for Tools
And there you have it—your sewing starter essentials! With these tools in hand, you’ll be well on your way to creating something beautiful. Whether you’re taking one of our classes or sewing at home, I can’t wait to see what you create! Have any questions or need more advice on getting started? Drop a comment below or reach out—I’m here to help! And if you’ve already got some of these tools, let me know which ones you love most. Let’s keep the conversation going!
Happy Sewing – Ms. Jen