10 Essential Sewing Tools For Beginners

While I have previously written about a variety of sewing tools and equipment, I haven’t focused on the essential tools a sewing beginner might need when starting out on their sewing journey.

And to be fair, the tools a sewing beginner needs will vary depending on which sewing discipline they plan to learn. Some people learn to sew so that they can quilt or embroider, while others have thoughts of sewing clothing or home furnishing items.

Whatever your reason for learning to sew, this list of essential tools for sewing beginners covers the 10 sewing tools that should be included in your sewing kit. No more, no less.

Tools that we use in sewing can be broken down into categories – measuring, cutting, pressing and sewing – but to do that would leave us with far too many sewing tools for this beginners kit, so today I will share with you the tools I would not be able to sew without.

Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. This means that I may receive a fee at no extra cost to you if you purchase a recommended product.

10 Sewing Tools For Beginners

It is important to note that I primarily sew clothing, so the sewing tools listed here are specifically what I use for what could be called ‘dressmaking’:

1. Tape Measure
2. Ruler
3. Fabric scissors
4. Paper scissors
5. Seam ripper
6. Pins
7. Sewing machine and needles
8. Iron
9. Pressing mat
10. Tailors ham

Let’s dig into why each one makes the list and what I use it for!

1. Tape Measure

A tape measure is a piece of flexible cloth with both inches and centimeters marked on each side. It is coated so that it doesn’t stretch out immediately when used.

Try to use the same tape measure for a project as sometimes the markings can be inaccurate, especially if the one you are using is old and a little stretched out.

What A Tape Measure Is Useful For

As well as using my tape measure to take accurate measurements of my body, I also use it to:

• Measures the correct distance of my grainline form the selvedge of my fabric
• Measure areas of sewing patterns for fit purposes
• Measure various points for placements of garment details such as pockets, buttons and more

A tape measure is number one on my list because it is the most used tool in my sewing kit! Its worth noting that you should be prepared to buy a new tape measure every year or so, depending on how much you use it, as they do stretch out over time.

2. Ruler

A ruler is on my list because while the tape measure will measure things, it will not provide me with a straight edge. My go to ruler of choice is a one yard stick, in metal.

What I Use My 1 Yard Stick For

I use my one yard stick to mark in straight lines on sewing patterns, to measure multiple lengths of fabric against and to make sure my mainline is accurate.

It also double ups as a fabric weight occasionally too!

This is a very good wooden yard stick, and will do the job well!

3. Fabric Scissors

Whether you opt for long or short blade scissors, or a set of tailoring shears, a pair of scissors dedicated to only cutting fabric is essential for all sewing kits.

I use and love my Kai fabric scissors, which I’ll have to review as I get so many questions about them, but any scissor with sharp blades that you use only for fabric will do.

4. Paper Scissors

This is the second pair of scissors on my list, which to some may sound excessive when I only have ten spots for sewing tools, but here’s why.

Paper blunts blades, and we need our fabric scissors to be at their sharpest when cutting fabrics. This makes a separate set just for paper an essential tool in your sewing kit!

I personally use a short blade scissor from Morplan in London for my paper scissors, and this pair of Fiskars scissors for their longer blade, but any pair will do as long as you’re only cutting paper with them!

What I Use Paper Scissors For

Paper scissors in my sewing kit are used for:

• Cutting out commercial sewing patterns
• Cutting a notch into fabric which is pinned to paper
• Cutting paper when tracing commercial or self drafted patterns

5. Seam Ripper

I am a pro, and even I have to use my seam ripper on every project that I sew. We’re human, which means mistakes happen, and the seam ripper will help you to fix those mistakes.

Seam rippers – sometimes called stitch un-pickers – come in different ‘types’:

• Small and round with a ball on one part
• Long, flat and skinny, again with a ball on one part
• Both of the above, but with a light and / or magnifying glass attached

The one you opt for will depend on how your eyes are. This is a very affordable two pack which includes a smaller and larger one.

6. Pins

Pins are an essential sewing tool. Not only do they help you keep your sewing patterns in place when cutting out fabric, but they also help keep fabric pieces together when sewing seams.

Pins that I use are dressmaking pins – long and thin so that they don’t damage any fabrics I plan to use. Others come with plastic or glass beads on top, or in different ‘thicknesses’ for different fabric types.

I also like the pins with colourful beads on the end but I usually suggest that you avoid them. If you’re not fast enough to remove the pin and sew over it with a sewing machine, you can cause some serious damage to your machine when the beat is crushed. On the other hand, the bead makes them easier to remove, so it’s up to you.

If pins aren’t your thing – some people find them fiddly to work with – you can also work with these small clips. I use them to hold bulkier fabrics and leathers together, but they also come in handy for tricky areas where pins can be awkward to remove.

Side note – I still have my pins in the same metal tin in the photo above! I find it much easier to grab from the tin than a pin cushion!

7. Sewing Machine & Needles

You cannot sew without a sewing machine or sewing needles.

The sewing machine you choose to use should based upon what you need it to do. I have a guide on buying a used sewing machine, a guide on buying a new sewing machine and a guide on the different types of sewing machines too. Be sure to check them out if you don’t already own a sewing machine!

Sewing machines vary based one use – a standard sewing machine, an overlocker/serger, and embroidery machine or leather sewing machine are just a few examples – and so too for sewing needles.

Always make sure to choose the correct sewing needle type for the fabric you choose to sew!

I personally use a Bernina 1008 sewing machine for most of my sewing, and my standard needle is a universal unless I am sewing knit fabrics.

If you’re looking for a sewing machine that is perfect for a beginner, then read my full review of this beginner friendly Brother sewing machine!

8. Iron

I have a dedicated travel iron with I use for my sewing projects. It is small so can be packed away into my cupboard when not in use, and when it is in use it takes up less space on my work space.

You’ll need an iron for pressing your stitches when sewn to ‘set’ them, and for pressing your seams.

If you want your sewing projects to look good, get an iron.

9. Pressing Mat

Now I could say that an iron board is an essential sewing tool, but in fact, I find that I rarely get mine out, preferring to use a wool pressing mat instead. Mine is about 16″ / 40cm square and lays flat on my worktable when in use, and stands up against my book shelf when not.

It really is something that I now use for every project, whether a garment I am making for myself or s ample for a sewing tutorial.

10. Tailor’s Ham

This one really is specific only for this interested in making clothing. A tailor’s ham will allow you to press seam and more that exist on curved sections such as princess lines and collars.

As these areas are sewn with curves in mind, we need to press them on a ham to retain that shaping – pressing on a flat ironing board or pressing mat will take out that shaping and leave us with flat garments.

What Other Tools Do You Need To Start Sewing?

In all honesty? None. The list of 10 tools above are the only sewing tools you need to get started with sewing. If anyone tells you differently, their aim is to sell you more products!

It goes without saying that thread and fabric are also needed, but those aren’t ‘tools’. We choose fabric for our sewing project, often a pattern too based upon what we want to make and the thread we choose will be chosen to match the fabric choice.

There are other tools that you can add to your sewing kit, but do you need them to get started? Absolutely not! This isn’t a competition to see who has the biggest sewing kit, but an opportunity to realise that you can sew many things with just the essentials.

Let me know whether you plan to start sewing and what you plan to make first in the comments below. I’d love to hear how you get on.

And if you’re ready for more, you can read:

• The many different types of fabric – a guide covering all the fabrics you might come across and not know anything about.
• The types of clothing we wear (and can make) which is handy to know for when you’re itching to sew a new project.
• The differences between pattern ‘formats’ – should you buy PDF, Paper Patterns or projector files?

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