Unlocking the Art of Sewing: A Beginner's Guide to Getting Started on Amazon

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My sewing journey began when I was 20. It was a time when I felt a bit adrift and in search of a new hobby. That's when my thoughtful sister gifted me my very first Singer sewing machine for my birthday. It was a moment that changed my life.

I remember starting with whatever random fabric I had lying around in my room, attempting to create a simple tote bag. It wasn't perfect by any means, but it held my belongings, and that sense of accomplishment was truly priceless. With each attempt, I refined my skills, and the transformation was astounding.

As I delved deeper into the world of sewing, I soon realized that having the right tools and supplies is essential. Unfortunately, I didn't have a mentor or guide to show me the way, and I often found myself with the wrong scissors, needles, and more.

I understand that you may be in a similar position, seeking the knowledge and resources to embark on your sewing journey with confidence. I'm here to lend a helping hand and share my experience, so you can avoid the same challenges I faced.

1.Sewing Machine

Honestly, at this pricing point on Amazon, this is most likely the best domestic sewing machine available. For someone who has worked with domestic sewing machines for a long time, this brother machine is the best. How come? It provides access to so many stitches, like buttonholes, which you would normally have to go somewhere else to get done, but you can do it with this machine!

Another feature it has that most demostic machines have is the drop in bobbin and auto thread it saves so much time, because the set up probably takes more time then actually sewing. So do your self a favour and get a good domestic sewing machine, dont waste youre time getting a cheap one to then break or only sew a straight stich.

Pay $26.88/month or less for 18 months

2.Fabric Scissors

Investing in Gingher Dressmaker's Fabric Scissors is a wise decision for a beginner sewer. These 8" stainless steel shears offer unparalleled precision and durability, ensuring clean and effortless fabric cutting which is what you need. One thing I should note is their sharpness which results in their effortless cutting which will result in less hand fatigue which you will get, cutting takes a long time so like a bed that you spend alot of time on so you get a good best youre gonna spend alot of time cutting so might as well get the best scizzors.

Currently 39% OFF & Amazon's Choice

3.Steam Iron

"This phase holds a pivotal role in the world of professional tailoring, as many experienced artisans have often stated that 'the quality of your garments is directly linked to the quality of your iron.' Selecting the right iron, along with a diligent iron protector, is crucial to preserving the integrity of your creations and achieving that polished, professional appearance.

While most resources predominantly focus on recommending suitable irons, the significance of an accompanying iron protector cannot be overstated. This dual approach helps circumvent the undesirable 'glazing' of your fabric, which can lead to visible indentations, thereby safeguarding the fabric's pristine appearance.

In addition to this, my recommendation leans toward irons with superior steam production capabilities that endure extended use. The rationale behind this preference is simple: ample steam is indispensable for fabric shrinking, negating the need to cut oversized pieces and the subsequent risks of post-cleaning shrinkage. Furthermore, the highlighted iron features a unique design that prevents water spillage, ensuring a seamless experience devoid of unwanted watermarks on your cherished fabrics."

Amazon's Choice

Amazon's Choice

4.Iron Board

Face it with an iron you need an iron board, and with the wrong one you're gonna be complaining a lot. That's why I use the BKTD ironing board. Why? its sturdy, its foldable, and the main part why I like it is because of heat resistant cover resulting in preventing stains which their will be a lot of from all the fabrics and notions used on this.

Amazon's Choice

5.Small Scissors for Snipping threads

Amazon's Choice

These little dudes are like your sewing sidekicks, helping you keep your projects on point. They're great for snipping threads, nailing those tricky corners, and handling the nitty-gritty cutting stuff that your big fabric scissors might fumble.

6.Seam Ripper & Small Scissors

Amazon's Choice

If youre looking to save more money their is a pack that comes with the small scizzors and also seam ripper.

These babies are youre eraser everytime you mess up a seam, these will help you undo it and it a NEED to matter what.

If you're looking to get the best bang for you're buck why?

And for those that want a better eraser that wont drop and have a good handle of the clover seam ripper is the best. As you learn more about sewing you will learn that some seam rippers are really sharp and can undo seams in an instant and for you the clover is one of them, the seam ripper above is good but if you want something that will last and have a way better grip on the clover is the way to go.

7.Measuring Tape

Amazon's Choice

Remember, it's the "measure twice, cut once" rule! In sewing, getting your measurements spot-on is a big deal, whether you're tackling a big project or a small one. Since these little guys are budget-friendly, I'd suggest grabbing a few (they have a habit of disappearing just when you need 'em!).

8.Sewing Gauge

Amazon's Choice

This baby is gonna need a must have when starting, This tool is going to help you make sure youre seams are accurate or just measuring!

The 5-in-1 Gauge is a versatile tool for sewing, quilting, and crafts. It measures in both inches and centimeters with a smooth sliding feature for precision. Use it for adding seam allowances, marking lines, and more. You'll receive 2 different styles in each pack, built to last with plastic and metal aluminum. Perfect for various DIY projects.

9.Sewing Machine Needles

Amazon's Choice

Needles wear out and snap quite often. To avoid any project-halting runs to the store, it's smart to keep some on standby. Just remember to swap them out when they start messing with your fabric!

For most sewing, a universal 80/12 needle does the trick. But if you're working with knits, go for a ballpoint needle. And for heavier stuff like denim, grab a jeans needle. Easy peasy!

Also important reminder to switch needles every 8 hours of sewing because the needles does dull and if used dull can damage the machine or damage the garment.

10.Hand Sewing Needles

Amazon's Choice

Even though most of your sewing happens on the machine, there'll be times when you gotta finish things up by hand.

11.Straight 1" Pins

For Draping

For sewing

Before stitching, fabric is pinned together using straight pins. I personal colourful head pins than the all-metal kind because they are more noticeable overall and much easier to locate if you drop one, which you will.

12.Pin Cushion

Amazon's Choice

Your gonna have a lot of pins so you need a place to store them and fast. So personally I use a magnetic one to pick them up easier. The regular one works just as good but when you are sewing, you want to focus on the machine instead of the pins.

13.Thread

Amazon's Choice

This part is important because if you have the wrong thread whatever you are making isnt going to go very well. So to make things easy I recommended the gutermann all purpose thread which can be used for alot of projects, maybe not for extremely heavy jackets but everything else like, dresses, skirts, shirts, tote bags, light jackets, pants the gutermann is perfect.

14.Fabric Chalk

Amazon's Choice

Its very important to choose the right chalk, and which is also very important is getting chalk and not wax because wax can go into the fabric like wool and will be very hard to get out. Also if you choose a very cheap chalk it wont even make a single mark on your garment which is the purpose. So currently for most of my garments Ive been using the clover chalk, its long lasting and does the job.

Thanks for reading, hopefully I was able to help, I will do a more in depth of all items and machine I recommend on other websites but for not to simplify for beginners alot of the tools are on amazon and thought it would be a good place to start.

And again a lot of these tools like chalk, thread, & sewing machine needles you are going have to replace eventually.