Basic Sewing

Page One:         Master Your Machine
Page Two:         Basic Stitches
Page Three:      Setting Up a Cutting Surface
Current Page:   Basic Sewing Equipment

Basics of Sewing

Basic Sewing Aids

Quality workmanship and successful sewing is aided by having the best quality sewing tools and accessories available and that they are kept well maintained.  Maintenance goes beyond just insuring you are rested and alert while measuring, cutting sewing and adjusting.  Maintenance of equipment is also more than oiling and servicing your sewing machine according to the manufacturers manual. 

Quality equipment is about having the best tool you can afford and keeping them in the best condition.  Following is a basic "international" list of sewing aids.

Needles.  Your sewing success and enjoyment will increase when you use the correct needle, for the correct thread, and to adjust the stitch size of your machine to match the type of fabric you are using.  See the mastersewusa.com Thread, Needle & Stitch Chart .  Try to buy the good quality steel needles.  There are special needle for basting, beading, darning, embroidery, and quilting so find the type needle you like to use best for your project.   

Cutting surface: See Setting Up a Cutting Surface

Cutting Tools.  Buy the best steel scissors you can find and keep the in the best of condition.  Keep your cutting tools near your sewing basket and DO NOT USE THEM ON PAPER OF SCHOOL PAPER PROJECTS.  If you will be doing much sewing get yourself a pair of cutting shears 7 or 8 inches long, a pair of scissors for snipping about 5 inches long and a pair of embroidery scissors 3 to 4 inches long.  It is highly recommended that you purchase a very good quality seam ripper to cleanly rip open stitches.

Marking Equipment. Around the house I often use an old thin piece of soap to mark material in straight lines additionally I also have a sharp pointed steel tracing wheel for marking seam lines and notches; an awl from our local hardware store for eyelet punching.  You may also choose to use tailors chalk for fitting lines.

Measuring tools.  You will need a measuring tape in inches or in centimeters, a 6 or 12 inch ruler for measuring hems.  Many sewing centers in you area and on-line sewing accessory retailers have a nifty hemming gage for a small price.

Mirrors.  A full-length mirror with good overhead lighting for trying on garments and fittings is desirable.

Pins.  Use good quality dressmakers pins.  These pins are very sharp and very thin and do not mar the fabric.  Rusted pins (if you have any as most pins today are made of stainless steel) must be discarded as they will tear at any fabric you use them on.

Pressing Supplies.  A good lightweight iron with good temperature control makes handling of fabrics easier and more enjoyable.  Remember to press each seam before it joins another.  Using the iron dry and having a damp cloth or sponge nearby allows you to control the amount of moisture applied during the pressing steps of your project.  You should press each seam piece before you stitch them together.

Thimble.  When hand stitching or basting always use a thimble. Many painful injuries have occurred from attaching buttons without a properly fitting thimble.  P.S. adhesive tape in the fingers don't replace the inexpensive thimble... I also have experience here.

Threads.  Choose a reliable brand of thread by color, thread material and size.  Also from personal experience, buy the thread and material for the region of the world the garment will be worn considering the different climates.  Materials purchased locally in Southeast Asia and sewn with locally spun threads have many times needed complete restitching in the U.S.A. within 6 months, all the seams and stitching rotted away.