Kids Sewing 101 | Basic Sewing Supplies
Sewing machine: You don’t need to spend 1K to get a nice beginning sewing machine. With that said, you don’t want to get the bare minimum mini machine. A mini machine will get you through some very basic projects, but you will be very limited. A good beginning machine can last you a few years. Depending on how far you take your sewing, you may never even need to upgrade. Maybe. I still have my first sewing machine from 30 years ago and it’s still a great machine. I will say, they don’t make sewing machines like they used to, but a good beginning machine can still take you far.
These are my top 3 recommendations for a beginning sewing machine. The Brother machine is my top choice.
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links.
This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.
Highlights– 27 Built-in Stitches
– Automatic needle threader
– 1-step auto-size buttonhole
– Lightweight and portable
– Brightly lit LED work area
– Free Arm
– Great price
Highlights– 15 Built-in Stitches
– Four-step Buttonhole
– Free Arm
– Drop Feed Dog
One advantage this machine has over the Brother is that you can drop the feed which can be helpful with free motion quilting. A darning plate can be added to the Brother machine however, which is an easy solution.
Highlights– 6 Built-in Stitches
– Four-step Buttonhole
– Free Arm
I don’t love the specs for this machine, but the reviews for it are great, so I added it.
Scisscors: Scissors matter!! This is your second most important choice. Don’t buy scissors at your local office suppy store that you would use for cutting paper or other crafts. Buy fabric scissors to use only for fabric. And make sure everyone in your household knows. Using them for paper and other material will cause them to become dull very quickly. Other materials can also put small niches on the edges of the scissors.
A pair of snips or embroidery scissors are really useful for cutting loose threads more precisely than larger scissors, which keeps your project looking tidy.
Gingher is a very popular brand in the sewing world. I have owned a couple pairs. I however personally prefer Fiskers scissors.
Iron: You don’t need to run out and get a new iron. BUT…..if an iron happens to already be on your need to buy list, the Rowenta is my absolute favorite iron. It produces perfect steam, gets wrinkles out, and is hot enough to create crisp creases for hemming.
GETTING STARTED WITH THE BASICS
Click link to purchase on Amazon. Or if you prefer to shop at your local fabric store, a printable list is available below.
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links.
Sewing kits that include most of the basic supplies plus a case are at the end of this post.
Thread – 2-Pack – BLACK & WHITE – Coats & Clark Dual Duty All-Purpose Thread
Thread Gutermann Sew-All (My brand choice.)
EMPTY BOBBINS – Your machine should have come with some bobbins. When purchasing more, be sure to buy the correct bobbins that go with your machine. Also, if your sewing machine came with plastic bobbins, do not switch to metal bobbins and vice versa.
CUTTING SHEARS / SCISSORS Fiskars Petite 7 Inch Scissors Great size for smaller hands.
Or this set SEAM RIPPER – Fiskars Seam Ripper and Measuring Tape Set
SEWING GAUGE – SINGER 00220 Sewing Gauge, 6-Inch
Or this set SEWING GAUGE – SINGER SET: Sewing Gauge, Tape Measure, 2 Fabric Pencils
HAND SEWING NEEDLES – SINGER Hand Sewing Needles
PINCUSHION – Dritz Tomato Pin Cushion
STRAIGHT PINS (RECOMMEND PEARL HEAD PINS) – SINGER 07050 Pearlized Head Straight Pins
Or FUN STRAIGHT PINS – SINGER Decorative Head Straight Pins
MEASURING TAPE – Dritz Sew Tape Measure
BUILD UP THE BASICS
FABRIC CHALK OR FABRIC MARKING PENCIL – Triangle Tailors Chalk
POINTER AND CREASER – Dritz Bamboo Point Turner & Presser
ROTARY CUTTER – OLFA 45mm Quick-Change Rotary Cutter (OLFA is my preferred brand. I have also had a Fiskers rotary cutter and the OLFA’s design feels safer.)
NoCry Cut Resistant Gloves for Kids If you’re concerned about your child using a rotary cutter, these gloves are great and fit kids hands.
CUTTING MAT – Fiskars Self Healing Cutting Mat 24″ x 36”
STRAIGHT EDGE ACRYLIC RULER – OmniEdge 5-by-24-Inch Non-Slip Quilter’s Ruler
SEWING TOOLBOX OR BASKET
USEFUL EXTRAS
PINKING SHEARS – Fiskars Softgrip Pinking Shears 8″
GLUE STICK
SERGER TWEEZERS -Dritz Serger Tweezers
Sewing kits can be helpful to get you started.
KIT 1 SINGER Sweetheart Sew Kit
Kit includes– Assorted hand needles
– Needle threader
– 10 buttons
– 60-inch retractable tape measure
– Pin cushion
– 100 straight pins*
– 8-inch scissor
– Thimble
– Seam ripper
– Marking chalk
– 5 mini spools of thread
– 3 regular size spools of thread
This is decent kit at a great price.
Need to complete the basics:
– Sewing gauge
– Machine needles
– Empty bobbins
– *Straight pins: I would replace the straight pins with pearl head pins.
KIT 2 SINGER Sewing kit with Basket
Kit includes– Assorted hand needles
– 100 dressmaker pins*
– 5-inch fabric scissors
– 10 hand sewing thread spools
– Needle threader
– Pin cushion
– Seam ripper
– 60 inch tape measure
– Thimble
This kit comes with a cute basket, but doesn’t include a regular size spool of thread.
Need to complete the basics:
– Regular size spool of thread
– Sewing gauge
– Machine needles
– Empty bobbins
– *Straight pins: I would replace the straight pins with pearl head pins.
Kit includes
– 18 large sewing thread spools
– 24 hand sewing thread spools
– 30 assorted hand needles
– 5.5 inch fabric scissors
– 60 inch tape measure
– Pin cushion
– 100 dressmaker pins
– Three needle threaders
– Three thimbles
– Seam ripper
– Buttons
– Safety pins
– Fasteners
This kit comes with a nicer case and more items than Kit 1 and 2.
Need to complete the basics:
– Sewing gauge
– Machine needles
– Empty bobbins
– *Straight pins: I would replace the straight pins with pearl head pins.
