These are the tools of the trade that I make sure to have in my sewing room.
Hey y’all, today I’m rounding up all my favorite sewing notions. These are all the tools I have in my sewing room that I regularly use. Whether you sew quilts, clothes or home decor you’re sure to need some of these recommendations, and I have links to more information and products throughout this post. From the beginner sewist to the more experienced one, I hope you find ideas in this post that make your sewing more enjoyable. And if you’re looking for gift ideas for people who sew, this list should come in really handy!
I intend to update this post on a regular basis, so the first section is recent additions to my sewing room that are seeing a lot of use.
My Newest Sewing Toys
I made a video of my latest 5 sewing supplies, which you can watch on YouTube here if it won’t load below. I also have product links below the video.
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. All affiliate links are identified with (affiliate link) after the link or a commissions earned statement above the link(s).
Note that though the product links throughout this post are affiliate links, these are all tools and supplies that I actually use in my sewing room, and I’ve purchased the vast majority of them with my own money. A few were gifted to me, but they’re all things I actually use and like. Gifted items I don’t use aren’t in this post (they’re just taking up space in my sewing room).
Tools shown above and in the video are rotating cutting mat(affiliate link), sewing machine screwdrivers(affiliate link), buttonhole chisel(affiliate link), electric scissors(affiliate link) and needle threader.
You can see more about using the rotating cutting mat and which type of sewing I find it helpful for here.
See how to use the buttonhole chisel and whether it would be worth it for you here.
You can see how to use the sewing machine screwdrivers in this post.
This post shows how and when I use the electric shears.
The most useful tool I’ve added to my sewing room recently is a Clover double needle threader (affiliate link). My eyesight is not what it once was – I have reading glasses now! So this tool helps me thread hand sewing needles even without my glasses. It can also be used to thread machine needles if your machine doesn’t have an automatic threader.
My Favorite Essential Sewing Tools
These are the 5 sewing tools I consider essential to start the craft of sewing:
- Fabric Scissors (affiliate link)
- Sewing Machine Needles (affiliate link)
- Straight Pins (affiliate link)
- Seam Ripper (affiliate link)
- Thread
Even within those basic, must-have sewing supplies I have some very specific preferences. The products linked above are my favorite sewing tools for a reason. Yes, you could get a sewing kit with cheap versions of each tool. But the specific ones I like just work better. For example, I prefer the glass head pins because they won’t melt if you get an iron near them. The seam ripper I like not only cuts stitches, it helps remove stray threads. You can read more about my favorite beginner sewing tools in this post.
To the list above, I would likely add extra bobbins, an iron and ironing board, a measuring tape and a ruler. I don’t have a favorite tape measure as long as it’s retractable, but I do have a favorite ruler, and it’s this one (affiliate link).
Nice to Have But Not Necessary
Now we’re into the fun category! You can sew just fine without these tools, but they do make specific tasks easier, and that’s why they’re some of my favorite sewing notions. You can read more about each sewing tool and see demonstrations in this post.
If you just want the tool names and links, here they are: Simflex gauge (affiliate link), Dritz quick turner (affiliate link), bias tape tip (affiliate link), Curve Runner (affiliate link), bodkin (affiliate link).
In addition to those tools, I’m also fond of my rotary cutter (affiliate link) mat and ruler, especially when I need to cut straight lines or lingerie. I also use my Olfa 45mm quick change blades rotary cutter (affiliate link) quite a bit.
I also use my sewing clips (affiliate link) all the time in place of pins, particularly for thick fabrics, many layers of fabric and vinyl. So though I was skeptical about their usefulness at first, they have also become some of my favorite sewing supplies.
Sewing Machine Accessories
Accessories for your sewing machine, like presser feet or binding attachments, are fun ways to speed up certain sewing tasks. You can see my review of this presser foot set here.
On the other hand, things like my double fold bias binder are more specialized (and more expensive) but I love using it. See more about how I use it here.
Household Items for Sewing
Here are some unconventional items that I keep in my sewing room like spray starch and a piece of card stock. You’ll find every one of these items in my sewing room right now. Check out this post to see how and why I use each.
School Supplies for Sewing
And as you can see in the picture above, I use some school supplies in my sewing room. In fact, those washable markers are among my favorite sewing notions and the marking tools I generally reach for first. Tailors chalk is usually my second choice, followed by the tracing wheel and wax tracing paper. Check out the other school supplies I often reach for when sewing.
Dress Forms – Yay or Nay?
Before I finish this post I want to talk about dress forms. For people who sew clothing, dress forms are often a big ticket item that serious makers dream about. I think they’re useful in very specific circumstances. Read more of my thoughts and recommendations in this post.
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