Hand Sewing Supplies
This article will identify and list various items that you will need or items that would be helpful to you in sewing. I have done 99% of my sewing by hand and used a sewing machine for limited purposes. I still have not fully learned how to use a sewing machine. Although my wife owns a decent machine and has all the equipment you would ever need for it, I will not list any sewing machines or equipment in this supply list. The reason for this is because I want to provide a list of items that would be used for hand sewing. Another reason for this is that I want to provide a list of items that a person unfamiliar with sewing would need to get to start off. I learned most of my sewing skills from my wife who already owned a decent sewing kit. Had I needed to start from scratch, I would not have known what to buy, what not to buy, and what things might be helpful but not necessary. Therefore, this article is aimed not at the person who already is well accoutremented for sewing, but the person who is hoping to make a start at it.
Something that I think would be great to do but unreasonably expensive for me right now, would be to equip myself with period accurate sewing supplies and set myself up as a tailor for reenactment purposes. Unfortunately, I simply don’t have the money to invest in what would be rarely used showpieces. I mention this as an aside to point out that the items and equipment mentioned here are not intended to provide a listing of only historically accurate items and tools that would have been used in medieval sewing. No, these items are modern and can all be found at Joann fabric or Amazon.
Hopefully, this list will get you started and make you realize that delving into a sewing project does not need to be cost prohibitive and inaccessible.
Something that I think would be great to do but unreasonably expensive for me right now, would be to equip myself with period accurate sewing supplies and set myself up as a tailor for reenactment purposes. Unfortunately, I simply don’t have the money to invest in what would be rarely used showpieces. I mention this as an aside to point out that the items and equipment mentioned here are not intended to provide a listing of only historically accurate items and tools that would have been used in medieval sewing. No, these items are modern and can all be found at Joann fabric or Amazon.
Hopefully, this list will get you started and make you realize that delving into a sewing project does not need to be cost prohibitive and inaccessible.
Fabric Scissors:
Obviously you will need scissors to cut fabric and thread. I have two sets of scissors, a long 8” set that is designed to cut fabric in long, straight, even cuts and a 3” set designed for smaller cuts, trimming work, and cutting threads when doing needle work. You can get by with a small set of 3” or 4” scissors but it will make cutting the patterns out much less efficient and less precise.
Needles:
You can buy packs of different sized needles to use for different applications or fabrics. Longer needles will push through fabric with less effort but might be difficult to maneuver through tighter corners or fine needle work. Thicker needles will be a benefit on heavy fabric like canvas but might damage delicate fabrics like silk or thin gabardine wool. You will use different needles depending on the project or the piece you are working on and a good variety pack will be a great help.
Embroidery needles:
If you decide to do embroidery work, buy a set of embroidery needles. Again, you can buy a pack of them with different styles and thicknesses. However, embroidery needles are much thicker than regular needles and often have duller points. Some needles are curved and some have blunted tips for doing special techniques that wrap around or under the embroidery thread but do not pierce the fabric.
Pins:
You can buy a pack or two of pins, preferably something with a ball point so it is easy to grip. Pins are essential to tack pieces together and hold fabric in place prior to sewing it
Pin cushion/holder:
A magnetic pin holder or a fabric pin cushion will be very helpful to you as you sew a project and start adding and removing pins. You will find it helpful to have a place to store the pins that you can quickly access. The added benefit is that the pins will not roll away or get lost or poked into something if they are securely stored in a cushion or on a magnet holder.
Measuring Tape:
Flexible measuring tape is a must for sewing and will be useful for any project. Some tapes even come with a loop at the end so you can pin the tape down to the fabric and then measures radii or other such measurements with confidence.
Obviously you will need scissors to cut fabric and thread. I have two sets of scissors, a long 8” set that is designed to cut fabric in long, straight, even cuts and a 3” set designed for smaller cuts, trimming work, and cutting threads when doing needle work. You can get by with a small set of 3” or 4” scissors but it will make cutting the patterns out much less efficient and less precise.
Needles:
You can buy packs of different sized needles to use for different applications or fabrics. Longer needles will push through fabric with less effort but might be difficult to maneuver through tighter corners or fine needle work. Thicker needles will be a benefit on heavy fabric like canvas but might damage delicate fabrics like silk or thin gabardine wool. You will use different needles depending on the project or the piece you are working on and a good variety pack will be a great help.
Embroidery needles:
If you decide to do embroidery work, buy a set of embroidery needles. Again, you can buy a pack of them with different styles and thicknesses. However, embroidery needles are much thicker than regular needles and often have duller points. Some needles are curved and some have blunted tips for doing special techniques that wrap around or under the embroidery thread but do not pierce the fabric.
Pins:
You can buy a pack or two of pins, preferably something with a ball point so it is easy to grip. Pins are essential to tack pieces together and hold fabric in place prior to sewing it
Pin cushion/holder:
A magnetic pin holder or a fabric pin cushion will be very helpful to you as you sew a project and start adding and removing pins. You will find it helpful to have a place to store the pins that you can quickly access. The added benefit is that the pins will not roll away or get lost or poked into something if they are securely stored in a cushion or on a magnet holder.
Measuring Tape:
Flexible measuring tape is a must for sewing and will be useful for any project. Some tapes even come with a loop at the end so you can pin the tape down to the fabric and then measures radii or other such measurements with confidence.
Sewing Gauge:
I was surprised by how often I used the sewing gauge and how handy it has been. Although you can theoretically use sewing tape for the same function, the gauge is much handier and more adapted to the use. The gauge is a small ruler with a sliding measurement gauge on the ruler to mark a measurement line. This will help you keep a straight line when doing hems, ensure that you are sewing an even stitch when sewing pieces together, and will help in anything that involves a repeated marking.
Seam ripper:
As much as I hate to admit this, I use the seam ripper all the time and I could not imagine sewing projects without one. Buy one and hope you don’t need it, but be glad when you have it handy.
Fabric Chalk/Fabric Pen/Fabric Pencil:
Between fabric chalk and a fabric pen, I would steer towards the chalk but both have their places and applications. I have made great use of fabric chalk and the ease of its application and removal is great. The problem with fabric pens is that the color doesn’t always show up on all fabric colors and the ink is designed to fade over time. If you don’t get to your cuts in time, the ink will fade and you’ll have no idea what you are doing. With the chalk, you can rub the chalk off when you are finished and not have to rush. They even make sets of chalk in white and blue so that the chalk will show up on lighter colored fabrics. A fabric pencil is another good option that works almost like fabric chalk, but is in pencil form. It gives you a little bit more control and precision and again, they come in multiple colors.
Thread wax:
My wife bought me some thread wax early on and I scoffed at her and said that it was gimmicky extra that wouldn’t make sewing easier. I was wrong. The thread was helped so much in keeping the thread from tangling and getting knotted and helped it pull through the fabric much more smoothly and with much less effort. If you will be sewing by hand, I would recommend thread wax.
Sewing box:
What are you going to do with all your new sewing supplies? The best thing to do is get organized and buy a sewing box. The one we have has a place to stick needles that will hold them out of the way. I usually keep thread on the needles while I’m working on a project and it’s nice to not have to take everything apart between working on an item. A good sewing box will have places to hold your needles, slots for holding thread spools, and places to put your scissors and other items.
Iron:
I can’t remember the last time I used the iron for my clothes. I almost exclusively use it for ironing fabric prior to sewing and for ironing down seams. If you don’t own an iron, one would be very helpful for sewing.
Ironing board:
Obviously, you need somewhere to do your ironing. An ironing board is always helpful.
I was surprised by how often I used the sewing gauge and how handy it has been. Although you can theoretically use sewing tape for the same function, the gauge is much handier and more adapted to the use. The gauge is a small ruler with a sliding measurement gauge on the ruler to mark a measurement line. This will help you keep a straight line when doing hems, ensure that you are sewing an even stitch when sewing pieces together, and will help in anything that involves a repeated marking.
Seam ripper:
As much as I hate to admit this, I use the seam ripper all the time and I could not imagine sewing projects without one. Buy one and hope you don’t need it, but be glad when you have it handy.
Fabric Chalk/Fabric Pen/Fabric Pencil:
Between fabric chalk and a fabric pen, I would steer towards the chalk but both have their places and applications. I have made great use of fabric chalk and the ease of its application and removal is great. The problem with fabric pens is that the color doesn’t always show up on all fabric colors and the ink is designed to fade over time. If you don’t get to your cuts in time, the ink will fade and you’ll have no idea what you are doing. With the chalk, you can rub the chalk off when you are finished and not have to rush. They even make sets of chalk in white and blue so that the chalk will show up on lighter colored fabrics. A fabric pencil is another good option that works almost like fabric chalk, but is in pencil form. It gives you a little bit more control and precision and again, they come in multiple colors.
Thread wax:
My wife bought me some thread wax early on and I scoffed at her and said that it was gimmicky extra that wouldn’t make sewing easier. I was wrong. The thread was helped so much in keeping the thread from tangling and getting knotted and helped it pull through the fabric much more smoothly and with much less effort. If you will be sewing by hand, I would recommend thread wax.
Sewing box:
What are you going to do with all your new sewing supplies? The best thing to do is get organized and buy a sewing box. The one we have has a place to stick needles that will hold them out of the way. I usually keep thread on the needles while I’m working on a project and it’s nice to not have to take everything apart between working on an item. A good sewing box will have places to hold your needles, slots for holding thread spools, and places to put your scissors and other items.
Iron:
I can’t remember the last time I used the iron for my clothes. I almost exclusively use it for ironing fabric prior to sewing and for ironing down seams. If you don’t own an iron, one would be very helpful for sewing.
Ironing board:
Obviously, you need somewhere to do your ironing. An ironing board is always helpful.