Sewing is something I learned at a fairly young age. I think like many others, I had a sewing kit in my house growing up, housed in miscellaneous drawers and cookie tins. When I moved out I realized it was time for me to build my own cookie box sewing kit.
Now, you can find full sewing kits at the dollar store. It will have almost everything you need, and maybe a few extras. However, you might be missing one or two essential tools. Maybe you want to build your own kit. Here, I will introduce you to all the essentials you need in your sewing kit.
Container
What size or type of container you use depends on how you intend to use your sewing kit. Is it to bring on the go so you can work on your projects while travelling? Is it going to stay at home where you can easily access it?
If you plan to take it travelling with you, you might prefer a small and sturdy bag similar to a pencil case. If you plan on keeping it at home, a drawer or the classic cookie tin is perfect.
Personally, I keep my kit at home so I use a chocolate box. It has a magnet to keep the lid securely closed and it is small enough for me to bring it around the house if I need to.
Needle set and pincushion
A set of sewing needles is necessary for a sewing kit. If you are using this kit for embroidery, you should have some embroidery needles as well. I keep my needles tucked in a pincushion, which you can purchase or make. I made my pincushion when I was 13 and stuffed it with cotton balls. This makes the stuffing denser in some places which makes it hard for me to stick my needles in, so I would recommend using fiberfill stuffing if you choose to make your own. Try one of these 12 tutorials to make your own custom pincushion.
Recently I have been loving the idea of a needle book, which is flatter and more portable than a pincushion. It is also a great idea for using scrap pieces of fabric or felt. Make a needle book of your own with this tutorial.
Thread
To go with your needles you will need some thread. I recommend keeping a good supply of black, white, and navy on hand. There are hundreds of colors of thread to match each fabric but these are the basics that you should always have. Otherwise, I also have a basic rainbow of other colors in case I need them.
Scissors
Fabric scissors or embroidery scissors are usually not included in a dollar store sewing kit. Fabric scissors are usually larger and are for cutting large pieces of fabric, while embroidery scissors are small and are good for details and cutting thread.
It is very important that the fabric scissors be used only for fabric. Using fabric scissors for paper or other more abrasive materials can dull them unnecessarily. Some people even have multiple pairs of fabric scissors, each for different types of materials. I just have one pair that I took from my mother’s sewing kit (oops).
Ball head pins/safety pins
Ball head pins and safety pins are essential for keeping your fabrics in place temporarily before and as you sew. I got a set of pins from my local dollar store and it is quite serviceable. I actually spent several years sewing without using pins and honestly, these things make life so much easier.
Good to have:
Fabric measuring tape
Needle threader: Not necessary, but can save you some time and frustration
Buttons and findings
Thimble: protects your fingers from accidental stabbing and helps you push your needle through thick fabrics
Pencil or tailor’s chalk: for marking fabrics. I keep a tiny IKEA pencil in my kit.
Now you have all the tools you need to start hand sewing or embroidering! Different projects have different needs when it comes to thread and fabrics, but these are the basic tools that are always useful to have.
Got some more questions? You can reach out to me on Instagram or Twitter @thenerDIYblog. If you'd like your crafting questions answered live, I stream on Twitch at twitch.tv/finding_doro.
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