Sewing Supply list - The Basics

Whether you are making a quilt or making a garment. Sewing involves lots of supplies.

Having good supplies, can make whatever is being sewn.

Its the difference between "Oh you made that" to "OH! You Made That!!"

or the difference between something lasting 6 months, and something being passed down generations.

This list is not a exhaustive, everything under sun list. More some basics, some go to brands, and some reasoning why.

This list does have Affiliate links. If you are not familiar with these links, its just a link to the product, the price remains the same for you. However I make a tiny commission from your purchase. That being said, if you decide to not use my link, thats okay. Prices and availability in your local area will be different.

When possible, supporting a local fabric, or sewing store is always preferred.

Here is a few hings you need to make, nearly anything.

Fabric

100% Quilting Cotton fabric for making a quilt, all the way to Silks, Rayon, Polyester, & Denim for clothing.

Fabric is the largest part of any sewing project. The Fiber content of the material, can really determine the outcome of a final result.

Woven fabrics, like Quilting cotton, Linen, & Denim, are great for making quilts, button up shirts or jeans.

However making a basic T-Shirt out of them, would fail.

Non- Woven or Stretch Fabrics, make amazing T-shirts, and lots of our clothing has some stretch, to fit us better. However trying to make a quilt from a stretchy fabric, would look absolute messy. (unless of course you make the stretch fabric, not stretch)

Links:

100% quilting cotton - the good to standard for any quilts. Favorite brands - Tula Pink, Kona Fabics

Denim Fabric - Always great to have on hand for any repairs to pants.

SwatchOn - Great site for ordering almost any keep of garment making fabrics. Does have a Minimum Order Quantity - usually 3 yards

Thread

Thread is the glue that holds everything together. Without out thread, you cant attach two pieces of fabric together. You cant make a dress or a quilt.

The thread you pick, has a say in the final outcome.

A really low quality thread, will be difficult to work with. Its going to break more. So you will be

re-threading your needle more, have more seams bust open when you wear something, or wash it.

Well a good Thread will hold up under tension, and not break down faster.

There are different threads for different projects. Mostly projects need a good all purpose Thread, that can be cotton or polyester thread.

However a thicker fabric like Denim, will use a Jean/Denim thread. As that will hold up better with the fabric. And give you the top stitching we all love from factory.

There is specialty threads, like invisible, iron-on interfacing, glow in the dark, variegated, etc, etc.

When starting a project, it can be helpful to read the pattern, they usually have a thread recommendation. Good patterns are tested, and that thread recommendation is key for a beginner.

Links:

Basic Thread - Gutermann is one of my Favorite brands, great thread, great price, widely available.

Denim Thread - Again this is a Gutermann thread. I use these on every jean hem in my shop.

Invisible Thread

Cleaner's Supply - Great sewing supply company, has thread cones, of different sizes, types, needs, fibre content.

Sewing Needles

Not all Sewing needles are created equal, and for the same purpose. There is basic everyday needles, and then there is denim needles, and blunted needles.

For making a quilt top, you can use an everyday sewing needle. However, when doing the top stitching or quilting part, you may find your machine works better with top stitch needle. When making jeans, or hemming jeans. Often a heavier duty needle works best, or a coated needle. T-Shirts are a=often made with a blunted tip, or a twin needle on the hems.

Whatever the project, be sure to grab extra. Needles break and get dull. Anytime I have an issue with my stitches. I will change my needle. 8/10 that fixes the issue.

Links:

Universal Needles - Schmetz needles are a top choice of mine for

Demin/Jeans - Again Schmetz - they are great in my domestic machine

Industrial Sewing Machine Needles - my everyday needle, for my industrial sewing machine

Twin Needle - great for stretch Fabrics

Blind Hemming machine needle - Not for everyone, but really wanted to include to show how unique needles can get.

Hand sewing Needles - Even with machines, hand sewing is also part of the process, and some love just hand sewing

The End

Sewing anything, defiantly going to need these 3 items.

Know what to use, and having the correct one for each project, helps make the project.

This is not intended to be the final word on which fabric, needle or thread to use.

There is many brands, types, etc out there is the world.

I use more then I listed her, and have tried a lot more. Some I loved, and just cant find a reliable supplier for. (so they are not included).

This list is also a reflection of my current knowledge, love of the brand, and quality of the brand. However things change, hopefully for the better, but sometimes not.

There are other things, you may need to completely start or finish your project. I will be making more blogs, on items for sewing in the future. (Maybe you are reading this in the future and those lists are posted)