SEW

It’s a shame this life-affirming skill isn’t taught in many schools anymore—with even the most rudimentary skills, you can rival any seamstress to make your own wearables and gifts.

Sewing Basics

Begin building your sewing kit with the following, then add to it continually as you gain experience and work on different projects.

Tape Measure (A): A flexible measure is a must for taking body measurements.

Various Fasteners (B): Keep a steady supply of assorted buttons, snaps, Velcro fasteners, and hooks and eyes on hand.

Sewing Scissors (C): Choose scissors that are comfortable to hold, such as those with a cushioned, nonslip grip. Always designate a pair just for cutting fabric (tie a ribbon around the handle as a reminder); cutting paper and plastic will dull the blades.

Embroidery Scissors (D): With their small blades and pointed tips, these can get at spots even thread clippers can’t reach.

Pinking Shears (E): The jagged blade helps prevent fabric from fraying on finished seams and raw edges.

Straight Pins, Glass Pins (F): Having pins with colorful tops makes them easy to spot when pinned to a project (or when you drop them). The flat-head types shown here can also be ironed over (plastic ones will melt).

Pincushion (G): You’ll need a place to hold straight pins and make it easy to grab one when you need it. They come in all shapes and sizes, so pick what you like best.

Seam Ripper (H): Besides ripping seams, this tool removes all types of stitches. One with a fine tip will get at even small stitches.

Assorted safety pins (I): A must for sewing on elastic, sandwiching fabric layers, and other times a straight pin won’t do.

Thread Clippers (J): Their odd shape lets you snip threads as you machine-sew.

Beeswax (K): This sewing secret helps strengthen thread and keep it from snarling; run thread two or three times along length of beeswax, then “set” the wax by running thread through your thumb and forefinger.

Thread (L): All-purpose thread works for most projects; buy in a range of colors. Heavy-duty (or “dual-duty”) thread is good for sturdier fabrics and sewing on buttons.

Needles (M): You’ll need a range of sizes for sewing a variety of materials and with different types of thread.

Thimble (N): When sewing by hand, use a thimble (on your middle finger) to help push a needle through fabric.

Needle Threader (O): To help get thread through the tiny eye of a needle, slip the tool’s loop through the eye, feed thread through this, then pull loop (and thread) out.

Grid Ruler (P): A see-through (acrylic) ruler will help you cut straight lines and take accurate measurements for hems and buttons.

extras: Other tools that are helpful in the projects that follow: rotary cutter, for cutting around a template or pattern; craft knife, for making holes in sturdy fabric; assorted ribbon and cord, for decorative elements; bias tape, for finishing raw edges; grommet kit and mallet, for punching holes; plus a fabric pen and an iron and board.