Sewing Tools and Equipment List with Names and Pictures

Starting to sew can be overwhelming due to the numerous tools and equipment available. This guide offers a comprehensive list of essential sewing tools and equipment, complete with names and pictures to assist you in getting started.

When you start sewing, it can be super confusing to know what sewing tools and equipment to purchase. If you have looked online or in stores, you may have discovered a vast variety of products out there targeted at sewing.

Most of these are not necessities, but if you are new to sewing, you might want to help to understand what’s a luxury and what’s necessary for your sewing kit.

I have put together the sewing tools and equipment list below with names and pictures to help you better understand what you may like to purchase.

You’ll quickly learn that you don’t need to buy too many things to get started with sewing.

In addition to the basics, I have also added some other useful tools and equipment that you might like to add to your sewing kit later.

The tools included in this post are from my own personal sewing room that I always use!

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Need more help with sewing tools? Check out these helpful guides: sewing measuring tools, sewing cutting tools, and sewing marking tools.

Beginner Sewing Tools & Equipment List

Sewing Machine

A sewing machine is the most expensive purchase you will make when starting your sewing journey (unless you plan to hand sew).

You will want to get one that can change machine feet so you can sew zips, buttons, or piping. Most affordable machines can do this, and they often come with a set of basic machine feet included.

This may only be an issue if you are buying a vintage sewing machine.

I currently have a Bernette 38, which I love a lot! It sews cleaner buttonholes than my previous sewing machines and has a built-in thread cutter.

If you are looking for an affordable option with lots of great features, I recommend the Brother XM2701. I used this machine for over 13 years, it was my first sewing machine.

Need more help? Check out my guide to the best sewing machines for beginners from a qualified seamstress.

Fabric Shears

Normal scissors won’t cut here! Fabric shears are specialised scissors made for cutting fabrics.

The blades are sharp and made to clean-cut through lots of different weights of fabric.

You will find that fabric shears aren’t too expensive for a decent pair.

If you have the funds, they are a great tool to spend a bit of extra money on because they will last you forever! You can get the blades sharpened or buy a tool to sharpen them yourself.

Tip: Don’t cut out paper with your fabric shears, as this blunts the blades!

I recommend tying a piece of fabric or ribbon around the handle to remind yourself that your fabric sheers are for cutting out fabric only!

Thread

Thread is essential in the sewing world; you can’t sew without it. If you have gained an interest in sewing, you will know what thread is for, I’m sure.

When you start, all you will need is some basic colours, like black and white thread.

You can sew white thread with lighter colours and black thread on darker fabrics.

When you come to sewing specialty colours, buy them as you go to make sure the colours match rather than having lots of expensive threads sitting around your sewing room.

Learn more about types of sewing threads in this in-depth guide.

Pins

Sewing pins are super handy. They will be your best friend when you learn how to use your sewing machine.

Pins can hold paper patterns onto fabric before cutting out pieces. They are commonly used for holding multiple pieces of fabric together when sewing.

You can find cheaper packs of pins around, but I recommend getting a pack of good-quality ones like these sewing pins. Their tips will be nice and sharp, so they won’t snag your fabrics.

I also find that the cheaper pins I have purchased in the past rust a bit, which can get onto your fabrics.  

Tape Measure

A flexible tape measure, often known as a tailor’s tape, is an important tool to have in your sewing kit. If you plan to use sewing patterns, you will need a tape measure to help you figure out your body measurements, such as bust, waist, and hips.

You will also find it helpful for tutorials that don’t include sewing patterns but measurements instead.

I often use a tape measure to cut out pattern pieces rather than patterns, like in my wrap skirt tutorial.

You may also find this useful for measuring curtains or duvet cover projects. These tape measures are super cheap, so I suggest stocking up on a few to keep on hand. 

Bobbins

Bobbins are the little round thread holders that go into the bottom of the sewing machine. They feed the thread onto the bottom side of the fabric.

It’s great to have a bunch of machine bobbins on hand that are pre-filled and ready for your sewing projects. Bobbins are cheap, and some come with handy cases to keep things nice and organised.

Sewing Machine Needles

When you first begin sewing, you will probably break a few needles. I did!

Get yourself a few packs of universal machine needles so if you break your machine needle halfway through a project, you have spares waiting for you.

Universal sewing needles mean you can pop them into any domestic sewing machine, and they should work fine.

If you are sewing knit fabric, you will need to purchase ballpoint needles. As the name suggests, these needles have a blunter end, which prevents them from cutting through the fibres.

There are also different needle weights depending on the fabric you are sewing. Most fabrics will sew fine with a standard needle size, but specialised fabrics like thick denim or delicate silk require different needle sizes.

This article on needle sizes is filled with lots of helpful information.

Paper Weights

Weights are a really great tool for cutting out sewing patterns. They help you get better cutting accuracy if you use a rotary cutter and mat (which I will discuss further down).

If you are pinning paper patterns to fabric, sometimes weird folds can occur, and you end up cutting out some pattern pieces with random jut-outs.

Using weights can help you keep your pattern and fabric nice and flat when cutting out or chalking your pattern pieces.

I have learned this the hard way! This process works for me, but pins may be the easiest choice for you. Just try and see what works best for you.

Chalk

Dressmaking chalk is a handy tool for your sewing kit. It allows you to trace sewing patterns onto fabric without worrying that it will mark the fabric permanently as it washes out.

Chalk is available in quite a few ways, including a triangular piece, which is the more traditional option.

You can also find chalk pencils, which are useful for making darts, pleats, drill holes, pocket placements, and anything else that requires precision.

Snips

Small scissors or cutting tools are often called snips in the sewing world. These are small scissors or handleless blades used to cut threads when sewing.

Grabbing a pair of snips and trim threads is faster than using a large pair of fabric shears.

Sometimes, seamstresses attach their snips to a necklace or lanyard around their neck so they don’t lose them in the sewing room mess that often occurs.

Pins & Extras

Hand sewing needles, safety pins, and unpickers are handy extras to have in your sewing kit.

I have a tin filled with needles, safety pins and other bits and bobs that come in handy. I suggest you create something similar for your bits to go into.

The supermarket sells hand-sewing needles and safety pins for cheap. An unpicker can be found at the dollar store or craft shop.

An unpick is a handy tool for sewing stitching lines in the wrong place. It helps cut the thread easily instead of trying to use snips, which could cut your fabric, too.

Safety pins can be used to turn through straps, ties or thread through drawstrings and elastic into casings.

Extra Sewing tools and Equipment

I have added some extra sewing tools and equipment below that are helpful but unnecessary when you start learning to sew.

You may even find a few of these items already in your home.

Iron

Most of us have an iron and ironing board in our laundry cupboards already.

Ironing your sewing projects is a real game-changer. Steam and heat can help turn homemade-looking pieces into quality items.

Not only is an iron great for adding crispness to garments, but you can also use it to press vintage sewing patterns flat before cutting!

You may also be required to fuse interfacing onto fabric when sewing some garments, so it’s important to have an iron handy for this step.

Rotary Cutter and Mat

A rotary cutter is one of my favourite tools. I have a Fiskars model and Cricut both work superbly.

You can cut out projects really quickly by placing fabric onto the cutting mat, the sewing pattern on top, and using the rotary cutter to cut out your pattern pieces. I find this to be the most accurate and fastest way to cut out my projects!

I often use the mat and rotary cutter with a quilting ruler to cut bias binding strips and quilt pieces quickly and accurately.

Serger (Overlocker)

A serger is a special machine that creates the stitching on seam edges. The majority of the clothing you have purchased will have overlocking finishing on the raw edges of the fabric.

Investing in a serger is a great idea once you start to become more advanced with your sewing skills. It will allow you to quickly neaten up your projects and make them look super professional.

Sergers are a great investment if you enjoy sewing knit projects. Knitted garments are often constructed by locking stitches, which is an overlocking stitch.

To Sum Up

And that’s it! You need a few essential tools when you are just starting. You may find alternatives for the items mentioned in this post or be happy to go without them. Sewing is a craft you can make own, but it’s beneficial to understand what tools aren’t needed. That way, you have more money for the fabric to sew lots of new clothing or home projects.

Ready to get started? Check out this Ultimate Guide to Sewing for Beginners, or start sewing these 16 Easy Sewing Projects for Absolute Beginners!