Sewing is a creative hobby that requires basic equipment to get started. But as with any discipline, it's easy to get lost between the essential equipment and the tempting gadgets.

Today I suggest you draw up a list of the essentials needed to start sewing. This tool kit will allow you to start learning sewing without breaking the bank.

Right next to it, I put the "little extras" for you. These are the accessories that I bought as I progressed in sewing. They are not necessary at the beginning but they will help you to perfect and make your practice more efficient.

Finally, all these accessories would not be very useful without the sewing machine! Find all my advice for choosing your first sewing machine in a previous article.

cut

the essentials for getting started

• tracing paper It is used to trace your patterns (unless you buy them in PDF format, you can then cut directly into your pattern). I buy it in 10m rolls so that I always have some in advance.

• ruler Choose a Japanese grid ruler. It will allow you to easily add seam allowances. I also use it to trace my patterns for a more precise outline than freehand.

• criterion The tip is fine and therefore more precise for tracing your patterns.

• Fabric scissors It is very difficult to cut fabric with a regular pair of scissors. Don't skimp on quality for this truly essential purchase. I use Fiskars which I am very happy with. Buy a second pair of scissors for paper because your beautiful scissors should ONLY cut fabric!

• pen / chalk To transfer the clips, marks, trace on my fabric, I use tailor's chalk. You can also choose a Frixion pen which disappears with the heat of the iron (it's magic!).

• roulette & carbon paper Another technique for transferring darts or other marks from a pattern is to use carbon paper and a roulette. It's up to you to choose your favorite technique!

the little extras to progress

• cutting mat & rotary cutter After several years of sewing, I invested in large self-healing cutting mats and a rotary cutter. It is much easier to cut slippery fabrics with this equipment and it is also much faster.

• weights To make cutting even faster on easy-to-cut fabrics, I use weights instead of pinning the pattern to my fabric. I chose rounds that were originally intended for crafts, but you can also use your tin cans, trinkets, planters, etc.

• Scissor sharpener To extend the life of my scissors, I invested in this pretty awesome tool :)

patronage

the essentials for getting started

• gun To trace the curves of the patterns, the gun or parrot is essential.

• adhesive tape To modify the patterns, to make clamp pivots for example, I use masking tape because I can remove it and reposition it easily.

the little extras to progress

• dressmaker's mannequin To be able to work semi-custom, I invested in an adjustable mannequin from the Lady Valet brand. Its advantage is that the top and bottom of the bust are independent and allow for more precise adjustment. They can be adjusted in height to adapt to the stature.

• bolduc It is used to mark reference points on the mannequin such as the chest line, the waist line. It can also be used to make an initial outline of the proportions of the garment (such as the placement of a neckline) before molding.

sewing

the essentials for getting started

• seam ripper Generally sold with your sewing machine, it is used, as its name suggests, to unpick your seams, but also to open buttonholes.

• pins I use the super-fine pins of the Bohin brand without heads. They are certainly less visible than those with colored heads but pass better under the presser foot of my machine.

• sewing needles Choose a set of several needle sizes so you can hand sew on different types of fabrics.

• tape measure Essential for taking your measurements and measuring while sewing.

• safety pin They will generally be used to slide an elastic band or ribbon into a casing.

the little extras to progress

• dressmaker To complement my tape measure, I bought a dressmaker which is less bulky and very practical for measuring precisely when I fold a hem for example.

• bias device To start sewing, I advise you to buy your bias ready-made. But to progress and have more professional finishes, you can make your own bias using this tool.

• pin holder I chose a magnetic one so I no longer lose my pins everywhere.

• helps with making corners This little tool is very practical for pretty corner finishes but also for forming scallops.

sewing machine

the essentials for getting started

• needles Like a car where you have to change the tires regularly, the needle of your sewing machine gets damaged. If the seam is not clean, if the thread tension is bad, start by changing the needle, the problems will very often be solved. There are several sizes depending on the fabrics. The smallest number for fine fabrics, the largest for thick fabrics. Choose special needles for jersey, leather or denim.

• bobbins Specific to your sewing machine, I advise you to buy a small stock in addition so as not to have to empty them each time you want to change thread color. I always store my spools of thread with their associated bobbins so as not to make a mess.

• invisible zipper foot My must-have if you like the finish of the invisible zipper. Without this special foot, your zipper will not be nicely sewn. Check with your sewing machine brand to find a compatible foot.

the little extras to progress

• hemmer foot Quite difficult to master, it allows you to make handkerchief hems very quickly once tamed! Check with your sewing machine brand to find a compatible foot.

• Bias binding foot For those who love to saddle bias binding, this foot will speed up the process. Check with your sewing machine brand to find a compatible foot.

ironing

the essentials for getting started

• ironing board & iron Passionate about sewing, your ironing board will always be out. A handmade creation will have more beautiful finishes if you iron regularly as you sew.

the little extras to progress

• ironing cushion To preform sleeve heads before assembling them, for princess cuts, etc. the cushion will make your rounded ironing easier.

• jeannette Mini ironing board, it is perfect for ironing sleeve seams, pants...

• steam generator My ironing experience has been transformed thanks to investing in a steam generator!