The Martha Stewart Show

How to Make a Sewing Kit

The Martha Stewart Show

Martha gives an overview of the basic supplies every sewer should have on hand.

The Basic Sewing Kit

Start with these sewing essentials, and add specialized supplies as needed.

Assorted fasteners: Hooks and eyes, small snaps.

Beeswax: A wax coating keeps thread from tangling during hand sewing; keep it in a plastic holder with slots to slide the needle and thread through.

Buttons: Keep a small supply in various sizes and colors.

Elastic

Hand-sewing needles: With assorted sizes, you'll be prepared to work on different fabrics. Sharps are best for most stitching and mending; ball points should be used on knits.

Iron-on tape or patches

Needle threader: To use, slip the flexible wire loop through the eye of a hand needle, feed the thread through it, and pull the wire back out, bringing the thread with it.

Needles in assorted sizes: When it comes to sewing machine needles, general-purpose sharp-point needles are good for most woven fabrics. For knits, use ball-point needles.

Pin holder: A magnetic one can pick up scattered pins.

Pincushion

Safety pins: Store them on one pin so they don't scatter throughout the basket.

Scissors: For cutting fabric, a pair of good quality sewing scissors or dressmaker's shears is a necessity; you'll also need pinking shears to prevent fabric from fraying. There are several types of sewing scissors, each with a specific purpose.

Seam binding

Seam ripper: This tool opens seams almost effortlessly.

Straight pins

Tailor's chalk: Use this to mark fabric before cutting and altering.

Tape measure: Use this to measure soft, curved things (use a yardstick to measure fabric on a work surface).

Thimble: When hand sewing, wear it on your middle finger to push the needle through.

Thread: All-purpose is appropriate for most sewing. Use extra-thin thread on particularly fine fabrics; heavy-duty on thick fabrics. Buttonhole twist is good for buttonholes and decorative stitching. For mending, make sure you have a variety of colors that match your clothes.

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The Martha Stewart Show

How to Make a Sewing Kit

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