Find a compact, sturdy box to keep your sewing supplies in order. We used an old cigar box to hold needles, thread, and sewing notions. Glue a double piece of grosgrain ribbon to the lid to keep pins and loose buttons in place.

You may have some mending supplies on hand already, but before you embark on any sewing project, make sure you have all of the essential supplies within reach.

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You may want to consider buying specialized scissors for the type of work you'll be doing. Some sewing scissors are for general use when working with fabric; others are for specific tasks.

There's no need to pay a tailor to make this most basic repair. Just follow our simple steps.

With only a few sewing supplies and the most basic stitches, you can repair the hole on any garment.

When you're hemming fabric -- whether for table linens, curtains, or clothes -- accuracy is important. Ensure good results and save time with our foolproof technique.

While you can be as creative as you like when selecting material for your sewing projects, certain fabrics are more appropriate for some projects than others.

Use this tailor's trick whenever you need to cut a straight line through a woven fabric such as cotton or linen. Tease several threads loose at the point where you'll make the initial cut. Then gently pull out the threads to create a trail of perfectly aligned holes in the fabric, which can then guide your shears.

Three hand stitches will get you through just about any basic task -- the slip stitch, the backstitch, and the running stitch.

A sewing machine can cost a few hundred to thousands of dollars. At the lower end are machines that do straight, reverse, and zigzag stitching, plus a few other stitches. At the top end are computerized models, which create elaborate decorative stitching. For most sewing projects, a simpler model is sufficient.

While models and makes of sewing machines may differ somewhat, their fundamental features are remarkably similar. Here's a basic overview of the various parts of a sewing machine, plus our suggested machines based on your skill level.

Fun Fact: 51 percent of sewers own at least three sewing machines. Only 19 percent own one machine!

Before investing in a sewing machine, consider buying one that suits your skill level. A basic sewing machine may suffice for a beginner, but intermediate and advanced-level seamstresses may opt for more complex machines that can perform more tasks. 

Joining two pieces of fabric together in a perfect straight seam is essential for almost every sewing project.

Although the running stitch is a fundamental sewing stitch, it also can be used to embroider embellishments on almost any material. By combining threads and fabrics in a variety of colors and textures, experimenting with the scale of the stitches, and playing with their spacing, you can create an array of unique effects. Your only prerequisites are an object in need of enhancing, a small length of yarn, floss, or thread, and a little creativity.