Buy the right sewing supplies once, and skip the gadgets you don't need yet.
Our two-page checklist lists what belongs in a first sewing kit, in the order to buy it. Enter your email to get it.
- Twelve must-have basics, from seam ripper to spare bobbins
- A short list of tools to leave until your third project
- A fabric and notions starter list with a tracker
What's on the two pages
- Must-have basics: thread, needles, two pairs of scissors, pins, a seam ripper and more
- Skip these until later: rotary cutter, walking foot, specialty feet and a serger
- A fabric and notions starter list: practice cotton, interfacing, elastic, zippers and bias tape
- A kit tracker to note what you already have and what's still to buy
Who will get the most from it
- You've just bought or borrowed your first sewing machine
- You're standing in a craft shop aisle, unsure what's worth buying
- You're putting a kit together for a teen or a friend who wants to learn
A look at page one
Page one splits the basics into two short columns with tick boxes, then tells you which tools can wait. Page two has the fabric list and a tracker table. It prints cleanly in black and white.
What comes after the checklist
If you subscribe, you'll get beginner guides and machine picks by email, about two a week for roughly ten weeks and then one a week. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Common questions about the checklist
Is the checklist free?
Yes. It costs nothing, and you don't need an account.
How will I get it?
Enter your email to open the PDF. If you subscribe to sewing emails, the first message links to it too.
Can I print it at home?
Yes. It's two letter-size pages and prints well in black and white on any home printer.
Do you recommend specific brands?
The checklist names types of tools, not brands. Our machine guides cover specific models if you want them.
Choose a project for the supplies you have
Try the small patchwork heart pillow for straight-seam practice, or plan a useful sewing swap gift. The large-print quilt layouts help you choose a first quilt. For a project with divided pockets, the cotton crayon apron guide starts with measurements and a pocket sample.
Start your sewing kit the easy way
Get the checklist now, tick things off as you shop, and keep your money for fabric.