People who sew

PMeg819

My mom got a sewing machine for her birthday. It has been years since I've sewn, but I have a bajillion things I want to make. Anyways, any items to buy that you think may be necessary? I am going to Joann's and definitely am going to pick up a cutting board, a good pair of scissors and possibly a rotary cutter, plenty of pins, and probably a few more needles.

I can't wait to see my epic fails.

ReturnOfKuus

I need to at some point take a picture of my attempt at making my wedding dress (in brown, shiny sale fabric, of course).

baconsmom

Pinking shears. I use them on almost all my interior seams, to help any fraying. Or, if I'm working with a synthetic, a lighter to melt the seams. 

A yardstick and a tape measure. And make sure, if you're going to do clothing, that you get some reliable measurements of yourself. Almost any pattern will need a little customizing, and having a good set of measurements means you can just go by your numbers. 

Marking pencils/pens - pencils are usually white, pens are purple, both are washable and specific to fabrics. You can use a regular pen or pencil, but there's no guarantee of washability/turning invisible.

I have two sets of pins: tiny dressmakers' pins, and larger ones, which are good for heavy fabrics and zippers. 

I try to keep a few yards of a cheap muslin/other thin fabric around for making fit patterns - I cut the pattern I want onto the cheap stuff, then make my notes about adjusting it for the real fabric. 

A good iron and ironing board (you probably already have these, but it bears repeating). 

Needles are essential. Always swap out when you change fabric weights. 

A can of air, for blowing thread and dust out of the interior of the machine.

Plenty of bobbins. Some people hate plastic ones, but I haven't had any issues. I like to keep the bobbins with their color thread, and then when I go back to any color, I already have a dedicated bobbin and am not spending my time unwinding and losing a bunch of thread. 

VarunaTT

A good solid stitch/hem ripper or a tiny pair (think like paper cutting) scissors to fix mistakes.

On the pins, get one with the big colored heads on them.  They're easier to pull out when the sewing machine is going.

I'd hold off on getting a rotary cutter, cutting board, all that expensive stuff.  A good solid kitchen table is good enough with a good pair of nice sharp scissors.  And I have a rotary cutter that I've used, but it's a pretty specialized instrument.

Really, starting out, I'd get good pins, the yardstick (for measuring on a patterned fabric), an extra needle (in case you break) and some really nice scissors (get the tailoring pair, they're longer and that is nice).  Lots of stuff is going to be pattern/fabric specific and until you get to that level,why haul out the $ for it.  Also, JoAnn's has coupons all the freaking time, make sure to get on their mailing/e-mail list.  

AuntFlo

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/special-topic-wedding-boards_wedding-woes_people-who-sew?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Special Topic Wedding BoardsForum:47Discussion:79bd3f31-9a9e-472b-aa46-819fc8b932c4Post:e21cceae-3339-4a98-b4aa-463f007a3e9d">Re: People who sew</a>:
[QUOTE]A good solid stitch/hem ripper or a tiny pair (think like paper cutting) scissors to fix mistakes. On the pins, get one with the big colored heads on them.  They're easier to pull out when the sewing machine is going. I'd hold off on getting a rotary cutter, cutting board, all that expensive stuff.  A good solid kitchen table is good enough with a good pair of nice sharp scissors.  And I have a rotary cutter that I've used, but it's a pretty specialized instrument. Really, starting out, I'd get good pins, the yardstick (for measuring on a patterned fabric), an extra needle (in case you break) and some really nice scissors (get the tailoring pair, they're longer and that is nice).  Lots of stuff is going to be pattern/fabric specific and until you get to that level,why haul out the $ for it.  Also, JoAnn's has coupons all the freaking time, make sure to get on their mailing/e-mail list.  
Posted by VarunaTT[/QUOTE]

I agree with all of this.   The rotary cutter is not necessary and takes a lot of skill to use correctly.   

PMeg819

The only reason I'd get a cutting mat is to use it for a few other things. I do have a tape measure, but this was all good to know. I seriously have forgotten about all those little things like seam rippers, bobbins, etc.

VarunaTT

I'm not sure, but I've only used a cutting mat in conjunction with the rotary cutter.  I think it's nice for measurements and such, but all I used it for was lots of quilting and then one other project (making a t-shirt rug.  I used it to cut the strips really fast, rough and easy).

If you want it, grab it.  I don't think it wouldn't be useful, I've just learned the hard way that you can make sewing a REALLY expensive hobby or you can make it actually reasonable and money saving.

VarunaTT

Oh and Pmeg, i'm still kicking myself for not taking a picture of sewing the pockets to the bottom of my pants leg.  I knew it was time for a break after that, but dang it was funny.

baconsmom

Huh. I use my rotary cutter all the time. It's my preference over scissors, because I can use it up against the yardstick or other straightedge and get a nice, straight cut. No cutting mat, though - I just have a cheap folding table that I don't mind scarring a bit.