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in Get Started

Top 10 Supplies You Need To Start Sewing

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Are you one of those people who pulled the old dusty sewing machine out of your closet for the first time once this pandemic hit? You figured you’d just sew up a quick little batch of masks for yourself and your family, and soon you realized that this could be something you’re interested in!?

Or maybe you’ve been thinking about sewing for awhile now and you’re inspired by all of the beautiful quilt, wall hangings and table runners that you see on Pinterest? Where do you even get started?

There are so many gadgets, so I’ll tell you where you can save some money, where you should splurge and how you can grow your tools over time.

So let’s begin, shall we.?

  • sewing notions for beginner quilter rotary cutter seam ripper Omnigrid ruler thread pins

Keep in mind that for me and purposes of this post, when I say “sewing”, I actually mean quilting, so I should be a bit clear on that. 

I am a quilter and general sewist (curtains, pillows, aprons and things of that nature). I could not make a pair of pants right now to save my life, so I am not sure what specific tools you would need if you’re hoping to sew your own evening gown (or pants).

But if you’re interested in general quilting and sewing, here we go! I’m breaking it down into what is necessary and where to spend your investment dollars!

The Top 10 Notions you need:

Notions? What are they?

Notions are the small tools used in sewing, such as needles, thread, pins, marking pens, and seam rippers.  Quilters collect notions like a kid gathers candy on Halloween.  For some, finding a new and unique notion is pure sport!

Notions are usually inexpensive and run the gammit of absolutely necessary and critical to your success to completely un-essential but very very fun, but if you’re just beginning, here’s a necessary list.

Necessary Sewing Notions:

  1. Fabric Scissors – The kind that you will throw yourself down in the road for in order to stop anyone from using them on paper.  Invest in a good pair. I love these, but I do realize they are the ‘Cadillac’ of fabric scissors. There are less expensive options too! Just do. not. use. on. paper.  
  2. Thread – When piecing your quilt top together, you can use a standard sew-all thread. My favorite thread is Aurafil brand and it will last you forever! I typically sew with a white / cream thread unless my project is very dark. Use the rainbow of other options for quilting your project together or top stitching.
  3. Pins & Magnetic Pin Cushion – Accuracy in your project is going to depend on your pinning skills, and I don’t mean Pinterest. Pick up a pack. Use them!
  4. Seam Ripper – Unfortunately, this little guy is a reality. You won’t be best friends and you’ll likely call him naughty names.
  5. Needles – A sharp needle for your sewing machine is a must. Shop for some according to the manufacturer’s suggestion for your machine.
  6. Rotary Cutter – Ever wonder what that “pizza cutter” looking gadget is? It’s your rotary cutter and it comes in several sizes, but most common are the 45 mm and 60 mm . I have found that my very favorite rotary cutter is this one. The smaller 45 mm just feels good in my hand and I like the control I have when cutting small projects.  Rotary cutting will help you to cut quickly and accurately.
  7. Healing Mat – This is what you’ll use as the base for when you rotary cut. I suggest starting out with one that is 24×36 inches.  It will nicely fit on a table and you’ll have room to spread out your project.
  8. Pens / Pencils – I just use some I gathered from my the kitchen junk drawer. There are fancy ones too that disappear with heat or water.
  9. Acrylic Rulers – You won’t be able to accurately cut without these.  Acrylic rulers will be an investment along the way as you decide what sizes will most benefit you.  I have three rulers that are my absolute GO-TOs for cutting.  When I cut yardage, I always use a 6″ x 24″ ruler and then I have a 6″ x 6″ inch for cutting smaller blocks. To round off my favorites list is my 12.5 “x 12.5” ruler which I most often use for squaring up blocks.
  10. Quarter inch presser foot: Almost all of your sewing for quilting will be done with a 1/4 inch seam allowance. If your machine does not have a quarter-inch foot, you will definitely want to purchase one. 

Sewing Machine & Iron:

Notions will be easy and relatively inexpensive to gather. The next step is going to be important and little bit more costly, but stick with me and let me explain how to select a sewing machine and iron, and you’re going to be set up to sew.

  • pfaff sewing machine
  • rotary cutting mat

Selecting a Sewing Machine:

May I offer some encouragement here…you don’t need a fancy sewing machine (you just need one that can sew a straight line), but can I caution you about using that hand-me-down clunker that Grandma passed off to you that doesn’t have a manual or a way to wind your bobbin thread?   

Yeah, you’re going to get discouraged if you have a crappy machine.  

It’s like if I offered to teach you how to ride a bike but I put a bunch of sticks in your spokes and I took some links out of your chain and asked you to make a 5-mile loop with it.  It wouldn’t be fun and you would get discouraged.  

A sewing machine is like that. Sure, some older ones will be great (they don’t make ’em like they used to), but make sure it has all of its parts and a manual you can refer to, and has been serviced and cleaned.  

Some great news is that if you’re planning to purchase a new machine, they are actually not that expensive! For a good entry-model machine, you could spend as little as $125 or so.  I sewed for YEARS on a Brother machine from WalMart that was $89.  I now sew on a Pfaff Passport which I love and is still a somewhat ‘entry level’ option, but I’m here to encourage you that for the cost of about 20 non-fat grande lattes, you can be sewing on a new machine. You’re worth it. Costco has this option for around $200 and it is a BARGAIN!

Iron & Ironing Board

An iron and ironing board are not huge investments and you likely have both already.  Any good quilter will complicate these more as they progress in their journey (there are special irons, extensions to the ironing board and more!) but for you, just starting out, let’s use the iron that you last pressed your work blouse (goodness, did I just say “BLOUSE”?

Where am I? Did I whisk myself back to 1988?

  • Iron for quilting

Just go ahead and use the ironing board that has been tucked into the coat closet (because let’s be real….you don’t actually iron work shirts. And I don’t either. Let’s be friends!)

So that, my friend, is the round up of notions and equipment that I would say is a necessary start to begin quilting. 

Tomorrow, let’s tackle fabric and all of the options that area available.  Because let’s be honest, it’s the pretty fabric with the beautiful designs and gorgeous color schemes that have us most interested! At least that’s how it is for me.

Are there any other tools you think I missed?  Drop a comment below and let’s chat!

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The Lucy Bird Connection

the.lucy.bird

Hello I’m Steph!
I ❤️ to tell stories, sew, scrapbook, paint, woodwork, DIY, and collect junk...
Let’s craft a connection and be friends 👯‍♂️

The Lucy Bird
I am doing something insanely, fun and exciting to I am doing something insanely, fun and exciting today!
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If you know me, THIS is totally 💯 ME!!
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Here are some hints:
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1. It involves 🎥 but no 🍿 (unless you want butter on your fingers).
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2. About 15 brave souls will be my first 🍎 🍏 
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3. We are going to have 🤩.
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4. When they are ✅ they will be 😀🥳🤗.
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Any guesses? Swipe if you need a hint! 
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Now excuse me, I need to get to my hair and 💄
Dottie completely, 💯, most definitely does not Dottie completely, 💯, most definitely does not understand personal space. She walks on Lucy. She lays on her. She hogs the bed.
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Poor Goose hasn’t had personal space since 2019. She mostly takes it in stride and just does a low growl (which I think is her equivalent of an eye roll).
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Little sisters can be such a pain! Am I right?
Do you ever take a risk with your fabric? I risked Do you ever take a risk with your fabric? I risked this beautiful @artgalleryfabrics to fill these hoops.
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I wondered if I would regret not using these gorgeous pretties in a quilt.
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But, turns out....NOT A SINGLE REGRET!!
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Love these as much now as I did a year ago!
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My alarm is set to go off at 5:30 am ⏰ in order My alarm is set to go off at 5:30 am ⏰ in order to catch a flight ✈️.
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Therefore, I’ve been fretting since 8:30 pm ⏰ about my optimal bed time and how many hours of sleep 😴 I’ll get “if I go to bed now” because I stress about sleep.
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Annnnnd.... the answer is!!!!.....

I’ve been promptly and wide awake since 2:38 am ⏰ 
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😣 
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I have always stressed about sleep, which is weird because I actually stress out about very little. 
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I’m the person you want in a crisis because I will remain cool, calm and collected and will give you a 5-point plan for how we navigate through the murky waters.
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Driving in a blizzard? I got you boo. Iced roads don’t rattle me.
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Need your next partner for circling the globe on the Amazing Race because you need someone rationale to decide whether our clue said we should go wrestle a lion in Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 or swim with sharks 🦈 off the coast of Cape Town? I’ve got no problem making the call.
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But sleep?
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I will freak the fricker fracker out if I DO NOT GET EIGHT HOURS!
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So here I am. Freaking out. Alarm goes off in 2 hours + 13 minutes.
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Good night.
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Good morning.
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Whatever.
It was a “no sew” Masters 🏌️ kinda weeken It was a “no sew” Masters 🏌️ kinda weekend over here! We started the weekend celebration with dinner out at our favorite restaurant and then we fit in 36 holes of golf ⛳️ with good friends.
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The change of seasons is always fun, but I do miss time in my sewing room with two puppy 🐶 🐶 friends at my feet. 
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Oh well, everything will be there next weekend. 
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In the meantime, remembering that all good things take time!
Jeepers! I’m so excited this video has reached m Jeepers! I’m so excited this video has reached more than 1,000 people! 
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I know, I know, that’s low...but it’s so exciting for me! 
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Do you have a video request? I love doing these but would like to know what you would like to learn! Need more Dollar Tree hacks? Want to know a technique? 
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Drop a comment below! 

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#quilting #quiltingismytherapy #quiltsofinstagram #quiltersofinstagram #ilovesewing #sewing #sewityourself  #sewingproject #handmade #makerlife
I’m on a mission to clean up the photos on my ph I’m on a mission to clean up the photos on my phone and hopefully get some printed.
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Came across this one from when I did the barns from Lori Holt’s first Farm Girl Vintage book.
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Am in as much 💕 with them now was I was back then!
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It’s the colors! 🌈
Did you catch the “before” picture of this goo Did you catch the “before” picture of this goodwill tray?
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A little paint and a little @tulapink Linework fabric made this tray 🌟🤩🌟!
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Drop an emoji below on what you think of the makeover!
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This ugly duckling was $2.99 at Goodwill. I knew s This ugly duckling was $2.99 at Goodwill. I knew she had potential when I spotted 👁 her, so I scooped it up!
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🪄a good cleaning 🧼 
🪄a little pink paint 🎨 
🪄some Tula Pink fabric + mod podge

And now 👉🏼 she’s a beautiful swan!

Fabric is for more than quilts!
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#thriftstorefinds #thrifting #vintagestyle #secondhand #thriftedfinds #thriftedstyle #thriftedhome #beforeandafter #beforeafter #diyprojects #diycrafts #goodwill #goodwillfinds
The Bichon bandit strikes again! Caught her in tim The Bichon bandit strikes again! Caught her in time before any lives were lost.
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Swipe to see her face as she realized she had been caught in her attempt to re-create “squeaker toy heist of 2022”
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HASHTAG: LucyStrikesAgain
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