Affordable List of Sewing Supplies You Need As A Beginner
There is quite a supply of items you need when you start sewing. More than what you need for knitting and crocheting. Since there are so many supplies needed, often people won’t bother with picking up sewing OR they buy everything and end up wasting money. This affordable list of sewing supplies is everything you should slowly invest in your beginner’s sewing kit.
Sewing is a great hobby and an amazing skill to have. Knowing how to sew can save you lots of money in the long run. From doing repairs to sewing your clothes & home decor, the savings are endless.
Starting off this sewing journey may feel expensive when you see the price of some things like a sewing machine. I promise though by learning this craft and utlizing your sewing machine at least once a week, you will get your moneys worth.
Affordable Sewing Supplies List
I’ve accumulated a list with suggestions for some supplies that are available on Amazon. All prices that I have listed below are in Canadian dollars.
Where to find supplies
Affordable sewing supplies can be found at places like walmart, dollar stores, or even amazon. You can also find affordable sewing supplies at thrift shops, like fabrics or threads. And don’t forget to check out your local facebook marketplace listings! A lot of people will list things they don’t use to declutter.
There are also Facebook groups that sell used sewing supplies. Some just dedicated to the province, and others for across Canada!
Where I am located, there is a very affordable locally owned fabric & craft store that is only located in my province. Unfortunately, they don’t have an online shop and only offer in-store shopping.
16 Must Have Sewing Supplies
Sewing Machine
There are so many different options for machines out there and finding the one that is right for you as a beginner is important! As a beginner, you don’t need a fancy machine. A machine that does the basic necessities is the most important thing.
I owned the Singer simple machine for over 10 years, a very beginner sewing machine. Only in 2023 did I upgrade my machine. You don’t need a crazy expensive machine, but I would recommend sticking with a brand and not a no-name brand.
Why?
Simple. If something was to happen to your machine, it’d be much cheaper to get it serviced than buy a new machine. Getting it serviced (or repaired) by someone, they typically will only service brands like baby lock, singer, brother, etc.
Also, there is always the option to check out secondhand machines like on kijij, Facebook marketplace, Facebook groups, and even some thrift stores will carry functional machines.
Singer M1000 $159
Janome New Home $189
Singer SM024 $179
Fabric Scissors/ Cutting Shears
Normal scissors won’t cut it! No seriously, they won’t cut your fabric.
Scissors that you have on hand, may work but you’ll notice a signficant difference when you’re trying to cut the fabric with them. It’s going to give you a hard time, hurt your hands, and your fabric is not going to cut nicely.
Singer Fabric Scissors with Comfort Grip $11.94
Singer Sewing Scissors Set $24.27
Thread
A must for sewing your projects is thread! Thread comes in different kind of fibers, but the most common tends to be polyester.
Some threads will cost more, but as a beginner you only need the basic threads. Getting polyester and basic colours is great to have for a beginner sewist.
Singer All Purpose Polyester Thread $7.58
I’d just like to add, that it is a lot more affordable to purchase thread in store than Amazon from what I have seen. If you have access to local stores that sell craft supplies, I’d suggest checking it out.
Pins
Holding your fabric together is important, and the most affordable and best way to do so is pins.
While there are clip options, and honestly I have both, pins are better for beginners as pins tend to be a better option for all projects. You can’t clip a project in the center of a sewing project, whereas you can with pins.
1.5 Inch Sewing Pins Plastic Ball Head $7.99
Measuring Tape
For all sewing projects, you need a measuring tape. How else are you going to know how long you need your fabric to be? Or how long do you need to cut your fabric?
A retractable measuring tape is a great option but typically costs more than the one listed below.
This is a super basic measuring tape that just about every sewist has in their sewing basket!
1.5m Dual Sided Tape Measure $6.49
Seam Ripper
You NEED a seam ripper. Most sewing machines tend to come with a seam ripper that is doubled as a brush to clean your machine.
However, I think there is never enough seam rippers. You’re going to be constantly using one. Everyone makes mistakes, everyone needs to remove stitches at one point in their sewing journey. There’s a good chance you’re going to misplace a seam ripper. I can’t tell you how many I have misplaced mine.
4 Pieces Seam Ripper $8.99
Needles for hand sewing
You may think you don’t need any needles for hand sewing. I mean, this is a blog post all about sewing supplies you need with a sewing machine. There will be times though that you want to close a seam and you don’t want it seen. This would be a time where you’d have to hand sew the seam shut.
30-Pack Sewing Needles $7.49
Pin Cushion
You don’t even have to technically purchase a pin cushion, you can easily make yourself one with scrap fabrics! A pin cushion is very convenient when you are sewing and utilizing pins. When you remove your pins, you’re not fumbling to put them away, you can just stick them in the pin cushion.
Not only that, but removing the pins are so much easier when they stuck in a pin cushion.
203pcs Pins and Animal Pin cushion $9.99
Notions
Buttons and snaps are just some examples of some notions. Having buttons on hand, especially if you are learning to sew to repair any damage to your clothes.
It is not only great for repairing but if you want to create a me-made wardrobe for yourself or family members. Having buttons on hand is great. I can’t tell you how many times I needed a button but never had any on hand.
Round Sewing Buttons $10.99
Extra Machine Needles
You’re going to need extra needles. Most sewing machines come with extra needles so you may not need to grab any.
There’s going to be times when the needle becomes dull or you might even snap your needle. I’ve had it happen to me where I snapped a needle almost in half. It can happen sometimes
Singer 10-Pack Universal Sewing Machine Needles $12.95
Tailors Chalk
You’re going to need something to mark on fabric, and tailor chalk is one of the best options. It can easily come off so your markings won’t be seen on a finished project.
4 Colors Tailors Chalk $8.99
Thimble
Utilizing a thimble when it comes to hand sewing is super helpful. A thimble can help push your needle through the fabric so you’re not driving a needle into your finger. Not fun.
Singer Thimble $6.60
Ironing Board
This is something that most people may already have in their home. Having an iron board is important to have in your home so you have a protected surface to iron on.
While I would love to have an iron that stands on its own on the floor as it’s way better for your back, another great option is a tabletop ironing board.
A small board that is easy to put away and easy to use. Plus it’s a lot more affordable.
Amazon basics Ironing Board Table top $39.69
Iron
Having an iron in general is great to have in your home. There are going to be times when you need to iron out a wrinkly shirt.
But besides that, having an iron to flatten your seams can seriously elevate your sewing. Just simply ironing your project between sewing is a must and can help your project turn out so much smoother and nicer.
Black & Decker Lightweight Steam Iron $22.98
Extra Bobbins
If you use multiple different colour threads like myself, you’re going to need more bobbins than what most sewing machines come with. It’s always good to have lots, as you’re going to wind these up for each different thread you use.
50 Pcs Bobbins $7.39
Fabrics
And lastly, you need fabric!
Now while I love shopping in person for fabric, I also love ordering fabric online at fabric stores located in Canada. Most fabrics that are a meter long tend to cost roughly $20, but as a beginner, I suggest smaller projects which means you won’t need a meter of fabric.
Just getting fat quarters is a great way to get an assortment of fabric for cheap. Now, you don’t get a bunch of fabric in a fats, but it’s a great way for beginners to start. As you start sewing more, then spending the extra money on more fabric will make more sense.
16Pcs Fat Quarters 18 x 22 in (46cm x 56cm) Solid Pure Cotton Fabric $22.99
12Pcs Linen Cloth $26.99
What You Need When You First Start Sewing
I’ll be honest, all these items you don’t NEED when you start your very first sewing project.
For starters, most sewing machines come with a lot of the things in this list like a seam ripper, bobbins, and extra needles for your machine. If you get those with your machine, I wouldn’t worry too much.
I highly suggest fabric scissors, but if you don’t want to spend the money on fabric scissors then by all means don’t. But you will have a tough time with regular scissors. It’s always best though to try out the hobby first, and then invest in some better equipment like some fabric scissors.
So what exactly do you NEED to start sewing?
- Sewing Machine
- Thread
- Bobbins (Typically will come with machine)
- Fabric
- Measuring Tape
- Pins
If you use a pencil to mark on the fabric, it’s perfectly fine.
If you don’t have an iron, by all means, you don’t have to have one. It will make sewing SO much easier when it comes to flattening out your seams and ironing your project throughout the process, but that’s up to you.
In the end, you will figure out what works best for you and what fits your needs best. This sewing supplies list isn’t to rush out and buy at once, but to accumulate over time as you progress on your sewing journey.
Happy Sewing
Kate