Sewing Kit Essentials: Seam Rippers, Pins, Pincushions and Starter Kits
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These are the little tools that make sewing go smoothly. Each is described from its listing.
Seam ripper
Everyone unpicks stitches eventually. Clover's 482-W is an ergonomic seam ripper, per the listing.
Clover Ergonomic Seam Ripper (482-W)
- Clover 482-W ergonomic seam ripper, per the listing
Pins
Dritz's glass-head pins are extra fine (0.5 mm shaft, 1-3/8 inch) with heat-resistant heads you can iron over, 250 to a box, per the listing. For quilts and thicker layers, Dritz's 1-3/4 inch quilting pins have bright yellow heads, 500 per pack.
Dritz Glass Head Pins, Extra Fine, 1-3/8 in. (250)
- 250 pins, size 22 (1-3/8 in.), 0.5 mm shaft, per the listing
- Heat-resistant glass heads that can be ironed over
- Reusable storage box
Dritz Quilting Pins, 1-3/4 in. (500)
- 500 yellow-head quilting pins, 1-3/4 in., per the listing
- Nickel-plated steel
Pincushion
A magnetic dish picks pins up from the table. The Grabbit is about 4-1/4 inches wide with a snap-on cover and comes with 50 pins, per the listing.
Grabbit Magnetic Pincushion with 50 Pins
- Magnetic dish that pulls pins into a pile, per the listing
- About 1-5/16 in. tall by 4-1/4 in. wide; snap-on cover
- 50 plastic head pins included
Hand-sewing kits
For buttons, hems and travel repairs, the Vellostar kit lists 24 thread colors, needles, scissors, a tape measure, safety pins, buttons, threaders, a seam ripper and thimbles in a case. University of Florida Extension lists thread, a needle, scissors, and optionally a needle threader and thimble as the supplies for sewing on a button. See our button guide.
Vellostar 100-Piece Hand Sewing Kit
- 24 thread colors, needles, scissors, tape measure, seam ripper, thimbles and more, per the listing
- Organized carry case
- Threads are #402 general-purpose polyester, 100 yd each
Presser feet sets
Extra feet open up zippers, gathering, rolled hems and more. Brother notes its walking feet differ by shank height and feed dog width, so check your manual for any foot. The Madam Sew set is 32 snap-on feet in a case with manuals, and the Aiskaer set is 48 feet; both are listed for low-shank domestic machines.
Madam Sew 32-Piece Presser Foot Set
- 32 snap-on presser feet in a case, per the listing
- Listed for popular low-shank machines
- Printed and digital manuals included
Aiskaer 48-Piece Presser Foot Set
- 48 presser feet plus 2 tools, per the listing
- Listed for low-shank domestic machines; not for industrial machines
- Color manual included
Also worth having
- Spare needles: see needles.
- Extra bobbins of the right type: see bobbins.
- Good thread: see thread.
- Shears: see fabric scissors.
FAQ
What goes in a basic kit?
Needles, thread, scissors, pins, a seam ripper, tape measure and thimble.
Can I iron over pins?
Glass-head pins like Dritz's are listed as ironable.
Will generic feet fit?
If your machine is low shank. Check first.