Sewing Essentials: What You Really Need (and What Can Wait)
When you first start sewing, it quickly becomes clear just how expensive sewing equipment can be. As with any new hobby, it’s easy to get carried away and want to buy everything at once — but the truth is, not all tools are necessary when you’re just starting out.
Below, I’ll walk you through the sewing equipment I consider essential for beginners, as well as a few nice-to-have tools that can wait until you’re ready to invest a little more into your new hobby.
Sewing Machine
A sewing machine is, of course, essential — but it doesn’t need to be fancy. A very basic model is more than enough for beginners.
My first sewing machine was an old one that a family member was no longer using. It had very limited stitch options and only a few dials, but it did exactly what I needed. As long as a machine can sew a straight stitch, you’re good to go.
Even now, although my current machine offers many stitch types, I rarely use more than a straight stitch and a zig-zag stitch for most of my projects. Don’t let extra features overwhelm you — simplicity is often better when learning.
Sewing Machine Needles
This is one of the most overlooked tools, yet it’s incredibly important.
Sewing machine needles become dull quickly and need to be replaced more often than many people expect. A good rule of thumb is to change your needle after 8 hours of sewing or at the start of every new project.
No matter how good your sewing machine is, it won’t perform well without a fresh needle. Signs that your needle needs replacing include skipped stitches, loose stitches, unusually large needle holes, or uneven seams.
A Good Pair of Fabric Scissors
Sharp fabric scissors are an absolute lifesaver when cutting fabric — but they don’t need to be expensive. My own pair cost around 15 € online, and I couldn’t be happier with them.
Although it is possible to cut fabric with a pair of dull kitchen scissors, your doll will be easier to make and look better if you use sharp fabric scissors.
The most important rule is simple: fabric scissors are for fabric only. Everyone in my household knows not to touch my good scissors. Cutting paper, opening boxes, or trimming the dog’s hair are all big no-no’s, as they dull the blades.
I replace my scissors about every six months, but I also sew almost daily. As a beginner, you’ll likely complete many projects before needing to replace yours.
The Right Fabric
Walking through a fabric store can be very tempting — so many beautiful fabrics, patterns, and textures! However, not every fabric is suitable for every project.
Always check your sewing instructions first to make sure the fabric you’re choosing is fit for purpose.
For example, most of my current projects are dolls. While viscose fabrics often catch my eye with their lovely floral prints, their silky texture isn’t durable enough for a long-lasting doll. Jersey fabrics feel wonderfully soft, but they stretch too much and won’t hold a doll’s shape once stuffed.
That’s why I mostly work with cotton fabrics, especially linen. They have no stretch, are soft to the touch, and are ideal for doll making.
The Right Pattern
If you’re just starting out, I highly recommend beginning with small, simple projects, such as dolls. They allow you to practise basic sewing techniques without needing large amounts of fabric or advanced construction skills, making them perfect confidence-building projects for beginners.
Great lighting
I often find myself sewing in the evenings (sometimes even into the late hours). It can be hard to be precise when you can't see what you are doing. Although it may seem harmless to not have your fabric laying perfectly flat, or your edges not trimmed close to the stitching - and yes that is true - but all of these imperfections can add up and make your project not feel as good as it could be. There is nothing worse than having put in all that time and effort and then not to be happy with the final result.
For this reason I suggest only working in daylight and near a window, or alternatively having a great adjustable spot light style lamp to ensure you are seeing your project correctly from every angle
Nice-to-Have Tools (Once You’re Ready)
Once you’re comfortable with the basics and want to level up your sewing experience, these tools can be incredibly helpful - but again these are not mandatory and you don't have to buy the most expensive version of these tools.
Seam Ripper
Mistakes happen — especially when learning something new. I always keep two seam rippers on hand: a small one next to my machine and a larger one for bigger mishaps.
This simple tool slides into a freshly sewn seam and gently cuts through the stitches, allowing you to remove threads quickly without having to unpick every stitch by hand.
Pinking Shears
Pinking shears are zig-zag scissors that are perfect for trimming seam allowances, especially on curved edges. Like my fabric scissors, I use them on almost every project. They save time and help keep seams neat.
I especially find them helpful when making any of the dolls, as the arms, legs, head pieces and ears all have curved edges.
A Mini Iron
This one may not be necessary if you have a dedicated sewing space, but for me it’s essential. I do most of my sewing at the kitchen table, where there’s no room for a full ironing board.
A mini iron and small ironing board fit perfectly on my table and are incredibly convenient. The iron heats up in about 30 seconds, making it energy-efficient and easy to switch on and off throughout a project. The portable setup also allows for quick clean-up after a day of sewing.