Find everything you need to sew in one easy list with explanations or suggestions below.
Sewing Machine
Fabric Scissors
Pins
Marking Pen
Measuring Instruments
Sewing Needles (machine and hand)
Thread
Fabric
Pattern
Sewing Machines: Janome New Home 311 series. All metal body, very forgiving of beginner mistakes, does everything including stretch stitch, and comes in many fun colors.
Scissors: Any fabric scissors (not universal or all purpose). As long as they are used for Fabric only they’ll remain sharp for a long time. Personally, I love my spring loaded Ginghers, BUT they are fairly expensive.
Pins: Extra or Ultra fine glass headed pins are the most versatile. They’ll pin a variety of fabrics and they can be ironed over (handy for hemming).
Marking Pens/Chalk: Avoid ultra thin chalk and frixion pens. Opt for Tailors chalk or water soluble markers.
Measuring Instruments: a good 6″ hem/seam ruler, yard stick, and 60″ soft tape
Sewing Needles: Schmetz for sewing machines and sharp needles size 5-10 for hand sewing.
Thread: Gutterman or Coats and Clark. Hobby Lobby offers cheap thread however it is very linty an causes a lot of debris in the machine.
Fabric: (local) Hobby Lobby, Michaels, Walmart, Quiltique, Sew Yeah, Textiles Kingdom, and Heddy’s Fabric (for costume/couture). (online) Mood Fabrics, Fashion Wholesale Direct, Hancock’s Fabrics.
Patterns: Hobby Lobby, Heddy’s and Walmart have limited pattern offerings. Ordering directly from Simplicity/McCalls/Butterick/Vogue when patterns are on sale. For printable patterns from independent groups, I like Ellie & Mac and Rebecca Page. I do not have a lot of experience with many indie makers. However, I do see that Etsy is flooded with AI patterns that DO NOT MAKE SENSE or work.
(I am not including links since I am not affiliated with any merchants and do not earn a commission for recommending products.)