If you already have a sewing machine and enough storage in your dorm to bring it with you to college, that’s awesome. If you don’t, hand sewing is great for those small rips in your jeans, when your favorite bra strap breaks, or any number of things. But before you start to explore the world of crafting and fixing, you need the correct supplies. Here are some of the absolute basics:
1. A needle
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You won’t be getting anywhere with sewing if you don’t have a needle. Luckily, you can buy packs of hand sewing needles pretty darn cheaply. If possible, try to get a pack that has a variety of sizes and lengths. There are just times when you need the shorter needle or your thread is just too bulky to make it through one of the smaller needles. Also, it just never hurts to have extra in case one breaks or gets lost.
2. Thread
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Again, you won’t be doing any sewing if you don’t have thread. This is that stuff that you want to call string but is too thin. It keeps just about every article of clothing you have together. It can sometimes break pretty easily, but, for the most part, this stuff is pretty strong. If you’re worried about it then get some beeswax (sometimes it’s sold in a handy little container that stops it from causing a mess). Run your thread along the edge of the wax to strengthen it. In general, some black, white, and navy thread can take you along way for those general occasions that you need it.
3. Scissors
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You need something to cut that thread cleanly if you ever want a chance at getting it through the eye of the needle. Typically, fabric scissors are sharper than your run of the mill scissors, but they aren’t a necessity. Just make sure whatever pair of scissors you use for fabric and thread only get used for fabric and thread.
4. Pins
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Pins, again, are on the low end of necessity. They are super helpful because you can line up your fabrics then let go and focus on the sewing itself. They just make the job a lot faster because you don’t have to worry about keeping your fabric lined up just right.
5. Seam Ripper
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Like the last, this one isn’t a necessity for super basic stuff, but once you get into the more elaborate projects it is definitely a necessity. The seam ripper can be used to undo work you didn’t like or messed up on. It can also be used to take apart old clothes and such so you can the fabric!
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