All serious fashion designer and stylists have a sewing kit. It is the house of all the essential tools you need to be masters at your craft. It presents you as a serious, respectable professional who is passionate about their art. As a fashion student, or someone who would like to own a sewing kit - because it is beneficial to the everyday person,- you need to have essential tools in your sewing kit.
A basic sewing kit is more than a pack of needles and threads - especially to fashion students. A fairly 'decent' sewing kit would average $60 USD investment. If these tools are cared for and treated with respect, they should last a minimum of 5 years - they are built to last much longer. The quality of your work depends on the quality of your tools. Brands dictate price - however, you do have reasonably priced tools that are not overtly expensive.
The Basic Essential Tool for a Sewing Kit
The Container Before we can speak about the things that should be in a sewing, we need to first speak about the kit itself, or the container that will be housing your tools. Tips: It is very important that you purchase a container that is durable and waterproof - water and excess moisture are your tools worst nightmare! It's best that container has different compartments that can prevent damages to tools. Ensure that the material is soft so that it doesn't make your tools that need to be kept sharp - Try a scissors case. Keeping your tools in tip-top shape is priority! Ensure that the size of the container can comfortably hold all your tools without having to be forced in. It might not seem, to be damaging, but the little fractures add up.
Pencil Every dressmaker, fashion designer and stylists need a pencil. Firstly, WE DO NOT DRAW IN PENS on the first try. There are people who practice this - but those who do are sure they want to make a final imprint. To an amateur - you're more likely going to waste paper and other resources. Pencils are your best friend! They hide your mess.
Sharpener A good sharpener, one that sharpens your pencil to a point, is very important for designers. It helps to keep our designs crisp and clean.
Eraser The eraser is very important. It lessens the visibility of mistakes made on paper.
Pen Every designer and stylist owns a pen. Pen are important for taking measurements, making notes and finalizing documents. If you are handwriting and presenting a final drawing - pens are your best friend.
A standard 6 or 12 inches ruler Fashion Designers live by the mighty ruler. You cannot have an accurate and professional finished garments without using detailed measurements. Instead of using your yard stick to do small line work, a shorter ruler will allow one to make more accurate decisions while feeling less combobulated.
Thimble A thimble is not a must - to be honest, most don't use it because it feels inconvenient, but it's good for someone who is very new and is afraid of a needle prick. It is a hard metallic cap that goes over your finger to prevent a prick.
Sewing Needles Without sewing needles inside your kit, you technically do not have a sewing kit - all you have is a bag of tools! Sewing needles come in various sizes with different types of eyes. Sewing needles also come in different shapes and serve different purposes. It is best you use needles for the appropriate method and purpose. There are different sewing needles for sewing machines, Serger and other machineries.
Shears Shears, like sewing needles, come in various sizes and types and are best used for different purposes. It is best to invest in a shear that will last you a lifetime.
Sewing Threads Threads are very important, however there are four main colors that one should never be without in their collection as they are very frequently used: black, white, dark blue and brown. Having these can be easily used in garments. Sewing threads vary in size and thickness based on the purpose and intended use. Always have a small cone and a bobby pins available so that should you get the opportunity to sew on a machine, you have your tools ready.
Tailor's Chalk This is very important for making notes on fabric that can easily be removed with little to no damage on the material itself.
Tracing Paper and Tracing Wheel Tracing paper is essential when transferring patterns onto fabric. Using the tracing wheel by running it over the tracing paper can easily transfer patterns onto fabric with little to no damage to the pattern itself.
Safety and Common Pins Safety pins are important because of the latch. They are great for making notes in areas on fabric that you wouldn't want to easily lose. They also guarantee less fabric separation when used on fabric only. Common pins serve the same purpose as safety pins, in addition they can be used upright.
Seam Ripper People will always need a seam ripper in their sewing kit. It could be because you made a mistake or you want to alter a garment. Regardless of the purpose - it is commonly used and is more manageable than using a shear. Seam rippers are used to remove unwanted stitches.
Buttons You need to have buttons of various sizes. These bottoms can be generic standard emergency buttons. Every kit should have some clear, brown, black and white buttons on hand.
Regular Zips Each sewing kit should have at least 3 regular zips inside. They will most likely blend with your garments. The three colours to purchase are black, white and brown.
Presser Foot It is very important to have the different presser foot that you intend on using to make your garment. The right foot allows for the more ideal finish.
Pin Cushion What is being a seamstress or a tailor without having a pin cushion? This is where you can place your pins that are in immediate use without losing them. Pins might appear cheap and disposable, however, they cost money.
Small Screw Driver I know you are wondering, "Why do I need a screw driver?" A small screw driver is needed to change presser foot and other mall parts of a machine when needs be. Using a knife or scissors to unscrew parts is a a big "No-no" and can have alternative effects on your machine.
Do Not Feel Overwhelmed
Do not feel overwhelmed with what is seen above. Not everything needs to be bought at once. You can purchase quality products overtime so that you can receive longevity out of your tools. Not always do you need to feel like you need to go haywire to find all the products. We have compiled a Beginner's Complete Sewing Kit that is sold at the school, for more info you can contact the office.