Find out what are the top ten notions every sewing room needs, and if you’ve been sewing for any length of time then you’ll understand the importance of having a good sewing kit with all of these essential and good quality tools. If you’re a beginner, or just sew for fun as a hobby you probably already have a basic set of tools that you bought to get you started.
Of course, there are some very basic tools every sewing room needs: first of all, you need a good sewing machine, because, let’s face it, you won’t get much sewing done by hand. That said, you will also need a basic selection of colors of thread. Naturally, your thread supply will grow as you start new projects. You’ll also need an assortment of needles, a pincushion, a good pair of shears as well as a tape measure. A thimble always comes in handy and no sewing room should ever be without a seam ripper!! Ok, now wrap all that up in a pretty little sewing basket and we’re at least ready to get started on a simple project.
Of course, I could go on and on here about all the little doo-dads our sewing rooms just can’t be without. My sewing area has enough little goodies to open a small craft store and I feel like every one of them is essential! If you sew I’m sure you know what I mean!
But you know, every now and then I come across some little trinket that I didn’t even know existed and that I decided I just have to have and really I just can’t do without (Oops! double negative! – “can’t do without” – That means I have to have it!) 🙂 You’ll see what I mean!
1. The Scrap & Thread Catcher
You won’t be sewing for very long before you realize that your sewing projects always seem to end in a pile of scraps, thread ends, and pins all over the sewing area and floor. Well, amazingly enough, it never occurred to me to catch the scraps before they make a mess, but when I saw this pretty little scrap catcher I knew it made sense. It’s professionally constructed from 100% cotton fabric. It even comes with a detachable pin cushion. You can purchase it over at Etsy.com or if you’re up for the challenge you can buy the kit and make it yourself. Either way, it’s a lovely and functional addition to your sewing room.
2. Clover Wonder Sewing Clips
Sewing clips are a great alternative to pins – no more pricked fingers, no more pins everywhere and no more 
sewing projects falling apart! I love them! And the Clover name has always been associated with quality: these clips are spring-loaded which means that they are very sturdy, strong and they grip fabric really well. They are good for delicate fabrics, multiple layers, or fabrics that scar easily when using pins such as leather, vinyl or waxed/coated fabrics. The bottoms are flat with markings of 1/2 inch and 1/4 inch seam allowances which is great for quilting.
They are available in a variety of colors and size combinations. The more popular ones by Clover are the mini clips pack of 50, the original size in red or multi-colors. You can also get them in the 24-piece jumbo size, the 10-piece assorted colors, or the 10-piece neon green. So many choices! Clover Wonder Clips hold everything together tightly, and you’ll be surprised how strong they are and how many other uses they have outside the sewing room. Use them to hold your hair back, clips for chip bags, clips to hold papers together. I even heard of them being used to hold curtains at hotels together. Now there’s a great idea!
3. Bobbin Holders
As another alternative to store your bobbins and thread you can keep the bobbins organized on top of color matching spools of thread. Although the conventional way allows you
to keep all your bobbins stored together in a neat little case, these allow you to keep the same color thread and bobbin together so you don’t have to go searching for them. It’s a great idea, especially when your thread count has grown significantly. I thought these would be perfect for me! I had been keeping my bobbins in a bobbin holder, but they would unravel, and then there would be a big lump of thread all tangled up. it will show you how much you actually have left of that color with the thread and matching bobbin being together. If you sew, you need these! Keep the bobbin and thread together so there is no hunting for the matching bobbins when you are ready to sew!
4. Dritz Magnetic Pin Wand
This magnetic pin wand by Dritz is useful as a quick and safe pickup of all kinds of small metal objects such
as paper clips, small screws, nuts, or pins. With its long handle, you can easily sweep it across your work area. But if you sew and drop all your pins on your sewing area, on the floor, or especially on a carpet, you will wish you had this handy magnetic pin picker-upper! You won’t have to worry about your fingers getting pricked by picking up a handful of needles or someone stepping on a few that you missed. Sweep it across or tap it on the area where the pins fell and watch it pick them up. It works fantastic for finding pins that fall hidden into the carpet. Store it away when you’re done. It’s narrow enough to slip easily into a sewing basket, just be careful not let it get too close to your box of pins or other metal notions! Grab one for you and one for a friend! Great gift for Moms who love to sew. Below are a few more ideas for organizing you pins.
 Check Amazon.com |
 Check Amazon.com |
 Check Amazon |
 Check Amazon.com |
5.That Purple Thang
Yes, you read that right it’s called “thang.” This small “thang” goes where your fingers can’t go, and it’s great for turning out corners. I use mine all the time whenever I’m making pillows, and I’ve been showing it off in several of my pillow videos. Amazingly, that’s not all this small tool does. It has a quarter inch measure that I use all the time, and I 
keep finding new uses for it. For instance, I’ve found that you can use it to thread elastic or ribbon, and it’s small enough to thread almost whatever you need through fairly small casings.
It can also serve as a pointer that can get close to your sewing machine needle instead of your finger, and avoid sewing your fingertips. So, you can use it to keep seams that have refused to stay down even after ironing, without having to wiggle and jiggle them down as you come upon them while sewing. Essentially, it’s a great tool for the money, and everybody needs at least two. One at the machine, and one at the cutting table, or at the ironing table.
6. Bias Tape Maker Kit
This is the coolest little thing. This DIY kit has all you need to make your own bias tape, all packed in a nice and sturdy plastic case. There are four bias tape-makers with different colors for different sizes, a binder sewing foot, an awl, four sewing clips, and several pins. However, the package does not come with a guideline for use, so you may need to do some trial-and-error to figure it out. Nevertheless, it makes it way easier to make your own bias than when you try to do it manually.
An important tip is to ensure the strip of fabric is twice the width of the small opening of the specific tape maker you want to use. Then, simply cut the end of fabric that feeds into the opening into a slight point to help the fabric feed through easily. Turning the tool upside down while pushing it with the iron is also a great trick. In all, this tool is great to have if you want to make your own bias in the exact color you desire.
7. Needle Threader
Have you ever wanted to thread a needle, and got frustrated because of your constant misses and the strain on your eyes? Well, this is a better solution than the tiny threaders that come in most sewing kits, which often get lost and break easily. This needle threader is sturdier, easy to locate and use, and works well. It is in a tube, which makes it handy yet difficult to lose in your sewing stuff. You can use it over and over, with any thread, including embroidery thread, and it would hold strong.
It also has a light, which helps you see your needle’s eye better. So, it’s great for your eyesight and makes it easier for you to thread your sewing machine needles. Thus, it’s just perfect for when you have a hard time seeing the hole in your needle. It’s really an excellent tool, and when you use it once, I doubt you will ever go back to the threaders that came with your sewing kit.
8. Magnifying Lamp for Sewing
Absolutely love this lamp! I needed something for my needlework, which uses very small stitches. 
Buying this lamp is going to be the best investment you will make this year if you do a lot of needlework, which uses very small stitches. With this magnifying lamp, you don’t have to strain your eyes through hours of cross-stitching and beading, or struggle with tired eyes and blurry vision after a short period of sewing. It’s better than your regular magnifying glass and allows you to work on your projects for up to 6 hours daily in complete comfort, without getting an eye strain.
An added benefit is that you don’t have to hold the magnifier while trying to use the lamp and it is adjustable to various heights and positions. It is also easy to assemble, and the heavy weight of the oval base makes it very secure, so you don’t have to worry about it falling over. You will absolutely love this lamp. It’s really quite amazing and a perfect gift for the elderly, or someone with poor eyesight, who may be losing the joy of crafting because of their deteriorating vision.
9. Seam Ripper
As the saying goes – Keep Calm and Grab The Seam Ripper – and you can never can have too many of them, especially if they get the job done. A seam ripper is an essential tool, not just for sewing, but for monogramming and crafting too. It’s great for getting into small places and ripping out unwanted seams and stitches easily and quickly without causing damage to your fabric. This package from KINGMASS contains eight sturdy, seam rippers in different sizes, and a small thread snip.
The seam rippers make it easy and convenient for you to cut seams smoothly without tugging, and the snips can be used for cutting threads and opening seams and hems as well. They each have a long, flat handle that makes it easy and comfortable to grip, and a clear cap which protects your hand from puncture from the blade edge. There’s also a round mini ball at the end of the smaller fork for protecting your fabric. You should order this package because it offers the benefit of having several rippers, which you can keep in different spots, from your sewing machine to your sewing basket and purse, as you don’t know when or where you might need one.
10. Mini Vintage Sewing Music Box
We had to add this one because it’s so darn cute! This vintage treadle sewing machine music box is tiny, but it has remarkable details. All you have to do is give it a good winding and pull the drawer for the music, Fur Elise by Beethoven, to start playing. You can stop the music by simply shutting the drawer. The amazing thing about this small machine are the moving parts. As the song plays, some of the machine parts, such as the treadle, needle, and thread spool all move in unison.
The treadle and needle move up and down, while the spool of thread sitting on top goes round and round. The small drawer is also large enough to hold little things like hairpins, buttons, and clips. However, it’s plastic and very fragile, so make sure you place it somewhere it can’t fall off easily. Asides from that, it’s a fun, sewing machine music box that looks like a miniature, real machine. It is great for bringing back old memories and can serve as a perfect mother’s day gift.
