My 12 Favorite Sewing Tools

I love sewing and saving money. With every hobby comes items that you need. These are my top twelve sewing tools that I can’t sew without!

In every hobby comes tools that you have to buy to actually be able to do that hoby. I don’t have a fully decked out sewing room and probably never will, but I do have some sewing products that I can’t sew without. I always need them while I’m working in my sewing room. These are my top twelve sewing tools that I can’t sew without! 

There are affiliate links in this post. I only link to things I have used and recommend. All opinions are my own. 

My Favorite Sewing tools

I did not link to any sewing machines in this post, because I have another post full of the best sewing machine for sewing clothes. Sewing machines really vary by what you are sewing and what you can afford. Also, I’m frugal and like to  sew to save money so most of these ideas are budget and beginner friendly options.

1. Glass head pins* and sewing clips*

I’ve been using glass head pins for a couple of years, and I love them. They are small and thin so they don’t ruin fabric, and they don’t melt if you press them while they are holding fabric together.

I also just started using sewing clips, and I like them so far. They take some getting used to, but I think I sew faster when I use them instead of pins. There is a place for both while sewing.

2. Rotary cutter, ruler, and cutting mat*

I love love love cutting fabric out with a cutting mat and rotary cutter. It’s so fast and easy! I only use my ruler when I’m cutting rectangles, pockets, and knit bands, but I couldn’t live without it. It is not as cheap as pins and fabric scissors, but it’s worth the investment.

3. Tailor’s Wax Chalk*

I know a lot of people don’t like this wax chalk for marking fabric, but I love it. I started doing it in a tailor shop about ten years ago, and I’ve never looked back. It’s my favorite and only way of marking fabric. I love that it steams off when I iron it! It works on both light and dark fabric.

4. Scissors Necklace*

These aren’t the exact scissors I have, but it’s pretty close. I have a small pair of scissors that I tied a long ribbon on and wear it around my neck.

I love having small scissors always accessible when I sew for quick trims and cuts. If I stand up to iron something at the ironing board, but scissors come with me. I use them constantly while sewing, and I can’t sew without them! 

5. Measuring Tape* and Small Transparent Ruler*

I don’t use a measuring tape while I sew, but I use it to measure myself, my kids, and any pattern I’m working on. I had a sewing teacher recommend to always wear one around your neck, but I’ve never gotten in the habit of it. I’ve heard that the plastic ones can get stretched out and warped, so a fabric one is a good alternative.
I love having a small ruler right next to my machine when I sew for any small measuring job. I use it to mark hems and measure seam allowances. It’s really handy!

6. Fabric Scissors

I used to have really fancy, expensive fabric scissors and didn’t see a huge difference from inexpensive fabric scissors. I use them so much that they dull quickly, so I like to inexpensively buy another pair. There’s always a couple of them hanging out in my sewing room.

7. HeatnBond Soft Stretch Hem Tape*

I have tried every trick for hemming knits with a twin needle without success until I started using this product. It’s the only hem tape that works well and gives me a hem I am happy with. I can’t recommend it enough!

8. Inexpensive Iron with a Retractable Cord*

I have a much older version of this iron, mine is 8 years old, and I’ve always been happy with it. It works great, it’s inexpensive, and I love the retractable cord!

9. Ironing Board Cover*

Every ironing board cover I’ve had gets stained or dirty so I wash it and then I can never get it to fit on the ironing board well! It’s so frustrating to work with the string, so I found this elasticized ironing board cover that doesn’t stain and won’t burn! I love it!

10. Tabletop Sleeve Ironing Board*

I actually use my small sleeve ironing board more than my big ironing board. I got a small one like this at a thrift stores years ago and always have it out for quick pressing jobs. I love that I don’t have to get my big board out to press small areas.

11. Inexpensive Brother 1034D Serger*

I’ve had this inexpensive serger for almost eight years, and I’ve never had a problem with it. It’s loud and shakes a ton, and it’s definitely an extra level serger, but it’s a great little machine. It elevates my sewing and makes finishing edges so easy!