Throughout 2020, I picked up more hobbies than the last ten years combined. I guess that’s what happens when we’re homebound for nine months straight, right?

Hey guys — Courtney here, and today I’m talking about my recent fascination with sewing and everything I did to get started.

Something Kate and I recently discussed was how hard it is to be a beginner. Just getting started is honestly one of the hardest parts, because it can feel really vulnerable to be brand new at something. 2020 helped me face that fear because I needed other things to do besides doom scroll and watch Netflix (although I still do plenty of both of those things, too, to be honest).

I tend to gravitate towards hobbies where I’m building things from scratch — baking, drawing, weaving, macrame (find my coaster tutorial here!) — and sewing was the perfect addition. When my sister and I were kids, my mom sewed a ton of adorable clothes for us. I was looking at pictures with her a few months ago and didn’t even realize how many of my favorite outfits were custom made by her! My mom still sews to this day (my entire mask inventory is very fashionable thanks to her talents) and I became especially intrigued by it when I was looking to DIY a gift for some family and friend’s new babies.

So when my mom asked what I wanted for my 30th birthday, a sewing machine felt like the perfect gift. I have absolutely loved learning how to sew over the last few months and am excited to share my go-to beginner sewing supplies and how I got started.

Beginner Sewing Supplies:

Before I dive in, I want to point out that you don’t need all the fanciest gadgets or every single piece of sewing equipment to get started (and I may have even gone overboard for being just a beginner) — but I will say that I have used all of the supplies listed below already!

1. Sewing Machine

This was one of the hardest decisions to make, but my mom was incredibly helpful. I wanted a good beginner machine that still had some bells and whistles, but my main request was that it had an automatic needle threader. It takes me FOREVER to thread a needle, and this feature is a total game changer and time saver. I got the Brother CS7000X and absolutely love it. On Amazon, it has more than 14,000 reviews with an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars.

2. Sewing Basics Kit

Sewing requires lots of little knick knacks but you can get them in a set for a pretty reasonable price. I got this one on Amazon that comes with 183 pieces. The items I use the most are:

Sewing pins and pin cushion
Seam ripper (because I mess up every 5 seconds)
Thread (obvi) in a variety of colors
Needles for hand sewing
Fabric clips

*Three other items that I use all the time that were not a part of this kit are these pinking shears, this rotary cutter and mat, and embroidery thread (you really only need this if you plan to embroider).

3. Needle Variety

Something I didn’t think about was needing different needles for different fabrics. So far, the needle that came with the machine has been great for basic cotton sewing and even felt, however, I have started sewing fleece plush toys and knit headbands, and the standard needles don’t always cut it (they can skip stitches or get caught in the fabric). That’s why I snagged some stretch and jersey needles, and it has made a huge difference.

4. Fabric

One thing I didn’t realize is how expensive fabric is! I am planning to buy some cute jersey sheets to make headbands (you get way more for your money), but until then, I’ve mainly used Etsy and Spoonflower for fabric. I’ve purchased fabric from Lil Fabric Shed, Two Dreams Fabric Shop, and Vancouver Bamboo on Etsy, and my most recent obsession has become browsing all the amazing fabrics on Spoonflower. Spoonflower is a marketplace where artists can design and sell custom fabric, wallpaper, and more. I definitely want to try designing my own soon!

5. Sewing Patterns

One of my favorite parts of sewing is finding patterns! I could spend all day browsing Etsy for new ones, and I have absolutely fallen in love with Nata Patterns. I’ve made her baby dolls and am in the process of making her dinosaur mama and baby plush toy.

My last piece of advice for beginner sewers is to put in the time to read the manual and do some research. As annoying as it was, reading the manual for the sewing machine helped me get started and comfortable so much faster. Before my machine even came, I also read a blog of sewing terms to better familiarize myself with the craft. I’ve also enjoyed watching YouTube tutorials from MADE Everyday — she has so much great content on beginner, intermediate, and advanced sewing techniques.

So there you have it! I am by no means an expert — I am actually an extreme beginner, but I have loved this learning process and can’t wait to sew more. Any sewing fans out there? I’d love to hear your advice and tips, so drop them in the comments below!

Sewing Supplies & Advice for Beginners