Learn to Sew - Episode 1 | Sewing Tools | What Do You Really Need?

This is episode 1 in my Learn to Sew Series, but also works as a standalone guide to what sewing tools I recommend! We'll walk through all the equipment I use and what things are must-haves vs. nice-to-haves.

Time Stamps:
(1:11) Overview of what else is in the Learn to Sew Series
(3:55) What to look for in a sewing machine
(9:26) Sewing machines I recommend
(16:19) Do you need a serger?
(18:28) Pins! and the beginning of the small tool list
(20:04) Clips!
(21:54) Pin Cushions!
(23:42) Scissor and Snips!
(26:01) Rotary Cutter!
(27:11) Cutting Mat!
(29:47) Straight Edge!
(31:18) Measuring Tape!
(31:48) Irons!
(35:00) Hera Marker! and my controversial(?) take on tailor's chalk
(37:44) Hot Ruler!
(38:39) Bias Tape Maker!

Links:

Sewing Machine 1 - Brother XM2701

Sewing Machine 2 - Brother CS5055

Sewing Machine 3 - Brother CS7000X

Sewing Machine 4 - Brother Innov-is NS80E

Serger - Brother 1034d

Pins

Clips

Pin Cushion

Big Scissors

Snips

Rotary Cutter

24"x36" Cutting Mat

36"x48" Cutting Mat

Straight Edge

Measuring Tape

Standard Iron

Cordless Iron

Hera Marker

Hot Ruler

Bias Tape Maker

Tag me in your makes - I would loooove to see what you're working on!

[liltaufi]

You had me at “i rather assume you know nothing….”
because thats exactly me when it comes to sewing lol
im so glad i found your video! this is what i absolutely needed!! i am brand new to sewing but i wanna learn. alot of videos on youtube that claim to be for beginners, are not. Thank you so much!!

[curban]

I am almost 70. I have been sewing since I was 8 yrs old..my granddaughter asked me to teach her to sew which excited me like crazy! I am so happy there are channels like this. It’s a skill that will stick with you, your entire life. I love making things myself and having something no one else has! I love it! Great video!! ❤️❤️

[manonvo]

Please don't apologise for "man spaining" or over explaining. I am indeed a super beginner and I really need the basics😹 there are a lot of beginner turorials out there that sometimes skips the basics and I feel like I have to figure out how to do stuff by context clues. I mean I probably can find all the info I need somewhere? But its so helpfull to get the basics all together. Tha k tou so much

[martinisnoweenies]

My grandmother taught me how to sew when I was around 10. I loved it so much but haven’t really touched a machine since then. Over the last year I’ve been very heavily considering taking it up again (I knit, crochet, hand sew, embroider, etc. I basically NEED to start sewing again at this point) but I’ve been hesitating because my grandma was the only one in the family that sewed and she isn’t here to help me any more.

Thank you so much for making this series and holding our hands along the journey. I’ve been following you on instagram for a while and I’m so excited to finally be able to make some of your patterns!!!!

[jordanb]

I’ve watched a ton of beginner videos and swear yours is the most comprehensive one I could find!

[Bachlorshouse]

Don't apologize for explaining something and how to do it. I have been deepdiving sewing and watching a ton of beginner videos to get as much info as possible. On YouTube it's impossible to do what you apologized for since beginner videos imply those watching are beginners and need a ton of info.

[redathach]

This was so helpful. I’ve wanted to learn to sew, but most of the starting videos I found were “how to use your sewing machine”, but my question was always “what am I supposed to look for in a sewing machine?!”

[thebotanicalknitter]

I’m self taught and look forward to this series! Here’s a vote for a pin cushion tutorial 😊.

[emilywhite]

love this!! highly recommend the buying a machine order of
-borrowing a machine from library/makers space to try out sewing
-then researching what you liked/disliked about the borrowed machine and buying a second hand one!
i’m learning on a 1999 janome memory craft 4800- it’s computerized does embroidery and is an amazing machine. i got it for $20 from a old lady of fb marketplace who owned over 100 machines

[brazilgabrielle]

I’m halfway thru video, but had to comment bc this is the second time you apologized for ‘mansplaning’, so I wanted to thank you for mansplaning because this is the video/series I was desperately looking for! I am a complete beginner, I want to know all the tips and tricks and everything you’ve learned so thank you for taking the time to explain thoroughly and even the time o it your life to make these videos!

[audra_brown]

OMG obsessed with your channel, thank you 🫶 this makes sewing much more underwhelming and fun

[lorrainegunn]

The reason I bought a serger -- the flater edge i get, and no fraying, for the preliminary hem turn over = less bulk in the finished hem, than you would have from a single turn up 1/2 inch before you make the final hem fold. It gives you a neater, more professional hem, and it is easier to hand hem without any sign of thickness or for a smoothly sewn hem = resembling a cover-stitch hem on ready-made T-shirts, shorts or a flared skirt.

[billieblackbear]

From 40+ years of hand and machine sewing, I love watching beginner videos. You can always learn new tricks. It’s very informative.

[charcharcha]

I'm here learning to sew after MY fiancé heard me talking about it and asked his mom to let me use her old one! Just thought it was great hearing you mention how you got your first machine.

Your channel has been awesome to learn thank you so much for helping make it less daunting 😅

[mithraperi]

Haven't watched the video but came here to say that the YouTube algorithm finally did its job. I've been meaning to find a series I can literally start with and was too lazy to search. Excited for this!

[always.inspire]

I've been admiring your pieces on Instagram for months, and finally thought to look for your etsy shop and yt channel and I am so hooked. I was so happy to see your patterns are size inclusive, and it made me feel like sewing the kinds of clothes I really want is accessible (I'm plus size and also 6' tall, so finding pants and things "off-the-rack" is both expensive and discouraging lol) I used to sew when I was like a preteen--made my own patterns and creations and whatnot, but never actually followed up. You've got me inspired to try it again. :)

This video was so helpful. I feel like I learned a lot about the tools and little gadgets I may need and what they're all for. Thank you for "mansplaining" everything, because I want to know it all from the very beginning! 💞

I am eagerly looking forward to your next episode! I have absolutely NO idea where to start when it comes to picking fabric, so I feel like it's going to help me a lot 🥰

[aliyavs]

Thank you SO much for starting this series!! Will be so nice to have something comprehensive to reference as a beginner 🤍

[allisonjohnson]

You’re so sweet and this made me feel so good how much you clearly care about your craft! I’m just starting to sew using my great grandmothers old machine and I’m so excited!

[MatArmid]

I love your energy and kind words! ❤❤ Learning from Mexico

[ChrisHupe]

I just found your channel, and I love it!! I currently make quilts. I want to try my hand at sewing clothes. I have said to myself, "How hard can this be?" and "What's the worst that can happen?" You have given me the courage to take the leap!! Thank you for that! I have just retired after teaching for 40 years. I now have the time to try new things! Yeaaa!!