Top Ten Sewing Essentials for Quick Repairs

Getting dressed can lead to the discovery of a need to replace a missing button, fix a loose hem or repair a torn seam all which can be fixed easily if the proper tools are handy. It only takes minutes to sew on a button when you have a sewing kit with needle and thread at hand. And it doesn't take long to put together a kit of sewing essentials or to purchase one with all ten sewing essentials. Having these tools on hand could save time and money.

Top Ten Sewing Essentials:

Scissors are essential to most every sewing task. Size doesn't matter so much for repairs but the scissors must be sharp. Pointed scissors are useful for cutting close to stitches and for trimming.

Thread in several basic colors such as white, black, tan and favorite colors will be most useful. Small spools or tubes are available which fit nicely and hold all the thread needed for repairs.

Needles in an assortment of sizes will serve your needs. Make sure the eye of the needles is large enough for easy threading or have a needle threader too.

Straight Pins are necessary to hold the material together while you stitch allowing the seam to be sewn with not buckling.

Safety Pins of assorted sizes may be used for an instant repair until later. A temporary repair with a safety pin can buy time until a permanent stitching can be done.

A Tape Measure comes in handy for many purposes. Sometimes it has nothing to do with sewing.

The Hem Gauge helps keep buttons sewn on the proper distance from the edge of the fabric or from each other. It also helps to keep a hem even when making repairs to a loose hem or in turning up or down a hem.

A Seam Ripper has a very sharp pointed edge which can easily be slipped under stitches to remove them. It is very helpful in removing those plastic stitches which hold on tags and need to be removed without cutting the material. And of course it is great for ripping out seams.

Spare Buttons in common shapes and sizes are so very helpful. Save old button when a worn item is discarded or purchase a box at a fabric store.

A Pin Cushion will keep straight pins, needles and even open safety pins at hand for easy handling and access. Keep one needle threaded with white thread and one needle threaded with black thread for quick repairs.

Collect these ten sewing tools and keep them in sewing box or container close to where you get dressed. If you do not have any or some of the items mentioned take a shopping list to a fabric shop and prepare one for sewing emergencies. It is a good idea to keep a small version of the kit in your car or desk too.

Shopping List:

Small Sewing Basket/Container

Sharp, Pointed Scissors

Small Spools of Thread: White, Black, Beige

Assorted Hand Sewing Needles (easy to thread eyes)

Straight Pins

Safety Pins of assorted sizes

Tape Measure

Hem Gauge

Seam Ripper

Assorted Buttons

Pin Cushion