The Ultimate List of Sewing Supplies by Mood Fabrics

With school (dare I say it) just around the corner, it’s probably that point in the summer where students are looking at their supply list and wondering which tools they still need, which ones essential, and which would just be incredibly helpful to have in their bag. Not to worry – in today’s post, we’re going to outline each handy sewing gadget that we love to use from design to finish!

1. Design

Every project should have a design stage; a time when you can find inspiration and sketch ideas. Sure, you’ll find a sketchpad and some fashion sites helpful, but the internet isn’t the only place you have to turn to for ideas.

1. The Mood Guide to Fabric and Fashion
   • If you ever wanted some in depth insight to the history of Mood and how it all began, this book is a must. However, it won’t stop there. The Mood Guide will also give you the tools to learn all about the different types of fabrics, fibers, prints and patterns, identifying specific characteristics of each. So you’ll already be on your way to becoming a pro when you show up for class this semester.
2. 9 Heads – A Guide to Drawing Fashion
   • This book, essential for any student studying fashion, is what Mood uses in all of their illustrations classes. In addition to covering techniques for drawing fashion figures, 9 Heads is also a comprehensive guide to drawing all kinds of modern fashion garments, silhouettes and constructional/design details. This edition even includes a new chapter on Composition and Fashion Shorthand (a guide to composing groups of garments for professional standard portfolios) and a complete set of tutorials on how best to utilize Photoshop for fashion illustrations. 9 Heads leaves no future designer with anything less than all of the basic tools in formatting fashion illustrations on a professional level.
3. Fashionary
   • Do you love designing clothes, but have a hard time putting your ideas on paper? If so, a Fashionary might just be the perfect fit for you. These pads are the perfect blend of fashion resource, templates, and sketchpad, making it the tool for brainstorming, fast sketching and quick referencing for students, designers and home sewers alike.
4. Sketchpads
   • If templates just distract you, basic sketch books and pads are always a great option. Mood has several for pencils, pens, or markers.
5. Pens, Pencils, and Markers
   • Not every writing instrument is the same. If you’re finalizing your sketches with pens and markers like you should be, there are a slew of tools that can help you make sure your idea on the page is exactly what you’re designing in your head. Prismacolor’s marker set is terrific, as is their marker blender, and Fashionary’s color collection (made exclusively for Mood) contains a full and effective range of contemporary fashion colors for extensive design applications!

2. Drape

If you like to make your own patterns, draping is almost always a necessary extra step, which means a few more supplies. In the end though, your designs will flourish for it.

1. Dress Form
   
   • Dress forms are one of the most helpful tools a fashion designer can have. Not only can you fit semi-finished garments on it, you can also drape muslin or other fabric to create your own brand new garment or pattern.
2. Muslin
   • Muslin is typically made of inexpensive cotton, and is best used for draping and mock-ups. If you have a pattern that you’re unsure of, make a test version with muslin first! Mood even sells 5 yard bundles of their premium 45″ muslin at 2/3 its typical price!
3. Pins
   1. You can never have too many pins! Be sure to have a few of each kind so you always have the right pin on hand for the fabric you’re using.
4. Draping Tape
   • Draping tape, much like painter’s tape, is often thin and flexible, making it ideal for mapping out seams and curves on a dress form or muslin.
5. Pattern Paper
   • Draw out your own patterns or save yourself some money by tracing ready-made patterns in different sizes – either way, pattern paper can be incredibly helpful! Plus, it typically has a built in 1″ grid system for easy measurements.

3. Measure

Measuring tools have evolved fantastically from a basic straight ruler. These awesome gadgets can make sure every garment you make is tailored to perfection.

1. Yard Stick
2. French Curve
   • This easy to use gauge is terrific for measuring and drawing curved lines like arm holes and necklines.
3. T-Square
   • You’ll definitely want one of these if you do a lot of quilting or geometric work.
4. Hem Gauge
   • This curved gauge makes pressing new hems incredibly simple – just wrap your hem around the curve and iron! It can also be used for pockets, pattern alterations, and belts or waistbands.
5. Hip Curve
   • If you’re looking to create long, graceful curves in your designs, this 2 foot ruler needs to be in your supply stash.
6. L-Square
   • This is a straight edge and t-square all in one, terrific for right angles and borders!
7. Measuring Tape
   • We all have at least 3 of these right?? Tape measures are terrific for taking measurements on non-flat surfaces, which is a necessity when you need to measure your model.
8. Sliding Gauge
   • If you don’t want to spend the money on all of these right away, you can try them out with a nifty little sliding gauge. This pocket-sized gadget features a buttonhole spacer and sizer, a seam allowance gauge, a circle compass, a hem gauge, and a T-square – all in miniature!

4. Mark

1. Tracing Wheel
   
   • A tracing wheel is a great marking option  for soft fabrics. It leaves a small dotted indent that disappears after pressing. For leather or vinyl, it can also be used to evenly space and mark where to hand stitch.
2. Tailor’s Chalk
   • This chalk is best if you need a nice, solid line. However, be sure to remove markings before pressing your garment, as the heat could set the color slightly.
3. Marking Pencil
   • Marking pencil’s are much like tailor’s chalk, but they tend to be a bit lighter. They come in three shades, so they can work with most fabric colors, and there are even water soluble options that can be removed with a damp cloth!
4. Awl
   • An awl is a tool used to punch holes in leather, vinyl, plastic, and fleece, to hold and ease fabric under a needle while sewing, to start holes for small wood screws, and to mark dart holes in both fabric and preliminary patterns. Essentially, it can be used for a lot of things – such as marking stitchs on leather by hand instead of using a tracing wheel, or fully puncturing the markings initially made by a tracing wheel.
5. Tracing Paper
   • Once you have all your markings and measurements, you may want to recreate them on pattern paper or muslin, or even your fina fabric. Tracing paper can be a great assistant when it comes to this step.

5. Cut

1. Buttonhole Cutter
   
   • Similar to a chisel, you can insert the tip of this buttonhole cutter in the center of the button hole and rock it back and forth until you cut through to the other side. Be sure to place a piece of cardboard or other protective material behind the fabric when cutting.
2. Seam Ripper
   • Many beginner kits and machines come with a seam ripper, but if you’re unfamiliar with them, they can be used to open seams, to cut and remove stitches and to cut buttonholes open.
3. Edge Trimmer
   • These applique scissors are designed to make applique work and rug making a breeze as the paddle-shaped blade pushes away the bottom layer of fabric for flawless, controlled cuts close to stitching.
4. Cutting Mat
   • These mats are self-healing, meaning they won’t be easily destroyed by knife or rotary cutter marks.
5. Thread Snipper
   • Thread snippers are designed to trim thread, floss, yarn or other light materials with accuracy and comfort. Fine-point tips offer access and control when trimming stringing materials in tight places while the precision-ground stainless steel blades make clean cuts. Spring-action handle with finger loop makes handling both easy and comfortable!
6. Rotary Cutter
   • Rotary cutters are especially terrific for long, straight lines – like those you’d be cutting if you’re a quilter.

6. Sew

1. Mood Sewing Machine
   
   • This could maybe be considered a shameless plug, but Mood’s newly launched sewing machine is a must-have! I can’t say it better than Mood itself:
     • “These electronic sewing machines come with a LCD screen, an all purpose foot, a zipper foot, a buttonhole foot, an overcasting foot, a blind hem foot, a satin stitch foot, a button sewing foot, three bobbins (with one already filled), an edge quilting guide, a large and small spool holder, spool pin felt, three needles, a brush, a seam ripper, screw drivers, a soft cover and more. Proving a diverse array of over 400 basic, novelty and embroidery stitches/patterns, this machine is perfect for both the skillful and novice sewers. Complete with a manual providing detailed instruction not only on every aspect of this machine, but with instruction on how to complete basic sewing tasks as well. Features enhancements such as warning messages when your bobbin is low or when the upper thread is broken. Can be used to sew leather, heavy wool, cotton, knits, etc. “
2. Thread
   • Elastic, invisible, fusible, heavy duty — every wonder about all the different types of thread? I recently outlined all my favorites right over here!
3. Machine Needles
4. Hand Needles
5. Needle Threader
   • Maybe this one isn’t a necessity, but I am in love with needle threaders. They can be used with both hand and machine needles, and they completely elliminate the frustration of fighting with the eye of a needle and fraying thread.
6. Thimble
   • These come in a few different sizes, to protect your finger while hand sewing. Plus, if you find the metal ones uncomfortable, there are also leather ones!
7. Bobbins
   • These, of course, typically come with your machine, but it’s always a good idea to have a few extra. Some will always get lost, and others are just great to have so you don’t always need to waste thread by juggling the same two. Just be sure you choose ones that fit your machine!

7. Craft

1. Seam Creaser
   • This is a must-have for any sewist. The narrow end helpfully turns points on shirt collars, lapels, pockets and more, while the rounded end creases seams open (or shut!) for a tailored look every time.
2. Loop Turner
   • A necessity when making narrow spaghetti-straps, button loops or frog closures. Latch-hook end catches fabric to pull it through bias tubing!
3. Fabric Glue
   • Sometimes, you just have to use glue. When adhering fabric though, be sure to use glue meant specifically for fabric. Others can stain or eat through certain fibers, and others simply won’t do the job as well.
4. Hem Tape
   • Intimidated by hemming? Hem tape can take that fear away! There are several different kinds, although most are iron-on. Some are permanent, which others wash away and act more like temporary iron-on pins. This can also be used for appliques!

So what sewing tools are your favorites? Did we leave any out in our ultimate list?

Once you have your ultimate sewing kit put together, be sure to download our new monthly sewing planner to keep your projects just as organized!