Sewing For Absolute Beginners: What You Really Need To Get Started

Start Where You Are: The Only Sewing Tools You Really Need

Starting to sew can feel… a bit much, can’t it?
You open your browser to look up “sewing for beginners,” and suddenly you’re drowning in lists of must-have gadgets, high-tech machines, and perfectly curated sewing spaces that look like something from a magazine.

But here’s the honest truth:
You don’t need all of that to get going.
You just need a few basics, a bit of space, and a willingness to make wonky seams and learn as you go. (Honestly, that’s part of the fun.)

🧵 What You Actually Need to Start Sewing

1. A Sewing Machine
This is your sidekick, your best freind! It doesn’t have to be fancy or expensive. Look for one that’s beginner-friendly — simple buttons, a few basic stitches, and nothing too intimidating.
Brands like Singer, Brother, and Janome all have solid options. My first sewing machine was a budget Brother machine I bought on a whim — and we went on quite the journey together!

2. Fabric
Start with cotton. Not only is it cheap and easy to work with, but it also doesn’t shift around like slippery fabrics. Plus, it comes in fun prints — always a bonus.

3. Thread, Pins and a trusty seam ripper
Just the basics, I promise! Get standard all-purpose polyester thread in neutral colours (you’ll use it more than you think), and some regular pins to hold your fabric together when things want to slide around (they will!). Treat yourself to a seam ripper. The best way to learn is through making mistakes and the lovely thing about sewing is, once your fabric is cut, there is very little you can do that can’t be undone with your trusty seam ripper!

4. Fabric Scissors
Treat yourself to a pair and only use them on fabric. (Seriously. Hide them from the rest of your household.)

5. Measuring Tape & Ruler
You don’t need to be a maths genius, but sewing involves a bit of measuring. A soft tape and a clear ruler are perfect.

6. An Iron + Ironing Board
This one feels boring, but trust me — pressing your seams makes a huge difference. It helps everything sit nicely and look less… homemade in a bad way.

🪑 Your Sewing Space Doesn’t Need to Be Fancy, but make sure it’s comfy!

I’ve sewn at kitchen tables, coffee tables, even on the floor.
All you need is a flat surface, a chair, and some light. Bonus points if you’ve got somewhere to keep your bits and bobs together — a box, a basket, a drawer.
Don’t wait for the dream studio. Sewing belongs wherever you are. Just make sure you can sit comfy at your machine and don’t have to perform some kind of advanced yoga move to reach your peddle!

❤️ Mindset Matters (A Lot)

Let yourself be a beginner.
There will be tangled thread. There will be fabric cut the wrong way. There will be things that make you want to throw your machine out the window.

But also — there will be joy and pride! That “I made this!” feeling that never gets old.

You will get better. Every mistake is a step forward (even if it doesn’t feel like it in the moment) also to be expected! That’s what seam rippers were made for!

Ready to Really Dive In?

If you’re ready to go from “what even is a bobbin?” to making things you’re genuinely proud of, I’d love to invite you to join me in Ready, Thread, Sew!

It’s my 8-week online course for beginners — no jargon, no perfection, just kind, supportive guidance and a whole lot of permission to be messy.

We start June 2nd and if you sign up before May 5th, you can grab the early bird offer for £150 (instead of £197!) with the code RTSEARLYBIRD.

Let’s do this — just as you are.