Sewing Notions for Basic to Advanced Sewing Projects

Fabric tends to get all the glory in sewing, and it’s easy to see why. After all, the hobby doesn’t work without it! However, an artist is only ever as good as their tools. In this case, the sewer is only as good as their notions.

What are notions? These include all the small sewing tools and accessories that hold everything together—quite literally. Without the right notions, even the most basic cotton fabric can be difficult to work with.

That’s why every seasoned sewer learns early on that having the right tool for the job transforms frustration into flow. Whether you are just learning to thread a machine or you are a professional tailoring a bespoke suit, your toolkit defines your experience.

We want to walk through the sewing notions you need, for everything from your first basic projects to the most advanced undertakings.

The Starter Kit: Building a Solid Foundation

Every sewer starts somewhere, and usually, that place is a humble cookie tin filled with mismatched threads and dull needles. If you are ready to upgrade from the cookie tin, you need to focus on quality basics. These are the items you will reach for during every single session.

Fabric Shears

First and foremost, invest in a dedicated pair of fabric shears. And make a solemn vow right now: never use them on paper, cardboard, wire, or plastic. Using your fabric scissors on paper dulls the blades instantly, which causes them to chew your fabric rather than slice it. Conversely, a sharp, high-quality, well-maintained pair of shears makes cutting out patterns a joy.

Other Small Basics

You also need to stock up on the small stuff (that makes a big difference). A well-rounded starter kit should include glass-head pins that won’t melt under an iron, a variety of hand-sewing needles, a magnetic pincushion to catch strays, and a high-quality seam ripper.

And let’s emphasize that last one! The humble seam ripper is a sewer’s best friend. We all make mistakes—sewing over a fold, catching the lining, attaching a sleeve backward, bobbin nesting, etc. A sharp seam ripper makes un-sewing much less annoying.

Leveling Up: Tools for Precision and Ease

Once you catch the sewing bug, you might notice that certain tasks take longer than they should. This is where intermediate notions come into play. These tools exist to improve accuracy and speed up the boring parts so you can get back to the creative parts.

Rotary Cutter With Mat

If you quilt or sew garments with straight lines, a rotary cutter and a self-healing mat are amazing upgrades. Using scissors to cut long, straight strips can result in jagged edges. In contrast, a rotary cutter glides through layers of fabric like a hot knife through butter. The result is your pieces matching up perfectly when it is time to sew.

Marking Tools

Marking tools become helpful when you tackle more complex patterns. The days of using a sliver of soap or a pencil should be behind you at this stage. We recommend building a collection that features these tools:

• water-soluble pens
• tailor’s chalk
• heat-erasable markers
• tracing wheels

These matter because accurate markings for darts, pleats, and buttonholes determine the fit of a garment. If the marks disappear too soon or don’t wash out, you have a problem. Finding the right marking tool for your specific fabric type is a small victory that pays off tremendously.

The Pro’s Playground: Advanced Specialty Notions

Eventually, you might find yourself wanting to tackle tricky fabrics like slippery chiffons, stretchy knits, or heavy denims. Well, advanced projects require advanced notions.

Sewing Machine Upgrades

This is the stage where you look at your machine and realize it needs some help to handle what you are feeding it. Start your upgrades with a specialty machine foot. A walking foot, for instance, helps feed multiple layers of fabric through the machine at the same rate. This prevents the top layer from shifting and creating those dreaded puckers. Other game-changers include a generic zipper foot, an invisible zipper foot, a Teflon foot for leather, and a ruffler foot for gathering.

Specialized Pressing Devices

It’s hard to achieve a super professional finish without pressing as you go. Advanced sewers know that a standard ironing board isn’t always enough. To get crisp collars and smooth curves, you should utilize pressing hams, seam rolls, wooden clappers, and pressing cloths. These funny-looking cushions allow you to press curved seams without flattening the shape you just created.

Source Your Notions at Inspired To Sew

You might wonder where to find these treasures. Well, you’re already in the right place! Big box stores carry the basic notions, but they lack the curated quality that dedicated or professional sewers require. At Inspired to Sew, we curate our collection of sewing notions to meet the needs of every project, from the basic to the advanced.

Buying sewing notions online from us means you are getting tools vetted by people who actually sew. We know that cheap thread snaps in the machine and that dull pins snag delicate silk, and we would never subject you to those woes.

That’s why we stock premium brands—we want your sewing experience to be as smooth and successful as you hope for. Our selection includes everything we’ve covered in this blog, and then some! From measuring tools and pins to unique accessories that add a professional touch to your work, everything you could need is on our site.

A Final Note

Every project teaches us something new. Maybe you learned that velvet has a nap the hard way, or you finally mastered the invisible zipper (after many frustrating, failed attempts). You can’t guarantee perfection for every single project. However, you can guarantee that your supplies won’t stand in your way. Having the right notions at your fingertips gives you the confidence to try that scary pattern or cut into that expensive fabric you have been hoarding for years.

And remember that Inspired to Sew is here to support that journey. Let us help you make something beautiful.