Basic Supplies

You don’t need a lot of fancy equipment to do your alterations, some basics are necessary, but unless your are doing a lot of alterations just get what you need or improvise and use what you have around the house. I do suggest that you keep your sewing supplies in a box, whether it is a shoe box or something fancier, it makes it quicker to do your work when you don’t have to spend time looking for all your sewing supplies.
SCISSORS: A pair of scissors that are sharp is more important thansize or price. Sharp scissors make cutting easier and cleaner. I like to use 8″ or 10″ scissors for cutting fabric and 4″ or 5″ for cutting threads. Nothing is worse than getting blisters from dull scissors. You can buy a pair of 4′-5″ scissors for about $5.00 and 8″-10″ for about $10-$20.
PINKING SHEARS: Pinking shears have zigzag blades to cut fabric and keep the fabric from raveling or fraying. Again, size and price are not as important as keeping them sharp. It is no fun when your fabric bunches up from dull blades and you have to pry them off. Pinking shears start around $17.00.
SAFETY PINS: Size of safety pin doesn’t matter. I like to use them because straight pins can fall out, and your have to start over, or scratch your skin and bleed on your garment. Use smaller safety pins on finer fabrics such as silks & chiffons. Safety pins come in a 50 piece varitey bag for $2.50.
SEAM RIPPER: Seam rippers come in variety of styles. Use whatever works best for you and be careful because it will rip thru fabric faster than you think. Seam rippers come in a variety of styles starting around $3.00. I like the ergonomic rippers for $6.00, they are more comfortable to use if your are going to be doing a lot of alterations.
SEWING MACHINE: The kind or brand of sewing machine is not as important as knowing how to thread it properly and how to adjust the tension and stitch length. Be sure to get it tuned up every now and then. Buying a used or refurbished machine is a good idea if you are going to use it for alterations.They start around $75.00 and go up depending on options. For alterations you only need forward and reverse and a zig azg stitch.
RULERS: I prefer to use a 2″ X 18″ clear plastic ruler with grids for marking hems and similar 1″ X 6″ ruler for pinning hems. A seam gauge is good for accuracy but any ind of ruler will work. You can use whatever works best for you. Rulers start around $1.00 for 6″ and $5.00 for 18″. The clear plastic rulers with the red grid that I use in the videos are $3.00 and $8.00.
TAILORS CHALK: I like to use the 1 1/2″ squares that usually come in a 2 pack of blue & white. With chalk you can brush it off when done unlike wax that will leave a stain when ironed. You can also use a pencil or white chalk board chalk or similar items. Just be careful that it won’t bleed thru when ironed. The 2 pack is available for $2.29.
STRAIGHT PINS: Again, size doesn’t matter. I like to use 2″ yellow head pins. They are easy to put in & take out and a lot easier to pick up when you drop them. Straight pins start at about $3.00 a pack. Using a pin cushion, whether cloth or magnetic, helps keep your pins off the floor and out of your feet.
NEEDLES: Needles come in all sizes and styles. You can use whatever works best for you. I like size 10 quilting needles, they are small and go thru fabrics easily. Needles come in variety packs starting about $2.50. Work a few different sizes and then buy the size that works best for you.
THIMBLES: I know! Everyone hates getting used to wearing them, but they save your fingertips from lots of tiny holes. Whether you get closed tip or open ended (for long finger nails), try and get used to them if you are going to be doing a lot of sewing. Thimbles come in plastic or metal, they both serve their purpose and start around $2.00.
IRON: The main thing you want in an iron is a Teflon bottom. I buy irons that are in the $20-$30 range (irons get dropped a lot on location and don’t last long but my favorite part is they do not have an automatic shut off) that have a Teflon bottom and burst of steam. The burst of stem is helpful to get a good crease or to help iron out an old hemline or seam. I like that my irons does not shut off automatically but for safety you may prefer to buy that does shut off automatically.
IRONING BOARD: The type of ironing board doesn’t matter as long as it is clean. Steam can make stains bleed thru. Over the years, I have used towels on a table or on the floor. Your basic ironing board starts at about $15.00 and they over-the-door ironing boards for $18.00. Table top styles are available for around $10.00.
PRESS CLOTH: The type of cloth does matter. It should be cotton. Even a paper towel will work. Again, make sure that you test your iron somewhere on the inside of your garment to see if it will leave marks. Most Teflon bottom irons will not leave marks but you never know. It is better to be safe than to ruin a garment with iron marks. If you buy a press cloth, they are available for about $3.00.