| Any adult who lives on even a mild budget should | | | | The best sewing kits contain either a pincushion or |
| have some basic sewing skills and own some basic | | | | magnetic pin dish to hold all your pins. This not only |
| sewing supplies. A tiny rip in a hem, or loose button, | | | | prevents a mess, it rescues your fingers from those |
| should never result in a discarded garment. Review | | | | sharp pointed ends. |
| some basic sewing tips if you forget how to sew on a | | | | It never hurts to include a seam ripper, a thimble and |
| button because minor issues are easy to fix, as long | | | | some tracing paper in your sewing kit. Include some |
| as you simply own a needle and some thread. | | | | tailor's chalk and/or marking pens made specifically for |
| To make a simple sewing and/or mending kit, start | | | | clothes, so the marks can be washed out when the |
| with a lidded container to hold everything in. You need | | | | garment is finished. You're now ready for any little |
| a basic set of sewing needles with one or two, each, | | | | sewing emergencies. |
| of small, medium and large needles. If you plan on | | | | Sewing machines are wonderfully handy items, |
| doing anything complicated, such as sewing leather, | | | | assuming you actually know how to use them. Regular |
| remember that there are special needles made | | | | needles are not meant for sewing machines, so be |
| specifically for leather and such. | | | | sure to buy a supply of needles made specifically for |
| Throw a pair of sharp scissors and a measuring tape | | | | the brand of sewing machine you'll be using. |
| into your sewing kit. Add some black and white spools | | | | You can use thread from your basic sewing kit or buy |
| of thread, and think about purchasing a couple of other | | | | a whole new supply specifically for your sewing |
| assorted colors. Examine your wardrobe to determine | | | | machine. Just make sure you have plenty of whatever |
| what colors are used the most and buy thread that | | | | thread you plan on using. You'll need the extra to |
| matches. | | | | thread the smaller spool, called a bobbin, which goes in |
| You need lots of pins, and a few safety pins, to help | | | | the arm of the machine. |
| with almost any sewing project besides basic mending. | | | | |