My favorite sewing products under $20.
Just so you know: This post contains affiliate links. All of these are products I have personally used and would genuinely recommend. The full disclaimer can be found here.
Sewing as a hobby can get a little expense. Walking into a fabric store usually means my wallet will be a bit lighter on the way out. Somehow I don’t mind spending money on fabric because it will get used to make something.
Sewing tools can also get quite expensive, especially the sewing machine. I have found the expense to be one of the reasons people shy away from picking up sewing as a hobby. Sewing by hand is not something I would recommend, unless it is to mend something, so a sewing machine is kind of important. That being said, other tools that are needed in sewing can be more affordable. In fact some of my most used tools are under $20.
99% of all projects require sewing pins. The are so small but so mighty in the world of sewing. We pin two pieces of fabric together, we pin pleats, we pin the hem so it is the right length, and basically pin everything.
An important tool when sewing, and absolutely pivotal when sewing clothing. When you buy fabric at my local fabric store sometimes they gift tape measures with purchase, so you might be able to get this one for free. The one I am currently using was gifted to me with a Singer kit, and I have found it very durable.
Thread is one of the most overlooked sewing tools, in my opinion. Most people go into a store purchase the cheapest spool of thread that matches with their project and leave. I used to be one of those people. One day I was speaking with my mom and she recommended that I upgrade my thread game. So I bought my first spool of Gutermann Thread in the all purpose version. Since then I have been hooked. My bobbins don’t get tangled as often, my machine had less fluff to clean, and the most important thing to me was that the thread didn’t break in the middle of every project.
My seam gauge basically helps me keep things even. I have tried eye balling my seams, and that didn’t work out at all. With this small tool, I avoid having my seams be uneven.
If you are going to be cutting items that require straight lines, a rotary cutter is a major time saver. I made linen napkins a few years ago, and with this rotary cutter I was able to cut several layers at a time. It is also very useful when quilting.
When I need a seam ripper, it usually means I made a mistake. This happens often but without the seam ripper I wouldn’t be able to fix so. Let’s just say I have a love hate relationship with my seam ripper. This particular one has a few extras like a cushioned grip and a lid that elevate the user experience a little, but you can find even more affordable options if you are willing to forgo these extras.
Making sure my fabric scissors aren’t used to cut any other material is high on my priorities. This set comes with a fabric scissor and a detail scissor. I have found the detail scissor way more useful that I originally expected. It’s small size means I can have it on my table and not worry about it being in the way.
I have to admit that these clips are not a need for sewing, but they are a nice to have. I mentioned before that I am quite clumsy and I have pinched myself many times with sewing pins. This year I was sewing a fabric that could not be pinned and needed to buy the clips for that specific project. Since then, I have found myself using them more and more. While I will never completely give up sewing pins, these clips have become a daily part of my sewing experience.