This is one of my favorite posts of the year! I get to take stock of all my favorites things and decide which if them is a sewist must-have! I’ve come up with 25 items I can’t live without! Are you ready? Make sure you read all the way to the bottom for the ULTIMATE 5oo4 must-have!
Let’s start with Sewing Machines’
A Sewing machine must-have list includes three different machines for me:
- a standard sewing machine
- a serger
- coverstitch
With that in mind, I’m going to list all three here!
Babylock is Jessica’s favorite brand and this brand is like the Cadillac of sewing machines. They are beautiful and classy and slick and, I don’t know, I’ve never actually touched one but I believe Jessica. She’d never steer us wrong! Her standard machine is the Babylock Aria and her serger/coverstitch combo is the Babylock Triumph! Get your Aria HERE and your Triumph HERE!
I LOVE Juki brand sewing machines. They are a must-have for my sewing adventures. I love Juki machines so much that I wanted an entire family of Juki machines and my loving husband made it happen. I have 4 Juki machines in all. First is my industrial straight stitch machine, the Juki DDL-8700, then there’s my standard machine, the Juki HZL-F300, and then my serger, the Juki MO654DE, and last, my coverstitch, the Juki MCS-1500! I love my little Juki family! These machine WORK! Seriously, I never had a bit of trouble and they purr like kittens. Get the Juki DDL-8700 HERE… the Juki HZL-F300 HERE… the Juki MO654De HERE… the Juki MCS-1500 HERE!
4. Printer
Next on the must-have list is a good printer. I don’t know if I’m the only one but I never print all sizes. One of the magical things about every 5 out of 4 pattern is that they all come with layers so you only have to print what you need. With that said, I no longer waist my money on color ink/printers. Once I switched from a color ink jet printer(that I hated) to a laser Jet my life was changed. My printer uses black toner and saves me so much money! I love it and I think you will too. Now, you can certainly find color printers but I find I don’t need one. I have the Brother HL-L2350DW and I LOVE IT! Find this printer HERE!
5. Thread Storage
I literally have thread rolling around everywhere since our big move this summer. It’s a disaster. Don’t be like me, ask Santa for some thread storage! A thread rack seems like a small thing until you have 24 large and 48 small spools of thread rolling around the room. I bought a thread rack for my small spools a few years ago and it’s been great. It has legs so it can sit on a table or shelf but since I had wall space I mounted it and love it even more. I got this at Wawak and you can even find a rack for cones of thread as well. FIND IT HERE!
6. Notion Storage – my favorite storage must-have
Having a place for all your goodies is wise. This is one of those things you don’t realize you need until you can’t find your seam ripper. Ask me how I know. I have several storage items from hanging storage containers to little tubs but my absolute favorite is this cantilever sewing box I got as anniversary gift from lovecrafts.com that they no longer appear to carry. I did find a similar one on amazon.FIND YOUR OWN CANTILEVER SEWING BOX HERE This is a definite must-have!
7. A Good Iron
Have you ever worked with a cheap, junky iron? Me too! That’s exactly why I’ve added an iron to my must-have list! ’ve purchased all manner of irons. Cheap ones to very expensive ones. It comes down to this… I can’t be trusted to not drop the very expensive ones and I LOATHE the super cheap options. When I was in need of a new iron this year I almost spent a stupid amount of money and then thought better and ended up with a lovely, hot and steamy CHI iron that’s pretty great. FIND CHI IRON HERE
8. Washday Wonder Tape – a must-have that changes everything
This stuff is the best. Jessica tried to get me to use it years ago and I refused. Then, I got a gift card and bought some and now I can’t live without it! It really is awesome stuff. The best thing is that you don’t have to buy the expensive stuff. Amazon has an off brand that works wonderfully at a great price! Find it HERE! This is a must-have for your stocking! Tell. Everyone.
9. Wonder Clips
These clips are pretty popular these days but I remember refusing to buy them. Don’t be like me, don’t be dumb like me, you need these, they’re amazing! Get your wonder clips HERE!
10. Thread
If you’re going to sew you’re going to need thread… I mean, that’s pretty obvious. My favorite place to get thread is WAWAK! I can buy in bulk, the prices are low and the shipping is fast. Find your thread HERE.
11. Marking Tool
I enjoy using chalk for my pattern markings and when I asked the 5oo4 admin team their favorite, it was unanimous. The Chalk Fabric Marker from Madam Sew was the winner! I’m headed to order some now but you can get your hands on your own HERE
12. Magnetic Pin Cushion – I melted this must-have once! YIKES
Everyone loves a good pin cushion and a team favorite is the magnetic kind! They’re super cool and I love mine. Unfortunately, earlier this year I had to buy a new one since, while shooting a video, I sat my iron on it and totally melted it. Happily, they’re pretty inexpensive and easy to find. You can find one HERE!
13. Bone Folder
Yeah, this sounds weird but trust me, when you need to push out some crisp corners or even mark fabric, this will come in handy. Get one HERE.
14. That Purple Thang
So, this is one of those weird things again but it still makes the must-have list. HA! Rachelle introduced me to this little tool. It can do similar things as a bone folder. Basically, it pushes, pulls and pokes. It’s a pretty cool tool. Get one for a stocking near you HERE.
15. Hump Jumper
Ever had issues getting over a bulky seam? This little tool is a must-have and will really help you out! Get one HERE
16. Bobbin Saver – Organization is a must-have
A Bobbin Saver is definitely a must-have for me this year! This is exactly what it says it is. It’s a thing that holds your bobbins. I need one, you need one. Get one or two or three HERE.
17. Turn-it-All
This is a pretty useful tool that helps you turn tubes. It doesn’t sound like something you “must-have” but you do. Get one HERE.
18. Scissors
I love my Gingher Dressmaker Shears. If you need new sewing scissors for your stocking these are a must-have in my book! They’re spring action style and they are the best. I recommend this brand time and time again. You won’t regret getting/giving these awesome scissors. Find them HERE.
19. Thread Snips
Again, you can’t go wrong with Gingher. The little snips are so dang handy and definitely a must-have! I know you have other scissors but these little are perfect for threads and very small things. Get them HERE.
20. Seam Ripper – a handmade must-have
This is one of Jessica’s favorite things. It would be a wonderful stocking stuffer/must-have for any sewist. Check out the site thoroughly because there’s some awesome things for people who don’t sew as well. Check it out HERE.
21. Rotary Cutter
This is a must-have that fits perfectly in a stocking! Jessica really digs her Olfa rotary cutter. It’s a nice weight, comfortable in the hand and cuts nicely. Check it out HERE.
22. Cutting Mats
This won’t necessarily fit in a stocking but it’s a must-have that fits perfectly under a tree!
If you have a rotary cutter you definitely need a cutting mat. These come in all sizes and really are an awesome addition to any sewing table. You can find them HERE.
23. Quilting Rulers
If you have a rotary cutter and a cutting mat you definitely must-have quilting rulers. These aren’t just for quilters! Get them, you’ll thank me later! I love mine and you’ll love them as well. Find some HERE.
24. Measuring Tapes
There are two very useful types of measuring tapes; the cloth measuring tape and the retractable measuring tape. You guessed it, a cloth measuring tape is made from cloth. HA! It’s pretty great. Find it HERE
The retractable measuring tape is a must-have for Tiffany. I finally bought one and I totally agree with her! They’re super convenient and easy to store. Find one HERE.
25. Hem Gauge – a top must-have
I love my hem gauge. I use it all the time. In fact, I use one so often that I’ve collected several of them. They are handy little tools and the perfect must-have for any sewist. Get one HERE.
It’s time for the ULTIMATE 5oo4 Must-Have!
This is the perfect last minute gift! What is it, you ask? Well, It’s a 5oo4 Gift Certificate! By all the patterns your heart desires and have the merriest Christmas or Birthday or Easter or Independence Day or Valentines Day or Anniversary…. You name the holiday, this the perfect must-have! Get yours HERE
5 out of 4 Patterns FB Group Must-Have List
1. Size Stamps – this is a definite must-have
Size stamps are totally optional but they help in two ways. 1. They tell you the size of the garment and 2. They help to differentiate between the front and the back of garment. This is especially helping if you makes clothes for children. Find size stamps HERE
2. Tailor’s Clapper – the must-have you didn’t know you must-have
What is a Tailor’s Clapper? Well, I looked it up: “A tailor’s clapper is a flat block of hardwood, often rounded on the ends with routed grooves along the sides for finger holds. It works by absorbing the steam applied to a seam, and locking in the heat. As you press down on the seam with the clapper, the pressure sets the seam flat as the fabric cools.”
There you go. It’s a pretty cool tool and you get your own set HERE
3. Vegan Leather Tags – my personal must-have
Even if you don’t sell your makes having a tag with a logo or whatever is a great way for your makes to look topnotch. I use these tags on any bag that I make and I love them so so much… Get your custom tags HERE
4. Tabletop Snap/Rivet/Grommet Press
This is amazing must-have that I didn’t even think about! Thanks to the peeps over on the FB group for this recommendation. Do you use a lot of snaps or rivets or grommets? This handy presses make the job so so much easier! Get your bundle HERE Make sure you check out the KamSnaps website for the more options.
Well, there you have it. 25 awesome must-haves! I could keep listing things for you but instead I’m going to tell you to take a look at the 5 out of 4 patterns Amazon storefront for even more fun suggestions! GO HERE!
Need some FUN DIY Freebies? Check out the FREEBIE TUTORIALS and the FREEBIE PATTERNS!
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I love that you picked 25 instead of 10 like the men’s list. There are so many things!! I may have just ordered a couple things for my own stocking…
I am in that same boat. Our little has started to notice that Mommy;s stocking isn’t as full as hers and Daddy’s… soooooo… yep. I gotta take care of that!
HA!
Love the list, Laura!
My notions are stored in rolling carts that have five drawers and can fit under my tables. Each drawer is labeled such as measuring, cutting, and needles (in a floss box by size and type).
Ooh I love that idea!