What to Put in a Sewing Box: 11 Must-Have Items
Fashion issues do arise. Usually, they arise at the wrong time. That is why having a stocked sewing basket on hand can solve your fashion issue quickly and without a lot of hassle. Having a sewing box around the house is a no brainer but what to put inside one is another issue.
What to put in a sewing box: One of the biggest must-have items for your sewing box is the sewing box itself. The right container lets you be organized and keeps all the contents handy when you are in a hurry to fix a shirt, blouse or formal dress.
To learn what other must-have items you need in a sewing box, just continue to read our article. It has the list for a variety of sewing boxes so you can be prepared and ready for any fashion emergency.
What do You Put in a Sewing Box?
Stocking your sewing box with the right sewing tools is essential. You do not want to be caught needing something that has been left out by accident or choice. Here is a good list of items any experienced sewer should have set aside in their sewing basket:
1. Closures - usually buttons are the most common closure you will need but having zippers, snaps and other closures in there as well is a smart move to make.
2. Fabric marking pens - with these on hand you can measure and mark the spots you need to repair or replace. Having that ability should speed up your repair process. The marks should come out in the wash.
3. Sewing needles - the needles you need to put inside need to be able to handle all fabrics. Small needles do not work very well on tough fabrics so more the merrier here.
4. Measuring tape - it is a vital piece of sewing equipment no matter what the problem is.
5. Needle threader - when you are in a rush these will save you a lot of time. Trying to thread a needle in a hurry will only frustrate you when it takes several times to be successful. Do it right the first time to save your emotions and strength.
6. Pin Cushion - These help keep your straight pins from going all over the place. A magnetic pin holder is a good substitute for this.
7. Scissors - whether they are sewing scissors or fabric shears doesn’t matter. As long as they are sharp and can cut fabric well then you are good to go.
8. Seam ripper - like the needle threader this is a good tool to have in your sewing box. It will save you a lot of time and help you get the repair done.
9. Roundhead straight pins - these seem to make working with straight pins a little easier. They may also be easier to grab when you have little time to work.
10. A Thimble - protect your fingertips especially if your destination is formal and full of snobs who like to gossip. Also, these metal thimbles can push a needle through tough fabric.
11. Invisible thread - while you can use any color here, invisible thread works best when the thread color doesn’t match the outfit.
How to Organize a Sewing Box
This may be more of a difficult chore than you realize. Some people just can’t get organized if their life depended upon it. Just throwing everything inside your sewing box is not the way to store your needed sewing items.
One way to handle this task is to store items by size. The bigger items go on the bottom and in the corners so you can keep the smaller items under control. Then add a little basket for thread spools, scissors and pincushion.
Another basket can handle other smaller items with bigger cones of thread to one side outside the basket. Plastic cases are good if they are holding your needles, buttons and other closures. They can be arranged according to size as well.
Or you can make your compartments if the sewing box doesn’t come with those pre-made. Having a pocket in the lid for straight pins, tape measures, needles, and closures is a good use of space.
Leave the larger items to the bottom compartments and store your must-have items according to purpose, size, and use. Fabric shears can always rest at the back laying on their side too save space.
A place for everything and everything in its place is a good watchword to use when organizing your sewing box.
Sewing Box for Beginners
A lot of must-have items for this style of sewing box depends on what your beginner is going to sew. Some items are not mandatory especially if your young sewer is not going to be doing quilts or embroidery work.
Here is a list of items you can put in a beginner’s sewing box. It is left up to your judgment if all items are essential or not for your beginning sewer:
- Measuring tape
- Scissors
- Embroidery scissors
- Needle threader
- Cutting mat
- Seam gauge
- Thimbles
- Fabric chalk or markers
- Magnetic pin holder or pincushion
- Quilter’s ruler
- Dryer sheets or parchment paper
- Rotary cutter
- Fabric shears
- Seam ripper
You may also want to include lots of different fabric so your beginner can practice. This is also up to you and your experience.
Sewing Box for a Little Girl
One thing is for sure, the sewing box itself should be decorative, pretty and in a design and color or colors, your little girl likes. Keeping the box attractive should help motivate your daughter to pick up her sewing tools and make something.
A good sewing box for girls should have the pin cushion built into the lid. Along with that item, there should be a small fabric pocket for tiny items that may get lost in the crowd.
Then there should be an upper shelf that can be removed. This small shelf should have 3 to 4 compartments to hold small thread spools, small scissors and other small items like the tape measure. A variety of needles can also fit in those compartments or the fabric pocket in the lid.
The bottom compartment can hold larger scissors, and larger spools of thread as well as a seam ripper and assorted sewing tools. Those items besides the box are essential to have in a sewing box for young girls.
Sewing Box for Embroidery
Embroidery sewing boxes can be elaborately designed or they can be plain plastic boxes that have a lot of compartments. How your box look will be up to you and your tastes. It will also be up to your bank account as some elaborate sewing boxes can get a little pricey.
Depending on where you purchase your box the items that are included vary. One nice box comes with embroidery patterns for towels, embroidery scissors, Klasse needles, a variety of threads, little thimbles and more.
Of course, your experience in embroidery will guide you to add more tools of the trade to make sure your embroidery box is stocked with the essential items you need. There is a lot of freedom when it comes to embroidery boxes and you should design the contents to fit the patterns you are working with and so on.
When you do that, you may find that you need a box that has about 6 drawers and a top storage spot. But that is all right. Your embroidery hobby will need a lot of space as you expand your talent.
Sewing Box For Cross Stitch
One of the more positive aspects of this topic is, you can use your cross stitch projects to decorate the cross stitch sewing box. It adds a unique look and separates it from your embroidery and sewing boxes.
Inside the box, you should have the scissors that work best with cross-stitch thread. That can be regular scissors or embroidery models. Thread is needed as are good straight needles.
Also, you can have several patterns that you like to use. Since cross stitch is usually done by counting squares you shouldn’t need measuring tapes or rulers. Inside the box should be your other cross stitch essentials that allow you to work at your leisure and enjoy your time doing your hobby.
Some Final Words
One of the keys things an experienced sewer can teach a beginner is how to stock their sewing box. The essentials given here are just the tip of the iceberg and the experienced sewer can get the beginner on the right track.
One of the keys to teaching about sewing boxes is how to keep it nice and organized. Sewing boxes are great sewing tools ad they help you in so many ways. It is good to return the favor and have a place for everything.
