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YOUR WORKSPACE FOUNDATIONS

Over 25+ years of teaching, I’ve built up a very clear list of what earns a permanent spot in a sewing room. So I’ve pulled it all together here — I am sharing my TOP TEN sewing studio essentials. I use these every day and my sewing students use these in class. 

1. Dressmaker’s Mannequin

Non-negotiable if you’re serious about fit and perhaps designing your own clothes. A mannequin lets you check drape, pin adjustments in place, and step back to see a garment the way it’ll actually be worn — rather than guessing on a flat table. I recommend the Female Tailor’s Cream Size 10/12 Dressmaking Mannequin as a brilliant, reliable starting point in the studio. A full size range is available.

2. Standing Desk for Cutting and Sewing

A height-adjustable standing desk means you can cut out full lengths of fabric without back strain and then lower to sitting for machine work. My studio is equipped with 4 of these tables and my students love them! Short on space? Don’t let that put you off. When the sewing’s done for the day, it can become a dining table or an office desk again. I use both the FLEXISPOT Height Adjustable Standing Desk and the MAIDeSITE Height Adjustable Standing Desk, both of which come in a range of sizes.

3. A Sewing Machine 

Dependable, user friendly and one that can work with you as your experience develops.  A machine that behaves the same way every time you sit down to it makes all the difference to your confidence and your finish. If you’re starting out, the JANOME Sewing Machine 423S and the BERNETTE by Bernina B35 are both machines I recommend to beginners with total confidence.

If you want to use the machines that are used by the sewing bee contestants – they are the Janome 525S and the computerised Janome DKS30. 

4. Sewing Machine Mat

.The SEW EASY Sewing Machine Mat protects your table and dampens vibration which can cause stitch issues.

4. Measuring and Marking

A Tape Measure, marked with both inches and centimetres. 

Burda Carbon Paper and a Prym Dressmakers Tracing Wheel Great for transferring pattern markings onto your fabric and marking your size onto cloth without cutting your pattern.

5. Thread and Needles

Cheap thread is a false economy and will only lead to machine problems, and uneven stitches. I use Gütermann creativ Nostalgic Box of 8 Sew-All Thread spools on hand in the studio for general sewing.  The Gutermann Sulky for embroidery and Gutermann silk for special garments. For smooth hand sewing I use Seamstress Thread Wax.

There’s a needle for each project.  Use the wrong needle size and type and it can cause machine issues as well as havoc with your stitches. My students always have a pack of SCHMETZ Universal Sewing Machine Needles in multiple sizes to allow for various sewing projects. In my courses they are taught which needle to use for each project and why.