No sewing machine is complete without a full set of essential accessories and attachments. I have put together a checklist of accessories and attachments that maybe of interest to you. You may find these very useful for any future projects. I started adding accessories to my sewing inventory when I needed them for my projects. I didn’t go out specifically to buy them just to make my list complete, though it was very tempting. Some of these accessories are crucial to completing a project. I hope to introduce you to some of these accessories if you haven’t got them already.
Most new sewing machines come some accessories already, so if your one is not new, then have a look to see what you are missing. Please note, these are Bernina machine feet. The design and availability may vary depending on your brand of machine.
Sewing Machine Essentials:
Basic Sewing Foot
All machines should have a basic sewing foot. This allows you to sew straight lines and zig zag stitches, though some machines have separate feet for this. Without this foot you can’t sew a basic stitch.
Zip Foot
For sewing normal zips and not concealed/invisible zips. All new sewing machines should come with this foot. Available in metal or plastic. You are likely to be given a plastic one.
Some machines have a left, and right foot for sewing zips.
Buttonhole Foot
For sewing buttonholes. All sewing machines with the buttonhole function should come with its own foot.
Concealed Zip Foot
For sewing concealed/invisible zips. Only with this foot that you can get close to sewing the concealed zip. You can buy this foot in metal or plastic. The latter is cheaper
Darning Foot
The darning foot can be used for darning holes in fabric. I tend to use it for free-motion embroidery using an ordinary domestic sewing machine. In a later blog, I will show you how to make some pretty fascinators using this foot. Some brands actually have a specific foot for darning and one for free-motion embroidery.
You will require to lower the feeddogs to enable free hand motion. Some machines don’t have this function so you are required to insert a darning plate over the feeddogs to cover the teeth.
Straight Stitch Hemmer Foot/Rolled Hem Foot
Very fiddly to use but once you have mastered it, this accessory can save you a lot of time. As what the name suggests, it is use for sewing rolled hems using straight stitch. Great on crepe, chiffon and silk fabrics. The foot allows you to turn the fabric edge over twice and produces a neat and narrow hem. There are several sizes to choose from depending on your fabric choice.
Blind Stitch Foot
You use this foot for sewing up hems. The right side of the hem does not show all the stitches but a few tacks every few stitches along. I actually use this foot to sew close to edges of seams, just like an edge stitch or top stitch foot. Bernina has a different foot for top stitching and edge stitch but I like to use this foot as it does the job and the price of these foots don’t come cheap.
Non-Stick Foot
Great for sewing sticky fabrics such as leather, faux leather, velvet and plastics.
If this foot does not help with sewing leather, you might want to try the roller foot. It actually has a roller on the foot.
Ruffler Attachment
A special attachment that is slotted in the machine like a foot. The ruffler makes pleats automatically for you. There is a handle where you tweak to get the 3 different sizes of pleats you want. This is a must have gadget if you love making ruffles for girly dresses.
Bias Binding/Binder Attachment
This is a must have gadget if you like using bias binding.
It makes sewing bias binding easy since you are only using one long stitch to attached the bias binding rather than 2 rows of stitching and having to bind the binding around the edge of the fabric. Some machine models require you to use an extra foot with the attachment. This model is available on most brands.
For Bernina sewing machines, the bias binding attachment number 87 comes in 3 sizes. 13mm, 20mm and 25mm for pre-folded bias tape. Bias binding number 88 attachment comes in 3 sizes. 28mm, 32mm and 38mm for unfolded bias strip. You will need foot 95C to work with this attachment. Otherwise you will could purchase number 85 binding foot with the attachment already on.
Un-picker
This is also known as a seam ripper. I call it an un-picker since most times, it is used for unpicking threads. You can also use this for cutting open buttonholes. I have mentioned this in the sewing essential blog. So, if you have multiples of this, then even better. You can never have enough of these. I have more than 3 in my pin box. You don’t want this essential tool breaking while unpicking. It does happen. You can get them in a larger size but I prefer the smaller size since it gets into the smallest stitches, as well fit in my pin box.
Bobbins
You need to have more than 5-6, depending on what colour threads you have. You need at least one bobbin in black thread, one bobbin in white thread, and the rest for spares. Only fill up the spares with the other colour matching your fabric at the beginning of the project. Otherwise you might have to unravel it to fill it up with the colour you want. That way is thread and time wasting.
If you are sewing a huge project you might want to fill 1-2 or even more bobbins so you don’t have to stop and wind thread. When you get into a rhythm you don’t want to break the flow.
Colour Threads
Buy the threads with the fabrics on the same day if you can. This is the same with overlocking threads but you can get away with overlocking threads not matching 100% since it is on the inside. Threads come in many weights. Most people will use one type of thread for everything. There is actually a difference. If you can afford it, invest in the proper threads for the project.
Synthetic is not as strong and some in a range of colours. Less prone to shrinkage. The threads are smoother. Cotton thread is stronger but may shrink.
Thread Snips
I mentioned about these before in my Sewing Essentials blog. Once you use a pair of these at the sewing machine, you will not go back to using a pair scissors for cutting threads again.
Sewing Machine Needles
You will need a packet of back up needles, preferably universal needles. I use sizes 80/12 needles. Sometimes 70/11. Anything smaller I find it gets difficult to thread by eye and 90/14 needles are a bit too large for most fabrics. I know a lot of people use the same needle for years and not change it until it breaks! Yes, it’s the ultimate sin but we all tend to do it without thinking.
These are just some of my assorted needle collection. You just never know when you need one!
Leather
Stretch
Metallic
Wing
Sharp
Twin (Not pictured)
Machine Oil
Use for lubricating your sewing machine. Only place on joints or gears that are frequently moving or rubbing against each other. Don’t buy too much machine oil. A drop is all you need. If the oil is very yellow, it’s old. Throw it out!
Screw Driver
I have a tiny one just for changing the tension of the bobbin case. I have a basic one just for loosening the feet attachment screw on some of my sewing machines. A lot of new sewing machines don’t have screw attachments at the foot. Most new sewing machines come with special screwdrivers for their own machines. It is always handy to have some about.
Narrow Attachment for Vacuum Cleaner
To vacuum all the lint when cleaning your sewing machine. It is good if you have a blower too. Sometimes a vacuum just can’t get to all the places. I sometimes use a bike pump or balloon pump along with a vacuum cleaner just to make sure the machine is properly cleaned.
Spool Holder
For holding big rolls of thread so you could use it in your sewing machine. Not a necessity but handy to have.
Not essential feet for your sewing machine but will come handy for specific jobs
Gathering Foot
A little tricky to use at first but can easily master after a few practices. This is such a cool tool to have since you can make metres and metres of gathers and ruffles.
Piping Foot
Come in several sizes. This foot helps you get close to the piping when you sew it. Most people would use a basic zip foot to do this but if you are planning to sew a lot of piped seams and cushions, then this accessory is a good investment.
Button Foot
Most people can do without this foot. It isn’t that hard to sew a few buttons on a pair of trousers or a coat. If you are sewing a lot of shirts, then this foot will then be very handy.
Pintuck Foot
Another fun foot to have for decorative stitches. This foot helps you sew pin tucks but you will have to use a twin needle with it. This foot comes in several sizes. The twin needles come in several widths.
Overlock Foot
Not available on certain sewing machines. This is not really a substitute for an overlocker/serger. This foot allows you to sew a stitch that resembles an overlocked edge to fabrics but it does not have the cut function. This one is particular good for sewing stretch fabrics since it sews and overlocks at the same time.
An overlock attachment is available for some brands. The accessory has a blade which trims your fabric edge. Great if you don’t have an overlocker but it isn’t an overlocker replacement.
It is necessary to have one, but it is recommended by the company for sewing Jeans.
This is an embroidery foot for sewing embroidery stitches. It is not for free-hand embroidery.
This foot is used when you need to see where you are stitching. The stitch is not being obscured by the foot. Great for sewing appliqué patches, zig zag stitches, and stitching around edges.
I will demonstrate how to use these accessories in a future blog
My last 5 blogs were about getting your pattern cutting, and sewing equipment ready. I need to get these blogs out of the way so that I can seriously start showing you how to make clothes.
It takes a lot of practice to learn and make clothing, especially if you want to pattern cut and sew your own garments. I hope, by recommending you the equipment and tools you will need for this career/hobby, it will either put you off entirely or encourage you to pursue your dream!
See you in my next blog.
Shan x
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