How to Assemble a Sewing Kit

Putting together a sewing kit is both fun and useful. This also makes an ideal gift for someone moving into their own place for the first time, as often people don't have something in place already to darn sock holes, mend hems, and sew back on buttons, etc.

1. Find a suitable container to keep your sewing kit in. A little sewing basket or an open basket with a handle are ideal. Other choices include plastic boxes, tackle boxes, antique tins, cardboard boxes, etc.
   
   
2. Gather together the following items for inclusion in the sewing kit:
   
   • Needles - purchase a set of needles in differing sizes
     
     
   • Pins - get a container of dressmaking pins
     
     
   • Scissors - keep one pair of quality sewing scissors in reserve just for needlework and sewing projects; don't use it for any other cutting
     
     
   • Cotton thread - select the base colours white, black, navy blue and beige as a minimum; these are the most commonly used colours for sewing. Choose other colours as match items of clothing or favourite colours for clothes in your household. Over time you will build up your cotton collection with other colours and different thread types, such as metallic and invisible threads
     
     
   • Thimble - always useful to help push a reticent needle through tough fabrics
     
     
   • Buttons - keep all of the buttons and thread pieces that come attached to new clothing purchases, along with some spare buttons
     
     
   • Tape measure - this is invaluable for many sewing and mending projects
     
     
   • A seam ripper - this is handy for quick hem mending
     
     
3. Place all items in the container. Over time, replenish items as they are used up and keep an eye on anything going rusty and replace it.
   
   

• It is helpful to include safety pins in the sewing kit as well; the sewing kit is a logical place to look when you need one.
• It is a good idea to include invisible thread as part of your thread collection.
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  Keep hotel sewing kits when you get them and throw them into your larger kit. These often come pre-assembled with ready-threaded needles in a variety of colours that suit basic colours perfectly.

• Basket or suitable container
• All items listed above
• Suitable storage space that is easily accessible when you need the kit