If you were going to make a sewing kit

[Gibs]

what items would you add into it? I do not have a sewing kit. I have one roll of black sewing cotton and probably 2 needles.

I went to sew a hole in my sock yesterday and could not find either the needle or the cotton.

So I decided that I need to get a container and put some items that I may need in it.

So I assume a roll of black sewing cotton and a roll of white sewing cotton and some needles....

but what else?

[frugalwarrior2]

A small tupperware container of pins
-sewing tape measure
-safety pins
-a pen
-sewing scissors lg and small
-fabric glue
Thats all for now but I may be back. It depends if you are sewing or just repairing.

[Libby]

I'm not one to sew but I have mended and reattached a button. Kelly if you're like me, a yoghurt container (500ml) size will do for you with the basic colour threads for repairs and a couple of Dollarama sewing kits lol. Through the years...its helped me keep going.

If you're actually going to sew - the others will give you great tips on what you need.

[Contrary Housewife]

good scissors - for fabric only
thread snips
seam ripper
tape measure
thread
needles
pins
chalk

[frugalwarrior2]

Seam ripper that's what I forgot thanks,it was Bugging me!!

[frugalfranny]

I am guessing that you are just looking to do a repair kit......

so I would say the combo of what CH and FW listed. A pencil would be the only thing that I might add. Chalk doesn't always work and you don't always want to use a pen as it won't wash out.

For thread ---keep it neutral........white, black, light gray, maybe a light beige or ecru. If you have a lot of one color of clothes in your closet - then that same color of thread.

The dollar stores usually have just about what you would need - for just repairs.......sometimes in their own little kits.

[2ndGenGranola]

I wear lots of black and jewel tones so I keep that color thread on hand. See which colors you wear the most and keep those on hand.

I keep a jar/box of buttons. An inexpensive package of "generic" looking buttons is great for starters.

[Gibs]

Thanks Everyone for replying.

To start it will be mostly for repairs, but I have a few ideas to recycle some things and make something out of it, and I may possibly try a quilt.

I have the thread ripper too, I forgot that when I named out what I had lol.

[celina]

i say, (i think marta stewart years ago) she put some batting on the lid of a mason jar, and covered in fabric, so that was the pin cushion and inside the jelly jar was the kit..threads, thimble, scissors, safety pins..the loose buttons and extra buttons that come with clothes you buy...(how i miss my mom's button bin..my sister threw it out when she died...GRRRRR)

anyhow..its a great little kit...

[miss_cas]

You can pick up a little sewing kit for $1-2 at Dollar Tree or Walmart. It would do for sewing on buttons. For hems or torn seams, quilting pins (longer), needles (big eye is much easier), an assortment of thread in different colors, seam guage, sewing scissors, pin cushion and seam ripper. Walmart and most fabric stores or hobby stores have a beginning sewing kit for home economics students. This would get you started along with a shoe box.

[Grainlady]

Since you mention darning socks, you will also need a light bulb, which replaces the darning egg or darning mushroom, and a long darning needle. If you Google - how to darn a sock - you will find videos on how to properly darn a sock. It's a lost art, when done correctly. I generally darn socks with embroidery floss (using all 6 strands at once) because it's inexpensive and comes in many colors to match the socks. You used to be able to purchase tiny balls of darning floss, which was essentially like embroidery floss. Needlepoint wool will also work, and also comes in smaller amounts.

You can also use embroidery floss for sewing on buttons or general mending. Once again, it comes in so many colors and you don't need a whole spool for a small job.

If you have a neighbor/friend "of-an-age" who once sewed clothes and things for the home, check with them for thread. I have 4 boxes of spools of thread in a rainbow of colors from all the years of sewing.

[frugalwarrior2]

Interesting GL I never heard of darning thread. For us clutzes maybe a small tennis ball? instad of a lightbulb? I am blessed enough to have inherited Grammas sewing kit. So cool.Tatting and rug repair supplies.

This thread is great because I was going to repurchase a sewing cabinet to keep everything in. (Had to give mine up when we had to repurpose a room for DH after his accident). It is going to fit all my fabric again and the machine!!

I prefer a pen but use it on the inside. Hairspray also gets out pen. (better from poly then cotton though).
Another thing i keep is the scraps from a hem job and a few clear shirt buttons from destroyed white shirts. The one that doesn't match goes where you tuck the shirt in.

I used to keep a kit in each car when the kids were small. I should get back to that. My DH always "stapled" his pants. sigh.

[dcompton]

Staples are bad because they show. Duct tape is the way to go.

[frugalwarrior2]

dcompton for shame. A tailors stitch is the way to go.

[Ceashels]

I have repurposed the plastic containers used for moist towelettes/baby wipes for things like this. I would agree with adding some small spools of colors that you expect to be mending the most. You may also want to add a thimble and a needle threader if they were not already listed.