A basic sewing kit should include a few essentials: a high-quality pair of fabric scissors, an assortment of all-purpose sewing machine needles, all-purpose polyester thread in basic colors (like black, white, and grey), a pack of pins or clips, a seam ripper, and a flexible measuring tape.

Choosing a needle depends on two factors: your fabric type and fabric weight. Type: Use "Universal" needles for most woven fabrics, "Ballpoint" or "Jersey" needles for knit/stretchy fabrics, and "Denim" or "Jeans" needles for heavy-duty materials. Size: The needle size (e.g., 80/12, 90/14, 100/16) corresponds to the fabric's weight. Use a smaller number for lighter fabrics (like 70/10 for chiffon) and a larger number for heavier fabrics (like 100/16 for denim).

All-Purpose Thread: Usually polyester or cotton-wrapped poly, this is your go-to for most standard sewing projects on wovens and knits. Heavy-Duty Thread: A much thicker and stronger polyester thread designed for durable fabrics like denim, canvas, upholstery, and leather. Serger (Overlock) Thread: A finer, smoother thread that comes on large cones. It's designed specifically for the high speed and multiple thread use of serger machines to create strong, flexible seams.

"Notions" refers to all the small items and accessories used in sewing, excluding the fabric and the machine itself. This includes everything from buttons, zippers, and elastic to pins, thread, snaps, interfacing, marking pens, and seam rippers.

The most important rule is to only use them to cut fabric. Using them on paper, plastic, or other materials will dull the blades very quickly. Wipe them down occasionally to remove lint and have them professionally sharpened when they start to feel dull, rather than trying to sharpen them yourself.