Quote Originally Posted by Derwood View Post

3) Are there any tools, toys, etc. that I should look into as having as staples in my collection?
Welcome from another Michigander

I have done my share of sewing over the years and have collected different items as i went a long. I go them from tips from other seamstresses, trial and error and other from just dumb luck.

A good pair of Scissors - Fiskars are good and I know there are others too. And use them only for cloth cutting. I also tried to make sure i had them sharpened every 5th garment or about once a year which ever came first.

A big box of straight pins - I like the ones with the plastic heads (easy to handle) and i usually go for the white ones. In fact get two big boxes of pins - you never have enough!

An 18 inch stainless steel corked back ruler - I found this to be the best for use on just about all fabrics for measuring. The cork back is great because it "grips" and doesn't slide and the weight also holds it in place. Also if you are pinning with the ruler it doesn't gouge the way wood or plastic rulers do.

Bee's wax - I like this for use when I am hand sewing - one light pass over the wax and your thread will not tangle.

Chalk - I prefer to use chalk for marking - you can easily brush it off just about all fabrics and it doesn't leave stains like other kinds of marking items are prone to do.

Other Items in my sewing kit - Good Steam Iron, Pressing Cloths (if you can try to find one for pressing on wool - one side will sort of look like terry cloth), Thimble, Pin cushion - I had the red "tomato" one and one for my wrist

That is all i can think of right now. Hope it helps. And again welcome to the group.