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   AI6YR Ben (ai6yr@m.ai6yr.org)'s status on Saturday, 09-Aug-2025 07:50:59 JST AI6YR Ben

   Question for the sewists out there. Just ran out of white and black thread, so going to order from Wawak. While I am there, does someone have a list of the basic stuff you ought to have on hand to avoid ordering one-offs?

   (In the amateur radio work, there's the concept of a "junk box" where some common things like resistors, capacitors, connectors, semiconductors, diodes, ICs, etc. should be maintained so you can quickly connect up circuits)

   My current list:
   1. Extra sewing machine needles (already obtained)
   2. Pins (already have)
   3. Extra bobbins (already have)
   4. Hand sewing needles (I have EXACTLY ONE... I really need more)
   5. Interfacing (bought some stuff from the Bezos expo... the wrong size, not happy I bought that way, but I was desperate).
   6. Thread (black, white, beige... other colors I should have around?)
   7. Stretchy stuff you use for waistbands and what not?
   8. ???

   (if there's a page with a list, that works too).

   #sewing

   • Embed this notice
     AI6YR Ben (ai6yr@m.ai6yr.org)'s status on Saturday, 09-Aug-2025 07:50:55 JST AI6YR Ben

     in reply to

     • KMH

     @hutterer LOL I rummaged around in this antique Singer table and there is a seam gauge in there (after looking up what they look like). I COULD HAVE USED THAT FOR THE LAST FEW PROJECTS!!!

     Steve's Place repeated this.
   • Embed this notice
     Kinene⭐🐻 (c_merriweather@social.linux.pizza)'s status on Saturday, 09-Aug-2025 07:50:55 JST Kinene⭐🐻

     in reply to

     • KMH

     @ai6yr @hutterer As always, good scissors; large for cutting out fabric, small for clipping thread, etc.

     Seam ripper, sewing awl (I ordered the "Clover" brand).

     Metal thimbles for hand sewing (several, they hide sometimes).

     Lots of hand sewing needles, of various varieties, or buy one of the budget collections.

     Machine needles in sizes 70-90 for general sewing, larger for heavier fabrics/threads. Leather needles for... leather and synthetic leathers.

     Thread: A collection of good quality basic colors (Guttermann), in regular machine weight and a few in their heavier weight. Honking heavy thread for backpacks, etc. Wawak sells UV resistant thread ($$$) but worth it. I bought one giant spool in medium gray, which should last for some time.

     Suggested Colors: Blue, black, brown, white, khaki, +brighter colors, depending on your taste in fabric colors. I would buy the basics in the larger spools, and "novelty" colors on smaller spools.

   • Embed this notice
     AI6YR Ben (ai6yr@m.ai6yr.org)'s status on Saturday, 09-Aug-2025 07:50:56 JST AI6YR Ben

     in reply to

     • KMH

     @hutterer Oooh, seam gauge. I might have one around here, will check for that. I was using a metal ruler I normally use for cutting paper, LOL.

   • Embed this notice
     KMH (hutterer@mastodon.social)'s status on Saturday, 09-Aug-2025 07:50:59 JST KMH

     in reply to

     @ai6yr Fabric pencil, chalk and/or the sewing “carbon” paper and the associated tool (idk the name). Also, depending on your proclivities and what you already have, a variety of pins - regular pins, silk pins (smaller gauge), etc. Do you have an emery strawberry? In addition to the cloth measuring tape (I have a spare, btw, if you want to invite 1 less object into the world - it is white, plastic, and came free with something) I recommend a seam gauge