If you’ve been inspired to try sewing your own clothes, then here’s what I think you’ll need to get started. I’ve tried to keep this to the bare minimum, but if it still looks like a lot of outlay, I’ve also put together some suggestions for cutting costs.

Essentials

• sewing machine and bobbins
• pins
• tape measure (or some string and a ruler, at a push)
• fabric scissors
• ordinary scissors for paper and snipping threads
• a few hand sewing needles – often called ‘sharps’
• paper, pencils, masking tape, and a ruler for altering the pattern

You’ll also want to track down

• a bright light or a sunny spot to sew in
• a large flat surface for cutting out
• a table or desk to sit at when you use your machine
• an iron

For each project

• a new sewing machine needle
• the fabric and any notions you need for the garment
• thread to match your fabric and a contrasting thread for tacking
• a pattern – shop-bought, downloaded or homemade
• any special sewing machine feet your project needs – e.g. a zipper foot

Optional extras

There are tons of clever gadgets that will make sewing easier, or quicker, but I think you can muddle through with the list above. If you’ve got money to burn however, (or a generous Auntie offering you lots of her spare kit) you might like to collect the following.

• a seam ripper
• a pincushion – you could easily make one
• different types of pins – ballpoint for knits, longer pins for heavy fabrics and thinner ones for delicate fabrics
• a tailor’s ham, press mitt and a sleeve board
• a pattern master and a french curve
• a book about dressmaking (I’d go for one that’s a similar vintage to your machine and has a big index)
• extra feet and attachments for your machine
• storage for all your notions and haberdashery bits
• tailor’s chalk, dressmakers’ carbon paper and tracing wheel, washable fabric markers

Have I missed something essential? Let me know what you can’t live without.