Many of us have a sewing machine at home that we use for small household projects, but did you know that you can get many accessories for your sewing machine that make common tasks easier and sewing even more fun?
Whether you are taking up sewing for the first time or want to take your hobby to the next level, having the right accessories for your sewing machine is essential.
So, what are the must-have accessories for sewing machines? The best accessories for sewing machines include such useful items as a sewing machine cover, a cleaning and maintenance kit, a magnetic seam guide, a specialized presser foot, and many more depending on the kinds of projects you are taking on.
If you are looking for the right accessories for a sewing machine, take a look at our recommendations for the must-have accessories for your sewing machine below.
9 Must-Have Accessories For Sewing Machines
Below are the best accessories for sewing machines.
| Rank | Sewing Machine Accessory | Best Feature |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Sewing Machine Cover | Protects sewing machine from dust and humidity |
| 2. | Cleaning and Maintenance Kit | Removes lint build-up from sewing machine |
| 3. | Magnetic Seam Guide | Helps beginners sew a perfectly straight seam |
| 4. | Specialized Presser Foot | Increases the versatility of sewing machine |
| 5. | Buttonhole Foot | Automatically measures button holes when sewing |
| 6. | Ruffler | Gathers fabric easily |
| 7. | Rolled Hem Foot | Creates a rolled hem in one step |
| 8. | Sewing Machine Needles | Replaces dull sewing machine needles |
| 9. | Finger Guard | Protects fingers while sewing |
1. Sewing Machine Cover
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Just like other common household electronics, your sewing machine needs protection from the elements as well!
Dust, humidity, or pet dander can get into the nooks and crannies of your machine, drying up the oil and causing problems when you need to use your machine again.
While we always recommend getting your machine regularly serviced to keep it running smoothly, an easier (and cheaper) way to keep your machine brand new is to invest in a quality sewing machine cover.
When you’re not using your machine, simply cover it up to shield it from the elements, and that should keep it protected until the next use. Sewing machine covers come in so many sizes and colors, so you can always find the right one for your machine!
2. Cleaning and Maintenance Kit
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While we’re on the topic of cleaning and maintaining your sewing machine, we should probably mention that there are a lot of things that you can do at home to clean your sewing machine yourself!
With a simple cleaning and maintenance kit, you can clean lint from the small nooks in your machine, remove any dust or pet dander, and even oil your machine yourself.
Cleaning is recommended after a few uses since lint can get trapped inside your machine when you sew while oiling your machine is recommended when you find that the machine is making too much noise or not running as smoothly as you’d like.
3. Magnetic Seam Guide
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Sewing a straight seam takes practice, but if you’re a beginner, there’s a way to achieve this without much effort!
A magnetic seam guide is a small metal guide that you can attach next to your presser feet, which will guide your fabric as you feed it through the machine to help you get the perfectly straight seam.
The magnet will stay secure on your machine but is easy enough to remove when the task is completed. If you’re a perfectionist and want to get the perfect seam every single time, then this is a must-have item.
4. Specialized Presser Foot
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Your sewing machine usually comes with one or two standard presser feet, but did you know that you can customize the presser foot to accommodate your stitches?
Some stitches, such as a blind hem stitch or invisible zipper stitch, can be tricky without the assistance of a specialized presser foot.
Similarly, working with tricky fabrics like silk or leather usually require a walking foot as well. You can always get individual presser foot as you go along your sewing journey and get more accessories as you see fit.
However, if you want to work with a wide range of fabrics and experiment with different stitch designs, then investing in a versatile presser foot set is definitely recommended. These presser feet can snap on and off easily and give you neat results for highly complicated stitches without much effort.
5. Buttonhole Foot
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A buttonhole foot is a specialized presser foot that deserves its own shout-out.
Sewing a buttonhole can be painful and fidgety, but a buttonhole foot makes it much easier. This little attachment automatically measures your button to create the perfect buttonhole to match, which makes this process really quick and convenient.
Many sewing machines come with a buttonhole foot, but if you don’t already have one, here’s a universal buttonhole foot that works with the most popular sewing machines.
6. Ruffler
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A ruffler is an attachment presser foot designed to make pleats and gathers.
Those who love sewing puff sleeves and skirts will really appreciate this little presser foot, which makes gathering fabric automatic and painless.
This presser foot can also be used for smocking since it can help you make highly uniform gathers to create beautiful patterns for smocking.
7. Rolled Hem Foot
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Creating the perfect rolled hem usually requires a couple of steps, and when you do it step-by-step, the stitches can get messy and overcrowded.
For lightweight fabric or fabric that frays easily, you are often not afforded the ability to sew a rolled hem using several steps. That’s where this rolled hem foot comes in.
This little device can help you create a rolled hem using just one step. This is especially convenient if you are sewing with lightweight woven fabric, so you don’t have to worry about fraying fabric or damaging the fabric as you sew.
8. Sewing Machine Needles
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Not a lot of people know this, but sewing needles do need to be changed regularly.
After sewing for a while, your needle can become dull and ineffective. It won’t be as effective in puncturing your fabric, and in some instances, it can even snag your fabric and create messy stitches.
There are also specialized needles designed to work with different types of fabric! For example, for knit fabric, you will need to work with ballpoint needles, which are designed to slide between the threads into the spaces in between to create clean holes.
When you work with thick fabric, you should also pay attention to the needle size because smaller needles will break if you want to sew through several layers or work with a stiff fabric such as denim.
Investing in quality needles in various sizes and designs will be the key to help you achieve dynamic stitches that look nice and clean, no matter what type of fabric you work with.
9. Finger Guard
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The fast-moving motion of the sewing needles can look really intimidating to beginners. If you don’t want to be injured by the needle as you work, then this neat little device is a must-have.
A finger guard provides a layer of protection around the presser foot without interfering with the fabric, so you won’t have to worry about your fingers getting too close to the needle.
3 Must-Have Quilting Accessories
If you use your sewing machine mainly for quilting, there are a few sewing supplies and accessories that will make quilting with your machine a lot easier.
1. Walking Foot
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If you are quilting with several layers of fabric, or if you are sewing with thick, stubborn fabric such as denim or leather, then this is the right accessory for you.
A walking foot has its own feed dog mechanism that works in conjunction with your sewing machine’s feed dog, which will help “walk” the fabric forward as you sew.
This will ensure that your fabric layers won’t shift around when you sew, and the stubborn fabric won’t be stuck in one place, which can cause the thread to jam.
2. Sewing Clips
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While pins are regularly used to pin the fabric in place when you sew, they are surely not effective when you have several layers of fabric and batting.
For quilting, the more effective option is sewing clips, which you can use to secure the layers together, especially when you sew the first few stitches, to make sure the layers don’t shift around when you establish your design.
3. Quilting Pins
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While sewing clips are great at securing the edges of the fabric, quilting pins are still needed to help you secure the designs on top of the quilt.
Quilting pins are much stronger and longer than regular sewing pins, which can help you secure the many layers in your quilt without the pins bending, breaking, or worse, getting lost inside the quilt’s batting.
These are great to have in addition to sewing clips, especially if you love quilting with thick layers. There are quilting pins available with different lengths and sizes, so depending on how thick your fabric and batting are, you can choose the size that suits your project.
4. Extension Table
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If you are quilting a big piece, such as a blanket, you will want an expansive working area that can help support the entire blanket as you sew. After all, you don’t want the chunk of fabric dropping on the floor and pulling your piece downwards as you sew.
An extension table is designed to add some spice to your working area so that you have enough room to support your quilt and see your entire design as you sew.
Some extension tables even have rulers and guides printed on the surface to keep your designs neat as you create your stitches, such as this one.
Many sewing and quilting machines nowadays come with their own extension tables, but if not, you can always find ones that give you exactly what you need.
5. Quilting Templates
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Creating fun designs on your quilt used to take a few steps. However, thanks to the help of quilting templates, you can easily create designs in just one step.
There are hundreds of templates that help you create straight lines, curves, scallops, and other designs.
You can use these templates as guides to sewing your design straight on the layers of fabric without having to map them out first. This is the fastest way to create beautiful designs for your quilt without much effort!
11 Sewing Supplies You May Need
Serious sewing enthusiasts know that a sewing machine is not the only thing you will need to make a beautiful sewing project with superior craftsmanship. If you are hoping to perfect your swing, then you will need some more supplies to get the job done.
Let’s look at our recommendations below.
1. Scissors
In sewing, you don’t need just one good pair of scissors; you will need several to serve many different purposes. We recommend you invest in a quality pair of fabric scissors or electric cutters that are dedicated to working with fabric.
While fabric scissors are great for cutting one or two thin layers at a time, electric cutters are great for cutting thick fabrics as well as cutting through multiple layers (especially for quilting). Depending on what you need, you can get the tool that serves you well.
You should keep your fabric scissors or electric cutter sharp by using them only for fabric and nothing else. This will keep the blades pristine, which will help you create clean and smooth lines every time.
If you like working with paper patterns, then getting a good pair of paper scissors is also necessary. These don’t need to be fancy scissors; we find that office scissors usually work well.
Then finally, some thread clippers. These are great to have around your sewing area, especially when you sew and have to cut threads as you go. Since these are very small and lightweight, they are quite convenient and allow you to quickly trim away loose ends without having to deal with bulky scissors.
2. Cutting Mat
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For fans of rotary cutters and electric cutters, a cutting mat is a must-have.
These are mats that you can lay your fabric on while you use a rotary cutter. Most cutting mats also have grid rulers that allow you to align and measure your fabric as you cut, which makes this process a lot faster.
We recommend getting a self-healing mat, which is designed to not be affected by the blades in the rotary cutter as you cut your fabric. This design also means the blade of your cutter won’t become dull after cutting into the mat, keeping the blade sharp and effective for longer.
3. Thimbles
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Occasionally, you will need to hand sew, especially when it comes to sewing buttons and fixing small mistakes.
Thimbles are designed to protect your fingers while you are hand sewing. When you hand sew, you will need to guide the needle through the fabric using your fingers, putting your fingers at risk of getting poked by the needle. This is especially true when you work with heavy fabric like denim – you can often lose control and injure yourself.
A thimble goes over your guiding finger (usually a middle finger) to protect it as you pierce the fabric with the small needle. This small tool will help the needle go exactly where you want it to and get the job done without poking yourself with the needle.
4. Pins
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When you sew several pieces of fabric together or work with hems, it’s great to have sewing pins around.
These are great to keep your fabric in place before you sew, and when you get to your sewing machine, you don’t have to worry about arranging fabric as you feed it through the machine.
Using pins not only saves you time but can help you achieve precise, clean stitches in the process.
5. Ballpoint Pins
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Ballpoint pins are specialized sewing pins designed to work with woven and knit fabrics.
Since these types of fabrics are constructed from individual threads and have tiny gaps in between the threads, ballpoint pins are designed to slip around the threads and into the gaps to secure the fabric without damaging the threads that make up the fabric.
6. Seam Ripper
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Even the most experienced sewers make mistakes, and that’s why seam rippers exist.
Seam rippers are designed to help you easily remove your stitches without damaging your fabric. They can get the job done quickly and efficiently, so you don’t have to worry about making mistakes as you go.
While you can get away occasionally with using thread clippers, they are not as versatile as a seam ripper, which is designed to get in between the stitches and cut only the thread, not the fabric.
7. Measuring Tape
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Measuring tape is an essential item for sewing clothing.
When drafting your pattern, you will always need to take measurements of your body in order to craft the perfect garment that hugs you beautifully.
Even when you are using a sewing pattern, a measuring tape is still great to have in your tool kit, so you can make any adjustments required to the pattern to ensure great results.
Most measuring tapes have both metric (centimeters) and imperial (inches) measurements printed on the sides, which is great when you need to convert a pattern measurement from centimeters to inches, or vice versa.
8. Dress form
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If you love making your own clothes but don’t know how to craft a pattern, then a dress form is definitely a must-have.
A dress form is a mannequin-shaped body that is backed with foam or fabric that allows you to easily drape the fabric on it and pin it in place to create your own pattern.
You can get a dress form in your own size, but you can also get an adjustable dress form such as this one so that you can make clothing in a variety of sizes without a pattern.
There are so many uses for a dress form; you can pin your fabric to create different designs, you can use it to check the size of a piece of clothing to adjust the garment, or even use it to display your project after it’s completed.
For professional seamstresses, a dress form is a must-have, but if you want to level up your sewing skills, then you should seriously think about getting a dress form for yourself.
9. Iron and Ironing Board
An ironing board and quality steam and dry iron is a staple in every sewing corner.
There are so many reasons to have an iron in your sewing corner. Ironing is a great way to tidy up seams and secure folds before topstitching.
Ironing is also needed to remove the wrinkles in your fabric before cutting. If you want to use an iron-on backing, which is a neat way to add stability to a thin fabric, having an iron around is quite convenient.
We recommend getting a decent-sized ironing board and a multifunctional iron to serve you in various ways when you sew. Many sewers also love having a mini iron instead of a regular size iron since these are more convenient for pressing details and getting into small corners with ease.
10. Sewing Table
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If you really want to make your sewing corner the most convenient and comfortable place to work, then a sewing table is definitely a worthwhile investment.
Sewing tables are designed to house a sewing machine, and some sewing tables have adjustable heights that allow you to bring up the sewing machine when you need to use it and lower it to put it away when you’re done.
This is not only a great setup that allows you to find the perfect height to sew while protecting your back and neck, but it also keeps your sewing corner really clean and tidy when you are not using it.
There are a ton of sewing table designs, some with cabinets that can help you organize your entire thread and sewing supplies collection; some also come with an extension table that provides you with a spacious working area for quilting.
Depending on how much space you have in your sewing corner, you can find the perfect sewing table that can really serve all of your needs.
11. Sewing Lamp
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Many modern sewing machines nowadays come with LED lights that allow you to clearly see your work as you create your stitches. This is especially necessary if you are working on decorative stitches and embroidery since you want a precise result.
If your sewing machine doesn’t have a sewing lamp, investing in a quality lamp that can help you highlight the sewing area is a must. Many sewing lamps also come with a magnifying glass, which you can use to create highly accurate smaller details.
For those with poor eyesight and who want to protect their eyes, these sewing lamps are quite the life-saver.
How Do You Set Up A Sewing Machine?
If you’re new to the world of sewing and you’ve finally picked out your sewing machine along with all of its useful accessories, now is when you’ll probably start wondering how to set everything up. That’s why we’ve found this wonderful tutorial from withwendy on YouTube. Check it out below!
Up Next: What Is A Free Arm Sewing Machine?
