Anyone who regularly sews either as a hobby or a source of income knows the importance of haberdashery. It isn’t an exaggeration to say that no sewing project is complete without a proper haberdashery kit for sewing.
This article discusses about sewing haberdashery, the various haberdashery essentials, and some valuable insights to remember when purchasing a haberdashery kit.
What is haberdashery?
The term “haberdashery” is a pretty archaic and esoteric word and where it is used may change its definition.
- UK definition – In British English, haberdashery refers to the sewing notions or sewing articles like buttons, thread, ribbons, pins, seam rippers, and the like. On occasion, the term also refers to the stores specializing in selling drapers (the term wholesale or retail sellers use for “cloth”).
- US definition – Americans use the word “haberdashery” to refer to men’s clothing stores or a section of a department store selling certain accessories such as gloves, ties, hats, and watches. Many Americans are unfamiliar with the word “haberdashery” to depict such stores and instead use other terms like “men’s clothing store” and “men’s accessory department.”
In this case, we use the British English definition of haberdashery – the most common sewing items like zips, buttons, pins, threads, and other essential materials required in a sewing project.
Haberdashery essentials you can’t do without
Fabric and haberdashery are essential items for sewing. Still, you’ll find many sewing items and accessories comprising a haberdashery kit. Some items, such as fancy ribbons, are decorative accessories. But there are also essentials in sewing haberdashery that are must-haves in the kit.
Here are the items that every sewing hobbyist has to include in their sewing haberdashery kit:
Needles and pins – No sewing project can take place without an assortment of sewing needles and pins. Whether you’re sewing by hand or by using a sewing machine, you will need specific types of needles and pins to work on different fabrics and create various stitches.
Threads – Choosing a thread for your sewing is not only about the thread color or matching the thread with the fabric. The choice of thread is also influenced by the fabric you’re about to use. For example, delicate fabrics like silk or satin require special threads that will not fray upon sewing.
Thus, you must have different threads of different materials and colors to match them with the fabric on hand.
Interfacing – The term “interfacing” refers to the fabric material used to provide stiffness and strength to the clothes you’re sewing, such as in the collar or button area. Having interfacings as part of your fabric and haberdashery kit enables you to work with various fabrics and materials.
Scissors and shears – Sewing and dressmaking scissors and shears are specifically designed to cut through a wide variety of fabrics efficiently and smoothly. These scissors and shears for sewing, tailoring and dressmaking are typically forged so that they can last even after several uses. Don’t choose regular, crafting, or kitchen scissors as they may end up damaging your fabric.
Measures and gauges – Lightweight tape measures with prominent markings are also essential items to include in your sewing haberdashery. Other than that, sewing and measuring gauges will benefit you considerably in taking your measurements.
Hooks and fastenings – Hooks and fastenings are also must-have haberdasheries, from eye-catching buttons and hooks to necessary fasteners that will hold dresses together.
Markers for fabrics – Fabric markers are essential for every sewing enthusiast, dressmaker, or tailor. They help with reference points, drawing lines for cutting fabrics and other materials, and jotting down measurements. Hence, you must include a pack of fabric markers to your sewing haberdashery kit.
Essential equipment in a haberdashery kit
Make sure your haberdashery kit has all of the following essentials:
- Needles
- Universal
- Ballpoint
- Stretch
- Sharp
- Quilting
- Jeans or denim
- Leather
- Embroidery
- Topstitch
- Twin
- Wing
- Metafil, etc.
- Threads
- Cotton
- Filament polyester
- Rayon
- Nylon
- Metallic
- Silk
- Wool
- Embroidery
- Glitter, etc.
- Dressmaking scissors or shears
- Dressmaker
- Small sharp
- Small embroidery
- Pinking
- Lightweight shears
- Spring mounted shears
- Fabric fastener
- Buckles
- Press studs
- Zippers
- Cufflinks
- Velcro tapes
- Frog fasteners, etc.
- Fabric markers
- Bar soap slivers
- Ceramic lead pens
- Chaco liner pens
- Tailor’s chalk
- Tracing carbon paper
- Water soluble or disappearing ink pens
- Measuring tools
- Flexible curve
- Folding ruler
- Gauge (hemline and buttonhole)
- Meter ruler
- Patternmaster
- Ruler
- Tape measure
What to consider before purchasing haberdashery essentials and accessories?
Consider a few important things before buying haberdashery essentials for sewing:
Quality – Always prioritize quality when buying anything, including haberdashery for sewing. When it comes to sewing, cheap but inferior haberdashery items may easily break or won’t last long, rendering themselves useless. You’ll end up wasting your money.
For instance, a cheap but inferior pair of regular scissors won’t cut your fabric, a low-quality thread will keep snapping, and cheap but flimsy needles may bend or break in a sewing machine.
Your own choice – It’s important to know your requirements and preferences before making a trip to a fabrics store in person or online. Every haberdashery item comes in different options, from needle sizes to thread colors, etc. Always be aware of the type of tool you need before purchasing any.
Portability – If you are the sort who likes to take sewing in your travels, you should purchase a suitable portable haberdashery kit. These kits are designed to carry enough haberdashery essentials no matter where you go. There’s a number of small, compact, and lightweight kits that have enough room, compartments, and sewing tools you need to carry.
Haberdashery pieces – Depending on the size and pricing, haberdashery kits can contain as many as 200 or more items. But there are times when you don’t need all the accessories and require only the basic ones or the ones you use the most frequently.
In that case, you need to know which pieces are included in the kit. Make sure you buy the kit that has everything you need. Otherwise, you’ll end up wasting your money on larger kits with items you don’t have any use for.
Haberdashery kits – great gift ideas!
You may have known someone who loves to sew and make clothes but barely know what they really want. Sending them to a fabrics shop or arts and crafts store can be intimidating. The alternative is to gift them haberdashery kits. They make great presents for sewing beginners or sewing enthusiasts. You can purchase a comprehensive sewing kit or DIY it for a personal touch.
The takeaway
A good and well-equipped haberdashery items kit is essential for any sewing enthusiast. A compact space carrying all the haberdashery essentials means you are always covered even during emergencies. However, you should know the items you need before purchasing. Every haberdashery item comes with a large number of choices and not all items have good quality. Hence, before purchasing, know what you need and explore the quality of several items before buying.