Our kit is modest but functional. Working from a small space means having a small kit and maximizing utility of each individual component.
Machines
| Sailrite Ultrafeed LSZ-1 / Worker B Power Pack | Heavy-duty, portable sewing machine for sailmaking and heavy materials, enhanced by the Worker B Power Pack. |
| Singer HD 4452 | Inexpensive high-speed sewing machine suitable for lighter fabrics, basting, and sewing subassemblies. |
Notions
Machine Accessories
| Sailrite Ultrafeed LSZ-1 Right Zipper Foot | Specialized foot for installing zippers with precision on the Sailrite Ultrafeed LSZ-1. |
| Machine lamp | Brightens the sewing area, making it easier to see detailed work. |
| 1” Swing Away Binder | Attaches binding tape to fabric edges quickly and accurately. |
Sewing
| Bonded Nylon v69 Thread | Strong, durable thread for heavy-duty sewing projects. |
| Nylon UV Protect v69 Thread (Sailrite American & Efird LLC) | UV-resistant thread designed to withstand outdoor conditions. |
| Polyester v69 Thread (K F 114) | Versatile, strong thread suitable for various sewing projects. |
| Gutermann Thread | High-quality thread known for its strength and smooth finish. |
| Pins | Essential for holding fabric pieces together during sewing. |
| Wonder Clips | Alternative to pins, ideal for holding multiple layers of fabric without distortion. |
| Dozens of Class 15 Bobbins | Holds the lower thread in LSZ-1. Preloaded bobbins make gear assembly much faster. |
| Double-sided Tape | Used for basting seams and hems without pins. |
Needles
| Groz Beckert 135x17 #18 Needles | Durable needles for heavy-duty sewing. |
| Schmetz 137x17 Needle Assortment | Variety pack of high-quality needles for different fabrics. |
| Schmetz Microtex | Sharp needles for stitching laminate fabrics. |
| Schmetz Universal | General-purpose needles suitable for most woven fabrics. |
| Schmetz Stretch | Designed for sewing stretchy fabrics. |
| Schmetz Ball Point | Ideal for knit fabrics, preventing snags and runs. |
Cutting
| Scissors (cheap) | Inexpensive scissors for general cutting tasks. |
| Scissors (not cheap) | High-quality scissors for precise fabric cutting. |
| Small Scissors (cheap) | Budget-friendly small scissors for detailed work. |
| Small Scissors (not cheap) | Precision small scissors for intricate cutting tasks. |
| Thread Snips | Small scissors specifically for cutting thread. |
| Seam Ripper | Tool for removing stitches without damaging fabric. |
| Bic Lighter | Used to seal the ends of synthetic fabrics to prevent fraying. |
| Rotary Cutter (cheap) | Budget rotary cutter for fabric cutting. |
| Rotary Cutter (not cheap) | High-quality rotary cutter for precise and effortless cutting. |
| Rotary Cutter Blades | Replacement blades for rotary cutters. |
| Cutting Mat | Self-healing surface ideal for rotary cutting and protecting surfaces. |
| Sand Paper | Used for smoothing rough edges of frame sheets and other plastic components. |
Measuring
| 18”x3” Quilting Ruler | Precision ruler for accurate measurements and straight cuts. |
| Blue Masking Tape | Used for marking and holding fabric pieces without leaving residue. |
| Sewing Gauge | Tool for measuring small distances and seam allowances. |
Marking
| Sharpie Metallic Silver | Permanent marker for marking dark fabrics. |
| Sharpie Fine Point | General-purpose marker for fabric marking. |
| Sharpie Ultra Fine Point | Fine tip marker for detailed marking. |
| Sharpie Paint Pen Silver Metallic | Paint marker for permanent, visible markings on fabric. |
| Tailor’s Chalk | Traditional tool for temporary fabric marking. |
| General’s Charcoal White Pencil #558 | White charcoal pencil for marking dark fabrics. |
| Water Soluble Marking Pencil | Marks that disappear with water. |
| Disappearing Ink/Mark-B-Gone Pen | Marks that disappear over time or with water. |
| Bic Ecolutions .7mm HB#2 Mechanical Pencil | Eco-friendly mechanical pencil for pattern marking. |
| Fons & Porter Mechanical Pencil | Mechanical pencil designed for fabric marking. |
| Fons & Porter White Lead | White lead refills for marking dark fabrics. |
| Pencil Sharpener | For sharpening marking pencils. |
| Pilot G-2 07 | Smooth-writing gel pen for detailed notes and markings. |
Patterning
| Hole Punch | Punch holes in patterns for ease of organization and storage. |
| Hole Punch Circles | Reinforce the holes punched in patterns. |
| Art Bag | For storing and transporting patterns and materials. |
| Stainless Wire Loops | Used to keep pattern pieces together during storage. |
Machine Maintenance
| White Diamond Zoom Spout Sewing Machine Oil | Lubricates and protects sewing machine parts. |
| Slotted Screwdriver Small | For precise adjustments and maintenance. |
| Slotted Screwdriver Large | For larger maintenance tasks. |
| Metric Box Wrenches Sizes 9-14 | Tools for adjusting and maintaining sewing machines. |
Other
| Table | Sturdy table for sewing and cutting projects. |
| Cutting Table | Dedicated surface for fabric cutting. |
| Dowel | Used for rolling and unrolling fabrics. |
| Assorted Dairy Product Cups with Lids | For organizing and storing small notions and tools. |
Additional Resources
For additional resources that have been helpful for us in making gear, visit this page.