I’m often asked, “What tools do I need for crafting?”
And while I could give you gobs of information and links to start shopping, and many, many ideas so that you have a well supplied stock of fiber art materials, the bottom line is this: What do you want to create? And from there, you can build up your supply.
Let’s start at the beginning
What makes your heart happy? One of my favorite things about crafting is that it’s an outlet that allows you to express emotions, decompress, and create. So take a minute if you’re not sure and think about what sounds fun.
- Do you enjoy tye dyeing?
- Thread painting?
- Weaving and knitting?
- Garment making?
- Traditional quilting or making little art quilts?
I encourage you to do a little Pinterest stalking or head to my website and see what strikes your fancy. There are so many choices and a variety of crafts to choose from so take your time and pick something you’ll enjoy!
Working with Yarn
If you want to work with yarn then you’ll need specific yarn for crocheting, knitting, and weaving. You’ll also want to get tools that tailor specifically to knitting and weaving (and if you’re interested in beading, there are tools for that too!)
You may find my upcoming virtual Beginning Knitting Class helpful if you’re new to this world. It’s a three session class where Kayla and I will show you how to create a washcloth, cowl, and hat. It’s a live event, so you’ll get to know the community who joins in for the class.
Embroidery Fun
If needlework, stitchery, and embroidery is more your fancy, then you’ll need floss,an embroidery hoop, fabric to work with, you could use felt as well, and of course needles.
You may enjoy my Mixed Media Project Bag class where we bring together some of my favorite embroidery techniques. You’ll learn how to mono print with a Gelli plate, work on machine embroidery techniques, and of course, elevate your hand sewing skills. Plus, everyone leaves with a rocking new bag at the end!
List of supplies you’ll always want to have on hand for embroidery regardless if you take the class 🙂
- Basic sewing supplies
- Hand sewing needles
- Thread to coordinate with printed fabric
- Scissors
- Iron for setting paint
- Sewing machine capable of free-motion stitching
Tie-Dyeing Love
If tye-dyeing is something that inspires you then you’re my kinda person! If I’m being honest, I LOVE all fiber arts, but I have a special place in my heart for tye-dyeing. I have a fun class with my dyeing buddy Chase, where we do a how-to class for fabric folding for dyeing and have a ball! Each of my classes have special kits that correlate to the class, but I always encourage students to come prepared with certain supplies ahead of time.
Some of the supplies for tie-dyeing include:
- Gloves
- Fabric
- Apron or tee shirt that can get dirty
- Spoons
- Little sifters
- Cheap measuring cup
- Rubberbands
- Plastic shoe boxes or containers to hold the dyed items between dyeing and washing
- Ice
- Synthrapol or dawn dishwashing detergent
Remember, when it comes to crafting, it’s something that you grow into. Give yourself time and space, take a class or two so that you feel comfortable and then CREATE!