Sewing Patterns & Supplies

What are easy things to sew for a beginner sewer?

I have a new machine, fabric, sewing basket ect.

Basic sewing supplies, pretty minimal:
--Good fabric scissors, with blades as long as you can comfortably cut with -- longer blades give better cuts (use the entire blade length!). Fiskars are a good bargain brand; I prefer Kai for good.
-- good seam ripper or two (I'm always misplacing mine!) -- I prefer the white, flat handled Clover rippers, about $3.50
-- measuring tape: I like the English/Metric 120" "quilter's tape measure"
-- a thin, clear plastic ruler in 1/8" or 2 mm grid -- C-thru is a common brand
-- some hand sewing needles -- I prefer embroidery needles because they're easy to thread
-- some method of marking on fabric -- I prefer white tailor's chalk and white Chakoners because they'll come out of virtually any fabric. Not all markers will. Always test a marker before you use it on good fabric.
-- pins. For coarse work, I use those big yellow-headed "quilting pins" because they're hard to miss. For very fine stuff, I use "Iris pins", which are thin and sharp and quite expensive.
-- a sleeve board for pressing, assuming you intend to make garments.
-- a clapper and point presser -- like this: http://www.fabricsandbuttons.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?&Product_Code=NOT-Clapper&Screen=PROD
-- a piece of 1/2" exterior grade plywood covered with a single layer of muslin or cotton twill... I like a piece about 18" square. For hard-pressing seams that have to be flat-flat-flat
-- a good iron, preferably with a sole plate that can be scrubbed with steel wool to get messes off of it, like caked-on starch, or the fusible interfacing that you put wrong way up. My current favorite cheapie is the Black and Decker Classic.
-- if you can find one, a bamboo point turner: http://www.amazon.com/Bamboo-Point-Turner-Creaser-Collins%C2%AE/dp/B0019KBUZE
-- bamboo skewers or orange sticks, to help you control fabric going under the presser foot -- stiff enough to move the fabric around a bit, not going to shatter if you accidentally hit it with a sewing machine needle.
--Sewing machine needles, of various sizes and point types -- a size 12/80 Universal point needle will sew almost anything, but the right size and type will do even better. Schmetz, Klasse, Groz-Beckert, Lammertz and Organ are all good brands.
-- A copy of the Schmetz ABCs of needles booklet, which you can ordinarily download from their website, but is being balky for me tonight so you'll have to play hunt the URL.
-- also handy for beginners: a roll of Collins Wash A Way Wonder Tape, a double stick tape you can sew through. Don't use it for everything, but it's really handy for "pinning" difficult things, like the first time you put in a zipper.

There are lots of beginner projects out there... I usually start beginners with sewing on paper with unthreaded needle, till they learn to control the machine, and then we go on to whatever interests them -- often a t shirt, pair of pj pants, a lined vest, or tote bag. More ideas in the projects section at http://www.sewing.org or http://sewing.about.com

Alex Yarn Craft Kit in Carry Basket $18.14 Learn to knit and crochet a chic scarf and bag. Decorate with fashionable flowers and tassels to dress up your creations. This charming keepsake case contains everything a beginner needs to learn the simple stitches in these easy projects. Kit includes six brightly colored skeins of yarn (50 yards each), wooden knitting needles, plastic crochet hook and easy-to-follow instructions with line drawin...

Beginners Yarn Craft Kit with Wicker Basket $26.98 Learn to knit and crochet a colorful hat, a stylish scarf and a handbag. Then, decorate your creations with flowers and pom poms. The charming wicker basket contains everything beginning knitters need to learn the simple stitches to make these easy but satisfying projects. For ages 8 and up. Kit includes:6 skeins of brightly colored yarn (50-yd. each), Wooden knitting needles, Plastic crochet hook...

Alex Chunky and Funky Scarf Beginner's Knitting Kit in Box $10.99 It's the perfect kit for beginners to learn how to knit. Chunky wooden needles and fat yarn make it simple for kids to learn how to knit one long scarf (or a shorter scarf) and a matching hat. Includes yarn, needles and easy-to-follow instructions....

Amy Butler's In Stitches: More Than 25 Simple and Stylish Sewing Projects $9.72 Celebrated designer Amy Butler brings her fresh, modern style to the timeless craft of sewing. In this lavishly illustrated collection of patterns, she presents more than 25 charming projects ranging from cushy floor cushions to smart aprons to stylish handbags. Our innovative packaging makes for easy usepattern sheets are neatly tucked into a folder on the inside cover of this full-color, lay-fla...

Easy Machine Paper Piecing $8.54 Now anyone can accurately piece a quilt block in just minutes! Paper piecing is a simple process. Just trace a block design onto paper; then sew fabrics directly onto the paper with a sewing machine. The paper provides a stable base, making it a breeze to get sharp points on even the tiniest of pieces. • Choose from 65 different block designs, including traditional favorites and original desi...