Best Fabric and Thread for Learning to Sew

With so many fabric and thread selections available, it’s hard to know what’s the best fabric and thread to use when you’re learning to sew.

This is Lesson #3 in the Sewing Basics – Learn to Sew series. Lesson #1 was all about selecting the right sewing machine for you. Then in Lesson #2 we learned about the essential sewing tools you’ll want to have on hand as you begin learning how to sew.

That brings us to today’s lesson on selecting the best fabric and thread to use while you learn how to sew.

Sew…. let’s take a look at my recommendations and learn why they are the best fabric and thread for learning to sew.

Best Fabric Choice for Learning to Sew

The best choice for fabrics to use when learning to sew are woven fabrics like cotton, linen, and cotton-linen blends. These woven fabrics are great because they don’t slip, stretch or ravel very much.

What Fabric NOT to Use

You’ll want to stay away from stretchy, shiny, slippery, thick, bulky and texted fabrics. These fabrics are a little more challenging.

Quilting Cotton

A good choice that has lots of options available is what’s called Quilting Cotton. It has a nice medium weight that makes it easy to use with any sewing machine. And it’s easy for beginner’s to work with as well!

As the name implies, it’s also made from 100% cotton.

Best Thread Choice for Learning to Sew

So, you have your pretty quilting cotton all picked out and it’s time to select your thread. I recommend using All-Purpose Thread with your quilting cotton. Unless you are sewing something, like these Microwave Safe Bowl Cozies, that require 100% cotton thread.

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All-Purpose Thread

I prefer to sew with Gutermann all-purpose thread. Just choose the best quality all-purpose thread. Don’t buy the cheap $0.99 thread. Just don’t!

All-purpose thread is usually made out of polyester and it’s the thread you’ll use 95% of the time.

So there you have my best fabric and thread for learning to sew.

Download the Fabric & Thread Guide

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Learn to Sew Series

When you first learn to sew, it’s easy to be eager and want to sew “all the things”. But to be successful at sewing, it really, really, really helps to master the basics first.

So that’s exactly where we’ll start – learning the basics. And I’ll be right here to help guide you, answer your questions and encourage you along the way.

You will find an entire Learn to Sew series just for beginners here on Hooked on Sewing:

1. Buying a Sewing Machine for Beginners
2. Essential Sewing Tools for Beginners
3. The Best Fabric and Threads for Learning to Sew (what you’re reading right now)
4. Anatomy of a Sewing Machine
5. Learn to Sew a Straight Stitch
6. Sew a Beginner Friendly Project

And this is just the start!

All the lessons are designed to help you understand specific sewing skills, gain knowledge, and set you up for success in your sewing journey.

More Learn to Sew Lessons

There are more lessons in the Learn to Sew series for beginners. Be sure to read all the lessons.  You’ll find them on the Learn to Sew page.

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