Every hobby needs kit. I mean it’s part of the fun of it isn’t it? Building up a little supply of necessities to help you perfect your new passion, finesse your crafting sills and generally up the professional look of a finished project.
We decided to delve a bit deeper into the joys of all things stored away in the haberdashery store room.
For anyone new to sewing the world, the word notions may be an unfamiliar term. The encyclopedia tells us that sewing and haberdashery notions are small objects, accessories and tools, including items that are sewn or attached to a finished garment such as buttons, threads, poppers, needles & pins, chalks and seam rippers.
The name itself is thought to have come from the term “Yankee Notions” where Yankee sailing ships traded items such as mirrors, needles and beads for native goods. We are certainly addicted to all things sewing kit and could be in danger of becoming notion hoarders at MMT HQ, especially now haberdasheries (often on the decline in high streets) are so readily available online.
Jeffrey Graham is Director of legendary East End haberdashers William Gee. They are sought after for their trimmings and tools by film companies, theatre groups, fashion colleges and local designers. When the shop opened in the 1900’s he says “clerks sat on high stools working with big ledgers. There were seventy to eighty people working here and all the floors were occupied with separate departments for zips, sewing threads, haberdashery, buttons, and linings. There’d be ten or twelve ladies upstairs making covered buttons – it was like a bingo session.”
We are big fans of their Sewing Kit A; Essential, which is a great basic for starter sewists and includes chalk squares, thread clippers, tape measure, basting thread, a handy seam ripper and a 28mm rotary cutter. Of course if you want to spoil the more experienced sewist in your life then the Deluxe Sewing Kit at just over £125, could be the answer. And who can resist their Pot Luck Zip offer where 15 to 20 zip are bundled up for a steal at £1.20?
Whatever your skill set or budget when setting out on a new sewing pattern, we would always recommend investing in the best quality sewing scissors you can afford. They will make the preparation of any sewing project and cutting out process so much more enjoyable, efficient and meticulous. They will also repay you in longevity and cost per use. Along with good quality thread that won't snag, break or snarl in your machine they should be the starting point for your very own notions bag. Happy collecting!
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