The Complete Sewing Notions Inventory Checklist
A 40-item checklist plus a cataloging system that stops duplicate notion buys.
Why inventory notions
Notions look small and cheap individually — until you count them. A typical intermediate sewist has $500-$2000 in notions scattered across drawers. Without inventory you keep buying elastic, seam rippers, and Wonder Clips you already own. See stop wasting money on duplicate notions for the case in depth.
The checklist (40+ items)
Cutting
- Fabric shears (8" or 9.5")
- Small snips
- Rotary cutter + spare blades (45mm, 60mm)
- Pinking shears
- Applique scissors
Marking
- Chalk (traditional + rolling)
- Water-soluble marker
- Frixion pen
- Tracing paper + wheel
- Tailor's tacks thread
Measuring
- Tape measure (2-3 — they migrate)
- Clear ruler (2", 6", 24")
- Sewing gauge
- French curve
- Hip curve
- L-square
Pressing
- Iron
- Wool pressing mat
- Tailor's ham
- Sleeve roll
- Point presser
- Clapper
- Pressing cloth
Hand sewing
- Needle assortment (sharps, betweens, embroidery, tapestry)
- Thimble (leather + metal)
- Pin cushion
- Beeswax
- Needle threader
Machine sewing
- Universal needles (multi-size pack)
- Ballpoint / stretch needles
- Denim / jeans needles
- Microtex sharps
- Bobbins (matching your machine)
- Machine oil
- Small brush
Pinning & clipping
- Silk pins
- Quilting pins
- Wonder Clips (small + large)
- Magnetic pin dish
Closures
- Zippers (invisible, coil, metal — assorted lengths)
- Buttons (button bin)
- Snaps (KAM + sew-in)
- Hook & eyes
- Velcro
Elastic
- 1/4", 3/8", 1/2", 3/4", 1", 2" widths
- Fold-over elastic
- Clear elastic
Interfacing & stabilizer
- Woven fusible (light + medium)
- Non-woven fusible
- Knit fusible
- Sew-in
- Water-soluble stabilizer
- Tear-away stabilizer
Bias & binding
- Pre-made bias tape (assorted widths)
- Bias tape maker (1/2", 1", 2")
- Piping cord
Cataloging system
For each item log:
- Category (from above)
- Type / size / width
- Brand (when it matters — needles, elastic)
- Quantity remaining
- Location (drawer/bin)
Sewist Studio has a dedicated notions section — bulk-import from a spreadsheet or add as you go.
Restock triggers
Set a "low stock threshold" per notion. When quantity drops below it, flag as "buy next trip." Now the fabric store trip has a real list instead of impulse buys.
Monthly 10-minute audit
Once a month, spot-check three drawers. Update quantities of anything used since last audit. Ten minutes prevents six months of drift.
Start your notions inventory in Sewist Studio free.
