Just like handbags, a girl can never have too many sewing tools! In today’s blog, I am going to cover more sewing essentials. In the first part, I have already covered the basics for any sewing beginner, but mainly aiming at a college student studying fashion for the first time. Click the link if you haven’t already read it.
Depending on what you will sew, the list may vary from person to person. This blog will cover equipment and tools for the intermediate to advance level sewer. If you are a home sewer or dressmaker and want to advance your sewing knowledge, then these equipment and tools are probably what you want to add to your inventory.
I bought a lot of these tools after a few years of sewing. Some tools I have multiples of just because it is necessary. Here are the usual links to where you can purchase some of these equipment and tools from.
Pattern Cutting Essentials:
Micro Serrated Scissors
Another pair of scissors, did I hear you say? Yes, indeed. When you start cutting silk and chiffon you will notice the fabric slips as you cut. Using micro serrated scissors will help hold the fabric in the blade as it cuts. It is not necessary, but helps if you cut a lot of slippery fabric.
Rotary Cutter
Great for people that have problems using scissors. Cutting out is made so easy with this tool. Just be careful not to run the blade over pins.
Rouleau Loop Turner
Might be a bit fiddly to use at first but a great tool to have is you want to make spaghetti straps, belt loops, and thin tubing. Buy a new one and not inherit an old rusty used one. You need it to be smooth to turn loops.
Bodkin
You use this to help you thread elastic or cord into your garments. Not a must have but an upgrade from the safety pin. You can buy bodkins in many designs, depending on the brand. They all do the same thing. It is not a must have.
Simplicity Bias Binding Maker
This is more of a fancy gadget to have. If you plan to make a lot of bias binding, then you will love this machine. Saves your fingers from iron burn. Make sure you buy all the right size attachments.
Simplicity also have a tape cutting machine. Helps cut out strips of fabric or paper in straight lines or wavy lines.
Thread Snips
Snips are a lot easier to use to cut threads than scissors. Not a necessity but it is handy to have especially if you have a lot of threads to snip. It has a spring action which helps. You don’t even have to stick your fingers into the handles to use it.
Duck Bill Applique Scissors
A strange looking pair of scissors. Handy if you are going to trim a lot of edges especially close to fabric. For example you can get close to appliqué, and cutting away lace on fabric. Not a necessity but very useful.
Button Cover Tool
Not everyone is going to need this unless you are planning to cover buttons with fabric. It is not easy covering buttons but with this tool it takes out all the preparation work. You still need to buy the button blanks to make covered buttons. Come in aluminium or plastic.
Vario Pliers by Prym
Great for setting pop buttons, anorak press buttons, jean buttons, baby bib poppers. Sometimes you buy these sewing notions and they come with a rubbish tool to help you set the fastenings. Well, instead of a hammer you will use this.
I have 3 of these pliers because I use them a lot and I don’t like pulling out the setting tools and changing them every time I have a different fastening to do. If you keep pulling out the setting tool, the fittings will become loose and will need replacing. This is why I have multiples of this tool. Lately a new colour arrived on the market, and I had to have it. The old colour was a navy blue but the new one is a light but bright blue. Very modern indeed.
Freezer Paper
Cheaper and stronger than pattern tissue paper. Great for tracing patterns. Easy to get hold of and last ages. It slightly adheres to the cloth when ironed onto, so great for cutting out your patterns. Peels off easily.
Great for protecting the iron from sticky residue from interfacing a Bonda web.
Starch Spray
Great for ironing cotton shirts. Gives a crisp edge. Good supermarkets stock them in the laundry department.
Fray Stopper
Stops buttonholes from fraying as well as some fabric edges. I don’t recommend using it on fabric edges though. Can be used like glue but some brands may dry hard. For cord ends I tend to use a bit of clear nail varnish.
You can also get sprays for edges of fabrics. I haven’t used one yet.
Fabric Glue
Great for sticking rhinestones, appliqué and fray edges of cord and string. Like fray stopper but a bit thicker. Most are flexible when dry and can be machine washed. Some glues actually state permanent for a stronger bond.
Hot Fix Crystal Applicator
For gluing rhinestones and other gems.
Pliers
For getting rid of rivets and zip teeth. It can be a very basic pair of pliers. These ones were gifts from the hubs.
Power Steam Irons
Not everyone can afford an industrial ironing board with suction, so I am going to recommend you to get a iron with power steamer liker the one in the picture. It has a big tank of water and the steam is a lot powerful than the irons with the water container built in.
The ultimate ironing board to have actually sucks down the fabric. It has 2 functions. 1 to hold the fabric down to iron and 2, when you iron then rapidly cools the fabric, the creases don’t come back easily. The iron heats up fast and the steam is hot and constant. Available at morplan.com is the Vapour 25 Ironing System, and Drip Feed Steam Iron. Not cheap but if you have cash to burn, then this is what you will want!
Huge Cutting Mat
This isn’t necessary if you have a small cutting mat already. If you are using a rotary cutter for every project including a lot of garments, then it is wise to upgrade your small cutting mat to a huge one that fills the table.
Button Hole Cutter
No more mistakes when cutting out buttonholes! This chisel gives buttonholes a clean cut. A must have. Some brands come with a small block of wood to protect the table.
Tailor’s Ham
Great for pressing the bust and curved areas of the garment where it is not flat. If you don’t have a ham you could always use a stuffed toy wrapped in a piece of cotton to form a round mould.
Sleeve Roll/ Sleeve Board
Either buy a sleeve roll or a sleeve board. For ironing sleeve seams open and that you don’t end up with 2 unwanted crease lines on outside of the garment. You can buy one from Amazon, Ikea or Morplan.
You could use an old cardboard tube covered in wadding and a sheet of cotton for a temporary fix.
Point Presser & Clapper/Tailor’s Clapper
For pressing and ironing collar corners and lapels. Gives a flat edge along tailored garments. I don’t even own one myself. Most people would never have heard of one. The only place I know where to buy one from is the English Couture Company.
I hope I have given you some ideas for your next tool or gadget to add to your inventory. A lot of these tools were not bought at the beginning of my career. Some people may not even use half of these tools. For most people, a basic sewing kit is all they need.
Now that I have the essential lists out of the way, can’t wait to start on some projects! Yes, I’m getting there.
Happy Sewing!
Shan x
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