Sewing Tools
Welcome to the tools directory!
Here you can find the useful sewing tools, what they do / why you might need them and where to purchase your own.
It’s really important to note, that you really don’t need everything here to start sewing. Its better to buy the bits you need as you go.
Sewing Machines - This is obvious first step when you are starting out, it would be hard to start sewing without the machine! This doesn’t have to be a large expense though, there are a lot of second hand machines around that are perfect to start on. I got my machine from Facebook marketplace and haven’t upgraded it yet. There are different types, ones for heavier duty fabrics, ones for embroidery etc, but if you are just starting out a basic sewing machine will do the trick!
Overlockers - Overlockers are a great way to finish seams when you are sewing. Although they are a useful machine to use, they are not a necessity when starting out. You can finish your seams with a zigzag stitch, it may just take you a little longer.
Rotary Cutters - I find these so much easier to use then scissors when cutting out patterns, especially at the beginning. If you have patterns with curves these work a treat!
Cutting Mats - If you are using a rotary cutter then a cutting mat is a must have, you don’t want to cut up your table.
Sewing Scissors - These are great for cutting up fabric. I think its best to have a pair as well as a rotary cutter as it covers all bases.
Pinking Shears - These are serrated edged scissors. They are great for cutting into seam allowances when you need to clip into these as it prevents the fabric from fraying. Usually these come in a zig zag pattern but you can also get scalloped edge ones. These are also great for cutting the edge of bunting.
Thread Snips - These are really worth having not only for cutting off threads at the end of a project but also for cutting in your notches when you are cutting your pattern pieces out. I’ve seen a lot of people thread them onto ribbon and wear them around your neck. I would really advise doing this as they are forever being lost!
Tailors Chalk - Use this to mark out pattern markings, quilting lines etc. This brushes off so bare that in mind, if you need something a bit more permanent use a fabric marker.
Fabric Marker - This is great for being a bit more permanent then tailors chalk.
Pins & Clips - I think these are both important, I wouldn’t use one and not the other. They both hold your pattern pieces together as you sew. You will find sometimes clips are better, sometimes pins are, depending on what you are piecing together.
Hot Hem Ruler - I absolutely LOVE my hot hemming rulers! They are capable of being ironed which means you can measure your hems so quickly! One of my favourite items in my sewing box for sure.
Bias Binding Maker - This is a nifty little tool. They usually come in packs of 4 different sizes. You pull your fabric strips through and you can just iron as you go. It makes bias binding making super quick which otherwise is a bit of a long job.
Loop Turner - These can come in a few different variations but essentially they are the same thing. They help you turn out your spaghetti straps or any narrow strips of fabric.
Seam Rippers - These are a really useful tool when you have made a mistake. They cut/ unpick stitches you have made.
Dress Making Rulers - These are great for measuring out fabric accurately. Some patterns you come across won’t come with printed pattern pieces, instead they will tell you the sizes of fabric it requires to be cut. Having a good ruler for this will make that so much easier and more accurate.
Safety Pins - These are really great if you need to pull elastic through waistbands, through a scrunchie, well through any small channel really! Keep a pot to hand, they are useful!
These items are all readily available and most of the businesses mentioned on the fabric shops page will also sell tools. I have noted below a few extra places which I think are good for browsing too.
A great website, full of tools, accessories, machines, fabric and patterns!
Emi B designs - Based in Yorkshire.
This website has some nifty tools that are great additions to your sewing box.
Printing Patterns - A lot of patterns come as PDF print outs. They usually have a few different options so you can print at home. It is a really good option but personally I got fed up of sticking A4 pieces of paper together pretty quickly! I now get mine printed at a local print shop as A0 pieces which means little to no taping, woohoo. If you do want to get patterns printed but haven’t got access to a print shop, some of the fabric websites linked on my other page offer this service. Fabric Godmother (linked on fabric shops) definitely have this option.
The other option, that a lot of PDF patterns come with now is the projector pattern. It means getting a projector and getting it all set up, which I personally haven’t tried. I do have a few sewing friends that have gone down this route and they swear by it. It also means patterns take up a lot less space, you have all the sizes at the click of a button and its better for the planet.