Sewing Essentials: Sewing Tools
Rotary Cutter
For many years, I was not into the world of rotary cutting. And for many years, I was a great fool for not being into the world of rotary cutting. It’s better, altogether better. The cuts are more crisp. It’s faster. The fabric isn’t as prone to distortion when cutting through multiple layers. The main downside is you don’t get the satisfying *snip snip snip* of the scissors.
Clips
Are you team pins or team clips? I’m team clips whenever possible. They don’t distort the fabric as much as pinning. It’s often faster to clip than pin. And most entertainingly, they don’t get lost as easily in the rug and then jab you in the finger while searching for them.
Fabric Pen
Lately I’ve been using heat erasable ink pens for sewing. It feels a bit magical to watch the lines disappear in the wake of the hot iron.
Thread Snips
How many pairs of cutting tools does the sewing table need? Well, one pair of snips, at least. I believe in faithfully cutting threads at the end of each seam so they don’t get tangled in the next seam. The short blades on these shears make it easy to whip them out each time new threads need snipped.
Fabric Scissors
One time I asked a boyfriend if he would like to cut out a pattern while I sewed beside him. He was one of those endearing people who is academically gifted but sometimes challenged in the common sense department. When he handed the scissors back, I was shocked to discover he attempted to cut through a pin. The scissors have never been the same, but the little dents in the blades still make me smile and remind me to work on finding someone to marry.
Paper Scissors
Whatever pair of scissors is occupying the role of paper scissors at any given time, they become my favorite. They are the catch-all scissors for everything that isn’t fabric. So they get used a lot. I find that whatever I use the most tends to become my favorite. I’m sure there is a life lesson in there somewhere. Right now I’m using these lovely gingham greens from the Buy Everything aisle at Aldi.
Seam Ripper
My only advice when acquiring a seam ripper is to value ergonomics. If you sew for years, you will use these handy little things for what will add up to hours upon hours. Spend a few extra dollars to get the comfortable handle.
Pouch for Needles and Tools
One can never have too many pouches. I use this pouch to hold needles and pliers. I made it using the nifty Pouch Pattern Calculator. If you need a tool pouch, just enter the finished dimensions you want the bag and the calculator tells you what size to cut the fabric!
Oil
Whenever my machine is getting a little moody, the threads getting a little tangled, I check if she is hungry for some new oil. Most of the time, a light cleaning and fresh oil is all she needs to be a happy girl again. I have been using this oil, and probably will be for the rest of the decade because it only needs a drop at a time.
Tools
For changing needles and taking things apart for deep cleans, I keep a pair of pliers and a baby screw driver handy. My lovely father has a sign that reads, “A place for everything and everything in its place” above his workbench in the garage. No doubt it is an attempt to encourage us to keep his tools organized. I probably took these from his toolbox one day and never returned them. They have a new place now — in my sewing room.
Measurement Tools (all of them)
Each instrument of measurement has its own purpose. In my arsenal, I have the classic wood yardstick (my favorite), a ruler, a see-through measuring plate, and of course, a flexible measuring tape. Also honorable mention to the rotary cutting mat.
Thread Jar
I have a rule in my sewing room. No waste bins! Only things of beauty allowed in the sewing room. Instead, I have this lovely ceramic creamer on my sewing table to collect threads. This little creamer brings me extra delight because it was made by my sewing friend, Vivian.
Iron
As one of the members of the community who opens their front door in the morning and discovers they forgot to take out their keys from the lock the day before, one of my fears in life is, naturally, leaving the iron on and burning down the house. So when it was time for a new iron, one of the requirements was an auto shut off. It fills me with joy on the occasions I find this has turned itself off.
Ironing Board
We are overdue for a revolution in the ironing board design department. Modern ironing boards leave much to be desired aesthetically. I was on the hunt for an antique wooden board. Eventually I found this beauty at a second hand shop for the low, low price of $10. Isn’t she lovely?
AirPods
Noise cancel mode has improved my quality of sewing life. Some of the best money I’ve spent are these AirPods. Currently listening to Unfinished Tales of Numenor and Middle-Earth by J.R.R. Tolkien.
Bernina Matic 910
My sister gave this machine to me several years ago, and I owe her a debt of gratitude. This machine is a gentle workhorse. She likes to sew through everything with grace. She embodies the feminine energy I want to cultivate in myself — she is strong, elegant, graceful, gracious, hardworking, dependable, tough, and beautiful.
Bernette b48
The latest addition to my sewing room is the Bernette b48. She is a combination overlocker and coverstitch machine. I have a lot to learn about how to sew with her to her fullest potential, but we’re getting along well so far.
What is your favorite sewing tool in your arsenal right now?
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17 Comments
Alisha Cooke
Great article Sarah!
All the essentials and cute photos too.
Sarah Kirsten
Thank you, Alisha! I always love seeing your photos <3
Margaret Padron
Ah, such a great post. I smiled at every one of your items. I, too, have a pair of pliers sitting next to my machine. And about 45 years ago, I took my mom’s ironing board out of the laundry room closet and up to my bedroom to use while sewing a dress for school the next day … it’s still with me. Although it’s not wood, it’s a very stable metal one and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. My mom never questioned it and went out and bought herself a new one.
What do you do with the threads once your beautiful ceramic creamer is full?
Sarah Kirsten
Oh my, this is a sweet story. Thanks for sharing. Wonderfully supportive mother!
Sarah Kirsten
Oh and once the creamer is full or after each project, I empty it into the rubbish bin in another room.
Laura Bettcher
Loved these ideas, have them all. I also like having a smaller portable vacuum on hand when in project mode for vacuuming off my cutting mat, ironing board, my server and around my sewing machine/work area after using a magnet to pick up stray pins etc.
Laura Bettcher
*serger* not server
Sarah Kirsten
Laura! I have been wanting to get a vacuum for this purpose! Thanks for the boost to go find one.
Jan Darrah
I have a set of eight 4oz. fishing weights, dipped in liquid plastic to cover the lead, that I use instead of pins to hold the pattern on the fabric. So much faster and easier!
Sarah Kirsten
Wonderful idea, Jan! Sounds so speedy.
Donna Bowers
I have a wide assortment of hand needles, a clump of beeswax, shears, several boxes of assorted types of pins, snips, a thimble, a needle/pin book I made and chalk.
Sarah Kirsten
Does the beeswax make your whole sewing space smell yummy?
Eleanor Segal
By far my favorite sewing tool is Telescoping Magnetic Pickup Tool from Harbor Freight can even pick ip scissors!!!! I mostly use it to pick up dropped sewing needles and pins from the floor!
Teri Barros
Omg. Yes. At 3.99 it’s my absolute favorite new tool. I’ve used it around the house multiple times too.
Sarah Kirsten
No more lost pins! Great idea.
Anne beals
A few of these made me smile – the ironing board is identical to one my grandmother had, and your fears about burning down the house and leaving the keys in the door (which i did one night recently) made me LOL. And I need some lessons with my overlocker…..
Sarah Kirsten
Happy to meet another member of the absent minded keys society!