EQUIPMENT!
There are so many different tools ,that if you are sewing enthusiast like me ,
the desire is to get every one of them just in case but there with time and experience
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| Pins: |
PINS
These are available in several different thicknesses and lengths and in
brass, stainless steel and nickel plated steel. Standard dressmaker’s
pins are 26 mm long while shorter fine lace pins used on lightweight
fabrics are 2.5 cm. Glass headed pins are easy to handle and T-pins will
stay in position on open weave fabrics.
So
you should have an appropriate selection of different pins to your
needs (If you, like me, like to do crafts, garments, upholstery etc...
you need different types of pins on your sewing box.
Do I hear you ask?
It’s that really important?
Can I use the same ones?
Of course
you can. It’s all preference. I love the very thin pins (0.5mm) and I
will use this every time I pin fit a garment as they are very easy to
pin as thei are so sharp ( watch to not scratch your body) and they do
very little damage in the fabric. They also can be pressed in so no
removing pins to press, but there are times when you are quilting you
need a pin long enough to hold 3 layers, and also once you are laying
pattern on fabric to cut. You want to cover a lot of space with minimal
pinning.
You can have a pin tin or pin cushion to keep them !
Or many..
make yourself one!
Hand sewing needles:
The range of needles used for hand-stitching varies in size, length and
point shape. The most common needles are known as sharps. Specialized
tasks are catered for by specific needles in a variety of lengths and
widths. When choosing a needle, be guided by the structure and weight of
the fabric and the thread being used. There are many chapters of sewing
books about choosing the right ones. I will develop more in this
subject later . I have those pebble style cases and they seen to do the
job well for me. These are relative inexpensive and you can get a
special size in case you need one.
Tape measure. We need to measure our bodies; hems, in truth they are required each time a garment is made up.
Special sewing rulers.
There are many brands but if you are serious about drafting your
patterns you need to get a selection of them. They normally come in
packages.
Pressing tools
Pressing is an essential part of the sewing process if you want a smooth, professional finish to your garments, and a press cloth helps to protect the fabric from the heat and/or steam of the iron. Many seamstress's prefer a sturdier cloth because it also doubles up as my pressing ham , not me, I recommend using a thin, transparent cloth so that you can see through to the fabric underneath and I bought one special for the job after using pillowcases without success. These are a must have tools (pressing hams/arms etc) and I will have a post dedicated to them.
Also you should have a selection of thread, basic colours, in a good quality. There are many types of thread and I will cover them in detail further. The rule I follow is, If i sew cotton I use a cotton thread. Its also personal preference to match every garment thread to fabric.
A selection of buttons and zippers in most used colours is very handy. For skirts in general a 7 inch will do fine for most heights. For dresses it depends on your height. In doubt get longer zippers as you can always cut the excess.
Finally, last but not least a good sewing book. I have good recommendations and will also dedicate many post review the most popular books available.
The nice to have are some old school items and some new high tech items
A tracing wheel is an instrument with multiple teeth on a wheel attached to a handle. The teeth can be either serrated or smooth. It is used to transfer markings from patterns onto fabric with or without tracing paper, this sewing tool also makes slotted perforations. Such markings might include pleats, darts, buttonholes, notches or placement linesfor appliques or pockets.
pad and Quilting rulers -
These are fantastic to have on hand when cutting straight lines. I love mine and I recommend it as speeds your cutting
by 90%.
Thread racks - make your own 
Thimble
Dressmakers dummies:
sewing without a dummy! never
Its very hard to sew at home and not be able to adjust the back. Have you ever tried to ask your partners to help? Disaster to happen! But their price is expensive for the time you really use them.
Light weight fusible interfacing - yards of it are great to have on hand. This makes a great backing for tissue patterns that become a favorite, to keep them strong and durable.
(Just press with LOW iron set (don’t let get wet- turn off your steamer of take all the water off your iron) on your pattern once you have make the correct alterations)
Sewing is a whole art. And like any art, it needs special tools to be properly carried out. It's not just about needle and thread, you also have to cut, press, measure and fit. There are special tools that'll make these tasks easier and faster.
Most fabric stores sell beginner's kits that include everything you'll need for your first couple projects. You can even get them online. You can also buy your notions separately.
Besides your basic tools, you'll need a pretty box or basket to put them in. This will help you stay organized and have everything ready to use. Make sure it's large enough to fit all your notions, but leave some extra room.
You'll be adding to it regularly as you become more advanced.
- See more at: http://www.sew-it-love-it.com/sewing-equipment.html#sthash.iHrl9xRz.dpuf
Sewing is a whole art. And like any art, it needs special tools to be properly carried out. It's not just about needle and thread, you also have to cut, press, measure and fit. There are special tools that'll make these tasks easier and faster.
Most fabric stores sell beginner's kits that include everything you'll need for your first couple projects. You can even get them online. You can also buy your notions separately.
Besides your basic tools, you'll need a pretty box or basket to put them in. This will help you stay organized and have everything ready to use. Make sure it's large enough to fit all your notions, but leave some extra room.
You'll be adding to it regularly as you become more advanced.
- See more at: http://www.sew-it-love-it.com/sewing-equipment.html#sthash.iHrl9xRz.dpufGetting the right tool's for the job can make sewing more successful and enjoyable.
There are so many different tools ,that if you are sewing enthusiast like me ,
the desire is to get every one of them just in case but there with time and experience
Marking tools to transfer markings from a dressmaking pattern on to the fabric,
I have a selection also " I know -I just was too silly and brought a lot of things.
Tailors chalk, different colour pencils, pens with vanishing ink, carbon and wheel. There are a lot of those in the market. recommend the yellow chalk that looks like a lipstick and is perfect as makes very thin lines . and a selection of carbon colour paper and a marking wheel. These are brilliant as if you loose pins you can still find the right place in seconds because its all markered, Its also brilliants for beginners to look to sew straight in a line as you can follow it as your guide. The one I am the most aware of going wrong is the ink pens. I don’t want to trust that after hours working in a garment there is a chance of having it stained because it hasn’t washed well. It’s all personal opinion ok!
SEWING TOOLS and EQUIPMENT
1. Bent-Handled Shears-7 to 8 inch long scissors suitable for cutting fabric because the blades rest flat on the cutting surface.
2. Trimming Scissors- 6 inch long scissors used for trimming and clipping seams and for general use.
4. Pinking Shears- cuts a zigzag edge and is used for finishing hem edges, seams, etc. It should not be used for cutting out a garment b'coz it will not give an accurate cut line of the fabric.
5. Seam Ripper- a handy little tool for taking out seams and removing stitches. It must be used carefully so as not to cut the fabric.
6. Cutting Board/Table- a flat board placed on a table where the fabric is laid out and cut. The fabric can be pinned securely to the cutting board/table to prevent it from slipping.
1. Sewing Gauge- a 6 inch gauge with a movable indicator convenient for measuring short lengths.
2. Hem Gauge- a measuring device marked with various depths and hemline folds. It is practical when hemming straight on grain edges.
3. Tape Measure-a 60 inch lng measuring device used in taking body measurements, drafting patterns, and measuring fabrics. It has a metal tip and reversible markings in centimeters and inches.
4. Yardstick/Meterstick- is use to measure fabric and to check grain line. It can be used in marking a long straight lines and in measuring hem lengths.
The Hip Curve is used in connecting or shaping slightly curve points.It has a measure of inches at the front and centimeters at the back part.
L-square - It is useful in constructing perpendicular lines with divisional parts located in longer and shorter arms.
Ruler - aids in connecting shorter lines, marked off in inches and centimeters
1. Beeswax/Candle- makes the thread stronger and serves as lubricant, which makes the thread easier to use in sewing buttons and other hand sewing jobs.
2. Pin Cushion- a cotton-stuffed cloth cut and sewn in many different shapes to keep the pins in place. It will help you work conveniently when placed on your waist.
3. Pins- used when cutting and sewing material. Helps save time in basting. Dull-pointed and rusted pins should not be used b'coz they will destroy the fabric.
4. Needles- comes in three sizes: small, medium and large. Small needles are used on light and soft material, while big needles are for rough, thick and heavy materials. Needles are used for basting, sewing buttons on and when mending torn clothes.
5. Thimble- made of either plastic or metal material w/c is used to protect the finger from being pricked by the needle when sewing. A fitted thimble will help you sew comfortably especially when you are not used in sewing with a thimble on your finger.
6. Emery Bag- used for thrusting needles and pins. They sharpens the needles ad removes rust.
8. Sewing Box- serves as a utility box. Sewing tools like pins, thread, thimbles, and others can be kept in this box. Sewing boxes vary in style, such as the compartmentalized and non-compartmentalized box. A compartmentalized sewing box is practical b'coz ur tools can always be orderly arranged.
Tailor's Chalk - A thin piece of hard chalk used in tailoring for making temporary alteration marks on clothing
Dressmaker's carbon paper - the functions is like a carbon paper. It is available in different colors, used with tracing wheel,
An ironing board - is a small, portable, foldable table with a heat resistant surface.