Chapter 1

Sewing Tools and Supplies

Necessary tools in sewing: A. Sewing Aids 1. Needles a. Sharps have a rounded eye are commonly used in all types of fabric. have a rounded eye and are shorter than the sharps. are longer than the sharps and used for basting. have a rounded eye and are used for knits. are similar to the sharps except that the thread is pulled

b. Betweens c. Milliners d. Ball points e. Calyx eyes

through a slot than through the eye.

For machine needles: Size 70/9 is best for fine fabrics; 80/11 for light weight; 90-100/14-16 for medium weight and size ; 100-110/16-18 for heavyweight fabrics; and ball-point needles for stretch/knitted fabrics.

2. Threads 3. Straight pins are also called seamstress or silk pins. facilitates threading the needles.

4. Needle threader 5. Seam ripper

has a pointed and a curved edge for picking out threads and

slashing buttonholes. 6. Pincushion and emery bag The pincushion holds the pins and needles

when these are not in use. Sometimes the pincushion comes with an emery bag used to polish rusty needles and pins.

7. Thimble

protects the middle finger from being pricked when pushing the

needle through the cloth. B. Measuring tools 1. Ruler is used to mark lines on fabric or pattern and as a substitute for a

gauge to measure the distance between buttons and buttonholes, pleats, and hems. 2. Tape measure is used to take body measurements. is used for detailed measurements such as the

3. Dressmaker s gauge

distance between buttons and buttonholes, pleats, and hems. C. Marking tools 1. Tailor s chalk is a hard, square wax used to mark the fabric. is also called tracing paper.

2. Dressmaker s carbon 3. Tracing wheel to the fabric. 4. Soft pencil D. Cutting tools

is used with a dressmaker s carbon to transfer the marks

is used in pattern construction.

1. Bent-handle dressmaker s shears. 2. Pinking shears 3. Light trimmers

are the best shears for cutting.

have zigzag edges which prevent the fabric from raveling. are used for small cutting jobs.