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SEWING TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

Efficiency of any work always depends upon the tools and
equipment used for it. Knowing the proper use of sewing tools and equipment will help to
produce well-fitted garments. The sewing equipment and tools are broadly classified as
measuring tools, marking tools, cutting tools, stitching tool and pressing tools.

MEASURING TOOLS

1) Measuring Tape: This is a plastic tape with small

metal tips on either end. It is used to take body
measurements, drafting patterns, and measuring
fabrics.

2) Rulers: There are different types of rulers. Rulers

are used for measuring small distances for tucks,
hems, facings etc, and also for taking
measurements in drafting.

3) L – Scale: It is a fibre or wooden scale having L-

Shape. These scales are used for finding and
aligning the grain of fabric and also for making
perpendicular lines in pattern drafting.

4) Hem gauge: It is a 6 inch gauge having notches at

regular intervals. It is used as a measuring guide
for marking width of the hems, pleats, and seam
allowances accurately.

MARKING TOOLS

5) Tailor’s Chalk: It is made of wax or stone chalk. It

is used to transfer seam lines and other pattern
details to fabric.

6) Dressmaker’s Carbon: It is a wax-coated paper

on one side and is available in different colours. It
is used with the tracing wheel or pencil to transfer
pattern markings.
7) Pencils and Pen: These are also used for marking
on the fabric surface. These markings can be
washed out easily.

8) Tracing Wheel: This is a sharp toothed wheel

used with dress maker’s carbon to transfer pattern
markings to cloth.

9) French Curve: This is used to shape the depth of

the neck hole and armhole of the pattern

10) Hip Curve: It is useful for connecting or shaping

curve points such as armhole, hip etc.

11) Hem Marker: It is used to mark out a completely

level hem line in chalk. It can be adjusted to any
hem length. This is commonly used for
professional hem marking.

CUTTING TOOLS
12) Scissors: They have 5 to 6 inches long and
identical blade. They are used for light cutting,
trimming, clipping corners, and cutting curves. The
best types have blades of uneven width.

13) Shears: They are 8 to 10 inches long. They are

used for cutting all types of fabrics. Shears differ
from scissors in that they have one small ring
handle and a large ring handle

14) Thread Cutter / Snipers: These are a handy little

spring loaded cutting tool. It is used to snip
threads.
15) Electric Shears: They are ideal for cutting
paper, silk, nylon, and soft, hard-to-cut fabric.

16) Pinking shears: They are used to finish the seam

allowances with a zigzag cutting line or scalloped
edge which gives a neat appearance to the inside
of garments.

17) Rotary Cutter: It cuts patterns and samples

faster than scissors. Rotary cutters are used in
commercial garment industries.

18) Industrial Cutting Machine: These are large

electrical cutters used in industry for cutting
several layers of fabric simultaneously.

19) Seam ripper: This is a handy little tool for taking

out seams and removing stitches. It must be used
carefully so as not to cut the fabric.

20) Cutting Table: It is a table of convenient height

and size for cutting and construction of garments.

STITCHING TOOLS

21) Sewing Machine: It is the machine used to stitch fabric and

other materials together with thread.
22) Needle: Needles are found in various sizes.
Sharp and short needles are suitable for
permanent stitching. Crewel needles with a long
oval eye are designed for embroidery work. Hand
sewing needles are used for basting, sewing
buttons on and when mending torn clothes.

23) Needle Threader: It is a device made of thin wire

which aids in threading machine needles and
hand needles.

24) Thimble: Thimble is used to protect the finger

from being pricked by the needle when sewing.

25) Bodkin: This is a flat needle with blunt end and a

large eye, used for threading ribbon, cord or
elastic through a tunnel or eyelet casing.

26) Stiletto: This is a sharp pointed instrument for

punching holes in material. It is used for forming
eyelets in belts and for embroidery work.

27) Pins and Pincushions: Pins are used for basting

and fixing of pattern pieces on to fabric. Pin
cushion is a small stuffed cushion made of wool or
felt, filled with wool or cotton to hold the pins.
PRESSING TOOLS

28) Pressing Table: It is used for hand pressing. A

well-padded, shaped table of convenient height is
very good.

29) Sleeve board: This is a well-padded miniature of

a full-sized ironing board and is used to press
sleeves and hard-to-reach small details.

30) Iron Box: An automatic iron is handy for pressing

fabric before cutting, during construction and after
the garment is completed.