During Reading Tool

Sewing Tools and Equipment

Let’s Define

Sewing Tools are instruments that aid in accomplishing a sewing task. These are those
which don’t require the use of electricity. These are used manually or by hand.
Sewing equipment is needed for sewing which aids in the construction of garments of
good quality and appearance. These are those which require the use of electricity such as the
sewing machine.

Sewing Kit is a small package containing items, such as threads, pins, needles, etc. that
you need to sew something.

Classification of Sewing Tools and Materials

Measuring Tools
Measuring tools are instruments used for obtaining quantities, dimension or forces of
real world objects. They are also tools used to
differentiate distances on particular materials or objects.

1. Tape Measure
It is also known as tapeline. It is made of non-
stretchable strip used in taking body measurements.
It measures 150 centimeters in the front side and 60
inches on the other side.

2. Sewing Gauge
It is a small ruler with a sliding guide and is
about six inches long, used to measure small hem
areas and short distances like hem folds, pleats,
seam allowance, buttonholes, and tucks.

3. Ruler
 This is the most common measuring device
usually 12 inches long. It is used for general marking.
It aids in connecting lines.

4. Yardstick
It is used for general marking and for measuring fabric grainline when laying out the pattern.
This is a one-meter long wooden stick and is used to measure fabric length by yard or meter.

Cutting Tools

Cutting
tools are cutting implements- tools for cutting. These are instruments that serve well if properly
maintained. They should not be used for other household task. They must be sharpened regularly
and the joints are oiled occasionally for better use. In other words, they should be kept in good
working order for periodic sharpening.
Sharp cutting tools make clean cuts and well-defined notches and they do not damage
fabric. On the other hand, Dull tools slow the cutting process and make your hand and wrist tire
easily.

1. Shears
These are for cutting fabric, paper and other materials.
Types:
a. Cutting shears has blades that are straight and best for cutting fabrics
usually 7-12 inches long.
b. Pinking shears has a zigzag edge used to cut the edge of seam
allowance of fabric that does not ravel. It is used also for cutting
decorative materials.
c. Scalloping shears is a tool that has scallop blades used to cut parts of
garments with a series of uniform scallops.

a. Cutting b. Pinking c. Scalloping

Shears Shears Shears
2. Trimming Scissors
These are 3-4 inches long used for trimmings, clipping threads
and snipping slashes.

3. Buttonhole scissors
These are intended for making buttonholes.

4. Seam ripper
This tool is intended for cutting off or ripping out stitches from a seam either as a result of
an error or during alterations.

5. Embroidery scissors
It is a sharp pointed scissors usually 4-5 inches
long used in cutting fine delicate cloth and thread in
embroidery work.

6. Thread clipper

It is a handy little spring loaded cutting tool

that allows for the snipping of threads.

7. Rotary Cutter and Mat

These are used by the garment industry. It works
like a pizza cutter and can be used by left or right handed
sewers. It works on a cutting mat to protect the blade
and the cutting surface.

Marking Tools

Marking tools are required for transferring pattern markings to garment fabric pieces
and for making alterations on garments.

1. Tailor’s Chalk
This is essential as a marker for use on materials.
It is available in a variety of colors and is used to mark the
fabric. It is made of hard chalk and can be removed by
brushing.

2. Tracing Wheel
This is an instrument with serrated edge wheel
that produces dots on the fabric. The smooth one creates
a straight, solid line.

3. Dressmaker’s Carbon Paper

It is a specially waxed carbon paper that transfers
the tracing wheel’s markings to the fabric. This is available
in different brands with different instructions.

4. Chalk Pencils/Dressmaker Pencil

This is available in white or pastel shades. This is
used to make fine lines on fabric. It has an erasing brush
at one end.

5. Liquid Marking Pen

It comes in two types. The one that washes out and
it should not be used on fabric that shows water marks. Another
one is that it fades after 48 hours. The mark should be removed
before pressing the fabric

6. Wax chalk
This is available in black or white and is used for
woolen fabrics. Wax can be removed by pressing.

Pinning and Sewing Tools

Pinning tools are devices used to fasten or design to pierce on the fabrics or any
materials, or to join two or more garment parts temporarily while doing sewing operations.

1. Pin cushion
It is a cushion available in different shapes and colors used
to hold pins and needles to prevent them from accidents
and scattering in the workplace.
2. Hand Needle
These are available in different sizes and used for
temporary stitches, hemming, and other sewing purposes.
Sizes are 7 to 10.
3. Sewing Needle Threader
This is a diamond shaped wire attached to a
handle and wire used to insert thread through the needle
eye. It consists of two parts; the handle and the wire.

4. Thimble
This is a small cup placed on the tip of the middle
finger to protect it from being pricked by the needle while
sewing. It is made of metal or plastic.

Materials:
1. Fabric
It is the cloth used in making garments. The plain
cotton fabrics, flour sack or catcha is the most appropriate
materials for beginners because these are very easy to
handle.
2. Threads
It is used in assembling or constructing the parts of
the garment. These vary in sizes and colors. Heavy fabrics
need stronger threads. Threads should have the same color
with that of the fabric used.

Drafting Tools
These are the instruments used for making paper patterns.
1. L – Square
It is called Tailor square, which is one of the most basic
of the pattern making. This is an aluminum ruler with 90 degrees
angle. It has two arms connected perpendicularly and used to
draw or make construction lines in pattern drafting.

2. Hip Curve
It is a curve stick made of metal or wood calibrated on
both side used to form the hipline and other areas of garments
that needs to be curved.

3. French Curve
It is an instrument made of flat metal, plastic or wood
used to shape the depth of the neck holes, armholes, and
and collar.

4. Drafting Table -– It is a wooden table used to draft

the pattern paper laid in the smooth and firm surface.

Pressing Tools
These are tools used to make the fabrics or materials smooth, to give a form or shape, to
remove creases or wrinkles with the application of heat, moisture and pressure.
▪ It involves No sliding of iron.
▪ It is done by lifting and placing the iron on the fabric in an UP and DOWN motion.
▪ It is the application of heat, moisture and pressure to crease fabrics.
▪ It may be done during assembly to facilitate other operations.
▪ It may be done to improve the quality of the fabrics for the final finishing process.

1. Flat Iron
It is a roughly triangular flat surface that is heated
used to press clothes to remove wrinkles, flatten seams,
and crease hems.
2. Ironing Board
It is a long, narrow board and flat padded cloth
covered surface with collapsible supporting legs, used as
a working surface for ironing.

3. Pressing Cloth
The pieces of fabric used to protect the items or
garments while pressing. The purpose of using Pressing
cloth:
a. to prevent from scorching on shiny fabrics;
b. to protect the iron and the garments.

4. Sleeve Board
It is a small ironing board used for pressing narrow
areas such as sleeves and trousers legs.

5. Pressing Ham
It is a tightly stuffed pillow used in a curved mold
when pressing curved areas of the garments such as,
sleeves, collars, necklines, darts, etc.