Grade

7/8

TLE-HE
DRESSMAKING
EXPLORATORY COURSE – MODULE 1

IDENTIFYING SEWING TOOLS AND

EQUIPMENT
INTRODUCTION:

TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

Sewing Tools - are instruments that aid in accomplishing a sewing task. These are those
which do not require the use of electricity. These are used manually or by hand.

Sewing equipment - is needed for sewing which aid in 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

LESSON 1: IDENTIFYING TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT AND THEIR USES

This lesson will provide knowledge and skills of the different tools and equipment
which are necessary in sewing. It takes one efficient dressmaker like you who is able to
identify the tools and equipment and their uses properly. Let us now start your tour to the
sewing shop!

Sewing Tools and Equipment

There are different sewing tools and equipment used in garment construction. The
skillful use of this different sewing equipment will help take body measurement and drafting
pattern with accuracy and speed. Here are the following tools and equipment.

MEASURING TOOLS

Tape measure- is a flexible measuring device used

in taking body measurements. Its front has a
graduation of 50 centimeters and 60 inches on the
other side. A fiberglass tape is commonly used by
dressmakers.

Sewing gauge- is a small ruler about 6 inches long

with a sliding guide and is usually made up of metal
or plastic. It is used to measure hem lines, button
holes and areas where other small measurements
require checking, such as pleats and tucks.

The ruler’s- length is 12 inches or even 18 inches,

either clear or solid. It is used for measuring and
drawing straight seam lines and cutting lines and also
aids in connecting lines and marking buttonholes.

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 Yardstick- is a tool made up of smooth, shellacked
hardwood or metal used for marking hemlines and
checking grain lines when laying out the pattern.

The Tailor Square or “L”- has perfect squares

useful in making straight lines and numbers. It is
used to transfer measurements to the draft pattern
and it divides the garments into the desire
measurement also it can function as tape measure.
The two arms connected perpendicularly measure
twenty - four inches and fourteen inches long.

French curve – is use to shape the depth of the neck

hole and armhole of the patter

CUTTING TOOLS

Cutting tools- function well if properly maintained. Sharp cutting tools make clean cuts and
well define notches without damage the fabric, on the other hand, dull tools slow the cutting
process making your hand and wrist tire easily. Cutting tools for sewing should not be used
for other household task. These tools must be sharpened regularly and must be applied with
oil for better use.

Bent – handled dressmaker’s shears

Length ranges from 7-12 inches and are satisfactory for most apparel fabrics. The blade
moves easily and cut smoothly along the entire length and the points should come together.

a. Chrome - plated shears are for heavy duty cutting

b. Stainless steel blade and plastic handle are fine for lightweight
fabric
c. A serrated edges shears gives maximum cutting control and it
used for synthetic fabrics ad slippery knits.

Pinking shears – It is used in zigzagging or scalloping edges,

finishing seam and creating decorative edges on many types of
fabric. This is not satisfactory for straight cutting.

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CUTTING SCISSORS

Trimming scissors – It is 3-4 inches long and it is used for

trimming, clipping threads and snipping slashes.

Embroidery scissors – It has 4-5 inches finely tapered

blades used in cutting with fine details in delicate fabrics and
in embroidery works.

Buttonhole scissors – It is used for making buttonhole.

Thread clippers – Are a handy little spring-loaded cutting

tool that allows for the snipping of threads. These clippers
are specifically used in snipping threads and are not
designed in cutting fabrics.

Seam ripper– Is specifically designed for careful ripping

out of stitches for seams during alterations or when error is
committed.

Rotary cutter and mat – is available in different sizes

and blades and it works like a pizza cutter which can be
used by both left and right-handed sewers. Used a cutting
mat when using it to protect the blade and the cutting
surface.

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MARKING TOOLS:
These tools function in transferring pattern makings to
garment fabric pieces and for making alterations on
garments.
Chalk pencil/Dressmaker pencil – Can be either be in
white or pastel shade. It is used to write fine lines on
fabric. Its erasing brush for alterations in attached at the
other end.

Liquid making pen – has two types; one that washes

out and one that faded after 48 hours. The wash out
type should not be used on fabric that show water
marks. Marks should be removed before pressing the
fabric.

The tailor’s chalk – Is essentially intended as a marker

on fabric materials. It is available in various ranges of
colors and is removed by brushing.

The wax chalk – Is available in either black or white

shade. It is used for woolen fabrics; Wax can be
removed by pressing.

The tracing wheel – Can be with either serrated or

smooth edge. The serrated edge wheel produces dot on
the fabrics and it’s suitable for most type of fabrics
whereas the smooth edge wheel is best for delicate
fabrics and unlike the serrated edge, it will not pierce
more delicate fabrics. The smooth edge wheel creates a
solid line.

Dressmaker’s carbon paper – is also termed the

dressmaker’s tracing paper. It is a specially waxed
carbon paper that is use in transferring the tracing
wheel’s marking to the fabric. It is recommended to have
the color that is close to the color of the fabric. It is
important to follow instruction in the use of tracing paper
since different papers have different tracing properties.

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PINNING AND SEWING TOOL

Pincushion – Is used to hold the straight pins and needles

while working to prevent accident.

Hand needle – Sizes may vary from 7 to 10 and it is used

sewing temporary stitches and
buttonholes.

Sewing needle threader – Has a handle and wire that

aids in putting the thread to the needle.
Place the folded wire on the needle
threader through the eye of the sewing
needle for easy threading.

Thimble – is a small hard pitted cup worn for protection on

the finger that is used in pushing the needle while sewing.

MATERIALS:
Fabric– Is the term used for the cloth used in
making garments. Plain cloth fabric, flour sack
or catcha is the most appropriate materials for
beginners since these are very easy to
handle.

Thread – With its varied sizes is used in

assembling or constructing the parts of the
garments, for heavy fabrics, be sure to use
stronger threads. Threads should have the
same color with that of the fabric used.

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ACTIVITY PROPER

ACTIVITY 1. IDENTIFICATION
Directions: Identify the appropriate name of tools and equipment being described. Choose
your answer inside the box. Answer on a separate sheet of paper.

Fabric Tailors chalk

French curve Tape measure
Pin cushion Thimble
Pinking shears Thread Ruler
Tracing wheel Seam ripper

__________1. It is the term used for the cloth in making garments.

__________2. It is a small hard pitted cap worn for protection on the finger.
__________3. It is used to hold the straight pins and needles while working to prevent
accident.
__________4. It can be with either serrated or smooth edge and suitable for most types of
fabric.
__________5. It is essentially intended as a marker on fabric materials it is available in
various range of colors and can remove by brushing.
_________ 6. It is specifically designed for careful ripping out of stitches from seams during
alterations or when error is committed.
__________7. It is used in zigzagging or scalloping edges, finishing seams and creating
decorative edges on many types of fabrics.
__________8. It is a 12 inch or even 18 inch either clear or solid it is used for measuring and
drawing straight seam lines and cutting lines.
_________9. It is a flexible measuring device used in taking body measurements.
_________10. It is used to shape the depth of the neck hole and arm hole of the pattern.

ACTIVITY 2: IDENTIFY ME

Directions:Identify the following tools and equipment according to their uses. Write MT
for measuring tool; MLT for marking/lining tool; PST for pinning sewing tool; CT for
cutting tool and M for material.

1. Fabric ________
2. Thread clippers ________
3. Tape measure ________

6
 4. Thread ________
5. Thimble ________
6. Seam ripper ________
7. Tailors chalk ________
8. Hand needle ________
9. Tracing wheel ________
10. French curve ________

ANSWER KEY
Activity 1

1. Fabric
2. Thimble
3. Pincushion
4. Tracing wheel
5. Tailors chalk
6. Seam ripper
7. Pinking shear
8. Ruler
9. Tape measure
10. French curve

Activity 2
1. M
2. CT
3. MT
4. M
5. PST
6. CT
7. MLT
8. PST
9. MLT
10. MT

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SUMMATIVE EVALUATION

Name: ____________________________________ Date: ___________________

Grade & Section: _______________________ Score: __________________

Test I. DIRECTIONS: Choose the letter of the best answer. Answer on a separate sheet of
paper.

1. It is a tool is used to shape the depth of the neck hole and arm hole of the pattern.
A. ruler C. tape measure
B. French curve D. trimming scissor
2. It is a small hard pitted cup worn for protection on the finger that pushes the needle in
sewing.
A. fabric C. seam ripper
B. thimble D. sewing gauge
3. It is a tool used for measuring hem lines, button holes, pleats and tucks.
A. sewing gauge C. ruler
B. tape measure D. yard stick
4. It is popular in zigzagging or scalloping edges and for finishing seams.
A. trimming scissors C. pinking shear
B. embroidery scissors D. buttonhole scissors
5. It is a tool specifically used in thread snipping and not for fabric cutting.
A. seam ripper C. button hole scissor
B. threads D. rotary cutter and mat
6. This chalk pencil in white or pastel shade with eraser on its other end is used to make fine
lines on fabric.
A. wax chalk C. dressmaker pencil
B. tailors chalk D. liquid marking pen
7. It is a tool in black or white shade that is used to put marks on woolen fabrics. It can be
removed by pressing.
A. wax chalk C. dressmaker pencil
B. tailors chalk D. liquid marking pen
8. It holds the straight pins and needles while working to prevent accidents.
A. pincushion C. thimble
B. hand needle D. needle threader
9. Which of the following tool is NOT used for marking or lining fabrics?
A. tailors chalk C. wax chalk
B. thread clipper D. liquid marking pen
10. Which of the following tools are used in cutting fabrics?
A. pinking shear C. seam ripper
B. thread clippers D. all of the above

Test II A. True or false.

DIRECTIONS: Write true if the statement is correct and answer false if the statement
is incorrect. (5 points)
_______1. Embroidery scissors has 4-5 inches finely tapered blades used in cutting with
fine details in delicate fabrics.
_______2. Thread clippers is used for making buttonhole.
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_______3. Pin cushion is used sewing temporary stitches and buttonholes.

_______4. Thimble is used for protection on the finger.

_______5. Tailor Square is useful in making straight lines and numbers.

Test III. Essay (5 points)

DIRECTIONS: Answer the given question briefly.

1. Which among the sewing tools or equipment mentioned in the lesson, do you think is the
most essential in sewing? Why?

2. Differentiate sewing tools from sewing kit.

References:
K to 12 Basic Education Curriculum, Technology and Livelihood Education
Learning Module

https://www.slideshare.net/salmanranaw/k-to-12-dressmaking-and-tailoring-
learning-modules
https://www.coursehero.com/file/44420158/k-to-12-dressmaking-and-tailoring-
learning-modulespdf/
https://l.messenger.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fdrive.google.com%2Fdrive%2
Fmobile%2Ffolders%2F1DpluCP8ytnfn8e112mll7g8tlUU6zvbf%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR
0y2HY18y4TQKZTWUdSGbRetgtVZfbo_8Uk76zy4hz0hVBeX00jNX-
eNhU&h=AT0NhC35Jn8b7p6S2ffV0rQpHn7DLut8v-
lBQuFGY7k36kgrnjtU4ZJ1YMa9p7iVTuR9PJ3g9rdctXU4Iq8mCs3nBnIdmiPV-
eJ161bU0Mom37UhEj8Fl4l4iZ4j5tv-JLRHJQ