Lesson 5

Sewing/Dressmaking
Dressmaking is defined
as the craft of sewing
clothes and dresses. An
example
of dressmaking is the art
of sewing a beautiful
dress from fabric.
 A dressmaker/sewer is a
person who makes custom
clothing for women, such as
dresses, blouses, and
evening gowns. A
dressmaker is also called a
mantua-maker, modiste, or
fabrician. 
 A tailor is a person who
makes, repairs, or alters
clothing professionally,
especially suits and men's
clothing. 
Sewing Tools – are instrument used to create or
repair something. In sewing, tools are
categorized according to function.
Sewing tools can be divided into 5 main
categories

1.Measuring
2.Cutting
3.Marking
4.Sewing
5.Pinning
 1. Measuring Tools
- are used to accurately
get the measurements.
 a. Tape Measure
is used for taking body measurements . It is flexible with metal ends. The
units of measurement used in tape measure is in inches and centimeters.
 b. Yardstick or
Meterstick

it is a rigid tool used to

take and mark long
straight measurements.
Add a picture

c. Transparent Ruler

is a ruler that the sewer

can see through. The
tool fits the hand
comfortably.
 d. Seam Gauge

is a six-inch metal
marking ruler with a
sliding marking used to
measure
hems,buttonholes and
pleats.
An example of a Seam
 e. Hem Marker

is a human made
measuring tool used to
measure hem lines.
An example of Hem
Skirt
 f. Tailor’s Square
or L Square

is used to draw
perpendicular lines,
square corners and
divide measurements.
 g. Hip Curve

is used in shaping hips, skirt

hemline and hip shape seam
lines.
 h. French Curve

is used to shape necklines

,collars armholes ,and
others modified designs.
 2 . Cutting Tools

are used to remove excess or

unnecessary fabric or pattern.
 a. Dressmaker’s Shears

has a length of 7-12

inches .This tool is used to
cut fabrics.Heavy duty
dressmaker’s shears is Made
for cutting thick fabrics.
 b. Pinking Shears

is used to create a zigzag

edge that is used for making
creative edges or finishing
seams and raw edges .
However , this is not used
for straight cuts.
Add a picture

c. Thread Clipper

is a small pair of scissors

, normally with a spring.
It is used for snipping
thread.
Add a picture

d . Seam Ripper

is purposely created to
ripped off stitches due to
alternation or errors.
Add a picture

e. Rotary Cutter and

Mat
is used to cut fabrics .
This is not used without
a mat because it will
damage the cutting
surface and it will not be
able to protect the blade.
Add a picture

3. Marking Tools

are materials used to draw

guiding lines or points to
secure accuracy.
Add a picture

a. Tailor’s Chalk

is either hard or soft . It

can be used for fabric or
pattern paper . It does
not pulverize unlike
ordinary chalk.
Add a picture

b. Tracing Paper

is similar to a carbon
paper.This paper has an
ink,on one side that enables
the paper pattern to transfer
its marking to fabric.
Add a picture

C. Tracing Wheel

is used to trace the markings from the paper

pattern to the fabric using a tracing paper.It
creates dotted imprints on the cloth.
Add a picture

4. Pinning Tools

are used to secure the

cloth in place or to attach
it to the pattern perfectly.
Add a picture

a. Pins

are made from fine steels .

They have a sharp point
edge on one side and ahead
on the other end. Pins come
in different sizes,which are
used to temporarily hold or
fold fabrics together.
Add a picture

b . Needles

are somewhat similar to

pins ,but instead of having a
head ,needles have an
eye.These are used for hand
stitches such as basting or
buttonhole stich.
Add a picture

c . Thimble

is a protective ,small pitted

cup worn in a finger during
hand sewing.
Add a picture

d . Pin Cushion

is made from cushion cloth. It

holds both pin and needle
together when they are not in
use. Securing these pins in a
pincushion prevents
accidents.
 e. Emery Bag

is almost similar to a
pincushion aldo the filling is
made from sand because it
removes rust and dullness
from the needles and pins.
Add a picture

5.Sewing Materials

are consumable things used

in Dressmaking to create a
sewn product.
 a. Fabric

is a cloth or other material

produced by weaving or
knitting fibers and used for
creating garment.
Add a picture

b. Thread

a long, thin strand of cotton,

nylon, or other fibers used in
sewing or weaving . Used for
assembling the garments
together . It comes in different
sizes and colors . A thin fabric
requires a thin thread, whereas
a thick fabric requires a thick
thread.