SEWING TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

Knowing the proper use of sewing tools and equipment will help you
produce well-fitted garments.
Sewing tools and equipment are classified according to their use such
as measuring tools, cutting tools, drafting tools, marking tools, sewing
gadgets/accessories and equipment.

Measuring Tools

Tools use to determine the magnitude of the body and the materials in
constructing garments to ensure good fitting.
Tape Measure

Is used in taking body measurements, drafting, laying out pattern and

also used to provide allowances in measuring the actual
fabric in the sewing process

Ruler

Is used to measure short distance and serves

guide as a guide in drafting lines.

Sem Gauge

A six-inch metal marking ruler with a sliding

marker used to measure hems, button-holes and
pleats

Hem Marker
is a man-made measuring tool used to measure hem lines.

Marking Tools

Tools used to draw symbols and markings on the pattern. Use them for
accurate construction of your garment.
Marking your garment means transferring the symbols and indications
that are printed on the pattern pieces of your fabric.
Tracing Wheel and Tracing Paper

These tools are used at the same time; used

tracing wheel to transfer marking from the tracing
paper to the wrong side of the fabric.
Tailors Chalk

Chalk marks easily and rubs off easily for

smaller indications on patterns.

Pencils and Pens

Chalk pencils are used for small marks.

Disappearing pens are a type of pen whose mark
disappears on your fabric within 48 hours and the
other type washes off with water.

Drafting Tools

tools used to guide in drafting lines in pattern

L-Square or Tailor Square

Is used to draw perpendicular lines, square corners

and divide measurements.

Hip Curve

Is used in shaping hips, skirt hemline and hip shape seam.

French Curve
Is used to shape necklines, collars, arm
modified designs.

holes and other curved

Cutting Tools

Scissors and other cutting tools should be kept in top condition and
sharpened periodically.
Sewing scissors should only be used for sewing and not for cutting
other things.
Sewing Shears
7 or 8 inch blade lengths are most common.
Shears have one handle larger than the other to make it
best for pattern cutting. The angle of the lower blade
allows it to lie flat on the cutting area

Scissors

Shorter scissors are used for clipping and

trimming. The handles are of the same size.

Seam Ripper
This small, short bladed tool is used to rip incorrect
machine stitches.

Thread Clipper

This small short bladed tool is used for clipping threads and
ripping seams.

Pinking Shears

Pinking shears cut a zigzag edge and are

used to prevent raveling on raw edges of seams.
These shears do work well on fancy fabrics
where bulk is not desirable from extra threads of
surging or zigzag.

Pressing Tools

These tools are used to make professional looking garments. Pressing

often at every step of the construction is the secret to the store bought
look rather than homemade look.

Steam Iron
It is essential in sewing. It has a wide range of temperature
settings. Test on fabric first to determine temperature setting
needed for particular fabric.

Tailors Ham
It is very useful when pressing curved areas like
sleeve caps.

Ironing Board

It is helpful for pressing garment, goes

with the steam iron.

Sewing Gadgets and

Accessories
These are small but dispensable things used in sewing.
Needle

A pointed metal with an eye to carry thread and sew

two fabrics together.
1.
For machine use-needle that is attached to the
machine, its eye is located near its point.
2.
For hand sewing-slender metal with an eye at the end
point used to join fabric together using hand.

Pin

Slender piece of metal; with a point on one end

and head on another end. Used to fasten two things

Pin Cushion
A small cushion to keep pins.

Thimble

A gadget used to push needle and to protect

hands.