All the Sewing Tools You Never Knew You Always Wanted
If you’ve decided that sewing is the hobby for you, you may want to move on from the bare essentials of sewing tools and branch out from the need-to-have tools to the nice-to-have tools. Maybe you want to up your sewing game by making more complicated garments, or maybe you just want to make your life a little easier. Here are some tools I recommend:
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Rotary Cutter and Mat: While you can cut fabric with a pair of fabric scissors, it is so much faster and easier to use a rotary cutter and a self-healing mat. To cut with a rotary cutter, simply lay your paper pattern out on top of your fabric, on your mat, weigh down the pattern so it doesn’t slip around (you can buy dedicated pattern weights or use anything reasonably heavy that won’t damage your fabric), and cut around the pattern with your rotary cutter. Just watch those fingies! The number of times I have cut myself with my rotary cutter is embarrassing (those babies are sharp).
I highly recommend Olfa brand rotary cutters. I have had other rotary cutters, but none have been as durable or comfortable to use. This rotary cutter is a great product, and you can get it bundled with a cutting mat. I have found 45mm to be the perfect size for fabric cutting. When my blade is starting to dull, I buy replacements like these. Technically, I believe you are supposed to change out your blade with every project, but I like to live on the edge and cut a few projects with one blade.
French Curve: Ideal for drafting and altering patterns, a French curve helps you achieve smooth, curved lines for armholes, necklines, and other garment details. A basic set like this is great to have around.
Quilting Ruler: A clear acrylic quilting ruler with grid markings is essential for measuring and cutting fabric with precision. Choose a set of rulers in varying sizes to accommodate different projects. I am constantly relying on one of my quilting rulers to measure or mark straight lines. A large size like this 6 x 24 inch ruler is helpful for measuring long straight lines and cutting rectangular shapes like ruffles, while a smaller size like this 2.5 x 12.5 inch one is great for measuring smaller areas. I also love having a tiny one like this 1 x 6 inch ruler for measuring seam allowances and hems (plus it’s so cute).
Thread Snips: Also known as thread clippers or snippers, these small, sharp scissors are perfect for trimming thread tails and snipping seams with accuracy. They are also super adorable and fun to collect! Everyone has their preferences as far as type, but I personally think these are the cutest, though a set like this is super handy and ergonomic.
Ironing Accessories: A tailor’s ham makes ironing sleeves and other oddly shaped pattern pieces a breeze (plus, saying “where’s my ham?” always makes me laugh) and a tailor’s clapper helps to cool fabric faster so that you get a nice crisp seam. This is a standard tailor’s ham, but you can get them in different shapes and sizes. It would be cool to find a local woodworker to make your clapper, but you can always order one like this.
Buttonhole Cutter: When adding buttons to your garments, a buttonhole cutter enables you to neatly cut through fabric to create clean, precise buttonholes without fraying or unraveling. It’s so much easier and less stressful that cutting the buttonhole open with scissors or a seam ripper. Trust me, get one if you are planning on sewing buttons. I literally don’t know what I would do without mine.
Duck Bill or Applique Scissors: These scissors have rounded blades and a curved handle. They are perfect for grading seams without clipping into your other fabric layers (which I have done, it’s the wooooorst). I use mine way more than I thought I would. Gingher brand scissors are always my go-to and these are the pair I have.
Dress Form: While optional, a dress form or mannequin can be incredibly helpful for fitting and draping garments, allowing you to visualize how they will look and drape on a human body. Full disclosure, I do not own a dress form, so I can’t speak to any particular brand, but there are many adjustable forms in various sizes on the market.
Hump Jumper: Used to help your presser foot begin stitching over very thick fabric. You lift your presser foot, put the hump jumper on top of your fabric and then lower the presser foot on top of the hump jumper. I rely on mine (the Dritz “Jean Majig”) so much that when I couldn’t find mine, I ordered another, and I never do that (then I found the first one and now I have two, yay!).
Bias Tape Maker: One of the first techniques many of us learn as sewists is how to add bias tape to the edge of a garment. It is the easiest way to finish a neckhole on a woven garment, or can be used to add a decorative detail to any edge or opening. Yes, you can buy your bias tape pre-made, but I always think it looks prettier when it is made from the fabric you are using, plus you can choose exactly how wide you want it to be. I have a set like this, so that I can make bias tape of varying sizes.
Awl: An awl is a pointed tool that is used in sewing to poke holes through layers of fabric, as when adding rivets to jeans. I stole the awl from my husband’s tool set, but they do make them specifically for sewing as well.
Fray Check: Fray check is an adhesive that prevents fabric from fraying. In my sewing, I use it primarily on buttonholes to prevent fraying when they are cut open. It dries clear and I have never had an issue with staining, though in theory you should always do a test spot first. Fray check is cheap and can be bought at basically any sewing/craft store.
Buttonhole Spacer: Also known as an expandable sewing gauge, this tool helps to measure multiple increments evenly. They are most commonly used to measure the distance between buttons and snaps, but can also be used for measuring pleats, shirring, and smocking.
Serger: Finally, the ultimate tool to upgrade your sewing practice. By far the most expensive item on this list, but if you are committed to sewing as a hobby a serger will help you sew faster and with a more professional finish. I am by no means an expert, but I have been using this Juki serger (one of the cheaper ones on the market) for years with no complaints.
That’s all for now! Certainly, there are other sewing tools out there, but these are some of my favorites. What do you think? Would you add anything to the list?
