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What sewing tools can you not live without?

comments (14) August 10th, 2009     

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_nikki_ Nicole Smith, contributor
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I know that when I sew, I have my trusty kit that's full of a few tried-and-true supplies that I know will help me do the best job I can. When I'm home sewing, I make sure to always have them on hand, and if I go to a friend's place to sew, you can surely bet they'll be in my bag when I get there.

Do you have a favorite sewing tool you can't sew without?

What supplies must you have on hand to make sure your sewing goes as smooth as possible?

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Comments (14)

OrahLee writes: I always use a single edged razor (it's what I grew up on) instead of seam ripper, and a "wedding band" type thimble. But the most necessary item for me now is a pair of my Dad's round nosed plyers that my brother dipped the handles and gripping nose part, in that rubber-like coating. I can pull a needle through ANYTHING! and still not rough up the needle. A momento from my Dad and thoughtfulness from my brother ---- and my love of sewing!
Posted: 2:28 pm on September 7th
JennyEbner writes: I have a couple that are not already listed. I keep scotch tapoe so that I can use it to pull out little threads that hang around on the fabric when a seam has been ripped out; a dust buster hangs in my sewing room, plugged and charged to clean up as I go or at the end of the day; an extension magnetic wand finds and grabs pins and needles on the floor; and mini cooking skewers are terrific for keeping ruffles even as they go under the sewing foot.
Posted: 9:13 pm on August 12th
Angie805 writes: I just returned to sewing after a long hiatus of 26 years and discovered rotary cutters, rotary mats and sergers! Can't live without them! I am just AMAZED at what sewing machines can do these days!
Posted: 3:02 am on August 12th
sewquilter writes: I just cannot live without my seam ripper. It has saved me many times over, especially when you make a mistake in your sewing and you just have to rip. I cannot live without my serger tweezers, too. They help get threads through the needle of the serger and the loopers. I also need an iron and ironing board, a working sewing machine and a serger. A must in the garment construction are marking pens or chalk to mark the material from the patterns. You also need pins, a pin cushion and a wrist pin cushion. I use all of these.
Posted: 10:06 pm on August 11th
julijulijuli writes: I have a stylus that looks like a large porcupine quill that I use to ease thick fabrics under the pressure foot, hold buttons in place under the pressure foot while I stitche them, and I have even used it (very gingerly) to turn out points. I also really like my magnetic "pin cushion" because I can often just toss a pin in it's direction and the magnet catches it and I save having to move from my work when I am trying to balance things. I love sewing and there will never be enough time to try all the things I want.
Posted: 2:59 pm on August 11th
nancyginn writes: Can someone tell me how to sew knits. I have a sewing business and alterations. ladies come in and want there tops shortin it made me crazy when the fabric pucker help me please
Posted: 9:54 am on August 11th
cassiopee writes: It is my wrist pin cushion, really I can't do anything whitout it.
Posted: 8:22 am on August 11th
Marijean writes: I have a number of tools that are essentials but a couple favorites are a wrist pin cushion, a very sharp flat ended tweezers that I purchased from Professional Sewing Supplies (called True-Grip), a ripping scissors from Heritage and my thimble that I've used for almost 45 years.
Posted: 12:59 am on August 11th
miracle worker writes: I agree with azbarbara, so many things, first my reading glasess that I put one more pair of flap down magifying glasses on for those black stitches, tweezers for threading needles(Why didn't I think of that years ago?),small scissors for thread cutting, my 6" hem gage that measure all small things, my rotary cutter and cutting mats. I need my disappearing washable markers. Many colors of thread and hand needles. I have probably left out some important items, but I think the items above will do the trick.
Posted: 9:30 pm on August 10th
Isew4funinPa writes: My serger tweezers and those fine wire needle threaders as well as a generous and varied supply of sewing needles. I can't live without them.
Posted: 9:00 pm on August 10th
Neosha writes: I can't sew without my wrist pin cushion. I make my own and make for other sewing friends. I have been known to just stick pins in my wrist! For hand sewing, my thimble.
Posted: 8:51 pm on August 10th
decafhsw writes: I also have a zippered bag that I made with 2 other little zippered bags in it. I take it with me wherever I go and I know I will have everything I could possibly need in the notion department.
I can't live without my Elmer's Washable School glue. I went to a Fish Tying store and bought a little plastic bottle with a very fine tip and I use it for the glue. I baste with glue and set it with the iron all the time.
Another thing I can't live without is my metal point turner. It works great for turning small tubes and it gets right into the points of collars without going through the tip.
I use my awl, my curved scissors, my spring nippers, my washout blue pen and Oh my gosh! I can't keep rattling on, someone else may want some web-space too.
I just plain LOVE sewing and anything I can do to make it easier is a bonus.



Posted: 7:27 pm on August 10th
azbarbara writes: Wow! There are so many things that I like to use -- my thimble gives me pleasure when I'm hand sewing, a good pair of shears brings a smile when I'm cutting, the metal rulers and a sharpened pencil help with patternmaking/adjusting, my Bernina is my best friend when sewing by machine and the steam generator rules when it is time to press - which as we all know is often when sewing. =)
Posted: 7:12 pm on August 10th
bmck97004 writes: I couldn't live without my rotary cutter and cutting board! They revolutionized sewing for me!
Posted: 6:25 pm on August 10th
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