15 Essential Sewing Tools Every Seamtress Needs

Sewing is a task of many moving parts that can be both enjoyable and sometimes stressful. Being properly prepared is very important and can save a ton of time and frustration. Whether you’re a beginner or more experience sewer, it is essential that you have all the necessary tools to help tackle any sewing project. Below are the 15 ESSENTIAL Sewing Tools That Every Seamstress Needs!

Lets get started!

Dressmaker’s Shears

Besides an actual sewing machine, a pair of quality dressmaker’s shears are hands down the best first investment you can make.

Dressmaker’s shears are made for cutting fabric – they are sharper, sturdier and more precise. A good pair of dressmaker’s shears will slice through fabric layers with ease and precision, giving you clean lines and saving you time and frustration.

Dressmaker’s shears are expensive, but don’t skimp on price or quality. To ensure your shears last a long time, you should never use your dressmaker’s shears for cutting anything that isn’t fabric, consider labeling them FABRIC ONLY and stash them away.

Recommended Product: Gingher 8-Inch Knife Edge Dressmaker’s Shears

Paper Scissors

You probably already own a pair of basic multi media scissors. Those will work in most cases but consider investing in a pair of designated paper scissors that you only use for your sewing projects.

During sewing and eventually if you decide to move into pattern making, you will be handling different weights of paper. I recommend investing in a nice, solid, well made pair of paper scissors specifically for your sewing projects. Like your dressmaker’s shears – consider labeling them PAPER ONLY, store properly and keep them clean and free of residue to make sure your scissors last a long time

Embroidery Scissors or Thread Clippers

These super cute mini scissors are a pretty handy must have. They are great to keep close to your sewing machine for clipping loose threads, undoing stay stitches and opening buttonholes.

Make sure the pair you invest in is pretty pointed at the end, this makes getting into small areas super easy.

These scissors come in two forms – an embroidery scissor which resembles mini scissors as the image above or a traditional thread clipper, which is a springy clipper with blades.

Seam Ripper

Have you ever been in the flow of sewing then you realize you’ve been sewing completely wrong the entire time? This is a very common mindless mistake and as someone who has been sewing for 10 years I still find myself in this very frustrating situation.

Having a seam ripper is extremely necessary because we all make mistakes. The easiest and fastest way to undo those mindless mistakes is to grab your handy dandy seam ripper. It’s design to perfectly to get underneath stitches and smoothly slice through unwanted seams.

If you’re anything like me, I would invest in at least two of these, not being able to find your seam ripper can be a complete nightmare.

Hand Sewing Needles

A basic pack of size hand sewing needles are great to have handy and will be all you need for any sewing project. Hand sewing needles range in thickness for fabric type and thread width. You will find these useful when you are hand-basting, gathering fabric or manually attaching buttons.

Machine Sewing Needles

Like sewing needles, a basic universal pack of machine sewing needles that are compatible with your sewing machine will be all your need for your basic sewing projects.

However there are different types of needle sizes based on the weight of the fabric that you are using. Thin fabrics requires a thinner needle, heavy weight fabrics like denim and leather require a special thicker needle. Keep this in mind when you are working with specialty fabrics.

Recommended Product: Euro-Notions Universal Machine Needles

Straight Pins

Straight pins are super useful when sewing because it allows you to pin together and align your pattern pieces before you actually apply machine stitches.

In my experience, most sewing machines are able to jump over these pins which is great because you can keep your garment pinned to help guide you as you sew.

Like sewing needles, straight pins can vary in thickness. If you are using specialty fabric you will need to purchase the appropriate size needles so you do not damage your fabric.

Pin Holder – Magnetic or Fabric Pin Cushion

Having a magnetic or fabric pin cushion makes grabbing individual pins super easy. Store this handy tool by your sewing machine so you can easily place pulled pins onto the magnetic or fabric pin cushion.

I personally prefer the magnetic holder because it effortlessly sweeps up dropped and loose needles and pins.

Clear Ruler

A clear ruler is super useful not only for measuring but also when applying seam allowance or dart guides or marking buttonholes or notches.

These rulers come in all different sizes from super small – 1”X6” to long – 2”X36” and plenty in between.

I personally have 4 different sizes of these handy rulers. I find all of them useful with sewing and pattern making. They are great because they are see-through and flexible.

Be sure to store these rulers properly, always lay them on a flat surface and keep away from heat.

Recommended Product: Westcott 8ths 12-Inch Beveled Transparent Ruler (B-70)

Measuring Tape

A basic 60-inch measuring tape is super necessary. It’s flexible when measuring around curves on your pattern pieces, when taking body measurement or measuring the length or width of your fabric.

Somehow I acquired an abundance of measuring tapes in all different colors, you can’t have too many I guess!

Recommended Product: SINGER 00218 Tape Measure, 60-Inch

Tailor Chalk or Chalk Pencil

Sometimes you have to mark your fabric with guidelines like seam allowances, dart legs or buttonhole placements.

Tailor chalk or Chalk Pencil are good for marking fabric because it is made to be temporary and can wipe clean or be washed out.

White is used for darker fabrics and Blue or Red or lighter fabrics. Be sure to test mark a scrap of fabric before marking your actual pattern pieces.

Iron

While sewing, it is extremely important to press all your seams appropriately after each seam is sewn. Pressing seams will give your garment a professional clean look.

A basic, properly functioning iron that you already have in your home will work as long as it has a range of heat settings. If you want to invest in an iron specifically for your sewing products make sure the top of the iron has a nice point to get into smaller areas and it has great steam ability.

Recommended Product: BLACK+DECKER Classic Steam Iron, F67E

Ironing Board

A basic ironing board that you already have in your home will work fine. Or an ironing mat will do for smaller projects, just make sure you have access to a flat surface.

Tailor’s Ham

Tailor’s ham is useful when pressing along curved seams and sleeve caps or molding darts.

Tailor’s ham has two sides for different temperatures. Use wool side for woolens, synthetic blends & fabrics requiring low to medium temperatures uses the underside.

A Tailor’s Ham will give you professional looking seams.

Recommended Product: COMING SOON

15

Patience

Sewing takes a lot of patience, an EXTREME amount of patience.

One of the best ways to ensure your sewing project goes as smoothly as possible is make sure you have all the supplies and tools you need.

And as always – HAPPY SEWING

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