Hand Sewing Tools
Hand Sewing Tools
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Sewing Pattern Gallery
Professional Tailoring Tools to Make At Home Pattern
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Quilting Pattern Gallery
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Craft Pattern Gallery
Hand Sewing Tools
Basic Tools
Measuring Tools
Marking Tools
Cutting Tools
Pressing Tools
Miscellaneous Tools
Sewing Patterns
Please click here for more information or to order available sewing tools.
(Blue type on the chart below indicates a tool available for purchase.)
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 Pins and Pincushion A pin is a device used for fastening objects or material together. It is usually made of steel, and is formed by drawing out a thin wire, sharpening the tip, and adding a head. A pincushion (or less commonly pin cushion) is a small cushion, typically 3-5 cm across, which is used in sewing to store pins with their heads protruding so as to take hold of them easily. Pincushions are typically filled tightly, so as hold pins rigidly once placed. The standard tomato pincushion (shown to the left) seems to have been around forever and is filled with sawdust and wool roving. The wool roving contains lanolin and prevents the pins from rusting. The strawberry that is attached to pincushions is filled with fine sand or emery. The abrasive action of these fillers, remove dirt and rust, keeping the pin or needle sharp and smooth. The distinctive appearance of a pin-filled pincushion has resulted in the term being used for a variety of other things. |
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Needle Threader A needle threader is a bent piece of thin wire attached to a small handle and is used to aid the user in getting the thread through the eye of a hand sewing or machine needles. The wire loop is passed through the eye of a needle, the thread is inserted through the wire loop and is then pulled back through the eye of the needle. |
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Thimble A thimble is a protective shield worn on the finger or thumb. Thimbles are most usually made from metal, leather, rubber, wood, glass or china. Early thimbles were sometimes made from bone, horn or ivory. Originally thimbles were used solely for pushing a needle through fabric or leather as it was being sewn. However they have since gained many other uses. In the 1800s they were used to measure spirits (hence the phrase "just a thimbleful"). During the First World War silver thimbles were collected from "those who had nothing to give" by the British government and melted down to buy hospital equipment. In the 1930's and 40's red-topped thimbles were used for advertising. People who collect thimbles are known as digitabulists. |
  Skirt Marker A skirt marker is an easy-to-use tool for marking hems. Two types are available: the pin marker and the chalk marker. The pin marker is placed on the floor, while wearing the skirt, the skirt hem is placed between the adjustable metal while another person pin marks the hemline. The chalk model enables one person to mark a hem. |
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 Tailor ChalkTailor chalk is used to mark on fabric and then is easily brushed away. It is used for construction marking and fitting alterations. |
 Pencil ChalkLike any pencil, pencil chalk makes a thin, accurate line used to mark pleats and buttonholes. The brush end removes the chalk when finished. |
Scissors are a tool used for cutting thin material which requires little force. Unlike a knife, scissors have two hinged blades. Most types of scissors are not particularly sharp; it is primarily the shearing between the two blades which cuts. Scissors can also be made to fit left-handed or right-handed. |
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 Bent-Handle Shears - 6"-12" lengths - used for pattern cuttingThe off-set design of the handle allows the bottom blade to rest on the flat surface below the fabric without your hand lifting the fabric off the flat surface allowing the fabric to remaining flat and smooth. |
 Pinking Shears - 5 1/2"-10 1/2" lengths - used for finishing seamsPinking Shears have jagged blades that fit together to cut a saw-tooth type edge which produce a seam finish. |
 Tailor Points - used for cutting heavy fabrics |
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Rotary cutters are round blades with a handle and protective cover for the blade used with rotary pads or mats and rotary rulers. |
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Rotary Cutter Rotary cutters are used with a rotary ruler to make straight cuts and are available with different handles and protective devices to safely handle the sharp razor blade. This handy cutter is used extensively in quilting. |
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Rotary Cutter Pad or Mat A rotary cutting pad or mat is is used as a flat surface to cut fabric with a rotary cutter and ruler. It is made of a self-healing material that prevents the blade from damaging the surface below. Rotary rulers have 1" through 1/8" markings as well as 30, 45 and 60 degree angle markings. The small black dots make aligning the ruler easy and accurate. |
 BeeswaxBeeswax is a tough wax formed from a mixture of several compounds secreted by honeybees. When used in sewing, the sewing thread is drawn across the beeswax cake before sewing, to strengthen the thread. |
 AwlAn awl is made up of a wooden handle with a pointed, needle-shaped piece of steel protruding from it. The handle is typically round or cylindrical and fits in the palm of the users hand. The awl is used in sewing to punch holes into fabric, vinyl, or leather for keyhole buttonholes or eyelets. |
 Seam RipperA seam ripper is a small tool used for unpicking stitches. The most common form consists of a handle, shaft and head. The head is usually forked with one side of the fork flattening out and becoming a blade and the other side forming a small point. In some designs the blade side then tapers back to a point to allow easier insertion in tight stitching. In use the blade is inserted into the seam underneath the thread to be cut. The thread is allowed to slip down into the fork and the tool is then lifted upwards allowing the blade to cut through the thread. Once the seam has been undone in this way the loose ends can be removed and the seam re-sewn.
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Sewing Basket or Container A sewing basket or box or container is used to hold your sewing equipment such as needles, thread, scissors, etc. Sewing caddies and/or sewing furniture may be used for large quantities of supplies. |
Sewing Patterns The dictionary definition of pattern is "anything cut or formed to serve as a guide to cutting or forming objects; as, a dressmaker's pattern." Commercial sewing patterns are developed so the home sewer can create a desired garment with no knowledge of pattern drafting. Commercial patterns come in an envelope with the tissue pattern pieces inside. On the outside of the envelope is a drawing/sketch of the finished garment. On the back of the pattern, you will find sizes available, suggested fabrics, notions needed, etc. (see Fiber Images™ Sewing and Tailoring Patterns) |
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