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Learn to make your own:
- Easy 1/2 Circle Cloak
- Shaped Cloak
- Easiest T-tunic
- Applique
- more...
Articles:
- Tools
- Seams so Easy
- Hemming and Hawing
- Fabric Basics
- Using Trim
- Using Purchased
Patterns - more...
Books you might want
My Brag Book - Pictures
Patterns and publications
Shop
Garb (& stuff) for sale or order
My ebay
About me
Friends
Ordering
Other links
Privacy Policy
Contact us
| Necessary Tools |
| Every craft requires the right tools. You'll sew easier, faster and better with the necessary tools. Beyond that, there are other tools that simply make any crafting project easier. |
Scissors: Lousy scissors are hard to cut with, hack up your fabric and make
your hand hurt. There are dozens of options to choose from and no one right pair
of scissors. For starters, you need one pair of sharp, strong, smooth blade
scissors. I primarily use Fiskars lefty scissors - they also come in a right hand
model. I also have a pair of Ginger featherweight scissors for lightweight and
delicate fabrics. Never cut paper, tape or hot dog wrappers with your sewing
scissors. They dull faster and pick up substances that stain and corrode the
blades and leave gunk on your fabric.
Seam ripper: I have a handful of seam rippers because the gremlins around
here like to hide them, break them or turn them into action figure weapons. They
make fancy seam rippers, ergonomic seam rippers and seam rippers for larger
hands. Get what tickles your fancy, but be sure to have one close.
Straight pins: You need good dressmaker pins... Throw away the short ones you
get when you buy fabric at Walmart or a packaged dress shirt. Throw away the
bent pins, the nicked and rusted pins. You don't strictly need a pincushion but
they're cheap and handy. Some have an attached strawberry of slightly abrasive
material to clean pins and needles. I also like a wrist pin cushion so the pins are
always close.
Measuring tape: You need at least one good measuring tape. Measuring
correctly helps your garments well fit and saves costly mistakes.
Chalk: You can buy fancy chalks or use ordinary chalkboard chalk. You'll need to
mark your fabric as you're working with it.
Sewing Machine: I'll write more about finding and buying a sewing machine
later. For now, I am assuming you have access to one. Read the manual - really!
your hand hurt. There are dozens of options to choose from and no one right pair
of scissors. For starters, you need one pair of sharp, strong, smooth blade
scissors. I primarily use Fiskars lefty scissors - they also come in a right hand
model. I also have a pair of Ginger featherweight scissors for lightweight and
delicate fabrics. Never cut paper, tape or hot dog wrappers with your sewing
scissors. They dull faster and pick up substances that stain and corrode the
blades and leave gunk on your fabric.
Seam ripper: I have a handful of seam rippers because the gremlins around
here like to hide them, break them or turn them into action figure weapons. They
make fancy seam rippers, ergonomic seam rippers and seam rippers for larger
hands. Get what tickles your fancy, but be sure to have one close.
Straight pins: You need good dressmaker pins... Throw away the short ones you
get when you buy fabric at Walmart or a packaged dress shirt. Throw away the
bent pins, the nicked and rusted pins. You don't strictly need a pincushion but
they're cheap and handy. Some have an attached strawberry of slightly abrasive
material to clean pins and needles. I also like a wrist pin cushion so the pins are
always close.
Measuring tape: You need at least one good measuring tape. Measuring
correctly helps your garments well fit and saves costly mistakes.
Chalk: You can buy fancy chalks or use ordinary chalkboard chalk. You'll need to
mark your fabric as you're working with it.
Sewing Machine: I'll write more about finding and buying a sewing machine
later. For now, I am assuming you have access to one. Read the manual - really!