Seasoned dressmakers would agree that to be able to become successful in dressmaking, it is very important to have various sewing tools. This is because these tools would ensure not just the quality of work but also the convenience and accuracy the sewer or the tailor needs.
When choosing tools to be used for dressmaking, don’t get overwhelmed with brands or prices. Don’t be fooled that all tools for sewing that are expensive have always the highest quality. If you are knowledgeable enough, you can buy tools that are cheap but can meet high standards.
A rundown on sewing tools for dressmaking
For people who have just started their journey to sewing or dressmaking in particular, knowledge on sewing basics as well as the tools needed to make the activity easier and more convenient is a must. Here is a rundown of the most basic sewing and dressmaking tools needed:
1. A set of quality needles. If you are just starting to in dressmaking, the most basic tool that you need for sewing is a set of good needles. Whether you are sewing by hand or by machine, needles play a very important role because they are the ones responsible for stitching pieces of fabric together.
When you buy needles for sewing, always make sure that they are sharp enough to ensure that you will not have difficulty in stitching everything together. Sharp needles also veer you away from difficulties in the sewing process but also ensure that your fabric will not have any frays or snags.
2. High quality pairs of scissors. Another important tool is the scissor or shear because it is responsible for cutting, trimming, or clipping the fabric. Expert sewers suggest that a four or five-inched tailor point scissors or embroidery type of scissors are ideal for all of your sewing needs. Different types of shears such as pinking shears with zigzag blades used to avoid the fabric from fraying and dressmaker shears with bent-handles used to flatten the fabric while cutting are also considered as essential sewing tools.
3. Enough supply of marking tools. Next important set of tools for sewing is marking items such as the tailor’s chalk, water-erasable pen, and water disappearing pen. These are very significant because they are used to mark the fabric before it gets cut for sewing. Being a wax based marker, a tailor’s chalkwhich comes in various colorsis a must for every sewer because it can provide markings that are not easily wiped out.
Seasoned sewers say that white colors chalks should only be used when making garments while the other colors can be used in various items. The water-erasable marking pens or water disappearing pens, on the other hand, are ideal to ensure that no trace of marking is present on the fabric of the clothing or any item being sewn.
4. Reliable sets of pins. Pins are also very important sewing tools because they hold pieces of fabric temporarily. Most sewers use pins to see the initial outcome of the item they are sewing. Pins are very important in any sewing project because these lessen the room for any mistakes before the final sewing. Make sure that you choose needles that are stainless steel and with fine points to achieve best results.
Other tools needed for dressmaking should include tape measure, needle threader, fabric glue, basting tape, bodkin, weights, soap, rotary cutter, seam gauge, thimble pads, flexible ruler, hump jumper, thimble, tracing paper, thread clippers, magnetic pin cushion, and yardstick.