My Favorite Sewing Tools & Supplies

Pinning

Silk Pins
Japanese Silk Pins: They’re strong yet super fine, so they glide through fabric without leaving permanent marks.

Forked Pins
Clover Fork Pins: Perfect for matching up seams, stripes, and plaids. They hold multiple layers securely to prevent shifting.

Magnetic Pin Cushion
Zirkel Magnetic Organizer: No more chasing scattered pins—just toss your pins, and they’re instantly corralled in one spot.


Cutting

Gingher 5" Craft Scissors
Gingher 5" Craft Scissors: They’re small, lightweight, and strong—perfect for trimming bulky seams or making precise snips in tight areas.

KAI Scissors 7250 (10" Serrated Shears)
KAI Professional Shears: Their micro-serrated blades grip the fabric as they cut, so you get clean edges on everything from sheer silks to thick wools.

Rotary Cutter (45mm)
OLFA Rotary Cutter
Why I Like It:
For long, straight cuts or cutting delicate fabrics, a rotary cutter is a game-changer.

Small Rotary Cutter (28mm)
OLFA Small Rotary Cutter: Ideal for navigating curved pattern pieces or small appliqués.

Cutting Mat
OLFA Self-Healing Mat: Extends the life of your blades, protects your table, and has a slightly grippy surface to help keep fabric from shifting.


Small But Mighty Notions

Fray Check
Dritz Fray Check: Essential for preventing fraying at cut buttonholes or raw edges.

Buttonhole Spacer
Expanding Buttonhole Spacer: Spaces buttonholes evenly with minimal measuring—makes quick work of button placement.

Buttonhole Cutter
Clover Buttonhole Cutter: Cuts open buttonholes cleanly and accurately, reducing the risk of overcutting. Just make sure you cut on your cutting mat.

Wonder Tape
Dritz Wonder Tape: A temporary, double-sided adhesive that replaces pins for tricky areas (especially the sleeve placket construction)—no shifting or puckering.


Thread

Gutermann Mara Thread Sewing Chart
Gutermann Color Thread Chart: No more guessing on color from a computer screen—use this chart to ensure a perfect thread match every time.

Gutermann Mara 100 Poly (Tex 30)
Gutermann Mara 100 Thread: A high-quality, all-purpose thread that sews smoothly, doesn’t fray easily, and comes in larger spools to last multiple projects.


Ironing

Point Presser & Clapper
Point Presser & Clapper: For crisp collars, cuffs, and perfect seams. The wood clapper absorbs moisture and sets your press for a professional finish.

My Favorite Non‑Professional Iron
CHI Steam Iron: A go-to household iron with good steam, reliable heat, and a ceramic soleplate that glides nicely on different fabrics.

Iron Shoe
Teflon Iron Shoe: Prevents scorching and keeps adhesives from gumming up the iron. Must-have if you work with delicate or fusible fabrics.

Padded Sleeve Board
Padded Sleeve Ironing Board: Makes pressing narrow areas (sleeves, cuffs, collars, pant legs) so much easier—no accidental creases in the wrong places.

Tailor’s Ham
Tailor’s Ham: Shaping curved seams and darts is a breeze with a tailor’s ham. You’ll get smoother, more professional shaping without flattening your garment.


Hand Sewing & Basting

Hand Sewing Needles
Japanese Hand Sewing Needles: Sharp, fine needles that glide smoothly, making hand finishing and small repairs much easier.

Long Basting Needles
Roxanne Basting Needles: Their length and large eyes make it easy to thread heavier basting thread and cover more area with fewer stitches.

Cotton Basting Thread
Japanese Cotton Basting Thread: Grips the fabric well without slipping out prematurely, yet breaks easily when you’re ready to remove it.

Needle Threader
Clover Needle Threader: Makes threading fine or small‑eyed needles painless. A lifesaver if you do a lot of hand sewing.

Seam Ripper
Clover Ergonomic Seam Ripper: A good seam ripper is essential. This one is sharp, comfortable in the hand, and doesn’t slip.


Marking & Measuring Tools

Chalk Liner or Fabric Marker
Clover Chaco Liner: Draws crisp, fine lines that brush off or wash out easily—ideal for marking buttonholes, darts, or pleats.

2. Measuring Tape
Dual sided measuring tape: A flexible 60" (150 cm) tape measure is essential for checking both your body measurements and the garment’s dimensions.

3. Seam Gauge
Seam Guage: Helps measure small distances (like a 1" hem or button spacing) quickly. The sliding marker keeps your measurements consistent.


8. Optional Sewing Machine Extras

Felling Foot
If you want to do lots of flat‑felled seams (common in classic shirts and jeans), a felling foot helps fold and guide your seam allowances evenly for that signature topstitched finish. Just make sure you get one that fits on your sewing machine.

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