Iron Sew

How to Assemble a Sewing Kit

Like any other hobby, a successful sewing project starts with the right tools and a little knowledge of the craft. Yes, you can easily find the basic sewing tools in your home: your old pair of scissors down in your garage; pins from your drawers, or rulers that your kids use in school.

You will have a more convenient sewing experience if you use the right tools intended for the job. They are very easy to find in your home.

Romina Abrigo Editor of the "Sewing Machine Reviews" website -- http://www.SewingMachineReviews.me -- pointed out;

"…Before you start any sewing activities, make sure you have a checklist to round up all your sewing tools and have a basic sewing kit near you…" Added Romina Abrigo

A basic sewing kit includes a:

    Tape measure
    Dressmakers shears
    Trimming scissor
    Fabric markers both for dark and light markers
    Invisible transparent tape
    Pincushion and glass-head pins
    Hand needles
    Needles for sewing machine
    Seam ripper

TAPE MEASURE

You use a tape measure to take your own measurements, to check the right measurements on patterns, and some other tasks that need to be measured. There are different types of tape measures but the most practical and easy way is the fabric tape measure that is fabric coated. To keep the tape measure handy, try draping it around your neck.

Dressmakers SHEARS

Have the eight-inch bent shears. Dressmakers shears are the most efficient tools in cutting fabric. These shears have one bent-angle and one straight blade, a rounded thumbhole, and for precise and comfortable cutting, an oblong finger hole. The bent angle blades provide a spot where your index finger can rest for long-cutting jobs. And to ensure more accurate cuts, the bend on the shears blade stops you from lifting your fabric off the table.

THE 5-INCH TRIMMING SCISSORS

These scissors are intended for trimming smaller areas. They blades of these types of scissors are straight, and they have round holes for the thumb and the finger. 

When you shop for shears and scissors, see to it that you properly test them first. Make sure that they cut all the way to the blades tips.

FABRIC MARKERS

Remember that in sewing, it is important to match up the right pieces of the project precisely, otherwise, the fit won't be right. So you match the pieces of the fabric patterns correctly, project patterns today now include match points called the dots and the notches, printed on the pattern tissues. The fabric markers especially designed for sewing provide ease in transferring the notches from the fabric pattern to the fabric itself. Some types of fabric markers include:

    Disappearing dressmakers chalks: These are great for dark fabrics. The chalk markings disappear after five days or after the fabric is washed and ironed.

    Wash-out pencils: These are also suitable for dark fabrics and can be erased with a drop of cold water. It looks similar with a regular pencil and the lead is white, pink or light blue.

    Vanishing Markers: Ideal for marking fabrics that are light colored and disappears in twelve to twenty-four hours.

    Water-Erasable Markers: These are felt-tipped markers used to mark light to medium colored fabrics. 

INVISIBLE TRANSPARENT TAPES

These tapes are useful but not important marking tapes. These tapes can be easily seen when placed on fabric because of its cloudy appearance. Removable tapes are ideal in some types of fabrics like corduroy, velvet or velour since the tape doesn't pull of the nap from these types of fabrics.

PIN CUSION AND GLASS HEAD PINS

These are essential things you need for your sewing projects. You need them to pin securely the pattern to the fabric. You can also pin fabrics together before you sew them. Glass-head pins are recommended because they can fit securely in your fingers especially when you pin multiple layers of fabrics. And if you accidentally iron the glass heads, they don' melt like the plastic ones.

It is also important that you have a safe place where you can keep your pins. Glass-head pins are sold in convenient plastic boxes that serve as the pin holders. However, experts say wearing a wrist pincushion is very practical so that the pins stay wherever the sewer goes. Magnetic pincushions are also handy. Aside from pins, other metal objects like the seam ripper or small scissors can stick to the surface that is magnetized.

HAND NEEDLES

When buying hand needles, have the variety pack. This pack provides you most of the needles important for hand-sewing projects. Although variety packs of needles vary from brand to brand, they generally have about ten needles per pack in varied lengths and thickness. Others even have varied sizes of eyes.

NEEDLES FOR SEWING MACHINE

The standard size of a sewing machine needle is size #11 based on American sizing, or #12/80 from European sizing. About eighty percent of the fabrics today are good for these needles. However, if you aren't sure about the size of the needle for a particular fabric, take time to read the Operating Manual of your sewing machine. There are some needles that provide varied types of points, designed to cater to different stitching techniques as well as different fabric types.  

SEAM RIPPER

A seam ripper is a type of sewing tool that has a point designed to lifts stitched off the fabric.

"…It is important that you have the right tools for your sewing activities.  Start your sewing activities by obtaining the proper dressmaking tools…" Added Romina Abrigo

Further information, resources and reviews of the best sewing machines by clicking: http://www.SewingMachineReviews.me

About the Author

Hector Milla runs his corporate website at http://www.OpsRegs.com where you can see all his articles and press releases.

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