Thimbles – always challenge yourself to learn to wear a thimble and practice until you sew better and more easily with one than without. Choose a light-weight thimble of silver, celluloid or chrome that fits your middle finger without pressure and without leaving any color on your fingers.
Tape Measure – get a tape measure with numbers on both sides, each series running in the opposite direction. Look for one that has a metal tab on one end so you can easily roll up the tape up when it is not in use.
Rulers – a six-inch ruler, especially the transparent type, will often be more convenient to use and a 36-inch yardstick has special uses for measuring material, long straight lines, and hems. For all kinds of measuring, you will need gauges which you can often make out of cardboard or simply purchase.
Scissors – these are usually less than six inches long and have both handles of the same size. They are used to cut in hard to get at places, and to snip short threads.
Shears – these differ from your scissors in that they are usually more than six inches long and have different size handles; the larger being for the fingers, the smaller for the thumb. If you can choose only one, choose shears of medium weight, about eight inches long.
Pinking Shears – these differ from shears in that they cut with saw-tooth edges and are good for finishing seams. Keep your cutting tools well sharpened, and use them properly, that is, only for cutting fabric and thread. Use a cheap pair to cut paper or for household purposes. The scissors sharpener will keep points sharp for you.
Tracing Wheels – these are handy little gadgets for marking guide lines through several layers of material such as on cotton, linen and heavy silk.
Tailor's Chalk – marks distinctly and comes in several colors. It is easily brushed off and is used very frequently to mark sewing lines, pattern perforations, and alteration lines.
