As you get more involved in improving your sewing sewing skills, you'll begin to realize that these simple sewing tools are necessary for just about any sewing project you take on. Toole like...
Electric iron with a rubber-covered cord. A steam iron
is very handy and convenient. Have a stand for your iron
unless it is one of the late models which require none.
Ironing board well padded with removable slip covers
for ease in laundering, and a sleeve board for ironing sleeves
and for short seams, darts, tucks.
Tailor's cushion , a ham-shaped pad good for pressing
curved seams. You can make this yourself with two cloth ovals
about 18 inches long and some stuffing.
Press cloths of gingham, canvas or cheesecloth for deli cate fabrics.
Basin and sponge to moisten fabric, for smooth ironing.
Small brush to raise nap on fabrics.
Paraffin for smoothing irons and salt for cleaning them.
Velvet board is used to press napped fabrics. The fabric is placed right side down, on the wire bristles sticking up from the board. The material is steamed and pressed as always, but the bristles prevent flattening of nap.
Full-length mirror and a large hand mirror to enable you
to see the rear view.
A dress form for ease in fitting. Many on the market to
day are adjustable.
Large cutting table or cutting board to fit on table.
A good supply of findings: these include snaps, hooks and eyes, but tons, rickrack, bindings, elastic, ribbon, etc.
Orange stick for smoothing out creases, pushing corners
out.
Embroidery hoops .
Tweezers to pull out threads caught in machine stitching,
if you do not have a modern machine in which the bobbin
holder is easily removed.
Needle threaded - to help you thread needle easily.
Tailor's tack maker .
Dressmaker's carbon paper may be used to transfer
markings from pattern to fabric. It comes in many colors but
it is advisable to use white or yellow. When using it on a thin
fabric, try it first on a scrap to make sure that the marks do
not show through on the right side.
A tailor's mitt is useful for the final operations. Use it
to press curved seams, darts, and sleeve caps. The mitt is put
on the narrow end of the sleeve board and the garment is
steamed over it.
