Sewing Gadgets that Can Save You Time

Sewing can be a wonderfully fulfilling hobby. Not only can you make beautiful clothing for you and your family, you can also produce decorating items for your home. All that is really needed to get started sewing is fabric, pattern, scissors, sewing machine and thread. But, as with any type of project, extra tools can be extremely helpful. Here is a list of the 10 most useful sewing tools, in my opinion.

A small ruler with a slide gauge in the middle is a gift from heaven. It is called a stitch gauge. It is about 6 inches long. This little gadget has made the torture of rolling and measuring hems so very much easier. I would probably cry if I lost mine.

A box or basket to keep your supplies in helps keep the mess to a minimum. It also makes it easier to complete sewing projects when you have the supplies in one place and easy to find. I have a sewing/craft box I found at WalMart. I have never seen more like it there again. It has made my life much easier. It is similar to a toolbox and has a tray in the top and several small compartments that pull out in front. It is very handy.

A hand size scissors sharpener will help with keeping your scissors sharp. When you use sharp scissors, cutting any type of fabric is easier. Sharp scissors help keep the cut edge of your fabric smoother and reduce pull on the fabric while cutting.

Thread snips can also save much effort. I use mine to snip thread at the end and beginning of each seam, and also any stray threads I see. These are usually smaller than scissors and fit easily in the palm of your hand.

Tailor's chalk is useful if you want to alter your sewing pattern, or don't want to cut the paper pattern. You can use this to mark cutting lines on fabric and save your pattern. This also comes in handy if the pattern can be used for multiple lengths. You can use the chalk to mark where to cut the fabric according to the length you desire.

A cover for your machine will keep the dust and dirt out and make cleaning it much easier. You can find cheap plastic covers at WalMart. I also found a carrying bag there which does the work of a cover.

Pinking shears help to keep fraying to a minimum. You have to allow a bit of extra seam allowance when using these. But, when you are cutting a fabric with you know will fray, such as satin, these are invaluable.

You can also get a product that reminds me of Super Glue"µ to keep the edges of your fabric from fraying. Be sure to try it on a scrap piece of fabric before you use it on a garment. It can leave a mark or stain you wouldn't want to show on the outside of a garment.

A magnetic pincushion is very handy also. I use this when I am going to be using the pins several times during the same project. This keeps me from having to put them in the other pincushion and pull them out again. I can just lay them on the magnet. Yes, I know, putting pins into a pincushion is not that much of an effort. But, when you are working on something that has a deadline, any short cut helps.

If you are going to be sewing several garments that need elastic, you can get a gadget that will help you pull the elastic through the tube you sew in the pants or anything else that needs elastic. It usually comes with 3 sizes in a pack for a small price. Well worth it, in my opinion.

These tools are very helpful and will save you time on your sewing projects. They are not absolutely necessary. But, if you sew much, you will appreciate the work they will save. And, every little bit of time you can save helps you create a quality item you will be proud of.