Scribd
Upload
73 views

Basic Sewing Tools

This document provides an overview of basic sewing tools and their uses. It describes measuring tools like measuring tapes, rulers, and yardsticks used to mark fabrics. Drawing tools such as L-squares and French curves are used to create straight lines and curves. Tracing wheels, papers, tailor's chalk, and wax help transfer patterns onto fabrics. Cutting tools include scissors, seam rippers, and cutting tables. Needles and threads are used for hand sewing, while thimbles protect fingers.

Uploaded by

Francia Lacrua
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
73 views

Basic Sewing Tools

This document provides an overview of basic sewing tools and their uses. It describes measuring tools like measuring tapes, rulers, and yardsticks used to mark fabrics. Drawing tools such as L-squares and French curves are used to create straight lines and curves. Tracing wheels, papers, tailor's chalk, and wax help transfer patterns onto fabrics. Cutting tools include scissors, seam rippers, and cutting tables. Needles and threads are used for hand sewing, while thimbles protect fingers.

Uploaded by

Francia Lacrua
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

BASIC SEWING TOOLS

Measuring and Marking Tools and their Usage


Measuring tape
It is a metal tipped cotton or plastic tape to take
measurements. Generally, the size of a measuring
tape is ½ inch to ¼ inch wide, 60 inches long and
has ⅛ divisions. At one end, it has a small metal
cover and at the other end of the tape, there is a
metal strip of about 3 inches long attached to take
measurements from points like round chest, round
waist and length of the garment, etc.
Ruler
It is made up of plastic, metal or wood. It is better
to have two rulers—one being 1 inch wide and 6
inches long, and the other one being 2 inches wide
and 18 inches long. The 18-inch ruler is with ⅛ inch
grid. A ruler is convenient for measuring small
measurements. A transparent ruler is used to draw
straight lines or bias lines.
Yardstick
It is a straight edge tool used to physically measure
the lengths up to a yard. It is a flat wooden tool
with markings at regular intervals. Yardsticks are
very useful to draw long seam lines on paper or
fabric.
L-square
It is an L-shaped wooden or metal ruler, the long
arm of which measures 24 inches and the short
arm measures 14 inches. The L-square has a
perfect right-angled corner and it is used to draw
the lines at right angles while making drafts. It is
very useful during the process of straightening the
fabric to check whether the corners of the fabric
have got a right-angled structure.
Hem or skirt marker
It is used to mark the hem length accurately. It is
adjustable and is used as a measuring guide for
marking width for various sections of the garment
like pleats, hems, seam allowances, etc., accurately
using notches provided at regular intervals along
the gauge.
French curves
It is a template made of plastic, wood or metal
composed of different curves. It is used in making
drafts to draw smooth curves of varying radii. The
French curve is placed on the material and a pencil
is traced around its curves to produce the required
curves. In garment making, French curves are
mainly used for pattern drafting, pattern alteration
and for shaping the armhole and neckline. The
transparent, light and unbreakable plastic material
is most commonly used in French curves.
Tracing wheel
It helps in marking the measurements and pattern
on the wrong side of the fabric using tracing paper.
Tracing wheels are available in two styles, one with
small serrated edge which is appropriate for most
fabrics, and another, with a smooth edge used on
fine or knit fabrics to avoid snagging of the yarns.
The tracing method is to keep the first layer of the
right side of the fabric facing the ground, the
second layer is that of the tracing paper, and the
third layer is a paper pattern on which the tracing
wheel is moved to transfer the markings.
Tracing papers and sheets
A tracing paper is used with the tracing
wheel/pen/pencil to transfer pattern markings to
the wrong side of the fabric. Care must be taken
when choosing from the wide range of available
colours, since most varieties produce a mark that
remains in the fabric until it has been laundered.
Tailor’s chalk
It is made of coloured powder that is used to
transfer markings on to the fabric. The tailor’s
chalk is available in assorted colours and in
different shapes, mainly rectangular and triangle. It
is also available in the form of a pencil.
Tailor’s wax
It has a consistency like that of a crayon. It is
especially suitable for use on wool or worsted
materials. It is available in a wide range of colours
that is, white, yellow, red, blue, black and
fluorescent green, etc. The marks it produces can
only be removed from the fabric with heat or
laundering. Thus, it is advisable to test the tailor’s
wax on a small scrap of fabric before using it on
the right side of the material.
Cutting Tools and Usage
Scissors
These are the main tool for cutting fabric. Scissors
have sharp, pointed and slender blades, used for
cutting of different materials. These scissors are
mostly 3 to 10 inches long in size. These have
round handles for both the blades. Specific fabric-
cutting scissors should not be used for cutting of
heavy material as it may reduce the sharpness of
the blades.
Seam ripper
It is a simple pen-like device that allows the
removal of machine or hand stitched seams by
cutting the stitches in an accurate and safe
manner. A seam ripper is the best equipment to rip
or open seams. While removing the stitches, the
fabric should not be pulled as it can stretch and
easily tear the fabric.
Cutting table
It is a large, flat table used to spread the fabric and
patterns while marking, pinning, and cutting. They
are often covered with thick felt, which allows the
pins to be placed into the surface.

Needles and Threads


Hand sewing needles
These needles are used for hand sewing work or
embroidery. The needle design varies according to
the purpose. Sharps of medium length can be used
on most fabric weights; between are smaller,
allowing them to make fine stitches.
Thimble
It is used to protect the fingers or thumb in the
process of hand sewing. A thimble helps push the
needle to the fabric painlessly, without harming
the finger. Metal, rubber and plastic thimbles are
available in the market.

SUBMITTED BY:

CHRIS JOEL B. LACRUA


Grade -6

You might also like