Basic Sewing Tool Kit

Do you know a tool lover? If so, you've heard about the importance of having the right tool for the job. This applies not only for woodworking, mechanical, or household projects! I'm thinking about sewing tools--sewing can be just as important to the household economy as any handyman or yard work project. We're not just talking hobby here! Mending, alterations, making gifts, home decor, and so on can be a great savings on the budget. We need the right tools for the job! Here's my current list of essential sewing tools. These are only the basics--first we need the essentials.

FOR MEASURING:

-Seam Gauge
-Measuring Tape
-Yardstick

FOR CUTTING:

-Shears (with bent handles)--for cutting fabric ONLY.
-Scissors--small and sharp pointed for snipping and trimming.

FOR MARKING:

-Disappearing Marking Pen or Marking Pencil (I mostly use pins.)
-Marking Wheel and Paper

FOR THREADING CASINGS:

-Bodkin (a must, from the notions section--grips ribbon or elastic to pull through casing.)
-Safety Pin (pin to ribbon or elastic and pull through casing.)
-Hairpin (Cut small slit in ribbon or elastic, thread hairpin through, and pull through
casing.)

FOR ACCURATE SEAMS:

-Post-it Notes, Rubber Band (place on bed of machine where edge of fabric should run.)

FOR PRESSING:

-Iron
-Ironing Board (a GOOD iron makes sewing easier.)
-Press Cloth
-Spray Bottle
-Smaller Pressing Surface such as a sleeve board or table-top pressing board.

FOR SEWING MACHINE MAINTENANCE:

-Machine Oil--regularly clean and oil your machine! Check your manual.
-Small Screwdriver
-Small Brush

GENERAL TOOLS

-Pins (I like long pins with round heads--get good ones!)
-Pincushion
-Needles, Hand and Machine (Change your machine needle often! Have a selection of
sizes on hand.)
-Seam Ripper
-Stiletto, Ice Pick, or another sharp pointed instrument for guiding fabric under presser
foot.
-Fray Check (A must! Stabilizes frayed edges, ends of seams, and any number of other
uses.)
-Bone Folder--from the Paper Craft section of the craft store. Marks fabric with a crease,
turns out points, useful for finger pressing.
-Chop Stick--for turning points.

These are the basics--now starts the fun: pinking shears, rotary cutter and mats, cutting rulers. . . arrange the workbench!