Essential sewing tools and equipment by Ms. Bernadette P. Retamar

1. Sewing tools and
Equipment

2. Sewing tools and
Equipment
Sewing tools are instruments
that aid in accomplishing a
sewing task. It can be
manipulated by hand.
Sewing Equipment are the
different tools used in
clothing constructions.

3. Classification of Sewing Tools
 Jumbled Letters
1. MAERUIGNS OLOTS
2. CTUGNIT OTLOS
3. MRAGNIK TLOOS
4. DAFITNRG LTOOS
5. PNINIGN DAN SWINEG STOOL
1. MEASURING TOOLS
2. CUTTING TOOLS
3. MARKING TOOLS
4. DRAFTING TOOLS
5. PINNING AND SEWING TOOLS

4. MEASURING TOOLS
Tape measure
Used to take body
measurements
Made of plastic or strong
fabric that does not
stretch
The front has the
measurement of 150 cm
and 60 inches on the
other side.

5. MEASURING TOOLS
Yard stick
Wooden measuring stick.
Usually a yard or a meter
long
Usually used for marking
hemlines and checking
grain lines when laying
out the pattern.

6. MEASURING TOOLS
Sewing Gauge
6 inch ruler
with a sliding
marker, used
to measure
short
distances

7. MEASURING TOOLS
Ruler
A 12 inches ruler either clear or
solid. It is used to measure and
draw straight seam and cutting
lines. It also aids in connecting
lines.

8. CUTTING TOOLS
Trimming Scissors
It is 3-4 inches long, used for
trimming, clipping threads and
snipping slashes.

9. CUTTING TOOLS
Shear
Longer than scissors
Bent handle allows fabric to lie
flat as it is cut
Used to cut fabric

10. CUTTING TOOLS
Pinking Shear
Zig zag cutting edge
Used to give seam edges a finished look
Prevent raveling
Give a decorative edge

11. CUTTING TOOLS
Embroidery scissor
 It has 4-5 inches finely tapered blades. Both
points are sharp for use in working with fine
details in delicate fabrics and in embroidery
work.

12. CUTTING TOOLS
Buttonhole scissor
 Special scissors that help you cut the
slit for the button hole

13. CUTTING TOOLS
Thread Clippers
 Used to clip the threads as you
sew

14. CUTTING TOOLS
Seam ripper
 Seam rippers are specifically designed for
ripping out stitches from seams, either as a
result of an error or during alterations. They
should be used carefully to prevent damage
to the fabric.

15. MARKING TOOLS
Tracing Wheel
 There are two types of tracing
wheels, those with a serrated
edge and those with a smooth
edge. The serrated edge wheel
produces dots on the fabric and is
suitable for most types of fabrics.
The smooth edge wheel is best for
delicate fabrics and unlike the
serrated edge will not pierce
more delicate fabrics. The smooth
edge wheel creates a solid line.

16. MARKING TOOLS
Marking Pens and Pencils
 Special pens or
pencils that are used
to mark fabric when
sewing

17. MARKING TOOLS
Tailor’s Chalk
 Used to transfer
markings onto fabric
Remove them by
brushing before
pressing over them.

18. DRAFTING TOOLS
L- Square
 The tailor square or "L" is used to
transfer measurements to the draft
pattern. It also divides the garment into
the desired measurement. It has perfect
squares and is useful in making straight
lines and numbers. It can also function
as a tape measure.
 It has two arms connected
perpendicularly.
a.The longer arm is twenty-four (24)
inches long.
b. The shorter arm is fourteen (14) inches
long.

19. DRAFTING TOOLS
Hip Curve
 It is used in shaping
hips skirt hemline and
hip shape seam lines.

20. DRAFTING TOOLS
French Curve
 This is used to shape
the depth of the
neckhole and armhole
of the pattern.

21. PINNING AND SEWING TOOLS
Needles
 Used in making
temporary
stitches and
buttonholes.
Sizes of 7 to 10
are for general
hand sewing.

22. PINNING AND SEWING TOOLS
Pins
 It is used to holds the
pieces of fabric
together.

23. PINNING AND SEWING TOOLS
Pin cushion
 It is used to holds
holds the straight
pins and needles
while working to
prevent accidents.

24. PINNING AND SEWING TOOLS
Thimble
 A small hard pitted
cup worn for
protection on the
finger that pushes
the needle in
sewing.

25. PINNING AND SEWING TOOLS
Thread
 The thread is used in
assembling or constructing
the parts of the garment.
Threads vary in sizes.
Heavy fabrics need
stronger threads. Threads
should have the same
color with that of the
fabric used.

26. PINNING AND SEWING TOOLS
Needle Threader
 It aids in putting the thread
to the needle. It consists of
two parts. The handle and
the wire. The end of the wire
that is away from the holder
is folded. Place the folded
wire of the needle threader
through the eye of the sewing
needle.

27. Care of Sewing Tools
Sewing tools should be properly stored for safety
purposes as well as for durability. Keep all sewing
tools
in a suitable sewing kit.
Sharp objects such as pins and needles should be
placed in covered containers or on pin cushions.
Keep covers on seam rippers.
Where sleeves are available, use for storage of
shears
and scissors.
Do not cut paper with fabric shears.

28. Bernadette P. Retamar

29. References:
 https://designmycostume.com/sewing-tools-equipment-uses/
 https://www.amazon.com/Measure-Measuring-Sewing-Flexible-
Measurement/dp/B072VR8BR3
 https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/sewing-tools-and-equipment-
to-sew-4122025
 https://www.inchcalculator.com/ruler-information-uses-types/
 https://www.wayfair.com/outdoor/pdx/zenport-ergonomic-
bent-handle-deluxe-trimming-scissors-yrxd1050.html
 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinking_shears
 https://stitchedmodern.com/blogs/news/why-you-need-a-good-
pair-of-embroidery-scissors#
 https://shopee.ph/EMBROIDERY-AND-SEWING-TRACING-WHEEL-
i.8788683.943312899
 https://www.universityoffashion.com/tools/l-square/

30. References:
 https://www.universityoffashion.com/tools/
 https://www.wawak.com/Cutting-Measuring/Pins/grabbit-
steel-sewing-pins-80box-assorted-colors/?sku=SSP1
 https://www.vectorstock.com/royalty-free-vector/types-
of-hand-sewing-needles-vector-14920670
 https://www.indiamart.com/proddetail/metal-thimble-
12658544188.html