Sewing Tool and Equipment used in garment construction

Sewing tools:
- Large Equipment
-Cutting tools
-Marking tools
-Pressing tools
-Sewing notions

1. Sewing Equipment
Ms. Gladys Arriaza
M.T.H.S

2. Lesson Objectives:
List the main sewing tools
State the various use of the tools
Demonstrate how to use particular tools
Give instructions on how to care for
sewing tools

3. Sewing Equipment
Like any skilled craftsman, the person who sews creatively
needs the right tools to do an effective job.
Knowledge of kinds of sewing tools available and their function
of each makes it easier to choose, use, and take care of the
equipment you need.
Acquiring tools is a long term investment. Sewing gives one the
opportunity to be creative in everything one does- from the
selection of sewing equipment to the finished product.

4. Essential and Non essential
equipment :
Essential: refers to that type of
equipment without which we cannot
produce the work.
Non –essential: equipment that is not
necessary but facilitates your work.

5. Large Equipment

6. 1. Cutting Table: * Essential
This is a large and wide table, with a smooth surface. It
should be of an appropriate height to allow the
worker to cut comfortably.

7. 2. Full length mirror *Essential
This helps a person to see him/herself to make
necessary adjustments. A full length mirror is
preferable.
This can be fixed to the wall or hanging on the
wardrobe door.

8. 3. Body form:
This is a dummy and has the shape of a person. This
is useful for checking the fitting points of a garment
such as pockets, hang of sleeve and collar.
With a body form the person doesn’t need to be
trying the garment on and off (instead tried it on to
the dummy).

9. 4. Storage Spaces:
Deep drawers are especially useful for paper
patterns, new fabric, and small equipment. If possible
each drawer should be labeled to show its content.

10. 5. Sewing machine *Essential
Choose a reliable brand with serving facilities. Choice of model
will depend on the amount of work to be done.
When choosing a sewing machine, consider the following points.
-buy from a well-known dealer
-check for warranty
- check for availability of parts
-check for a user manual
-make sure that the machine you buy is suitable for your needs.
Most sewing machines, have similar basic parts. Ones you have
used a sewing machine you should have a basic knowledge of
the parts in order to use it effectively.

11. Cutting Tools
When selecting shears or scissors, consider the quality
and the intended use.

12. 1. Dressmaking shears, bend
handled shears *Essential
These are made of metal 7 to 8 inches long with one
handle bigger than the other.
 A bent handle permits the blade to rest on the table
during cutting. Shears are used for cutting out
garments. Left handle shears are also available.

13. 2. Pinking Shears
These are made of metal with zigzag edges to the blades used
for finishing edges of fabric that do not ravel. Pinking shears
should not be used for cutting out garments.
These are not efficient for cutting curved areas and notches.
they are difficult to sharpen, and are more costly than
dressmaking shears.

14. 3. Embroidery Scissors
These are 4-5 inches long with pointed blades and
equal handles. They are used for ripping, snipping
threads, and for opening buttonholes.

15. 4. Seam ripper
This little tool looks like a pen. This is used for
removing unwanted stitches, also for opening button
holes open. Use a seam ripper carefully to avoid
accidental cutting of fabric.

16. 5. Awl or Stiletto
This is a small sharp instrument similar to ice pick.
This is used for making holes for round eyelets.

17. Measuring Tools
Measuring tools are essential gadgets in
garment construction for taking body patterns
and body measurements so adjustment can be
made.

18. 1. Tape Measure
This is a long marked in inches
and centimeters. It is used for
taking body measurements ,
and fabric lengths 5/8 seam
allowances on patterns and
fabrics. The ideal tape is one
that will not stretch or fray.
The measuring tape should
be rolled and taped when not
in use.
*Essential

19. 2. Yardstick:
This is a device for
taking long straight
measurements and
drawing straight
lines. It is 36
inches long, made
of wood or metal.

20. 3. Hem-Gauge
This is made of
metal with different
hem depths in
inches and
centimeters.
Gauges can also be
used for measuring
buttonholes.

21. 4. Transparent Ruler
A see through ruler
is the best one to
help you see what
you mark or
measure. Also used
for measuring short
distances such as
buttonholes and
pockets.

22. 5. Skirt Marker
This is made of metal or
plastic with different
hem depths. It is used
for marking hem
depths. It is used for
marking hems, can be
with chalk or pins or a
combination of both.

23. 6. Sewing gauge
Sewing gauges are
Small metal rulers
Used to measure small
areas such as button
holes and pocket
openings

24. 7. Skirt Marker
This is a semi
curved ruler. It is
used for shaping
skirts and for
shaping
waistlines of
skirts.

25. 8. French Curve
This is very useful when
re-drawing construction
lines on pattern
especially in curved
areas such as
armholes, necklines,
and princess seams.

26. 9. L-Square Ruler
This can be made of
wood, metal or
plastic it is used for
squaring corners
and straightening
edges marking bias
and marking
patterns.

27. Marking Tools
When using paper patterns we often need to transfer
markings from paper patterns to fabric. The
following tools will help us to do this accurately.

28. 1. Tracing wheel with serrated edge.
This is a sharp serrated
steel wheel with a
handle. It is usually
used in tracing paper
and is quite suitable for
transferring pattern
marking from paper
pattern to fabric,

29. 2.Dressmaker’s Carbon Paper:
Tracing paper is
always used in
conjunction of a
tracing wheel.
This wheel

30. 3.Tailor’s Chalk
There are two kinds; both
come in small, flat pieces.
The chalky type in white or
in colors may be used on
all fabrics. Tailor’s chalk is
used to draw thin lines,
mark buttonholes, pockets
opening and seam
allowances.

31. 4. Dressmaker’s Pencil:
This is a chalk pencil with a brush at one
end. It can be sharpened to a fine point;
used to mark thin accurate lines, marking
buttonholes, pleats and pattern drafting.

32. 5.Pins *Essential
These are made of metal;
the best are dressmakers
pin. Poor pins will snag
delicate fabric and will leave
a mark like a lead pencil on
fabrics. Choose pins that
will not rust. These are
used for marking and
holding piece of fabric
together while sewing.

33. Pressing Equipment
Iron as you go along is the magic word in garment
construction. The following tools will ensure a
professional finish to a garment.

34. 1. Iron *Essential
The iron is of great value
in needlecraft because
good pressing can give a
really professional finish
and speed up your work.
Irons are used to
remove wrinkles. An
electric iron with visible
thermostat is
recommended.

35. 2.Ironing Board
This is used for ironing
garments. A well
padded ironing
board with
removable cover is
recommended. An
ironing board must
be firm and stable.

36. 3. Pressing Cloth:
A pressing cloth is a small
piece of white fabric It is
placed between the
fabric and the iron to
prevent shiny marks
caused by the heat of
the iron. You can also
wet the cloth when you
want to create sharp
crease. Steam help t

37. 5. Sleeve Board
This is a mini ironing
board. It is padded and
covered in the same
way as the ironing
board. This is used for
pressing gathered
sleeves and skirts and
small areas of
garments.

38. 6. Seam Roll
A cylindrical shape, for
pressing curved areas.

39. 7. Needle Board
This a wooden
board covered
with a very fine,
short, wire
bristles. This is
used for pressing
velvet.

40. 8. Tailor’s Clapper:
This is a shaped
wooden tool with
a finger grip
hollowed on the
side edges. It is
used for flattering
the edges of wool
fabrics.

41. 9. Tailor’s Ham
A tailors’ ham is a
firm ham shaped
cushion. It is used
as a shaping
device for areas
such as collars,
darts, and curved
seams.

42. Miscellaneous Tools
There are several other tools available that helps
to make the job easier and give a more
professional finish.

43. 1. Pincushion
This is used for
storing pins during
and after clothing
construction. It
comes in a variety of
patterns such as
tomato, and hat
pincushion and wrist
pincushion.

44. 2. Beeswax:
This is obtained
from the bees; it is
available in small
cakes. This is used
for strengthening
sewing threads and
reducing tangling
while sewing.

45. 4.Loop Turner
Long slim wire
with a latch hook
at one end used
to turn tubing or
cording to the
right side

46. 5. Needle Threader:
This is a small
device for helping
put the thread
through the eye of
small needles.

47. 6. Embroidery Ring:
An embroidery hoop
consists of a pair of
rings. The larger
ring has the
tightening device,
usually in the form
of a metal screw.
Hoops increases the
speed and precision
of work performed.

48. 7. Thimble:
A thimble is a small
hard pitted cup worn
for protection on the
middle finger that
pushes the needle
through the fabric
and prevent finger
from being damaged
or pricked during
hand sewing.

49. 8. Thread:
These hold pieces
of fabric together
permanently. They
come in a variety of
colors. If you were
to buy thread for a
garment, select a
darker not a lighter
one.

50. 9. Pin Magnet:
This is very
helpful to pick up
pins or needle
from flat surfaces.

51. Needles
A sewing needle is a long slender tool with a pointed tip.
The first needles were made of bone and wood. Modern
needles are made of high carbon steel wire and nickel.
A needle for hand sewing has a hole called the eye, at the
non-pointed end carry thread or cord through the fabric
after the pointed end pierce it.

52. Hand Needles
Hand needles have
different names
depending on their
purpose. For
example, a size1
needle would be
thicker and longer,
while a size 10 will
be shorter and finer.

53. 1. sharps:
Medium length with a round eye and sharp
point. Ordinary needles for miscellaneous
hand-sewing projects 1 to 12
2. Between needles: between or quilting are
shorter needle with a small, rounded eye.
The shorter length of these needles enables
you to stitch quickly and accurately. They are
for quilting, making fine stitches in the fabric
and other detailed handwork.

54. 3. Crewel Needles:
These are especially for embroidery. It has
the same length and point as an ordinary
sharp needle, but with an elongated eye
used for hand embroidery using floss. The
elongated eye is designed to
accommodate strands of embroidery.

55. 4. Darning needles:
Darners (cotton)
needle with a long
eye and a sharp
point used for
darning work
(mending holes).

56. 5.Bodkin Needle
Used for inserting
elastic or
drawstrings into
casings

57. 6. Pins
These are very useful and are available in
different sizes and thickness. There are five
types of pins. Use good quality of pins will
absorb moisture. This is why there is a strip
of black paper in packed boxes of pins
which will not rust or mark the fabric. To
ensure freedom from rust, keep pins in a
box lined with paper of a later of woolen
fabric.

58. 1.Dressmakers pins
2.Glass headed pins
3. Lace pins
4. T pins
5. Safety pins

59. Care of Needles:
Needles should be protected against rusting
and left in their packages until required.
When not in used they should be placed in a
pincushion or threaded through a piece of
fabric, but never left aside haphazardly.

60. 1. Shears or scissors can last a lifetime
if cared for properly. Keep them sharp
by using them only for cutting fabrics.
Never cut paper or thick cord with
sewing scissors, it will ruin them.
Avoid dropping them, as points can
get broken and will be ineffective when
clipping corners.

61. 2. Roll tape measure when not in use.
Tape the end. When cutting fabric,
ensure that the tape measure is
around your neck while using it. Many
times tape measure are cut in half
because they are left under the fabric.
Remember that tape measure cannot
be joined.

62. 3. Thimbles should be rust free. This
can be prevented by washing your
hands before using them. Thimbles
should be kept in a safe place. Prevent
thimbles from getting cracked, as this
will fray the fabric.
.

63. 4. To prevent needles and pins from
getting rusty, ensure that hands are
clean, because sweaty hands make
pins rusty.

64. Practicing Safety
1.Needles and pins should always be stored
in a pincushion. Avoid putting them in your
mouth, as this may not only caused
serious problems, but may also create
poor sewing habits.
1.When handling a scissors or shears to a
person, the handles should always be
towards the person to whom you are
handling them.

65. 3. Check for bared wired on irons and
electric sewing machines, as this can
cause a terrible shock.