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What's
in your Sewing Box?
A
pretty sewing box is not only a sweet addition to your sewing room, it
has a very real purpose. Fill it to the brim with gorgeous sewing
accessories and you will never be left wanting for more.
These
are a few sewing tools and helpful craft equipage that can be found in
my own sewing box:
buttons
- Big, small, vintage & new. Buttons can be found that are made
from so many different materials like bakelite, plastic, wood, metal,
silver, pearl, and more. All
gorgeous for your garments and used for pretty decorations on
many other sewing & craft
projects.
needles - An assorted pack of
different sized needles always comes in handy for various
sewing projects.
cotton
threads - You can never go wrong with the basic thread
colours of white, cream, navy and
black. Of course though, there is a whole rainbow of colours just
waiting to be explored.
embroidery threads
- It's a nice indulgence to have a selection of threads on hand in your
favourite colours.
dressmaking shears -
Large sized dressmaking scissors.
dressmaking
scissors
- Who doesn't love the sound of a pair of dressmaking scissors cutting
fabric from a bolt? To ensure their continued sharpness, it's best not
to use your dressmaking scissors (and shears) for anything other
than fabric.
pinking shears -
Cuts perfect little pointed edges to stop your fabric fraying. Also
good for decorative edging on fabrics.
sewing clippers
- Handy sewing tool for snipping your threads.
embroidery
scissors - The sweetest little scissors for getting right in
close to your embroidery work, easily.
thimble
- The perfect little accessory to protect your fingers from those ouchy
pricks of the needle.
needle threader - Our
eyes don't get any better with age. These are the best invention and
make threading your needle a breeze.
seam ripper
- So helpful for life's little mistakes!
pins
- Of course pins are a must in any sewing box. There are many varieties
available too - from the basic steel pins, to glass topped, to the
large quilting pins.
pin cushion - Easily
see, store and use your pins and needles.
sewing
chalk or pencil - Also known as tailors chalk.
darning
mushroom - Has a gorgeous old-fashioned charm and yet using
one is so helpful for nice neat stitches.
press studs
- Little fasteners for clothes, bags, purses etc: Available in a range
of sizes.
hooks and eyes - Again, sweet
little fasteners for clothing and craft projects.
dressmaking
tape measure - The perfect flexible measuring tool for both
bodies and fabric. Ensure not to stretch it.
zippers
- Available in many styles for different types of articles.
tracing
paper - Always available at the supermarket.
dressmakers
carbon - For the ease of tracing pattern markings onto your
fabric.
tracing wheel
- If you love to use the old fashioned method of using dressmakers
carbon for marking your fabric, then a tracing wheel is a
must.
Very easy to use.
ruler - A sturdy ruler
with both inches and centimetres marked.
embroidery
hoop
- I have both a small embroidery hoop and a larger one. Both are handy
in their own rights. Always remove your project from an embroidery hoop
when not working on it, to ensure less creasing.
elastic
- Little cards of elastics that are different widths and
colours.
bodkin - The perfect little tool
for threading elastic.
spare sewing machine needles
& bobbins - a must!
In
addition, these items also seem like 'must haves' within reach
of your sewing room: a sewing machine, iron
& ironing board
my little sewing hints or tips that I always
seem to use:
tip 1. Cut a small square piece
from an ordinary household rubber glove and use it to help
pull a needle through thick fabric when hand sewing or
embroidering. Grasp the needle with it and pull. The rubber grips your
needle so very easily.
tip
2. I have a clothes lint brush or lint
collector
which I use all the time whilst sewing (and the dreaded ironing). It is
great for
brushing over any type of fabric, to pick up all
those loose and cut
threads straight away.
tip
3. An ordinary magnet or fridge magnet
is great to use for picking up spilt needles and pins off of the floor,
especially if you have small children (or husbands)
If
your sewing box is anything like mine, it will always have more than
enough of an assortment of cottons, embroidery threads, buttons and
even laces. Overflowing in fact! And I can't forget the stashes of
fabric in
the sewing cupboard either, just waiting for the inspiration, and time,
for being used.
Happy Sewing!
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