One thing I have done to extend the life of my rotary cutter blades is stropping them. I made my own leather strop by attaching leather to a leftover piece of 2x4 and then I got some polishing compound. I rub that on the leather and then run the rotary blade over that. It's similar to knife stropping, which is how I came up with the idea.
Thank you so much for linking to a quilting ruler in cm! I've really struggled to find one in the UK as they all seem to be primarily in inches even if cm are included. One slightly less conventional tool I like to use when sewing is a metal woodworking ruler, as the measurements go right to the edge and you can also iron over it!
Hi Sarah! I found that a thin piece of a dry bar of soap (you know, the leftovers you get after so many showers) can be used instead of wax to stop thread from getting tangled, and also as a marking tool instead of white chalk. I enjoy your videos, thank you!
Excellent list, especially including the rotary cutter. The only other thing I'd add is a *reliable* iron. Mine's older than I am but the tip of the iron is the perfect angle for pressing tight spots.
That's an excellent tip! I'm thinking of replacing mine because even though I've only had it for about 3 years it turns off while I'm using it and the steam malfunctions all the time (I luckily haven't been burnt...yet 😬). Which brand do you use?
I’ve been sewing for years and never knew that measuring tapes stretch! I’ve had mine for so long the edges are fraying. 😮 I think it’s time to get a new one and see just how much longer my old one is in comparison! Lol 😂😂 And thank you so much for the sewing wax suggestion- I’ve always seen it in stores but never bought it because I didn’t know what it was for. Nothing more frustrating than your thread tangling while basting! Thanks again!
Oh wow! What an old faithful measuring tape! 😂 And yes, thread wax is so helpful and a little goes a long way - I've had the same little thing of wax for over five years!
With the exception of the rotary cutter -- which wasn't invented when I started sewing -- this could be the sewing tool kit we needed for 7th grade sewing class, when most people my age learned to sew! My only suggestion is that you have multiple seam rippers and invest in a really good iron!
Part of my sewing supplies were purchased in the school supply section and include scotch tape, glue sticks (washable and regular), washable thin tipped markers, and colorful chalk. I also wait until the supplies are on sale or have been clearanced at the beginning of the school year, when I need to restock anything. I've never used tailor's chalk personally because it was cost prohibitive when I first got into sewing - all the other mentioned supplies were less in total and/or "borrowed" from my kids.
Those are great tips - I didn't know kid's school supplies could be used for sewing! I'm sorry to hear that tailoring chalk is expensive where you are, they're 0.70 EUR each in my haberdashery. I'll have to try out kid's chalk sometime, I could get all kinds of fun colors! 😂😊
I see how the sewing gauge is essencial, every other youtuber i see uses it. I tried buying it here in Brazil and I just can't find it. Maybe the translation is not equivalent and the name is something else, but even when i go to shops in my town and show them the pictures they have no idea that it exists. Buying one from Amazon on the link you sent, after shipping and taxes amounts to almost 200 reais, which is equivalent to 6,50 meters of mixed linen (making sewing comparisons so you can understand :D ) ... I would really love one of those, i just can't afford that amount right now and it seems so inexpensive in America and Europe. Thank you for this video
Do you mean a beret? I'm not much of a hat person, so I don't have plans to make any soon, but I'm sure if you search "Women's beret sewing pattern", you'll find plenty of free patterns and tutorials online!
The best pins are not those with the glass heads, but those with the tiny metal heads. You can iron straight over them without creating indents in your fabric.
Hello, I featured my Bella Loves Patterns Traveller coat in a video I made showing all my favorite handmade coats! You can see it in more detail there: th-cam.com/video/A2k4YML-BLg/w-d-xo.html
Thank you for this video! Super informative! I have the LDH scissors and I like how sharp they are. However, when I open the blades it lifts and shifts the fabrics and I cant get a clean straight cut. I noticed from your video demonstration clips, that this doesn’t happen with the Kai scissors likely due to the bent shape. Can you confirm this from your experience?
I'm glad you liked the video! Yes, I've noticed that the bent shape of the scissors really helps to keep the fabric from shifting and I get great, precise cuts with mine. I hope that helps!
Funny, I don’t own a seam gauge, nor a quilting ruler, and I hardly ever use chalk. And I make my own clothes for decades now. Your selection of tools is excellent, but you can achieve the same with other tools too. Maybe that’s a consolation.😁
Thank you for all this great sewing supplies tips. I see that you have a dress form, I was thinking of investing in adjustable one, is your dress form adjustable or is it made specifically for you ? Do you have any recommendations for dress forms? Thank you .🙂
I'm glad you enjoyed these tips! My dress form is adjustable and I didn't have many to choose from since my budget was pretty limited and my top half is smaller than a lot of the regular size ranges, but mine is a Prymadonna and I'm very happy with it! I hope that helps 😊
Sewing machine needles, and good thread would also be essential. There are universal needles that are a good start, but if someone wants to sew jeans and knits, then they could use different needles for each of those projects to lessen aggravation. Good quality thread that does not fuzz up or break while sewing is also important.
I’ve been sewing for ~25 years, most of those without sewing machine. I sew everything I make by hand, because I find them confusing, annoying, and cumbersome. I can sit and sew everywhere, without lugging about the machine ánd without the noise (which I find very unpleasant). Obviously it’s not as fast as with the machine, but with time and experience hand sewing is much faster than most people think.
Oh wow! You're right, a sewing machine can be very cumbersome and I agree, the noise is unpleasant. You must be very patient and it must be so satisfying to make garments entirely by hand!
One thing I have done to extend the life of my rotary cutter blades is stropping them. I made my own leather strop by attaching leather to a leftover piece of 2x4 and then I got some polishing compound. I rub that on the leather and then run the rotary blade over that. It's similar to knife stropping, which is how I came up with the idea.
That's a great tip, thank you!
Thank you so much for linking to a quilting ruler in cm! I've really struggled to find one in the UK as they all seem to be primarily in inches even if cm are included.
One slightly less conventional tool I like to use when sewing is a metal woodworking ruler, as the measurements go right to the edge and you can also iron over it!
I'm so glad to be of help! And thank you for the tip - I've never thought of using a metal woodworking ruler and that sounds so useful for sewing 😊
Hi Sarah! I found that a thin piece of a dry bar of soap (you know, the leftovers you get after so many showers) can be used instead of wax to stop thread from getting tangled, and also as a marking tool instead of white chalk.
I enjoy your videos, thank you!
That's such a great tip, I'll have to try it! Thank you 😊
Thank you. I have just given my daughter my old Janome and with this list, she will be all set to start her sewing journey.
Wonderful! I'm so glad!
Just a tip with the measuring tape stretching out: you can find them made out of fibreglass and that prevents stretching
I didn’t know that! Thank you for the tip 😊
I have all those you mentioned, and I feel your list is very comprehensive. Anyone who follows it will be ready to SEW.
Thank you, I'm so glad! 😊
Excellent list, especially including the rotary cutter. The only other thing I'd add is a *reliable* iron. Mine's older than I am but the tip of the iron is the perfect angle for pressing tight spots.
That's an excellent tip! I'm thinking of replacing mine because even though I've only had it for about 3 years it turns off while I'm using it and the steam malfunctions all the time (I luckily haven't been burnt...yet 😬). Which brand do you use?
I’ve been sewing for years and never knew that measuring tapes stretch! I’ve had mine for so long the edges are fraying. 😮 I think it’s time to get a new one and see just how much longer my old one is in comparison! Lol 😂😂 And thank you so much for the sewing wax suggestion- I’ve always seen it in stores but never bought it because I didn’t know what it was for. Nothing more frustrating than your thread tangling while basting! Thanks again!
Oh wow! What an old faithful measuring tape! 😂 And yes, thread wax is so helpful and a little goes a long way - I've had the same little thing of wax for over five years!
With the exception of the rotary cutter -- which wasn't invented when I started sewing -- this could be the sewing tool kit we needed for 7th grade sewing class, when most people my age learned to sew! My only suggestion is that you have multiple seam rippers and invest in a really good iron!
Thank you! And yes, I agree, having a good seam ripper at hand is always useful and a good iron is important 😊
Checking my supplies list right now!
Part of my sewing supplies were purchased in the school supply section and include scotch tape, glue sticks (washable and regular), washable thin tipped markers, and colorful chalk. I also wait until the supplies are on sale or have been clearanced at the beginning of the school year, when I need to restock anything. I've never used tailor's chalk personally because it was cost prohibitive when I first got into sewing - all the other mentioned supplies were less in total and/or "borrowed" from my kids.
Those are great tips - I didn't know kid's school supplies could be used for sewing! I'm sorry to hear that tailoring chalk is expensive where you are, they're 0.70 EUR each in my haberdashery. I'll have to try out kid's chalk sometime, I could get all kinds of fun colors! 😂😊
I see how the sewing gauge is essencial, every other youtuber i see uses it. I tried buying it here in Brazil and I just can't find it. Maybe the translation is not equivalent and the name is something else, but even when i go to shops in my town and show them the pictures they have no idea that it exists. Buying one from Amazon on the link you sent, after shipping and taxes amounts to almost 200 reais, which is equivalent to 6,50 meters of mixed linen (making sewing comparisons so you can understand :D ) ... I would really love one of those, i just can't afford that amount right now and it seems so inexpensive in America and Europe. Thank you for this video
I'm so sorry to hear that sewing gauges are so hard to find where you are in Brazil. How frustrating!
Thank you so much!!!!
Sarah, please make a video how to make a french hat, wool or felt?
Do you mean a beret? I'm not much of a hat person, so I don't have plans to make any soon, but I'm sure if you search "Women's beret sewing pattern", you'll find plenty of free patterns and tutorials online!
The best pins are not those with the glass heads, but those with the tiny metal heads. You can iron straight over them without creating indents in your fabric.
Oh, I've never heard of those! I'll go check them out and thank you for the recommendation!
Real glass headed pins can be used with an iron. Not the plastic ones, of course.
But genuine glass pins can be used while ironing.
😊
Sarah hi
Can you please make a video on Bella’s travelers coat ? I made her Grace and tempted to make the travelers coat
Hello, I featured my Bella Loves Patterns Traveller coat in a video I made showing all my favorite handmade coats! You can see it in more detail there: th-cam.com/video/A2k4YML-BLg/w-d-xo.html
Thank you for this video! Super informative! I have the LDH scissors and I like how sharp they are. However, when I open the blades it lifts and shifts the fabrics and I cant get a clean straight cut. I noticed from your video demonstration clips, that this doesn’t happen with the Kai scissors likely due to the bent shape. Can you confirm this from your experience?
I'm glad you liked the video! Yes, I've noticed that the bent shape of the scissors really helps to keep the fabric from shifting and I get great, precise cuts with mine. I hope that helps!
Funny, I don’t own a seam gauge, nor a quilting ruler, and I hardly ever use chalk. And I make my own clothes for decades now. Your selection of tools is excellent, but you can achieve the same with other tools too. Maybe that’s a consolation.😁
That's so thrifty! Do you use a measuring tape mostly then?
Yes, but I also have a device with which you can easily divide your buttons. And a special tool for hems.
Thank you for all this great sewing supplies tips.
I see that you have a dress form, I was thinking of investing in adjustable one, is your dress form adjustable or is it made specifically for you ? Do you have any recommendations for dress forms? Thank you .🙂
I'm glad you enjoyed these tips! My dress form is adjustable and I didn't have many to choose from since my budget was pretty limited and my top half is smaller than a lot of the regular size ranges, but mine is a Prymadonna and I'm very happy with it! I hope that helps 😊
@@Sarah_Naomi Thank you , that's great.
Lots of good advice, I've collected all these items.
❤
Sewing machine needles, and good thread would also be essential. There are universal needles that are a good start, but if someone wants to sew jeans and knits, then they could use different needles for each of those projects to lessen aggravation. Good quality thread that does not fuzz up or break while sewing is also important.
Yes, those are excellent tips! Thank you 😊
I’ve been sewing for ~25 years, most of those without sewing machine. I sew everything I make by hand, because I find them confusing, annoying, and cumbersome. I can sit and sew everywhere, without lugging about the machine ánd without the noise (which I find very unpleasant).
Obviously it’s not as fast as with the machine, but with time and experience hand sewing is much faster than most people think.
Oh wow! You're right, a sewing machine can be very cumbersome and I agree, the noise is unpleasant. You must be very patient and it must be so satisfying to make garments entirely by hand!