SEWING TOOLS AND MATERIALS

MEASURING TOOLS

TAPE MEASURE
a narrow strip (as of a limp cloth or steel tape) marked off in units (such as inches or centimeters)
for measuring

RULER
a measuring tool used to measure and draft lines on a fabric or pattern.

METAL GAUGE
A sewing gauge is a ruler, typically 6 inches long, used for measuring short spaces. A space no
longer than 6 inches in diameter. It is used to mark hems for alterations
 FRENCH CURVE
A French curve is a template usually made from metal, wood or plastic composed of many
different curves. It is used in manual drafting to draw smooth curves of varying radii. The shapes
are segments of the Euler spiral or clothoid curve.

CUTTING TOOLS

PINKING SHEARS
Pinking shears are scissors, the blades of which are sawtoothed instead of straight. They leave a
zigzag pattern instead of a straight edge. The pinking shears design was made by Samuel
Briskman in 1931. Pinking shears have a utilitarian function for cutting woven cloth.

LIGHT TRIMMER
Is used for cutting small corners or portions of the fabric, this tool has one point blunt to prevent
the fabric from snagging.
 BRENT-HANDLED SHEARS
Shears with straight blades and a handle that is off-set an angle to allow the lower blade to stay
flat in a cutting surface

SEAM RIPPER
A seam ripper is a small tool used for ripping stitches. The most common form consists of a
handle, shaft and head. The head is usually forked with one side of the fork flattening out and
becoming a blade and the other side forming a small point.

MARKING TOOLS

TAILORS CHALK
A chalk-like material used for marking alterations on fabric in tailoring and dressmaking. The
marks are brushed or washed off the material when no longer needed.
 CHALK PENCIL
Dressmaker's chalk is an indispensable aid in dressmaking and sewing for marking and tracing
on fabrics. A chalk pencil can be used to make totally accurate markings on the fabric.
SEWING TOOLS

NEEDLE
A sewing needle, for hand-sewing, is a long slender tool with a pointed tip at one end and a
hole (or eye) at the other. The earliest needles were made of bone or wood; modern ones are
manufactured from high carbon steel wire and are nickel- or 18K gold-plated for corrosion
resistance

PIN CUSHION
A pincushion (or pin cushion) is a small, stuffed cushion, typically 3–5 cm (1.2–2.0 in) across,
which is used in sewing to store pins or needles with their heads protruding to take hold of them
easily, collect them, and keep them organized.