Brought to you by BERNINA and the Sewing Republic
Having the right tools while you sew can make all the difference between a beautiful skirt and something that will go into your scrap pile. Using these easy little accessories can shave minutes, even hours off your total time. Check out this list… see anything missing? Let us know!
A quality sewing machine like the BERNINA activa 210
And of course, clear instructions, which can be found at the Sewing Republic brought to you by BERNINA and here at BurdaStyle
Oct 12, 2009, 01.43 PMby sewella
This list wouldn’t be complete without a cup of coffee (cocoa, tea – you pick yours) and loads of good music!
1 Reply
Oct 13, 2009, 09.43 PMby BlaqkPepper
Oh I agree with you 100%!!
I’d never finish anything if it wasn’t for those!
Oct 12, 2009, 02.17 PMby wzrdreams
I keep all these items within arms reach of my work station…except a pressing ham. I still need to get one of those. Having a Bernina sewing machine would probably help too. ;)
Oct 12, 2009, 09.27 PMby scormeny
The only one I don’t have now is a loop turner. I do not use a magnetic seam guide because my machine is a “computer” machine (Bernina Activa 130) — I think that you’re supposed to avoid magnetic seam guides in those cases. But there is a seam guide that came with my sewing machine that screws onto the foot, and I do use that.
Things I’d add to this list:
- tracing paper and a tracing wheel;
- high quality pins and a magnetic pin “cushion”
- a good iron
- hand-sewing needles
Oct 12, 2009, 10.07 PMby Reneebies
ooo what is a magnetic seam guide? sounds like something i need!!!
Also would add good iron to the list.
Oct 12, 2009, 10.39 PMby jodika
I only have four of the things on this list!
Oct 13, 2009, 11.19 AMby KateXXXXXX
I take the sewing machine as a given! :) On that score, I wouldn’t be without my Bernina 1150MDA serger and my Bernina 1005 sewing machine. Nor my Husqvarna Lily 550, my Brother 1034D serger, nor any of the rest of the 20 or so sewing machines that live here! Sometimes and ancient old hand crank is just the ticket for a particular job…
My other essentials are:
Good quality dressmakers sheers
Pencil and a long ruler!
Bernina eyelet sewing kit!
Tin snips..
Clover extra long extra fine pins
Small sharp scissors
Steam generator iron OR a dry iron that gets seriously HOT and LOTS of damp pressing cloths!
Sturdy ironing board
pressing cloth
120" tape measure
Paper for making/altering patterns
All other pressing kit is great, but can be improvised. For example, a rolling pin wrapped in a tea towel makes a good sleeve roll, and a ham can be made from a china bowl wrapped in tea towels and tied up firmly. I don’t often use a seam ripper, as threads USUALLY pull out if you do it with care, and while they are fantastic to use, things like roller cutters and mats as not exactly essential. The tin snips are: I use them to cut boning.
All the rest is just ‘kit’. Fun stuff, and sometimes essential for particular projects (like the Kandy Kane wand for hot fix crystals, and the pinking attachment for the treadle… ), but not essential froe basic dress making.
1 Reply
Oct 28, 2009, 10.04 PMby smanf
Ahh, I see….! Tin snips for cutting boning – I was puzzled there for a moment.
Oct 13, 2009, 04.26 PMby escorpio
I don’t even know what all those things are…
However, I don’t think the sewing machine qualifies as an accessory, it’s quite essential. And sadly they’re right about the seam ripper, it’s one of my most used accessories (but by my first statement you can conclude that I don’t have many, I do almost use the seam ripper at least once for every garment).
Oct 13, 2009, 07.26 PMby marissanichole
All of those are.. ok for basic needs. But i would say we need some straight pins especially! I would say to have a pressing ham you need an Iron first, and you would need a tape measure.
Oct 13, 2009, 07.28 PMby sharonan23
I would add a gauge that is about 5 inches long with a movable pointer that moves up and down – great for marking hems and buttonholes. And big tweezers that I use to make threading my serger easier.
Oct 13, 2009, 07.33 PMby JuJuBe15
You forgot long, straight pins with non-plastic heads. Do not buy the Walmart special, as they bend as soon as you look at them, and the heads melt.
Of this list, I’ve only the ruler (it’s clearish, and pink or green depending on the one I use), the scissors, seam ripper, and a great machine (Husqvarna, I salut thee).
Oct 13, 2009, 07.58 PMby llk
I’d add: Good light; a large FLAT surface – and I beg to differ on the tube turner…I’ve been sewing for 35 years and still use the safety pin method.
Oct 13, 2009, 08.29 PMby sondra_lewis1
Rowenta steam generator must be added to this list. Also, scissors and rotary blade sharpeners. Buying new ones is really overrated! I’d rather spend the money saved on more fabric or patterns. :)
Oct 13, 2009, 09.10 PMby tsuyako
I’ll add an attachable sewing table for you sewing machine. Mine is 18x 24 and I couldn’t sew without it. Not only does it solve the problem of way-to-heavy project pulling on my seam but it is a comfortable resting place for my elbows while I sew.
Oct 14, 2009, 01.48 AMby ElenaY
I had a plastic tool with a rounded edge on one end and a smaller pointed but a little bit rounded edge on the other that was wonderful for turning points and edging seams for pressing. Recently i broke the little pointed rounded edge and am lost without it. Any one know where i can get a replacement for this?
2 Replies
Oct 14, 2009, 06.02 PMby Alden
is this what you were talking about?
Oct 14, 2009, 06.03 PMby Alden
the “this” is a link
Oct 14, 2009, 02.02 AMby ElenaY
I am at my wits end to find a reliable steam generator iron. I make bags and interface them with fusible batting and this kind or iron is invaluable for doing this. However I have gone through 3 such irons in the past few years, one Euro-Pro and now 2 Bernina Ironing Systems. The parts wear out, the iron fails. I have had my irons professionally repaired and my husband has also been able to resecutate 2 of my irons but they are now on their last legs and parts are just about impossible to get. I am completely lost without this valuable kind of tool for adhering fusible fleece. A standard steam iron just doesn’t do it. I have heard pros and cons about Rowentas. Is there anyone out there that knows of any other irons available for doing this.?
1 Reply
Oct 15, 2009, 11.27 AMby KateXXXXXX
Go professional and buy what they use in the couture houses and factories, where the things are on for up to 12 hours a day: Polti! http://www.poltiuk.co.uk/
Oct 14, 2009, 01.11 PMby makesomething
ElenaY – I personally have been using a Reliable Digital Velocity Iron for over 3 years now and it is hands down the best steam generator iron out there!
Oct 15, 2009, 05.39 PMby VethBlack
I cant live without my clear ruler. :D
Oct 15, 2009, 06.16 PMby Oceanpeg
I’d be lost without my “Dot Young Adjustable Top Stitch & Seam Guide” for straight sewing and curved sewing. It’s perfect for seams, top stitching and Quilt blocks. It fits any machine with the standard screw hole. It’s non-magnetic and can be used on computer sewing machines. It’s sorta “J” shaped. It pivots to 3 positions on a single slot and has rounded ends for necklines, etc. It’s made by Young Enterprises Inc in St. Petersburg, Florida USA. Been using one of these for years. It’s more or less an improvement with the curves on it, from the one we used in the 50’s and 60’s on the older sewing machines.
Oct 16, 2009, 08.02 PMby amandaleon
i love my giant cutting mat and rotary cutter.
Also important is a good iron.
1 Reply
Oct 24, 2009, 09.28 PMby MayaDoughterOfSun
Hi, I d like to buy a rotary cutter, but have no idea which one to buy. Any recommendation? (I need to order online I can t find it here where i live)
Oct 16, 2009, 08.54 PMby Lookingpast
What about an iron and ironing board?
Oct 18, 2009, 05.07 AMby deidrek
I would add good pins and of course needles, a needle threader can be a great asset especially at night.
I really love my sleeve press, its a must, its an oldie but a goodie, made by my father about 56 years ago for my Mum, its on heavy strong timber base with a metal support, just sits where you put it and doesnt move, I love it and use it to press lots of fiddly bits.
Of course a good iron and an Elna press is wonderful for fusing especially for large pieces for jackets etcOct 20, 2009, 08.46 PMby Littlemaeve
I read the list with surprise. After dressmaking (self taught but have taught many others) for 63 years I of course either have or have tried ALL items listed. Yes I have a pressing ham I saw it only last week and wondered why on earth I had spent good money on buying it as I have used it once in 25 years. I started machining on a treddle sewing machine and at times due to problems been without one and still made dresses etc. Please do not waste money on items that you are not sure you are going to use.
Top quality shears are important. The thicker the fabric the stonger and thicker shears are needed. Cheap scissors will Not do the job and will cause damage to your fabric and hands. Get British they are the best. Also trimming scissors are important. Small but not so small they have to be strained to cut the fabric. If I say I have 3 pairs of shears and 2 pairs of trimming scissors and a smaller pair for cutting threads it shows how much an important tool they are to me.
A Tape measure a must. in fact 2 or 3 as they are never under your finger when you need one. The best quality sewing needles Cleaned when sweaty through your hair! Always use good quality thread. If you have purchased it off the market it’s usually no good. Knob pins Long and cine lots of them along with a pin cushion. Do not use a magnet otherwise the pins will sticjl together just when you do not want them to. Also they could stick to your machine plate and scissors….metal gets magnatised aftter a while. Clear long ruler mine has spaces to run a pencil mark about 1 cm from edge. A yard stick. A right angle. and a french curve are all time savers and accurate. Tailoring chalk is very rarely useful. A soft drawing pencil has served me better and pins where marking shows.
Weights for laying out and holding your fabric down whilst cutting out can be made from bricks wrapped in fabric or if you are lazy use cans of beans or soups etc.
Yes a steam iron is a must and my Rowenta Proffesional broke down only two weeks ago. I now only do home dressmaking so that iron was supurb. If it’s for more industrial use industrial irons -steamers are available. A sleeve press is useful but a rolled up bath sheet/towel does the job.
I have recently started teaching my 12 year old twin granddaughters to make garments and with my tried and tested methods both factory and home ways they can put zips in neater than most adults. O.K. they have the use of the best machines on the market and my years of experience but I am still proud of them.
I do not always have time to read all your letters but if anyone need help just e-mail me
Oct 28, 2009, 10.29 PMby smanf
Although newish to this game, I’d add:
- sharp and smooth long pins
- an ironing board and iron
- a largish cutting surface that’s taller than your average table (my very rudimentary and improvised work station is a piece of 2′×4′ 6mm MDF sat on top of 2 big shoeboxes, sat on top of a super cheap and old Ikea console table!)
- pattern making paper or, if you haven’t got any, some good old fashioned greaseproof paper, to trace patterns.