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Unit 5 Sewing Techniques
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
A good pair of shears will cost more
than most other basic supplies. If you care
for shears properly, they will last for years.
Use them only for cutting fabric—not for
cutting string, paper, or anything else. If
they become dull, have them sharpened by
a professional who knows the correct way
to do this.
Another useful tool for cutting fabric
is a rotary cutter. It has a round blade and
looks like a pizza cutter. A locking mecha-
nism retracts the blade for safety. The
rotary cutter is good for cutting straight
lines—especially those for quilt pieces. Use
this cutter with a special self-healing mat
that protects both the work surface and the
blade.
Pinking or scalloping shears have
a zigzag cutting edge or a scalloping cut-
ting edge. They are useful for giving seam
edges a fi nished look. You can also use
these shears to achieve a decorative look
on nonwoven fabrics. Do not use them to
cut garment pieces from fabric. The uneven
edge is diffi cult to follow when sewing.
Seam edges can be pinked after stitching
the seams.
A thread clipper is used to clip threads
at the start and end of every stitching line.
The clipper’s spring action reopens the
blade after each cut. You can also use this
tool as a seam ripper to undo sewing mis-
takes or remove basting stitches.
Another handy cutting tool is a seam
ripper. This is a small gadget with a hook-
like blade that is useful for removing
stitches. It can quickly remove an entire row
of stitching. You have to be careful, however,
that you do not cut the fabric or yourself.
Measuring Tools
To sew accurately, you need the proper measuring tools, 24-3. A tape
measure is a requirement for taking body measurements. It is 60 inches long.
One made of plastic or strong fabric does not stretch. Metal ends protect it for
longer use.
To mark an even hem on a dress or skirt, you can use a skirt marker. This
device is useful for measuring and marking hemlines on garments using either
pins or chalk. To use this device, wear the garment to be hemmed and stand
24-1 A successful
sewer needs these
supplies.
Sewing Supplies
Basic Supplies Additional Supplies
Shears
Tape measure
Tracing wheel and
paper
Needles
Pins
Pincushion
Thread
Iron
Ironing board
Sewing machine
Scissors
Pinking or scalloping
shears
Thread clipper or
seam ripper
Sewing gauge
Yardstick or meter stick
Tailor’s chalk
Thimble
Sleeve board
Press cloth
Pressing ham
24-2 Shears,
scissors, and thread
clippers come in
various shapes and
sizes.