Small Equipment and Notions

Lesson 1: Chapter 10 in your book

What are notions?All the things that you use for sewing

such as, thread, buttons, ribbons, zippers, bias tape, hem tape, etc. There are many others as well, but basically notions are anything other than the fabric/pattern.

Tape Measures

•Non-stretchable flexible strip •Usually marked with inches and centimeters. Be sure you’re using the right side!

•Uses: •Taking body measurements•Can be used for any measuring task

Seam Gauge

•Variety of forms•Most common = six inch aluminum ruler with a slider.

Pin Cushion

•A device to hold your pins•Magnetic and tomato type(I prefer the tomato type because the magnets shift and can be bumped off)

Why the tomato? According to folklore, placing a tomato on the mantle of a new home guaranteed prosperity and repelled evil spirits. If tomatoes were out of season, families improvised by using a round ball of red fabric filled with sand or sawdust.

Pin Cushion

Why is there a strawberry attached? It’s filled with emery to sharpen your pins. Push the pin in and pull it out repeatedly.

Pin Cushion

Tip: Use only the best—toss the rest. If a pin becomes bent, dull, or rusted, don’t hesitate to THROW IT OUT!

Pins(Dressmaker Pins)

•What pins appear different from the rest?

For this class, ONLY BUY PINS THAT HAVE balls/shapes on the ends.

Pins without em get caught in the carpet!!!

Pins(Dressmaker Pins)

* Don’t buy these!!!

Hand Sewing Needles

•Varying sizes with varying points. •The most common = Sharps

•medium length •have a round eye •suitable for almost any fabric

Thimble

•Protects finger while guiding needle through fabric •Especially useful when hand sewing thick fabric like denim

Sewing Machine Needles

Sewing Machine Needles•Come in a variety of sizes for different machines and different fabrics

8 = fine needle and 19 = thick heavy needle60 = fine needle and 120 = thick heavy needle

Sheer window curtain needs a fine needle (8/60) Using 19/120 would leave holes in the fabric.

Heavy upholstery fabric needs a 19/120 b/c it’s strong enough to pierce the fabric and carry a thread strong enough for this type of fabric.Using a 8/60 needle, it would bend or break.

Sewing Machine Needles

The most common types of point are sharps, ballpoint and universal.

•Sharp needles are for all woven fabric.

•Ballpoint needles are designed for knit fabric so that the point glides between the loops of a knit fabric without ripping the fibers that make up the fabric.

• *Universal needles can be used with woven or knit fabric. The point of a universal needle is sharp yet very slightly rounded giving it the characteristics of a sharp and a ballpoint needle.

Sewing Machine Needles

Sewing Needle Threader

•A wire, bent into a diamond shapeattached to a handle. •Threading needle fast and easy.

To use: •Pass the wire through the eye of the needle•Place the thread inside the wire•Pull the handle on the wire through and the thread comes with it!

Practice Time!Everyone practice using a needle

threader.

Eventually you may not need this but it sure helps avoid frustration while you’re learning!

Shears

•Similar to scissors, but the lower blade always stays flat on a cutting surface.

(Watch example.)•Cut out patterns and sewing projects. •Sharp shears are key to accurate cutting along pattern lines. •Dull shears will drive you crazy!

•Which are shears?

When you need to trim threads as you sew at the machine.

The blades of the scissors may have a slight upward curve to ensure you trim thread without cutting fabric.

Embroidery Scissors

Never use your shears to trim threads as you sew at your machine!

WHY? They are too big and

get in the way.You could over cut

your threads and clip your project’s fabric instead!

Pinking Shears

•Jagged blades that fit together to cut a saw-tooth type edge (zig zag)•Can create a seam finish•Great for non-fraying fabrics like fleece!

Seam Ripper

•YOUR BEST FRIEND if you make a mistake (and you will!)•Remove unwanted stitches•Pick out single threads

•Round blades with a handle and protective cover for the blade. •Works similar to an xacto knife, only it cuts fabric

•MUST be used with rotary mats and rotary rulers.

Rotary Cutters

•Self-healing•Different sizes and markings •Not damaged by rotary cutter (protects your surface) •Does not damage rotary cutter (won’t scratch or overly dull the circle blade)

Rotary Cutting Mats

Pressing Tools

•Iron and ironing board

•Press cloth = (piece of fabric) used when applying extreme heat when ironing a fabric. Acts as a barrier to protect fabric from burning/melting/discoloring.

•Hams = rounded egg-shaped mats for ironing garments with curved seams

•Sleeve rolls = Presser bars with a flattened end

•What is wrong with the image of this ironing board and iron?

Fabric Marking Tools

•Used to mark your fabric when measuring.

•Chalk and pencil wash off.

•Pens usually fade or are permanent.

Drawstring Threader/Bodkin

•Used to rethread a drawstring

•Greatest invention EVER! I recommend buying one of these if you wear hoodies a lot and you’re constantly losing the drawstring in the wash/dryer!

•Also used to sew straps and Turn them right side out.

Tracing Paper and Tracing Wheel

•Used to transfer pattern markings/symbols on to your fabric before cutting

•The tracing wheel should NOT cut through fabric. It is not sharp.

•The tracing paper leaves colored dots on your fabric for you to follow when cutting/sewing

Tracing Paper and Tracing Wheel

Hem Tape

Hem tape = a type of sew-on or fusible adhesive that prepares the bottom (hem) of a garment.

Bias Tape

Bias tape = made from strips of fabric which are used as edging in a variety of projects

• A long strip of fabric cut on the bias or diagonal of fabric • Looks like a ribbon with an opening like a hot dog bun (This is used to place the edge of the fabric inside before sewing.)• Adds flexibility and support to the edge of the fabric and prevents fraying

Bias Tape

Elastic•A stretchy flexible band made of material that can return to its original shape after being stretched or extended.

•Most commonly used in support for undergarments such as panties/bras or bathing suits.

•Comes in different widths

Materials to Purchase: Please follow along on your sheet