Sewing Equipment

Safety Pin

A pin with a point that is bent back to the head and is held in a guard when closed.

Straight Pin

Used to attach pattern pieces to fabric and to pin garment pieces together before sewing.

Hand Needle

Used for handstitching buttons, hems, seams, openings

Rotary Cutter

A tool generally used by quilters to cut fabric. It consists of a handle with a circular blade that rotates.

Rotary Ruler

Ruler used to cut straight lines of fabric.

Cutting Mat

Surface used for cutting with a rotary cutter.

Scissors

A tool used for cutting paper and other thin materials.

Shears

A cutting instrument similar to scissors but typically larger. Sewing shears are used ONLYto cut fabric.

Pinking Shears

A cutting instrument used to give seamedges a finished look with a zig-zag edge.

Sewing Gauge

A 6-inch ruler with a sliding marker to measure seams.

Embroidery Scissors

Scissors with a pointed tip that are very sharp so that they can get into small corners and still do clean cuts.

Bobbin

A cylinder that holds thread that is used in a sewing machine.

Spool / Thread

A long, thin strand of cotton, nylon, or other fibers used in sewing (or other craft related activities).

Seam Ripper

A small gadget with a hook-like blade that is used to remove stitches.

Pin Cushion

A small cushion into which pins are stuck for convenient storage.

Measuring Tape

A length of flexible material marked at intervals for measuring.

Interfacing

A piece of stiff fabric placed between two layers of fabric to prevent stretching, add shape, or add crispiness in a certain area.

Tracing Paper

A paper with a “chalky” side that can be used to temporarily mark a pattern onto fabric.

Tracing Wheel

An instrument with multiple teeth on a wheel attached to a handle. It is used to transfer markings from patterns onto fabric with tracing paper.

Thimble

A metal or plastic cap with a closed end, worn to protect the finger and push the needle in sewing.

Iron

A handheld piece of equipment with a flat, roughly triangular surface that. When heated, an iron is used to press clothes to remove creases.

Ironing Board

A long, narrow, padded board used to iron clothing and other material.

Pressing Cloth

Used to lay on top of an item you are ironing/ pressing. This helps to prevent burningfabric or transferring colors/textures to the iron itself.

Pattern

A model or design used as a guide in sewing projects.

Fabric

Cloth, typically produced by weaving or knitting textile fibers.

Needle Threader

A small device for helping put the thread through the eye of small needles.

Notions

A the collective term for a variety of small objects or accessories used in the sewing process.

EX) Buttons, snaps, pins, thread, marking pens, seam rippers, etc.