Top 10 Sewing Tools That Will Elevate Your Sewing

Professional Tailor's Chalk for Sewing 10PCS (4 Color)
Professional Tailor's Chalk for Sewing 10PCS (4 Color)

10 Sewing Tools

Sewing tools, aka sewing notions, are just as crucial to a seamster as a baking pan is to a baker. Tools do our jobs and process easier when trying to complete a task or technique. Using the correct notion will save you time and, of course, the headache of manually doing each step. As you grow in confidence and skill, I recommend reassessing your tools and upgrading or changing some to make it easier and more enjoyable!

What type of sewing tools do you prefer?

There are defiantly necessary sewing tools that every sewist should have in their bag; however, when you choose a sewing path (examples are garment sewist, quilter, bag maker, accessories), each subcategory will have tools that help for that specific skill set or project set. Or maybe you’re just getting into sewing and are not 100% sure of what supplies will give you the best bang for your buck.

Well, I am here to help you with some basic and some more specialized tools you may want to invest in.

Top 10 tools

These are in no particular order; they are not rated in order, which means that I think you will benefit from having them on hand for sewing.

# 10.  A good QUALITY iron.

I have the Sapporo Gravity Feed iron at my home studio, I love this iron so much, but I do know it’s not practical for all sewists

Sapporo sp527 gravity feed bottle steam ironing system
Sapporo SP527/SP-527 Gravity Feed Bottle Steam Ironing System with Demineralizer and Magic Glide Shoe

I include the favorite that I have at the studio! Great price and heavy duty!

rowenta dw5080 focus steam iron
Rowenta DW5080 Focus Steam Iron

# 9. Scissors, scissors and more scissors

I love my Kai N5230 9 inch bent blade; the bent helps me cut my fabric easily without lifting my material from the table, reducing shifting in those slinkier fabrics.  From quality to price, I have yet to buy a better pair. I was always a Gingher scissors girl until Sara Lawson of Sew Sweetness showed me this brand at one of the quilt markets; it’s been the best investment!

kai 5230 scissors
Kai 5230 9 Inch Bent Handle Scissors

# 8. Tube turners 

This little tool will make turning your straps a breeze; seriously, spend the money; you will thank me later!

Dritz 796 Quick Turn
Dritz 796 Quick Turn

# 7. Serger 

If you plan on sewing knit fabric and or garments, this sewing machine will become your right hand. It will save you time and money!  Don’t be afraid of it, as it’s one of the most incredible tools you can get! It’s easy to use and takes a little time practicing the threading, but it is doable!

Brother Serger, ST4031HD, Strong and Tough Serger,
Brother Serger, ST4031HD, Strong and Tough Serger

# 6. Rotary Cutters and Mats
I like to have a few styles and sizes on hand for cutting with a rotary blade. This makes cutting squares for quilting very easy and clean; als,o if you have the smaller cutter, you can use the rotary to cut out your clothing! I have fallen in love with these cutters! If you are going to use a rotary cutte,r make sure that you also grab a self-healing mat as well. The self-healing mat will help protect your table and cutters.

Fiskars Crafts 95237097J Rotary Sewing Cutting Set

# 5. Good Marking Tools

I love a variety of different marking tools. There isn’t a great go-to for all types, so you will want to find a few that work well for you. I like using chalk pencils, frixion markers/gel pens, water or air soluble, carbon paper, and pressed chalk.

Bohin Chalk Pencil Refillable Cartridge Set-1
Bohin Chalk Pencil Refillable Cartridge Set-1
Sewline Air-Erasable Fabric Pen--1
Sewline Air-Erasable Fabric Pen–1
Professional Tailor's Chalk for Sewing 10PCS (4 Color)
Professional Tailor’s Chalk for Sewing 10PCS (4 Color)
PILOT Frixion Clicker Retractable Pens Retractable Erasable Gel Pens Fine Point (.7) Assorted Color Inks
Pilot Frixion Clicker Retractable Pens Retractable Erasable Gel Pens Fine Point (.7) Assorted Color Inks
Amornphan 5 Sheets 5 Colors Sewing Carbon Tracing Paper Transfer Paper 9"x11" Home Sewing Cross Stitch Paint Kit Marking Patterns Fabric Craft
Amornphan 5 Sheets 5 Colors Sewing Carbon Tracing Paper Transfer Paper 9″x11″ Home Sewing Cross Stitch Paint Kit Marking Patterns Fabric Craft

# 4 Pressing Ham, Seam Roll, and Clapper

Ironing and pressing are essential for making your projects look high quality and professional. I like to say the difference between handmade and homemade. These tools will help you press or iron specific curves, creases, and such into the fabric, allowing you to mold and shape.

Dritz 562 Tailor's Ham-1
Dritz 562 Tailor’s Ham
7 Inch Quilter's Tailor Wooden Clapper Tool Steam Iron Set a Seam Sewing Quilting-1
7 Inch Quilter’s Tailor Wooden Clapper Tool Steam Iron Set a Seam Sewing Quilting-1
Dritz 561 Seam Roll--1
Dritz 561 Seam Roll

# 3 Rulers – Different types for different jobs

We take a lot of measurements in sewing; we need various tools to accomplish different tasks. I have a few favorites, they have been tried and true for me over the years, and it’s always available to use at the studio.

See-Thru Dressmaker's Ruler
See-Thru Dressmaker’s Ruler

# 2 Different types of tracing paper for drafting patterns or altering them

Tracing paper can be a personal preference; I like having different widths, weights, and opacities. I use medical examination paper for quick drafts and mockups. Once I work out the kinks, I switch to heavier tracing paper, which I use to make a temp pattern. If it becomes one of the staple patterns, I use heavyweight pattern paper or Vellum.

Bee Paper Heavy Vellum Sketch Roll, 36-Inch by 5-Yards
Bee Paper Heavy Vellum Sketch Roll, 36-Inch by 5-Yards
Bienfang 50-Yard by 36-Inch wide Sketching and Tracing Paper Roll
Bienfang 50-Yard by 36-Inch wide Sketching and Tracing Paper Roll

# 1 Sewing Machine 

Sewing machines are like cars; most like the ones they like and are totally brand loyal, and I get it, I am too! I love my Brother Sewing Machines; I have been a user since I started and still to this day will recommend the brand to new sewists.

This is a tried and true machine, you can go a little fancier with the PC-420, but the CS6000i is a great machine! It comes with a walking foot as well!!

-Brother Sewing and Quilting Machine, CS6000i,_
-Brother Sewing and Quilting Machine, CS6000i,

My top 10 tools that will bring your sewing to the next level. It’s really about having the right tools for the jobs you’re trying to accomplish. Did I miss anything that you think I should have added? Let me know!

Happy Sewing!

2 Comments

  1. Sewing knits on a sewing machine is doable; we don’t disagree at all. This post is about elevating your sewing and serging your knits will give a professional/bought-in-the-store look. But you are right about sewing knits on a sewing machine; it is doable and looks good 🙂

  2. Demetria Santillan

    I have to disagree with you on the serger. I sew on a lot of knits and just use my sewing machine. I use the stretch stitch for knits on my machine & my projects come out perfect!

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