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sewing· Thoughts

Sewing tools

(Please know, I am not getting paid to tell you about these.  I just really love them.)
Ok, so you may or may not own these same tools, and you may or may not have the same feelings I have.  But. I. Love. Them.
I use them almost every time I sew.  And they are not expensive.  (So, my style.)
So, if you don’t know about them….let me introduce you to my little friends…(isn’t that from a movie?….sorry, it’s late).
The first is a…..

Love this tool.  Especially, if you don’t have a serger.  You. Need. One.  It is the perfect tool for finishing seams.  Mine is an Olfa brand and I got it at Hobby Lobby, but I know that there are quite a few companies that make them.  I also love it for making your own charm pack squares out of scraps, for so much less money.

My second favorite tool of my sewing box that I want to share is a…..

Some people love chalk, pencils or other marking tools, but I love this marker.  It is great.  I use mine to mark all my patterns.
And my third one is my newest find…costs less than $5 and is such a “why didn’t I think of that” kind of tool.  I learned about this one from the PBS show “Sew it All.”
I DVR them…and watch them sometimes while I am up late at night.  And one night a couple of months ago while up with a teething toddler, I was watching someone make a tote bag (sorry I can’t remember who it was) and she showed the hera marker.  Although, at the time I thought she kept saying “hair marker” (it was late, people) and so it took me forever on the internet to find it the next day.  But, it was worth the million google searches. 
The hera marker is a tool that creases your fabric and the best part about it is that the fabric holds the crease on both the front and back!  Genius.  I got mine here….but I am sure that there are other places to get one.

You use it with your cutting mat and ruler and score the fabric just like you would use your rotary cutter.  I have been using this tool on front facings on patterns where you need to mark a fold…..and it works so well.  And the best part, your fold is perfect because you have a line all the way down your fabric!

Ok, now it’s your turn…..what is your favorite sewing tool that you haven’t shared?  Please, do tell!

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Comments

  1. Sandy says

    I don’t have a pinking rotary cutter, but it sounds like I need one. Is that so that you don’t have to go and zig-zag the edges of something so it doesn’t fray?
    I use the other 2 tools you showed alot. I just recently got a hera and wonder how I lived without it. On my most recent quilt, I used it to “score” the lines where I wanted to quilt, rather than using chalk or a marker…. it worked great!

    I am always using my small sewing gauge to help me make hems, it is invaluable!

  4. Rachel says

    I have never even heard of a pinking rotary cutter before–I am intrigued. I’m predicting a craft store visit this week to get me one! Thanks for the tips 🙂

  5. Jessica at Me Sew Crazy says

    I feel like such a dork – why have I never thought to get the pinking rotary cutter before?! Ummm…DUH! Yes please

    My favorites are pretty basic, I have a pair of fantastic scissors that I couldn’t live without. I know…boring.

  6. Bratling says

    Oddly enough, my favorite tool isn’t a sewing tool at all. Chopsticks. They’re useful for transferring marks with pattern tracing paper, helping turn things, putting sharp creases in collars… and I can get 20 for $2. And since I lose them frequently! Yeah, that’s my kind of tool!

  10. Ruby Jean says

    Oh I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Olfa Pinking Rotary Cutter.. I think I cut everything and anything with it when I first bought it… 🙂 Oh goodness what is my Favorite Sewing Tool… I am Seriously having to think about this… Well I guess it would have to be My Basic Rotary Blade 60mm I use it CONSTANTLY.. I have gone through so many Blades with that one…:)

  11. Emily says

    The hera maker looks awesome. I’ve thought about getting a pinking rotary cutter a time or two but everything that I’ve pinked has shredded in the washer so now I just zig zag everything since I don’t have a serger. I love my cutting mat and rotary cutter!! Also, my walking foot is great for slippery stuff. 🙂

  12. tobecontinued says

    Ooh, I need the hera marker- that is awesome! My favorite tools are my clear non-slip quilting rulers. I don’t know how I cut/measured before I had them!

  16. Delia says

    Very intriguing. I have never heard of the hera marker but my interest is definitely piqued.

    My favorite tool…hmmm. That’s tough. My gingher scissors. But that’s boring. 🙂

  17. cbaker says

    Like so many others who commented, my favorite tool (next to my rotary cutter and large cutting table) is my awesome pair of Gingher scissors. They are used strictly for fabric and my husband and children know that they are NOT allowed to touch them!

    I am going to have to get me all 3 of the tools you mentioned even though I do have a serger. I have a bone folder in my card making supplies which is probably simlar to the Hera tool you mentioned so I may see if that works first although I saw the Hera on sale on joann.com for around $3.25 today! Gotta buy it if it’s on sale, right?

  20. kendascrafts says

    I found this post through a google search for ‘hair marker.’ 🙂 I just watched that same Sew it All episode and decided I have to have that tool. Thanks for making my search easier!!