Sewing equipment
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Tape measure
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is a flexible measuring tape 60 inches long used for taking body measurements; keep neatly rolled in your sewing box.
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Sewing or seam gauge
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is a 6 inch ruler with an adjustable marker to use for measuring short lengths such as hems and seam widths; set marker for the width you are using.
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Yardstick or meter stick
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Rigid measuring stick of wood, metal, or plastic to use for checking grain lines and marking hemlines.
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Pin cushion
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Are available in many different styles (i.e stuffed cushion, magnetic pin, cushion, wrist cushion) and are used for holding pins.
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Emery Bag
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Used for cleaning tips of pins.
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Pins
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Silk pins are made of stainless steel or brass and are used with most fabrics. Ball-point pins have rounded points to slip between the yarns and help prevent snagging the fabric; used for knitting fabrics. Ball-Headed pins have colorful round plastic or glass heads to make them easier to see and to pick up.
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Dressmaker's shears
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Have bent handles so that the fabric can lie flat on the tables as you cut. This results in better accuracy than lifting up the fabric while cutting. Shears have two different shaped handles. Blades are usually 7 to 8 inches long.
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Embroidery scissors
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are small scissors 3 to 4 inches in length with very pointed blades. Use embroidery scissors for detail work such as cutting buttonholes and ripping stitches.
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Sewing scissors
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Have small round handles and shorter blades (4 to 6 inches). The blades are different widths. Sewing scissors are easier to handle than shears for detail work. Use scissors to trim seams, clip curves, and cut into corners.
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Pinking shears
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Are used to finish a seam edge or other raw edge on firmly woven fabrics. The zigzag design helps to prevent raveling. Do not use pinking shears to cut out fabric pieces because the uneven edge is difficult to follow when stitching.
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Seam ripper
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A pen-shaped gadget with a small blade at one end for removing stitches. Use the blade to lift the thread away from the fabric before cutting. Be careful not to cut the fabric.
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Tailor's Pencil & Fabric marking pen
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Pencil: Pencil containing tailors chalk to mark on fabric. Chalk will wash out of fabric. Pen: Contains disappearing ink that makes it possible to mark in the right or wrong side of the fabric (Ink will either wash out or disappear over a period of tome.)
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Tracing wheel and Dressmaker's Tracing paper
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Is used to transfer markings to fabric by running the wheel over dressmaker's tracing paper, a special waxed carbon paper. A saw-toothed wheel can be used for most fabrics. A smooth-edge wheel is recommended for delicate fabrics. The tracing paper is available in several colors. The tracing marks can be removed by washing or dry cleaning the fabric.
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Tailor's chalk
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Is available in small squares or in pencil form to mark fabrics. The markings can be brushed away or will disappear when pressed with an iron.
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Thimble
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Will help protect your finger when sewing by hand. Made of metal or plastic, thimbles are available in different sizes. Small indentations on the top and sides help hold the of the needle as you push it through the fabric.
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Press cloth
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protects certain fabrics developing a shine, or glossy marking, and from scorching. Dampen a press cloth to cloth to create stream for special pressing techniques. You can use a clean cloth or handkerchief as a press cloth.
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Ironing board
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Should be level and sturdy with a tight-fitting cover and smooth padding. A silicone-treated cover helps to prevent scorching and sticking.
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Iron
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Should have a wide temperature range to use with all fabrics. A combinations stream-dry iron gives best results.
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Tailor's Ham
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IS a firm, round cushion used to press curved areas of a garment, such as darts and curved seams.
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Sleeve Board
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IS a small ironing board about 20 inches long. It is used press narrow areas, such a sleeve, with cannot fit over the end of a regular ironing board.
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Seam Roll
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Is a long tubular cushion used to press long seams and small curved areas. A seam line can be pressed without having the imprint of the seam allowances showing through on the right side of the fabric.
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Point Presser
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Has narrow wooden surface with a point end used to press collar points. Other edges can be used for pressing curved and straight edges.
