TLE: SEWING TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT

• machine used to stitch fabric and other materials together with thread is called a sewing machine
• Home sewing machines are designed for one person to sew individual items while using a single stitch type
• Industrial sewing machines, by contrast are larger, faster, more complex, and more varied in their size, cost, appearance, and task.
• A collection of items that are used in sewing is called a sewing kit.
• Tape measure It usually measures about 60 inches long and ½ inch wide, and is reversible, with inches on one side and centimeters on the other. It is used for taking body measurements. It can be made of fabric or plastic. It is more flexible than a ruler as it can go around curves.
• Ruler - It is more important for measuring and making straight lines in a fabric. It can be made o plastic, metal, or wood. It comes in various lengths.
• Ruler - It is more important for measuring and making straight lines in a fabric. It can be made o plastic, metal, or wood. It comes in various lengths.
• See-through ruler It usually measures about 12 or 18 inches and allows you to see your previous markings. It is great for marking straight edges and parallel lines, buttonholes, tucks, and pleats. It can also be used to check the grain line of the fabric
• Seam gauge - It is a small ruler about 6 inches long with a sliding marker. It has inches on one edge and centimeters on the other edge. It is used for measuring and marking distances such as hems, tucks, and seams.
• Yardstick It has both inches and centimeters and comes in handy to measure the grain line when laying out the pattern.
• Hem marker - It is an accurate guide for measuring and marking hemlines.
• L-square or Tailor's square - It is used in drawing perpendicular lines and in making corner square
• Hip curve - It is used for shaping the hips and the skirt hemline.
• French curve It is used for shaping the necklines, armholes, and collars.
• Scissors - It is used for cutting fabrics. It can also be used for cutting threads, trimming seams, slashing, and cutting buttonholes.
• Shears - It is used for cutting thicker fabrics. One pair has a small opening in one handle for the thumb and one larger opening in the other handle for two or more fingers to provide more force in cutting thicker fabrics.
• Pinking shears - It is used for finishing the edges for seams and other raw edges of fabrics
• Tailor's chalk - It is used for marking directly on the fabric. Sharpen the chalk edge often to produce thin lines for better accuracy in marking
• Tracing wheel - It is used for transferring stitch lines or seam allowance from pattern to fabric. Tracing wheel is made up of a small spiked wheel attached to a plastic or wooden handle.
• Needles -These are used to take threads in and out of the fabric, when making stitches. They are made of stainless steel. They vary in size according to their uses. Fine needles are used while sewing on a thin, light, or fine fabric. Thicker needles are used when sewing on thick, heavy fabrics.
• Pins These are used to hold pieces of fabric together when sewing or cutting the fabric. Like needles, they are made of stainless steel. They also vary in size.
• Threads - These are made of mercerized or polyester cotton. They are used for making stitches.
• Thimble - This is a cap-like object made of metal or plastic that is worn over the finger, usually the digit finger, to protect it from being pricked by the needle or pin when sewing by hand.
• Pin cushion - This is a small cushion into which pins are stuck until needed.
• Emery bag - This is a small bag usually attached to the pin cushion for convenience. It is used to sharpen and clean blunt needles and pins.
• Sewing machine is any of various foot-operated or electric machines sewing or making stitches
• Hand sewing machine - This is the type of sewing machine that is controlled by the hand. It is common because it is affordable, readily available in shops, and is easy to transport from one place to another.
• Hi-speed lockstitch sewing machine - This is a type of sewing machine equipped with auto thread-trimmer and auto foot-lifter, automatic thread cutter, thread-wiper, reverse-feed, and foot-lifter system.
• Electric sewing machine This is powered by electricity. A basic electric sewing machine contains a motor in the body which drives the needle in the top part of the sewing machine and controls a bobbin and feed dogs in the lower part under the needle plate.
• Computerized sewing machine - This sewing machine is controlled by computer chips with the correct tension, length, and width programmed in by the manufacturer for each stitch style. This is operated using a touchpad and computer screen, and you can download programs from your PC. The machine can memorize past work and will also store hundreds of different stitches for you to choose from.
• Overlocker sewing machine - This is used to stop fraying and give a professional finish to the seams of a garment.
• Embroidery sewing machine - This machine is used in making different kinds of embroidery stitches on fabrics for the barong-Tagalog, pillowcases, linen, and other novelty items.
• Buttonhole sewing machine - This is used in making buttonholes on fabrics.
• Needle is the most important part of the sewing machine