Tools in Dressmaking

• Classification of Sewing Tools and Equipment

  • Measuring
  • Cutting
  • Marking
  • Stitching
  • Pressing
• Measuring Tools

  • tape measure
  • hem gauge
  • ruler
  • yard stick
• Cutting Tools

  • scissors
  • clippers
  • pinking shears
  • shears
• Marking Tools

  • tracing wheel and paper
  • tailor's chalk
  • pencil
  • erasable marking pen
• Stitching Tools

  • needles
  • pins
  • pincushion
• Pressing Tools

  • thread
  • thimble
  • padded tailor's ham
  • sleeve roll/sleeve board
  • mini iron
• Tape measure


  It is a long narrow, plastic-coated material used for measuring the body, patterns, and fabrics.
• Hem gauge


  It is also called a seam gauge. It is made of either plastic or metal and is usually six inches long. It is used in marking hems, top stitching, and measuring seam allowances
• Ruler


  It is a straight tool used for measuring small, detailed patterns.
• Yard stick


  It is a straight-edge measuring tool used for altering patterns.
• Scissors


  It is a cutting tool that has the same size straight handles. It is used for cutting papers and threads.
• Shears


  This cutting tool has bent handles of different sizes and shapes. Shears are good at cutting smooth, clean edges.
• Pinking shears


  It has jagged blades, giving the fabric a decorative edge.
• Clippers

  It clips threads. However, clippers are not strong enough to cut fabrics.
• Tracing wheel and paper


  The tracing wheel transfers markings from the pattern onto the material, while tracing paper can be used to make a temporary pattern used to trace an image or design.
• Tailor's chalk


  Tailor's chalk are available in temporary markings on fabric. They can be easily removed with a brush or water.
• Erasable marking pen

  It can be used to mark fabric and can be used to disappear after use.
• Needles


  A needle is necessary for both hand stitches and sewing machines. They come in different sizes.
• Pincushion


  It stores pins or needles with the heads sticking out for easy grasping, collecting, and organizing.
• Thread


  It holds the fabric parts together and forms stitches.
• Padded tailor's ham


  It is a well-cushioned pillow used as a flex mold when pressing curved areas of the garment, such as darts, seams, and folds. Pressing on a curved shape allows the garment to conform to the body's contours. It is shaped different sizes to match the fuselage or clothing of almost like.
• Thimble


  It protects the finger, usually the index or middle finger, while sewing.
• Sleeve roll or sleeve board


  It helps iron the sleeves or achieve a hard-to-reach texture. It is similar to iron but smaller and narrower, which allows a dressmaker to slide the sleeve in and rotate it after ironing each side.
• Mini iron


  The mini iron helps when pressing small seams. It is ideal to avoid burning the fingers while holding the fabrics.
• Measuring Tools

  For measuring the exact length and width of the clothing.
• Drafting Tools


  For sketching the clothing measurements.
• Cutting Tools


  For removing unneeded threads, fabrics, and patterns.
• Marking Tools


  For marking and guiding where to sew the fabric.
• Sewing Aids


  For hand-sewing in general.
• Measuring Tools

  • tape measure
  • ruler
  • sewing gauge/hem gauge
• Drafting Tools

  • Manila paper
  • yardstick
  • L-square
  • French curve
• Cutting Tools

  • scissors
  • trimming scissors
  • embroidery scissors
  • buttonhole scissors
  • seam ripper
  • shears
  • bent-handled dressmaker’s shears
  • pinking shears
  • French curve
  • snip thread
• Marking Tools

  • tracing wheel
  • tailor’s chalk
  • chalk pencils
  • dressmaker pencils
  • liquid marking pen
• Sewing Aids

  • needles
  • sharp needles
  • crewel
  • milliners
  • pins
  • threader
  • thimble
  • thread
  • mercerized cotton
  • synthetic thread
  • silk thread
  • pin cushion
  • emery bag
  • sewing box
• Textile


  It refers to the fabric made of natural or synthetic fibers knitted, woven, or felted together to create a cloth.
• Fabric


  It is a cloth or other material produced by weaving together cotton, nylon, wool, silk, or other.
• Lockstitch Sewing Machine

  • also known as domestic sewing machine run by foot or manual sewing and may also be converted to electric power machine
• Two Major Parts of the Lockstitch Sewing Machine

  • The upper parts
  • The lower parts
• Upper Parts

  • head
  • arm
  • bed
• The head refers to the complete sewing machine without a cabinet or stand.