suggestions for sewing box must haves

[chattiesmom]

I agree 100% about the scissors. Sewing scissors should be used for cutting fabric only! I grew up with my mother scolding "NOT WITH MY SEWING SCISSORS!" My kids grew up with the same scolding. I love electric scissors for cutting fleece. I have several pair of Fiskars Softouch, and a couple pair of Mundal pinking shears and my favorite of all, a pair of Gingher scissors that I use for clipping threads and the ends of the silk straps on my harnesses.

I would add the following to those things already mentioned.

Several measuring tapes

Straight pins -- plenty of them and don't be shy about tossing dull ones!

Bobbins -- at least one for each color of thread

Bobbin Minders -- allows you to keep bobbins on top of thread spools

Remnants in a variety of good quality fabric to use as "test pieces". Use a remnant that is comparable to the sewing project fabric to test new techniques

Velcro - black, white and beige

A good storage unit that will keep all of your notions neat and handy

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by kjc

OMG! Poor Ralphie! Hope he doesn't get a complex by the end of October! LOL! Seriously.... too cute!

The bias direction of a piece of woven fabric, usually referred to simply as "the bias", is at 45 degrees to its warp and weft threads.


Sewing kit: Look at kits, you get quite a few useful items a bit cheaper... some are kind of cheesey though.

Def a magnet for picking up pins quickly if you drop or spill them.

Tomato Pin cushion w/ strawberry ... the strawberry contains emery dust and you can stick pins and needles in it to sharpen them.

I bought the longer quilting pins... with my old hands I find them easier to handle.

Ribbons, trims and buttons for embellishing.

Hand sewing needles, for things you can't do on the machine.

I have an assortment of measuring devices for making scallops, pleats, and different shaped overlays.

If you plan on using a rotary cutter, you will need a self healing mat to cut on.

I'll be sewing tonight .... I'll post more then. Maybe with pics! Lol!

I know, I hope I don't get criticized too much for doing this. A few years back, someone used their male dog to model dresses she made, and boy were some people upset about that. Lol, I figure if it’s good enough for Johnny Depp, its good enough for Ralphie. Love your tip about the magnet, boy I wish I had heard that one years ago. Also, didn't know that about the tomato pin cushions, I have one that's filled with cotton and wondered why the pins never seem as sharp.

[kjc]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

I know, I hope I don't get criticized too much for doing this. A few years back, someone used their male dog to model dresses she made, and boy were some people upset about that. Lol, I figure if it’s good enough for Johnny Depp, its good enough for Ralphie. Love your tip about the magnet, boy I wish I had heard that one years ago. Also, didn't know that about the tomato pin cushions, I have one that's filled with cotton and wondered why the pins never seem as sharp.

Oh no! It's Halloween anyway! He looks like he could care less... even happy to be dressed up! What a cutie pie!

Just gotta watch having the magnet around the computer... or too any sewing machine with a computer in it!

I've been thinking about getting a wrist pin cushion, but I'm afraid I'll keep stabbing myself in the arm, lol.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by kjc

Oh no! It's Halloween anyway! He looks like he could care less... even happy to be dressed up! What a cutie pie!

Just gotta watch having the magnet around the computer... or too any sewing machine with a computer in it!

I've been thinking about getting a wrist pin cushion, but I'm afraid I'll keep stabbing myself in the arm, lol.

Well, I don't have to worry about that, my sewing machine was made precomputer! I have the wrist pin cushion also, and use it for certain projects it, but I velcroed a tomato cushion onto the side of my machine and have found that really useful, I take the pins out as I sew.

[DBlain]

[QUOTE=Nancy1999;4037007]Well, I don't have to worry about that, my sewing machine was made precomputer! I have the wrist pin cushion also, and use it for certain projects it, but I velcroed a tomato cushion onto the side of my machine and have found that really useful, I take the pins out as I sew.[/QUOTE]

great idea

[southernbelle04]

I love my Gingher scissors. I waited until Joann had them 50% off and got a top of the line pair. They are awesome! I also can't do without a lighter for heat setting the ends of ribbon. I love my seam ripper too. I also always try to keep extra needles, extra d rings, rotary cutter, disappearing ink marker, extra thread in most used colors, and extra Velcro.

[DBlain]

[QUOTE=kjc;4036994]

The bias direction of a piece of woven fabric, usually referred to simply as "the bias", is at 45 degrees to its warp and weft threads.

QUOTE]

Ok now I am really confused I guess I will google it

[DBlain]

Originally Posted by southernbelle04

I love my Gingher scissors. I waited until Joann had them 50% off and got a top of the line pair. They are awesome! I also can't do without a lighter for heat setting the ends of ribbon. I love my seam ripper too. I also always try to keep extra needles, extra d rings, rotary cutter, disappearing ink marker, extra thread in most used colors, and extra Velcro.

not familiar with a disappering ink marker but sounds like a great idea, I will look at JoAnn's tomorrow for that

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by DBlain

Ok now I am really confused I guess I will google it

We were taught to cut on the bias of fabric for certain projects. You are making a strip of fabric cut not straight up or down, but diagonally. When you cut on the bias, the material has a stretch to it. You would cut on the bias if you were making your own "piping" for throw pillows, for example. I really haven't used this much over the years, and I notice that you can buy prepackaged bias strips in the notions department, but sometimes you need it to match the material you're using so you have to cut it yourself.

[McheleM]

Originally Posted by DBlain

Please post your favorite sewing essentials, and the best place to buy colored velcro and D rings. Thanks I appreciate any suggestions and help

Colored velcro: Check the baby section of Joann or Hobby Lobby- I use the velcro that sews into the diaper covers. It comes in all sorts of colors.

I like good quality stick pins- I don't buy the bargain bundled pack. I want them sturdy and short. I am very picky about my stick pins.

Also, good scissors. I use a rotary cutter but I have 3 or 4 pair of scissors in various areas (one by the machine, one on the cutting table, one by the serger) and I truly believe quality is key.

[McheleM]

Originally Posted by DBlain

I just bought the pins with large pink and white ball heads, figured they would be easy to see when sewing over them. As a kid I can remember breaking a lot of needles when hitting the head on the pin

I NEVER sew over my pins. I always pull them!

[concretegurl]

Can't beleive no one else posted these:

Bandaids
Gauze
Triple antibiotic ointment
Hydrogen peroxide-removes blood from all fabrics.

[McheleM]

Originally Posted by concretegurl

Can't beleive no one else posted these:

Bandaids
Gauze
Triple antibiotic ointment
Hydrogen peroxide-removes blood from all fabrics.

I've never used any of those sewing....Peroxide can also bleach your fabrics. We use it at the birth center to get blood out of towels and sheets, but never on the colored fabrics.

[Verbena]

Originally Posted by concretegurl

Can't beleive no one else posted these:

Bandaids
Gauze
Triple antibiotic ointment
Hydrogen peroxide-removes blood from all fabrics.

Lmao


I think everyone got everything......I would like to add tailors chalk and a long metal ruler and a clear ruler.

[McheleM]

Originally Posted by Verbena

Lmao


I think everyone got everything......I would like to add tailors chalk and a long metal ruler and a clear ruler.

I recently discovered a ruler that's bendable, yet retains a shape. I love it for measuring the necks of the dresses and halters (i dont use patterns, so my sewing sizes is always a guess) Those little flimsy measuring tapes irritate me lol.