My Top Must-Have Sewing Tools

Whether you’re a beginner sewer or sewing queen, these are the sewing tools I simply can’t live without and will change your sewing for the better.

I’ll share some o the basics, but I also have some tools that will make your sewing look more professional and help you sew much faster.

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Sharp Fabric Scissors - Gingher 8" Spring Action

These are my favorite scissors of all time. A lot of sewing accuracy comes down to how the pattern is cut out. These scissors are sharp and help me cut clean lines. Bonus, they are spring loaded so my hand doesn’t cramp when I use them for a long time. This just means the scissors spring open so you do half as much work.

Rotary Cutter & Mat

If you want to cut faster and with precision a rotary cutter and mat are going to be your best friends. I especially love using this for slippery fabric that can shift a lot if you are using scissors.

I like that this rotary cutter has a safety button that locks the blade in place while in use and when you store it. They have different sizes, but I prefer a bigger mat so that I can cut more pattern pieces at a time without needing to shift the mat.

This one also comes with some extra things like fabric clips, a ruler, and extra blades.

Invisible Zipper Foot

An invisible zipper foot was probably the first thing that really upped my sewing game.

Once you nail how to sew an invisible zipper (or watch a YouTube tutorial every time) your sewing items will look higher quality.

I kinda like the plastic clear ones because you can really see the zipper teeth while you are sewing. This one works perfectly on my Brother machine.

Pattern Weights

These pattern weights help prevent paper patterns from slipping and sliding on your fabric. Plus they’re just adorable.

You can just use heavy items around your house like small circular disk weights or cans, but these ones are great because they are small and heavy. This helps hold the fabric really well and they won’t get in your way while you cut.

Fabric Clips

I just started using fabric clips this year and my life has changed! They make holding fabric together so much faster. Plus you can’t accidentally stab yourself with a plastic clip, unlike normal pins.

Tailor's Ham

The name of this still makes me chuckle, but it does legitimately look like a ham. You use this to press curved seams like bust darts, princess seams, sleeve seams, etc…

This simple thing will take your sewing project to the next level. Sharp-pressed seams look so much more professional and help your projects look bought rather than handmade.

Tailor's Chalk

I’ve tried water-soluble markers, pencils, and many other things but to me, tailor’s chalk is the best to mark my fabric.

You can create nice straight lines that won’t suddenly disappear. When you no longer need the line you can rub it and it will blur out and disappear.

Plus it lasts FOREVER!

Seam Ripper

If you are like me and make lots of little mistakes while sewing then you’re gonna want a seam ripper that’s easy to hold and use.

This is my preferred shape of seam ripper because the handle is easy to hold and it is long so it can reach into folds and tight spaces.

French Curve

Often you will need to make little modifications to patterns to make them fit you. Or when you start pattern drafting yourself you will find the need for a curved ruler.

Curved rulers help draw hiplines, armscyes, waistlines, and other curved lines.

I really like this ruler because it is long and can draw all of those body curves.

Fabric Tube Turner - Strap Maker

I love the look of thin, dainty straps on dresses and tops. Trying to flip a thin strap can easily be one of the most frustrating parts of a sewing project. These fabric tube turners make it so much easier.

You can use a safety pin, but you can only make your strap so thin until the safety pin won’t fit anymore. Eventually you need something smaller to turn the fabric tube.

Button Spacer - Sewing Guage

This tool will make you feel so professional. The button spacer expands and contracts so you can mark where to place your buttons. They will be perfectly equidistant.

Or if you like to add gromets or eyelets to your projects this can help you do that as well.