Carla Hegeman Crim - Sewing Supplies Handy Pocket Guide: 65+ Tips & Facts for Tools, Notions & Materials

Publisher: Amy Marson

Creative Director: Gailen Runge

Project Editor: Alice Mace Nakanishi

Developmental Editor: Liz Aneloski

Technical Editors: Doreen Hazel, Teresa Stroin, and Ann Haley

Cover/Book Designer: Kerry Graham

Production Coordinator: Zinnia Heinzmann

Illustrator: Mary E. Flynn

Instructional photography by Diane Pedersen, unless otherwise noted

Published by C&T Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 1456, Lafayette, CA 94549

TOOLS AND SUPPLIES

SEWING MACHINES

Basic mechanical sewing machine Simple, motorized machine that makes straight, zigzag, and usually a few decorative stitches. Stitch settings are controlled manually with knobs.

Computerized sewing machine Makes a wide variety of utility and decorative stitches. Stitch settings are controlled by buttons or a touch screen that is connected to an internal computer chip.

Embroidery machine Stitches digitized embroidery design files. It can be a stand-alone machine or a module that works in combination with a computerized machine.

Quilting machine Features a larger work area and more advanced feeding mechanisms than a standard computerized machine.

Overlock machine Also known as a serger. Utilizes multiple threads to simultaneously stitch and finish seams. Features include a blade for trimming edges prior to stitching and a stitch finger for creating rolled hems.

SEWING MACHINE FEET

Photos of sewing machine feet courtesy of BERNINA of America

Standard feet For general stitching

Flanged feet Feature thin, smooth blades called flanges that act as guides for stitching placement.

Grooved feet Facilitate centered passage of trims and thick specialty stitches.

Hemming and ruffling feet Direct one or more layers of fabric into the proper position for stitching.

Nonstick and walking feet Allow for smooth sewing of sticky, shifty, thick, or otherwise challenging fabrics (such as leather, suede, velvet, and oilcloth).

Free-motion feet Allow for user-controlled stitching with dropped feed dogs.

Buttonholing and button-sewing feet Designed to automatically make identical buttonholes and to attach buttons by machine.

CUTTING TOOLS

PRESSING TOOLS

Iron and ironing board To smooth fabric and press seams during the sewing process.

Sleeve board Small tabletop ironing board that fits into cylindrical shapes, such as sleeves, for crease-free pressing.

Seam roll Stuffed fabric roll similar to a sleeve board but smaller and more flexible. May also be wooden.

Tailors ham Tightly stuffed fabric pillow with a wide end and a narrow end, used for pressing darts and curved seams.

Pressing cloth Placed over fabric while pressing to protect the fabric from the surface of the iron.

Teflon Pressing Sheet Heat-resistant, nonstick material that allows for the application of double-sided fusible products to fabric. Also useful as a see-through pressing cloth.

MARKING TOOLS

Follow manufacturers directions when using removeable marking tools.

SEWING MACHINE NEEDLES