Here’s a collection of sewing tools I use and love in my sewing room.
These have been gathered over many years, so there’s no need to rush out and buy everything. If a tool will genuinely help your sewing or make a task easier, then it’s worth adding—otherwise, you can absolutely keep things simple.
You’ll notice I use a lot of Clover products. That’s mainly because they’ve been easy for me to source and have worked well for me over time. There are plenty of other great brands out there too, so feel free to explore and choose what suits you.
Affiliate note: Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you choose to buy a book through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend books I genuinely use and love.
Basic Tools
A sharp blade and comfortable handle make unpicking easier and more controlled. I keep a couple in different spots around my sewing space so there’s always one within reach when I need it.
Removes easily from fabric, and the set’s four colours – white, yellow, pink and blue – mean there’s usually one to suit your fabric. They do get blunt with use, so sharpen them as needed to keep lines fine and easy to work with.
For a super fine purple mark, this pen is hard to beat. It’s air erasable, usually disappearing within a day or two, though I’ve found it can fade within an hour in humid conditions, so keep that in mind. One pen lasts me a couple of years with intermittent use.
A dual-purpose tool is always handy. This one has a rounded and pointed end to push out curves and points, and it’s very comfortable to use. It can also be used as a Hera marker, though I find the crease hard to see, probably my aging eyesight!
An awl is a handy tool in the sewing room. Use it to make small holes in fabric or to hold fabric in place as you feed it through the sewing machine, keeping your fingers safely away from the needle.
Pins & Needles
My favourite, favourite pins. They are sharp and thin and go through any fabric. Only drawback is they do bend quite easily so I keep using them until they are so badly bent they are hard to use. That is why I always keep a spare packet in my sewing room.
A magnet pin cushion/candy is so handy, you can just about throw your pins at them. If you’ve ever dropped lots of pins on the floor these makes picking them up so easy.
Full Disclosure: I don’t have this particular brand, but one my local sewing shop had. I know others who love their Clover pin caddy.
I became a Wonder Clip lover when I started sewing bags and pins couldn’t get through all the layers of fabric and fusible fleece. They can break if layers are too thick so I have same no brand extra large ones for the thicker stuff.
I keep this little needle case on my sewing desk all the time. It only holds a few needles, but it’s perfect for quick jobs like sewing on a button, hemming, or threading overlocker tails.
Rulers
I prefer metal rulers for pattern drafting and sewing as they’re easier to read than plastic rulers on some fabrics. This 15 cm size is great for smaller measurements, and I also keep 30 cm, 60 cm and 1 m rulers on hand.
Full disclosure: I don’t have this brand of ruler, mine came from local hardware and sewing stores.
A sewing gauge has a sliding bar to set seam allowances when marking or pinning, along with plenty of other handy uses. When choosing one, make sure the slider stays firmly in place—if it moves too easily, it can throw off your measurements.
Full disclosure: I don’t have the Dritz brand, but one my local sewing shop had.
I prefer working in metric, and this 15 cm x 30 cm ruler is my most used. It’s a really versatile size for cutting smaller pieces, squaring up, and general sewing tasks. The non-slip base and clear markings make cutting much easier and more accurate.
I prefer working in metric, and I reach for this 15 cm x 60 cm ruler when cutting longer pieces. The non-slip base helps keep it steady, and it can be used alongside other rulers for longer, wider cuts.
Another metric ruler at 30cm x 30cm that I don’t use quite as much as the other rulers. But I love the non slip base and clear markings.
Another metric ruler at 30 cm x 30 cm that I don’t reach for as often, but it’s still useful to have. The non-slip base and clear markings make it easy to use when needed.
An imperial ruler for projects with inch measurements. The longer length is useful for cutting longer pieces, though the extra half-inch on one side can be a little off-putting, as it makes finding common markings a bit trickier.
A French curve helps create smoother curves, though hand-drawn ones work too. This one is lightweight and easy to move around your project. The measurements on the curve are helpful, and the straight grid line is useful as well.
If you cut lots of fabric strips, this is the ruler for you. It has slots for your rotary cutter—just hold the ruler down and cut, then move to the next slot. It takes a bit of practice to avoid nicking the slots, so definitely watch a video on how it’s used before diving in.
This is a luxury tool, and you’d only need it if you are going to be cutting out a lot of quarter, half or full circles. The curved slots are designed for a 28 mm rotary cutter—hold the ruler down, insert the blade, and cut slowly. It creates circles ranging from 3″ to 15.5″, in 0.5″ increments. Definitely watch a video to see it in action before using.
Cutting Tools
I’ve tried lots of snips for cutting thread at the sewing machine, and these are my favourite. They’re comfortable to use, and I can pick them up and snip effortlessly. I keep a few in different spots around my sewing room.
My favourite pair of fabric scissors, and they hold sentimental value – I bought them with some inheritance money from my Grandmother, who taught me to sew. If you want a reliable, high-quality pair of scissors, Kai is a great choice.
Pinking shears have a zigzag blade, useful for finishing seams to prevent fraying or reducing bulk around curves instead of making little triangle snips. These are a bit stiff to use, but I’ve tried a few, and they all seem similar.
Rotary cutters are used with an acrylic quilting ruler but they can also be used free hand. The 45mm is the perfect all-rounder for straight lines. It’s ergonomically designed for comfort and has a red safety button to lock the blade, making it the safest cutter I have.
I also have a 28mm and an 18mm rotary cutter, but this is my most used one.
Don’t forget to replace your blades when cutting becomes harder or less clean.
If you’re using a rotary cutter, you’ll need a cutting mat. I’ve always used an A1 size (24″ x 38″ / 60 cm x 90 cm), which fits perfectly on my Horn Cutting Table, but get the biggest mat that works in your space.
Full disclosure: This isn’t the exact mat I use but it has the features I look for – double sided with metric and imperial markings, good thickness and clear lines.
Along with pins, I use 65 mm galvanized steel washers to hold fabric or patterns in place when tracing. I pick mine up from the hardware store.
Pressing Tools
Tailor’s hams are filled with sawdust, giving a firm, solid shape for pressing darts, shoulders, hips, and other curves. You could also use a towel shaped to suit your needs, though it won’t be as firm.
Full disclosure: I made my own ham over 30 years ago that I’m still using so I don’t have this version.
Use a sleeve roll to press open seams on shirt sleeves or other small areas. It’s not essential, you can also use a rolled-up towel, or for very small spaces, a fabric tube like a bag handle or a piece of dowel works well.
When using steam while ironing, a tailor’s clapper can trap the steam in a seam or pleat, helping create crisp, sharp results.
Full disclosure: I don’t have this version as a friend’s husband made me one.
I use the Clover hot ruler on straight or near-straight fabric edges to press hems or fold fabric for other purposes. It has imperial measurements, but I’ve marked metric measurements on the reverse side with a ballpoint pen.
Other Tools
If you’re installing snaps, rivets, or grommets, I highly recommend the KAM CK93 snap press. You’ll need to buy the appropriate dies for each type of fastener, so a bit of planning is required. I’ve tried all the other options – hand tools and hammer-style snap kits – but I didn’t have the hand strength to get professional results.
A hammer in your sewing room, you ask? Yes! I use it to flatten seams when sewing denim or bags. My sewing machine struggles with bulky seams, but a few quick taps with a hammer makes them much easier to manage.
Any hammer will do; this is just a suggestion.