Hello sew-friends! I hope that you are doing well. In today's post, I'm sharing the 15 sewing tools that are at the top of my must-have list. Most of these are things that I personally LOVE using and a few of them are things that I would love to get my hands on. These sewing tools make great gifts for the sewing folks in your life because they're the kind of thing that you don't absolutely need, but are really helpful. What's better than using something that helps you out and being reminded of the person who thoughtfully gave it to you?
Now, if I'm totally honest, I'm a bit of a minimalist when it comes to sewing tools. In my mind, if I can use a paper clip or a rolled up towel, then why both buying something new? In many, many situations, a tool is more helpful and easier to ease than my blunt old finger tips. And sometimes, a tool made for a specific job is so much more helpful than a regular old paper clip because it's designed to do that one task. For example, a bodkin or a tube turner can be easier to use than a safety pin, paper clip or chop stick.
Alright, let's get into the list. Below are links to the tools I like, plus some insight into why I think a particular tool is helpful.
Note, the links are affiliate links meaning that if you purchase through one of these links, I will earn a small commission. The price will not be higher for you.
15 SEWING TOOLS TO GIVE AS GIFTS
Magnetic Pin Cushion
You can use the magnetic pin cushion or a magnetic wand as a way to corral and hold your pins while sewing. Or, if you favor putting your pins in a little bowl or cup, like I do, the magnet is the best tool around for helping clean up when you inevitably knock that bowl over. My grandma gave me a magnetic wand when I was in high school and I love having it easily at hand for the occasionally spill.
Magnetic pin cushion on Amazon | Magnetic pin wand on Amazon
Simflex Sewing Gauge
This tool is in the category of "not necessary but oh so helpful". This tool will quickly and easily help you mark even spacing. Mostly, it's used for button and buttonhole placement but you can use it for marking shirring or other closures. In the past, I would use a ruler and calculator to mark even spacing but with this tool, I just pull it open and adjust until I like what I see and mark the placement.
Simflex Aluminum Sewing Gauge on AmazonEzy-Hem
The Ezy-Hem is a thin piece of metal that has a variety of measurements marked on it. It's used during pressing to fold the edge (or hem) of your fabric an even amount.
Bodkin
I went many many years without a bodkin but now that I have one, I love it. I actually found my bodkin in an old sewing basket that belonged to my grandma or one of her sisters. The bodkin makes easy work of inserting small pieces of elastic. Without a bodkin, I'd generally use a safety pin which does work very well. The bodkin is nice because it's a little longer, thinner and smooth. Plus, there's no risk of it accidentally opening up inside your casing.
Dritz Ezy-Pull Bodkin on AmazonTube Turner
Ah tube turning, can be such a pain! And there are a variety of tube turners out there. This tube turner in particular worked really well for turning the rouleau loops for my Eva Top and Dress pattern. It's great because it's so thin that it makes it easy to turn a small loop.
Sewing Loop Tube Turner on AmazonSleeve ironing board
The sleeve ironing board comes in so handy when pressing anything small or narrow.
Sleeve Ironing Board on AmazonStylus
I don't have a specific stylus tool but I do use other tools as a stylus all the time. One day, I'll need to try one out! A stylus can help you feed fabric through the machine better than your fingers. I use the stylus to keep the fabric on track as it approaches the needle. I'll also use it to flatten out fabric or to hold gathers in place.
That Purple Thang on AmazonGlass head pins
Not essential but so handy. If you've ever accidentally ironed over and melted the head of pin, then you'll appreciate working with glass head pins.
Buttonhole cutter
To be honest, I do not have a buttonhole cutter but I have heard that once you do have one, you'll never go back to scissors.
Mini anvil
A mini anvil is really helpful for setting rivets and jeans buttons. When setting rivets you need to hammer an a really hard surface and the mini anvil is perfect. Before I got mine, I tried bricks, cement, a cast iron pot and none of them worked as well as the anvil.
Pinking shears
Pinking shears cut the edge of your fabric in a zig zag pattern. It's a great option for finishing fine, lightweight fabrics that don't handle a stitched finish (like an overlocker) well.
Gingher Pinking Shears on AmazonDuckbill scissors
These are also called embroidery scissors and they're nice trimming down just one layer of fabric, like when you're grading a seam.
ONTAKI Applique Scissors on AmazonThread snips
I can’t live without my thread snips. I keep them by my machine when sewing to clip threads but also use them to cut notches and open buttonholes. I have the Fiskars linked below and they are perfectly sharp for cutting close to fabric. The Kotobuki are super cute and would make a fun gift.
Kotobuki Traditional Japanese Thread Scissors | Fiskars Micro-Tip ScissorsClapper
The clapper is a super helpful tool when sewing heavy fabrics like coating or denim. To use a clapper you first iron your fabric for a few seconds. Then remove the iron and replace it with the clapper. The clapper holds in heat and steam without adding additional heat, thus pressing longer but reducing the risk of burning and scorching. Yes, it’s just a piece of wood but it’s really helpful when sewing things like coats or jeans.
14 in 1 Measuring Gauge
I haven’t used one of these little rulers before but it looks so handy. It’s a small device that has 14 different measurement guides printed on it so that you can quickly measure things.
Aluminum 14 in 1 Measuring Gauge on Amazon
What to buy for the sewist who has everything
But what if the person you’re shopping for already has all the tools? Maybe they’re a tool a junkie and you’re at a loss to find something they could use. (Haven’t we all shopped for someone like that?)
A great option is a sketchbook. A sketchbook is a great place to record ideas, sketch out sewing hacks and make notes for projects. I love a spiral bound notebook that lies flat and has a pretty cover, like these.
I love giving (and receiving!) books as gifts. Last week I shared a list of 15 sewing books to give as gifts. A lot of them were published recently and would make great gifts. Click here to check out the list.
If you enjoy thrift store shopping, look for used sewing books and vintage buttons or notions. A place like Etsy or Ebay would also be a great place to look for vintage notions.
Find a pretty vintage basket and fill it with the sketchbook, marking tools, pins and a few vintage notions and you have a great, personalized gift.
