Every sewing enthusiast needs notions to make those dream projects a reality. From the basics like a sewing machine or scissors to refined options like a seam ripper necklace, it’s fun to find unusual and useful sewing tools. Here are some interesting notions we weren’t able to fit into our digital issue. Keep checking back for updates as we discover new items.

Smart and Simple Sewing Machine

If you’re just starting out in your sewing career or are a seasoned professional, Brother’s CS 5055PRW sewing machine is a solid choice that is as affordable as it is versatile. As part of their Project Runway line of machines, this limited edition machine offers 50 built-in sewing stitches, including five styles of one-step auto-size buttonholes. Choose from a range of decorative, quilting, or heirloom stitches for your ideal wardrobe embellishments by using its bright LCD display screen. A smooth feeding system makes sewing on thick fabrics successful, and a free arm enables you to sew cuffs and sleeves with ease. Additional features include an advanced needle-threading system. (Visit Brother-USA.com to find a dealer near you; $149.99)

Fundamental Scissors

Beginners need the good tools, because if they don’t use the best and get lousy results, they tend to blame themselves. Three essential good-quality scissors are Gingher’s 4-inch embroidery scissors and 5-inch all-purpose tailor’s points, and Kai’s 9 1/2-inch micro-serrated shears (model 7240-AS). The embroidery scissors have large thumb holes and are sharp and lightweight. The tailor’s points are slightly larger and cut through anything. The Kai shears make cutting through fabric as easy as cutting warm butter, and they’re easy on the hand. (Available at SusanKhalje.com; $30.00 – $90.00)

Stunning Sewing Jewelry

Hanging a seam ripper on a chain keeps it within easy reach. Sawyer Creek Artistry’s beautiful seam rippers and stilettos feature hand-turned wood handles made of Middle Eastern olivewood or native Ozarks species. Each handle has a different ergonomic shape and features a concealed, removable seam ripper or stiletto head; remove the head and reverse its position when needed. A magnet embedded in the tool’s opposite end secures the tool to the chain and releases easily for use. The tools are available in different configurations: single, combo, necklace, and stylus. (Visit SawyerCreekArtistry.com to order; $15.00 – $20.00)

Helpful Seam Ripper

It’s often difficult to remove stitches from fabric, especially when the fabric and thread colors are similar. That’s why many sewers would benefit from Might Bright’s Lighted Seam Ripper and Magnifier. This tool features an energy-efficient LED light, a rotating seam ripper arm, and a 4X magnifier for a stress-free seam ripping experience. (Available at MightyBright.com; $9.99)

 

A Clear Way to Measure

Clear gridded rulers in different lengths and with different scale grids are a must in the sewing room. (If you follow our sew-along of Simplicity SewStylish 8328, you’ll see that we use a clear 18-inch by 2-inch ruler in the sewing room all the time.) Westcott’s LetterCraft beveled 18-inch by 2-inch by 1/8-inch gridded ruler is inexpensive and a handy tool for marking seam and hem allowances. Its transparency makes it easy to see pattern adjustments as you make them. Once you try one, you’ll realize you could use more around the house, handy whenever you need to measure. (Find yours at Amazon.com; $6.75)

 

In SewStylish Spring 2017, author Susan Beal shows how to make pretty, one-of-a-kind hairpins and necklaces. Now, learn how to make wrapped loops–an essential technique to making your own jewelry.

1. Place a bead on the eyepin you’ve just created. Grasp the wire just above the bead with round-nose pliers, and make another neat 90-degree angle bend above and over the tips, holding the wire tail with flat-nose pliers.
2. Next, adjust the round-nose pliers so they are gripping on either side of the wire bend, above and below it. Use the flat-nose pliers to pull the wire tail over the end of the round-nose pliers and all the way around, creating a circle with an extra tail of wire still extending beyond it.
3. Use the flat-nose pliers to hold the circle while you grip the end of the wire tail with the round-nose pliers. 
4. Wrap the wire tail around the space above the bead, working from top to bottom to create a neat coil, and stop when you reach the top of the bead. If the wire coils on top of itself or starts to get messy, stop coiling and unwind it, then start again, going more slowly this time. If it’s really tangled or kinked, you can always start over with a new piece.
5. Clip the end of the wire flush with the coil. Make sure the sharp edge isn’t sticking out—if it is, use flat-nose pliers to flatten and smooth it into the coil.

Tip: Practice with inexpensive craft wire until your loops are nice and even. Plain loops work best with thick wire (such as 20 gauge), while the more secure wrapped loops are good for thinner wire (24 gauge) but can also work well with thicker gauges, too.

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