A great list of sewing tools for beginners!
Written May 2020
Now that you have your ergonomic sewing space all sorted, it is time to find your perfect set of ergonomic sewing tools. Having specifically designed ergonomic tools for the job can certainly make your tasks easier and more enjoyable.
Below is a short list of ergonomic tools that will get you through the majority of sewing projects and can be easily adaptable. This is a great list for beginners who are just starting out in the sewing world and want to build their kit. The more you enjoy your tools, the more sewing and prepping you will be wanting to do!
The Small Essentials
_Dressmakers Pins
_Pattern Weights
_Metal Ruler (if you are using a rotary cutter)
_Markers Chalk or a Washable Pen
_Quick Unpick (make sure to get a good quality sharp one)
Straight Cut Fabric Shears
Your number 1 tool in the sewing game. Our first piece of advice is to purchase a decent pair, one that is dedicated to fabrics only!
If you purchase the right pair from the beginning then you shouldn’t have to purchase another pair for a very long time.
Your straight cut fabric shears will be used in almost every sewing project you do.
We use the Fiskars Amplify RazorEdge Fabric Shears. ($55 - $60 AUD)
Pinking Shears
Pinking shears are a great tool, especially at preventing fabric from fraying. If you don’t have an overlocker you can finish your seams with pinking sheers to a similar effect. They are also great for projects like beeswax wraps and for trimming raw ends of new fabrics before giving it a first wash.
We use the Fiskars Easy Action Pinking Shears. ($70 AUD)
Thread Snips
Snips are our favourite tool to have sitting next to your sewing machine. As the name suggests, you use them to snip your threads.
They are designed to be small and lightweight so to help with your sewing productivity (lighter than your scissors).
We use Fiskars Premier Ultra Sharp Thread Snips ($25 AUD)
Rotary Cutter
A rotary cutter can make all the difference to your prep work. Depending on the scale of your project, a rotary cutter can make quick work of cutting out your fabric, and saves you some strain on your hands. It is perfect for use at standing tables, along with your cutting mat.
We use the Fiskars Comfort Grip Rotary Cutter 45mm ($37 AUD)
As with all Fiskars products, they are designed with ergonomics at the forefront. They have exceptional comfort and control provided by thumb and finger loops with ergonomic sculpting to fit the shape and natural movement of the hand. Their products have a lot of safety features incorporated, so you can lock your blades when not in use!
Plus all Fiskars products have a lifetime warranty and are at a really affordable price point, that is why we use Fiskars in our sewing studios + workshops.
We have linked you to the direct Fiskars site for the above products, however if you are in Australia, Spotlight Stores also stock their full range.
Cutting Mat
As mentioned above, a cutting mat will protect your table / surface when cutting out fabrics, be this with scissors or a rotary cutter (a must have with a rotary cutter). Our number one tip when shopping around for a cutting mat is to first figure out how large your surface is that you will be using it on, then make sure you get one that will cover majority of your surface. No one ever says ‘geez I wish I got a smaller cutting matt..’. We have bee using the Ecopeco Art cutting matt (the 36 x 34” to be exact - great size).
We chose to use Ecopeco mats because of a few specific reasons;
They are self healing with five layers (meaning they will last longer)
They release no toxic odours, no nasty chemicals (They do not smell at all - unpack and use straight away)
They are 100% recyclable at the end of their life
They are reversible so you can use both sides
They come in three different sizes + colours, so you can choose one that will work best for your space
They are UL Environment Inc. Certified (tested to be safe, toxic free and tough)
This journal article correlates with our Ergonomic Sewing Spaces post, so that you can get the most out of your space + your tools.
We believe that the more enjoyable you find sewing, the more you will want to create!
xx Ali + Charlie