8 Sewing Tools NOT Made For Sewing! (Ep. 56)

[@SusanSmith-hl3iv]

❤❤❤❤❤ Great tips for awesome tools! Love the veggie peeler one and the head lamp. Oh yeah, never enough light. 😂 My niece uses a LINT ROLLER for cleaning all the loose threads off the ironing board cover. I recently learned to use my SEWING MACHINE NEEDLE as a “third hand” when ripping out stitches. Place one end of the item under the presser foot, then lower the presser foot and move the handwheel to sink the needle into the fabric. Now you can hold the other end in one hand and your seam ripper in the other. OFFSET SCREW DRIVER AND SET OF DRILL BITS. One of those is just the right size for unscrewing the screws on your sewing machine. I have no strength in my fingers, so it’s a life saver when I have to remove the throat plate to clean lint bunnies and stray threads. ALCOHOL WIPES for cleaning machine needle that has gunk on it, melted glue from fusible, for example. RUBBER BANDS to keep bobbin and thread spool together. 😊

[@bethjohnson9256]

Magnifying glasses. Maybe because I’m 50 and going blind 😆, but I can’t see my seams well, or threading needles or machine, etc…I have a pair of magnifying glasses or readers that I keep hanging on my sewing wall. Oh we also have a lighted craft magnifying glass. Love that thing! Great for taking out splinters too. 😬

[@mmetr11]

Hemostats - use like pliers to pull needles and also good for pulling small threads.

[@jsmixson]

one of my favorite places to shop for sewing room supplies is Harbor Freight. Mechanics tweezers and the magnet nut and bolt tray. I use the magnet bar to hold mostly threaded needles, but they often hold a variety of other things too. I use a retractable key ring attached to each machine for little snips (it never fails that I can't find scissors to snip threads at the machine. Also the super long rulers and squares in the construction department are great drafting tools. Oh and lets not forget about the LIGHTS! Harbor Freight has fantastic shop lights that can be hung anywhere, and yes they have head lamps too. lol. One of my favorites though is the little slide up razor knife. The original (handle) that comes with 1 blade is about 69 cents and then you can get a pack of refill blades 10 for a dollar. Super cheap and I go through lots of blades. I want the blade to be so sharp that I don't have to use any pressure for it to melt through a seam. I recently found a pair of snips, scissors essentially, (like I don't have enough), but these cut through multiple layers of denim and leather like butter. and they were only $10 I don't know about you, but I have spent LOADS of money on good scissors and for $10 these are the cream of the crop. I also love the adjustable height stools and the little mechanics stool so I have a seat when I have to work close to the floor. I could go on but I think you get the picture. Love your videos.

[@LovedSarita]

Can I know about those snips (scissors)? What brand is it? I don't live in the States but maybe I can get them here

[@stephaniebriggswilton1954]

Telescoping magnetic part pickup tool. Reaches those pins that fall under and behind your machine. I have a set of mini files that are great for sharpening seam rippers. I use Gojo cream hand cleaner (NOT the pumice one) to clean my 1923 Singer 66 Red Eye Treadle machine and Turtle paste car wax to keep it from attracting dirt, and so it stays shinier.

[@UniversalEngineer]

I use Gojo all the time on my sewing machines. 🥰

[@lqqkitslory]

A drinking straw and meat skewer for turning out skinning straps. Place the straw into the opening, then push the fabric into the straw using the skewer! So quick and effortless 😀

[@luchyanagonzalez7775]

I can’t leave without a hammer!!! Perfect for sewing jeans in those thick spot !!!!

[@foxo4992]

The idea of pliers is a good one. I wonder if they sell pliers with rubber-coated blades, because that would be ideal for being gentle on needles.

[@EdTurner.]

I have been known to wind bobbins with my battery drill, instead of altering all the machine threading and speeds, if i just need one more bobbin, usually while wearing a head torch. I also use a paper stapler for upholstery instead of or alongside pins, angle pliers during the sewing of very heavy fabrics and a hot glue gun can assist in the templating of car seats etc, Thank you for all the effort you put into your films i generally learn something and they always cause a smile , Ed

[@reneebonnell5010]

If you watch the documentary, "Men of the Cloth" they show how professional Tailors use a single sided razor to sharpen Tailor's chalk much sharper than a veg peeler.

[@kayphuff]

I don’t think I could sew without my pointed tweezers. I used them for so many things.

[@shawnu9906]

OMG, I thought it was just me having problems with lighting. This was such a great video, thanks for making it.

[@paulasiefert2059]

Nothing to do with the tools, of which I have many including a hammer to flatter think seams, but you are simply adorable in your presentation!

[@WandaHaddad]

A jewelers loop so I can read what size the needle is in my machine when I forget. A leather hole punch in a variety of sizes and a maul to punch holes in various fabrics.

[@jsmixson]

what a great idea, I usually end up doubling up the reading glasses. I'm getting a loop TODAY! Thanks for that great idea.

[@cathyjardine2957]

A razor blade. I use it for quick removal of zippers and to open seams. Faster and way better than a seam ripper. No more seam rippers in my studio 😅

[@TheEvie202]

Love the pliers when pulling difficult needle and sharpening my tailors chalk/ slivers of soap!

[@mitrabandoo3136]

Unbelievable beautiful 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@levayturner3370]

The lighter is my absolute favourite! I teach sewing classes and do tonnes of alterations.

[@katherinebrockhoff8476]

Heavy duty, super strong clamps. When ripping zippers or tough seams I clamp one edge to my work table and pull to create tension to work. Keeps me from nicking the fabric and acts as a third hand. My hands can get very tired working with heavy fabrics so clamping to the table really helps. Also clamp slithery fabric straight on cutting table to keep it on grain during cut out.

[@jasmineloh7095]

i love the theme of this video! heavy cutting board for many of the same reasons you have the anvil, Uhu glue for stiffening up fabrics and temp holding them together for sewing...then it washes away!

[@amber689]

My mini vacuum cleaner. My tape dispenser clips onto my cutting table, it’s so handy! I use a lot of small sandwich baggies to separate buttons.

[@sherryberbit8624]

Hemastat, (aka Kelly clamp)smaller version of your plier. Bent nose tweezer- great in so many ways. Leather mallet- great for squishing down thick seams prior to sewing over them, you’ll need a hard surface so the mini anvil will work but I like wood better- So enjoyed this vid!

[@bubbajean01]

Love your videos. I have makeup brushes, small paint brushes and toothbrushes that are great for cleaning the machine, cutting mats, gently getting loose threads off fabric. Dental tools are great for grabbing lint from under the bobbin case. Many times I have 'borrowed' tools from my husband's worktable, small hand tools are great for so many things, especially needle nose pliers and painters tape. Tape is great for temporary fabric placement when you don't want it to move (i.e. applique) and it removes without leaving any residue on your fabric.

[@sylviasparkman6348]

A chopstick for turning tubes and squaring corners!

[@cameronbender8616]

Single edge razor blade for ripping out seams, so much faster. Dental floss for cleaning the thread guide and discs. Paint brush, with long skinny bristles for dusting the machine too. Bingo magnet wand for pick up pins and needles from the table, floor and carpet.

[@meacadwell]

I use pretty much everything you suggested in this video - except the potato peeler (I prefer mechanical pencils over tailor chalk). Swapped out q-tips with silicone swabs so I can reuse them and they've worked wonderfully. Also use a tabletop vacuum to get up all the lint from machines and sewing poop (thread bits) from surfaces.

[@Giuditta627]

Harbor Freight has magnetic screw holders that are incredibly sturdy and much less than the ones you can get at the sewing stores.

[@CathyTarpey]

Lighted magnetic pick- up tool. To get needles and pins that fall…anywhere!

[@lindalomax5448]

A recent convert from the UK and love your videos. You are always so clear and precise. Great stuff.

[@aprilcarter749]

Hello Ms. Shea do you have a video on how to change men’s already made pant legs to pag leg? Not to tight I measure the bottom to 7inchs across can you help really soon? Thanks for your help ❤

[@davederrick9431]

Great ideas, I use artery forceps a lot (old hands 😢), sometimes pliers, hammer & yes Q tips (cotton bud Downunder), every time I clean the sewing machine. They are great to absorb excessive oil or good to oil where I need just a smear, heavy handed this time😮. Love your chanel

[@M_J_nan]

Fun!

[@SuperFSProductions]

Nail scissors save my life for cutting appliqué or anything super important because they have a curve on the blade🙌🏼

[@cathyjardine2957]

A razor blade. I use it for quick removal of zippers and to open seams. Faster and way better than a seam ripper. No more seam rippers in my studio 😅