BEST Sewing Tools Under $10: How To Save on Sewing

[@doloresw]

I have Nancy Zeaman Gauge and I just love it. Im alway able to see the actual distance from my needle to correctly determine if my seam will be the correct width.

[@makingitthrough190]

Thank you for highlighting these items and techniques. Good reminders, sometimes we have them and have forgotten how handy they can be.

[@Thelaststitch]

True, sometimes we buy great stuff and then forget to use them 🙂

[@janethiggs54]

My seam guide with the red slider came in my 1230 accessory box...you should have one too. Also , I love my magnetic pin cushion but beware, don’t keep it too close to your sewing machine as it can have a detrimental effect on the electronics. Another great video, thank you.

[@stanjones2277]

I so agree with the use of these sewing notions to make the jobs easier! I have them all as many of them came with my sewing machines. However, one never really knows all the ways they can be used until watching informative KZbin videos like yours! Thanks Johanna!

[@patticampbell1955]

1

[@ColorJoyLynnH]

Wonder tape is what I took forever to try. So great for zippers!!!

[@seemarajderkar3019]

Hi from Chicago !! Just stumbled upon this video..... and said, Wow !! Very useful tools, tips and demos.It was a great refresher !!! Many thanks!! Except for the last one, I have been using the other tools.

[@bevann8624]

One of my favorite seam guides has always been the old "T" style that screws into that little hole in the bed of the sewing machine. Does have a 1 1/2" max for me, but usually that is plenty. They are still available, just saw one at my dealer's the other day and very inexpensive, too.

[@mariannatrapani5859]

Agree about the magnetic pin cushion. Love mine.

[@katmd405]

Thanks for telling me about that hump jumper tool. I have had one for years but didn’t know what it was for. Now I do thanks to you!

[@wendylutz2698]

What a great article! I love your videos!! I ended up ordering 2 items immediately and now I know how to use that quilting bar! Thanks from 🇨🇦!!!

[@mariannatrapani5859]

Omg. I have one but didn’t know I can use as a seam guide. Thank you. It did come with my machine.

[@lindawisner3525]

Great video! I use the magnetic pin cushion but leave my pins in the plastic container and place on magnet. Magnet is strong enough to hold them tight on the cushion. Then when I'm done I can put cover on box and put in drawer to keep curious pets out.

[@Thelaststitch]

That's a nifty trick and great for pets too 🙂

[@ruthhurley800]

I make my own magnetic dishes by gluing magnets to the bottom of pretty little dishes so I can keep pins at my sewing machine, ironing board and cutting table. Also I can keep pins separate for quilting, stretchy fabrics and delicate fabrics.

[@lorr.jones8887]

OMG! This idea has blown my mind! I've been fussing around trying to keep my different pins separated on my magnetic pin cushion, trying to pick them back up when I want to put them away, etc.

[@loriar1027]

I have a Bernina and I always wanted to know what that bit of plastic was. Thanks! And I totally agree with the magnetic pin catcher. When I pull a pin out as I’m sewing I just have to throw it in the direction of the magnet and it catches it! Totally cool!

[@conniedouglass3673]

Just found this great video. I attach my snippets w a pretty ribbon to the mat under my sewing machine. This keeps them from getting lost. Often I find them quickly by grabbing the mat-attached ribbon to pull them from hiding under my creations. This helps me keep those threads trimmed. Also, I’ve learned to keep 2 trash cans - larger one on my left & little one on the right. This helps a lot. Thanks so much for teaching me what some … do! I didn’t want to throw them away but no one-until you explained them! You are so smart! Thanks.

[@dale3404]

The Jeanamajig is a play on thingamajig, which is used in the US if one can’t remember the name of something or doesn’t know the name. Other names we use are whatchamacallit, doodad and doohickey. Store your Wonder Tape in a plastic bag. I keep water soluble pens in bags, also.

[@malenejensen2995]

That magnetic pin cushion will be very handy for me, by the sewing machine. Because I am left handed the needles is all over the place when I remove them from the fabric during the sewing.

[@brendaescalon2175]

I have 3 different set of pins and that is what I keep them on.

[@doloresw]

Thank you for the video. I'm liking the seam gauge and the glue stick and tape. I picked a very stretch knit to make my 1st pair of leggings and had not remembered this tape that I desperately needed.

[@celiahaddon4087]

I use the Dritz Wonder Tape and I’ve never had any problems with it.

[@mandaloria9761]

Hiya from Texas. Thanks so much for the helpful video. My sewing did definitely change for the better when I discovered the Hump Jumper. It truly is a very helpful tool. Easier on the sewing machine & needles too. Thanks again ! :)

[@Thelaststitch]

100% It really should be in every sewists tool kit!

[@susieweir2959]

I like all of those tools! I have them in my tool box and use some of them a lot! I do love the glue basting when matching odd seams in piecing quilt blocks.

[@Thelaststitch]

I can imagine basting glue is perfect for quilting, since it must be hard to get all those pieces and patterns to align properly

[@barbaraclarkson2000]

I love the grey multipurpose tool, and the hole on one of the “ toes” holds your needle for inserting into your machine. Mine came with my Husqvarna Viking but I use it on all my machines.

[@Thelaststitch]

Yes the Husqvarna one is so good, I had one with my last machine and when I traded it for a Bernina I should have kept the tool 🙂 So I got this copy, since I missed the Viking so much

[@Escape10mom]

I love my magnetic pin holder. Also I use the black button on my presser foot to go over thick seams! Wonder tape is awesome stuff as well. I love the clover button hole tool too. I've never tried any glues.

[@Thelaststitch]

That adjustable presser foot sounds awesome!

[@cupoftea31]

pin at the end of the button hole! didn't know about it. thank you!

[@glenn2595]

Thanks for the video/ When I purchased my first sewing machine the shop gave me 3 complimentary lessons, (group). Having a machine shop back ground we make our own toolbox and tools that make working with our machines easier. The sight that struck me odd was there were at least 4 women in the class that had the bid red tomato pin cushion. I though it was funny as it was one of the first items I made on my machine. The pin cushion I made was a very ugly and rectangular but functional. I even made a small one that fit on top of my bobbin winder post to keep pins as I pulled them. So it's rare that I buy tools that I can make, like a sewing ham, ironing board pad and cover, and such. HOWEVER, I now too us a magnet for the pins and as you said it's great at 'sweeping up' the pins after a project, plus I can throw them towards the back of my machine and have the magnet 'catch' them.

[@glenn2595]

I love my thread snips. (It's what us Americans call the spring loaded scissors that snip thread). I purchased 3. I have one for my sewing machine, one for my serger, and one when I decide to snip the threads away from the machine after the sewing/serging is done. As an FYI, my daughter doesn't like them and uses a small pair of detail embroidery scissors, so I guess they are not for everyone, but I think the spring loaded always opened snips is so superior to small scissors. Speaking of spring loaded, (it's your video so I'm not naming brands), but the 60mm rotary cutter with the button the snaps the blade back into safety position is by far the best. All the blades seem interchangeable on all the different rotary handle brands, so you can get your preferred blade, but that spring loaded handle is the best. So it's right hand only..... I'm right handed and don't feel comfortable cutting with my left, so I don't see a problem. Also for years I used the 45mm blade, once I got my 60mm, I never picked up the 45 again. Actually I gave it to my teens to cut paper and cardboard with for school projects.

[@kimberlygodbold880]

I learned something today. Thanks so much for this video!

[@corirodriquez2889]

Your video was awesome!!! I now know what some of my attachments are used for!!!!! I sew on Berninas as well. Mahalo 🧵🪡🌺

[@janem3378]

My favourite tool currently is the dritz Eezy Hem Guide. So hand for pressing hems especially when working on full skirts or curtains or anything wide and expansive . I found one at a Walmart in Florida. No luck finding any here in Canada. It was about $10. US funds.

[@Thelaststitch]

Thank you for the tip 👍I'm going to see if I can find it in Europe, I suspect it would go under the Prym brand here

[@ColorJoyLynnH]

I bought one of these in the early 80’s. Love it!!! Lately I keep inheriting creative supplies (a friend’s mother, a dear creative friend) and now I have 3 of them. I am teaching young friends to sew, so they will benefit from my abundance.

[@theresaereagan]

LOVE LOVE LOVE your series! Thank you for taking the time to do these!

[@Thelaststitch]

Thank you, that makes me so happy to hear! 🙂

[@lindavictor8250]

I use everything you showed!! Great tools!

[@cruisepaige]

I love your voice, accent, etc.

[@lindahines7294]

Great suggestions! I have some but others are new to me. Thank you 😊

[@chriswatson1698]

I have two sewing gauges. One is just like the one that you showed. Its plastic slider doesn't lie flat, so I like my Korbond brand gauge better. I use it all the time. The gauge with the fixed widths wouldn't do for me, as I use a wide variety of different widths that might vary only by a millimetre or two. You may be able to fix the looseness of the slider by sticking tape to the underside of the metal part. Maybe with the wonder tape. but without the cover paper removed.

[@Silver_Threads_Sewing]

I ALWAYS enjoy your videos and learn so much! Only problem... now I want these tools I don’t already have. ❤️

[@Thelaststitch]

Thank you, that makes so happy to hear 🙂

[@abutler7569]

This is such a useful video. Thanks for sharing.

[@seemamathew3494]

Seeing it at 1.5 speed. Good information

[@rodolfojr._8644]

Very nice, informative and helpful. Just one recommendation, please flash some name/s of every item you are sharing for beginners like me!

[@scottym50]

Thank you, that was a lot of good information. Great video, you do a fantastic job.

[@dlg1603]

Thank you for all the links!

[@shineexpressivemusic7342]

Very good information, thanks 😊

[@heikehoyer1284]

I like the awl too (got the idea from you, thanks!).

[@Thelaststitch]

Yay, happy to hear you like the awl 😊

[@ecoquilting7077]

Nice vid, thank you for sharing

[@juliadixon6252]

The long skinny one is actually a hem gauge. It slides so you can use it for different hem widths. You can also tape it temporarily to use it for the same width hem around a full skirt or standard size hemmed pants.

[@susankidd9963]

Great ideas will be ordering some of these.

[@winniegrant8113]

Lol I have that long gage looking thing & now I know what it’s for ! 👍🏾👏🏾👏🏾🤩😍

[@cecil4560]

Can you please do this pattern B6074. I love the way you teach and I can’t find someone who can do a sew along like you do.

[@nancysteiner8814]

Another great video! Thank you!

[@felinesewblessed1218]

I don’t have the hump jumper but do have both the jean-a-ma-jig and Bernina’s 3-part compensation tool which I like better. I have a plastic version of the flat seam gauge that I got free, and a metal sliding seam gauge with a red slider that says “Swiss Made” that is nice and snug. Maybe I got it at a Bernina club meeting, I don’t remember. (I have a Bernina 1130 & 155, and Babylock Imagine Serger, all purchased new). The snips are great aren’t they! My Mom always had those at her machine for decades while we were growing up, so I have to have a pair by my machine too! I actually have the last two she owned. I have her other various old tools from Japan like her bamboo metric ruler, triangle, awl, and bamboo point turner. One inexpensive thing that is useful for me is a transparent adhesive tape measure that I placed on the edge of my sewing table. It has both inches and cm. This particular one is not reposition-able, but I’ve seen other types that are. I’ve been enjoying your videos. You’ve been slowly getting me interested in sewing clothes again, after a long break away. Thanks for the inspiration!!

[@Thelaststitch]

Happy to hear that I've played a part in getting your sewing inspiration back 🙂 That adhesive tape measure sticker has been on my to-buy list for forever, and after reading your comment I'm going to make it happen! And so beautiful to hear that you are able to still use those old tools, good notions can truly be passed on to the next generation

[@kayceegreer4418]

Fantastic tips Thank you

[@monikita777]

Great video! Tks for showing! Love the magnetic pin cushion 🙂

[@Thelaststitch]

Thank you, and pin cushion is nice to have 🙂

[@nancyhume9956]

Great ideas! The quilting guide I received 40+ years ago with my Viking machine is backwards to the one you show. The tip of it flips up, not down along the front of the machine. Not as handy, but still useful. Thanks for all the useful information you provide.

[@2Peachcobler]

Snappy girl you may want to check with your Viking dealership to see if they have one like hers. I have a Viking machine and I have a left one and a right one and they both flow like hers.

[@nancyhume8868]

B Cobler Thanks, I will do that.

[@tracyfrost]

You are full of good ideas, thank you.

[@afiiik1]

I like almost all the recommendations but I've stopped using the magnetic pin cushion (except for hoovering) because it eventually magnetised the pins so I ended up picking up a string of pins instead of just one and they all fell to the floor 🙈

[@Jonatrus]

I'm not completely sure but you can try putting the pins in hot water to demagntise them? The water need to be really hot so you could boil them in a pot

[@sharoncumiskey4738]

Jonatrus boiling will not demagnetize pins, but it will melt the plastic balls off the top.

[@lisahurst8565]

Great tips! I haven't seen the seam gauge you showed. I also use my awl for a hump jumper.

[@TorchwoodPandP]

The seam-o-meter is a very common Scandinavian item. But I haven’t seen it anywhere else. I eventually found it in inches in the US under the name of “Seams Right”.

[@TheSabinewalkden]

I recently got a magnetic pin holder only because I kept spilling my pins onto the floor and this just suck them up! I still refer a traditional pincushion.

[@deanalovessewn6117]

Hi Johanna!! Wonderful vlog .. I agree with you, everyone of the tools are great to have.... 💜💜💜🧵🧵🧵

[@semlasemlis5995]

Du gör underbara videor. Kan inte du göra en video om hur man kan sy in grenen på ett par färdiga jeans för en bättre passform ? Hoppas den kommer, tack för dina bra videor.

[@francespatterson8697]

Thank you for the tips! Any update on your jeans book?

[@Thelaststitch]

It's at the printer and will be out on November 3 😊 And it's listed for pre-order on Amazon US a and UK + Book Depository right now 👍

[@beepbopboop3221]

Did you make the tie front shirt in the intro? It's awesome!

[@janetcozens4623]

Great ideas many thanks (smiles)

[@brittneytapp896]

Thank you! So much good information!

[@maryviti6799]

Thank you, a good refresher course🧐! M🍀

[@Thelaststitch]

Happy to hear you enjoyed the video!

[@beverlydmcdonald5919]

Excellent video, I recently learned about hump jumper and awaiting it's arrival. However I wonder about the shirt you've sewn. Here in USA I was always taught women's buttons are on the other side. At first i thought video was backwards, but words in video are correct. Do different countries have different button preferences? Stores here have both, depending upon origin of country.

[@Thelaststitch]

I like to mix it up depending on the look I'm going for. I took my inspiration from vintage menswear polo shirts when I made that shirt, hence the look of the button placket, and that's the great thing about sewing, that we have the creative freedom 🙂

[@anitabruzelius3905]

Hej, I just started sewing and as always with me I don't start easy I start with all the things I just want to know and do. So this is so helpful to find a youtube in Sweden so that i know that the products actually exist in sweden. Do you know if it is possible to get starch spray in Sweden? Love the channel so far.

[@sagepreaumx9903]

I like the needle threader. I usually don't have difficulty threading needles but lately I found thread that's just too thick for some of the tiny needle holes. Keeps my eyes from crossing so much.

[@Thelaststitch]

I need to start using the needle threader more too (my eyesight is deteriorating by the minute!) and the threader really makes it much easier, great tip!

[@triemstad]

Dental floss threaders work great as needle threaders for sewing machines and sergers. www.amazon.com/s?k=dental+floss+threaders&i=industrial&ref=nb_sb_noss

[@get2craft]

How do I pick out good thread when thrift shopping? I heard thread can go bad if stored for too long or stored in a "bad way.

[@MrMitchellw16]

The press on seem/hem tape that I have says on the label "DO NOT SEW". It's called Peel-n-Stick manufactured by Therm-o-web. I just picked it up from the store so I can't speak to how well it works

[@Thelaststitch]

We have something like this in Sweden too, it's used for curtains and stuff, but I have not tried it either, but I'm intrigued

[@nyetloki]

Some hem tape is machine safe. According to the hem tape manufacturer.

[@notconvincedgranny6573]

I've never seen the sliding seam gauge called that; I've always seen it referred to as a hem gauge.

[@Thelaststitch]

That's good to know. Since I'm Swedish I have to rely on the information Google provides me and the names of sewing tools and notions can vary greatly, so I'm never sure which to use 🙂

[@chriswatson1698]

I live in a city of a million people, and I can't find them for sale anywhere, so it is just as well that I already have two.

[@melanienicholson2834]

instead of a hump jumper, just use nail files when you are done with them, super cheap

[@Thelaststitch]

What a great tip, thank you 👍

[@euniceluna8534]

melanie nicholson you could also use plastic needle boxes , small ones, sticks for crafts etc.

[@nansan2004]

Wow super idea

[@harpmyday]

If you can even believe it, one of my cats took a liking to my magnetic pin cushion and started rubbing his little head on it and licking it! I've had to put it away. I'm using a wrist cushion for now. You'd think that a wrist pin cushion would be more convenient but I really miss the other one. "Pin Hoover"-- made me laugh out loud. Yes!

[@jacquelinejacobson4023]

I have several of the sliding hem guides. I inherited them from my mother and both grandmothers and I probably bought one myself. Only one of them has a slider which moves easily. The others are all snug enough that they don’t move without conscious effort. Maybe you just have a defective one? Great video, thanks.

[@Thelaststitch]

Thank you for sharing your experience with good sliders, yes I must have gotten a bad egg, and it's hard to tell when you order online, because they all look the same

[@wildaprice8715]

great to know!!!!! thank you

[@juliej6638]

Thanks for another great video and for the link to the metric seam gauge on Amazon. I've been wanting one for a while. I've had the Imperial one for ages and use it a lot, but being in the UK I think in metric as well as inches (we're very confused), so a metric one will be really useful too. Doesn't the magnetic pin cushion magnetise your pins so they all stick to each other and to the metal blades of your scissors and snips? I had a magnet for picking them up off the floor but it did just that and then it was impossible to take just one pin out of the box. I'm always knocking my box of pins on the floor so would welcome reassurance that I'm not going to get this problem. Can anyone help?

[@trinam2503]

I have never had my magnetic bowl magnetize my pins. I use one from the mechanic tool store, so the magnet is really strong.

[@lindabridges445]

How do you put buttons with hump jumper? Would like to see that done.

[@Thelaststitch]

Check out this video from Husqvarna/Viking to watch the placement of the hump-jumper, though the foot/set-up will differ between brands facebook.com/watch/?v=1364051770466343&extid=Mt5lHyGkkWZDiEWA

[@lindabridges445]

@@Thelaststitch that is cool! That will help on large buttons that don't fit my button foot attachment.

[@kolibrin86]

Hej Johanna! Har du något tips på var jag kan köpa en Point Turner (el vad heter dom på Svenska?) i bambu i Sverige, online? 😃

[@lenastiward8657]

Where do I find the description section? I do not see it.

[@livschauclarke4442]

Where do you find a Button Hole Cutter in Sweden? Amazon is out of the question due to shipping costs, ($18.50 to Norway)

[@audreyatkinson6852]

Pincushion here in calif u get one and its cost more then where ur at.

[@bevann8624]

Some excellent choices. Although I have a quilting bar that I use often, I am unfamiliar with the style of quilting bar/seam ruler you are using in this video. I would really like to have one like yours, but the link takes me to one that works like the one I already have. Maybe these are not available here in the US?

[@2Peachcobler]

Bev Ann don't know what kind of machine you have but who's ever machine you do have you might want to check with the dealership that carries your machine and see if you can order it. I have a left one and a right one so the guy can go either way.

[@bevann8624]

@@2Peachcobler Do the ones you have turn down and lay over the front of your machine bed like hers in this video (at 14:35)? I have had several quilting bars over the years and one came with my Janome 9450. Mine have always been the same, but I have never seen the style she is using here. I have seen the optional ones with left and right, but they appear to be like the right side one I already have.

[@2Peachcobler]

Bev Ann Yes mine look just like hers except I have two, a left one and a right one. They came with my walking foot.

[@Thelaststitch]

Bev, I think mine that goes down is from Bernina, and it could be compatible with other models if the bed is similar sized. But best check with Janome and hopefully they have one that fits your machine perfectly

[@bevann8624]

@@Thelaststitch Thank you. I will check with my dealer.

[@cecilianilsson1594]

Have the seam gaugein plastic....it got stuck on the iron.... I'll get a metal one next :-)

[@Thelaststitch]

Ah what a bummer! Yes metal is superior plus I think they could last a lifetime

[@ColorJoyLynnH]

Oh, no!!!

[@fkideas]

nice

[@brendaescalon2175]

On the glue sticks, I use the kids glue sticks and it works great.

[@ravitejacheruvu2365]

Where can we get WHO recommended materials of masks?

[@bonb213]

Try the WHO website and the CDC website.

[@richlovin2173]

No captions on this video.??? I am deaf.

[@audreyatkinson6852]

Come down to the west coast every thing u mission is soo expensive.

[@nixhixx]

First of "Awl"...

[@dgarnett4220]

Please show us how to sew , from making a pattern to sewing step by step. Setting on machines ect. The start and end of a piece of clothing, a lot of talking as you sew to help make things step by step, to see a finished garment, to follow along. Instead of just listening and doing nothing.

[@seymourwrasse3321]

I just bought 6 sewing machines for $10 or less