Back to school season is in session! At Club Tissus, back to school means the start of our sewing classes in affiliation with our partners. In-store we help you find the best items to equip you for the start of classes. One of many things we love about this time of year is seeing how excited all of you get when talking about your future projects! So I prepared a list of essentials for your sewing classes if you want to start off on the right foot.
A RULER
A ruler will always be useful in your sewing kit, either to adjust your patterns or even if it’s just to measure. This ruler, which I strongly suggest you get, is my favourite one since the centimetres and inch figures are clearly indicated, which makes it easier to do the conversion. In addition, to being clear and simple, this ruler can also be used in width, ideal to make parallel lines.
DRESS/QUILT PLASTIC RULER 45,7 CM – 18 IN
MARKING MARKER
I’m proposing you two types of marker. However I suggest you buy both since they will come handy. The assorted clover water soluble pencil set is surely at the top of my favourites list. It comes with 3 colours, so whatever what colour your fabric is your markings will be visible. With thin and continuous lines these pencils have the perfect texture. The second marker I’m proposing you disappears with air in a 1 to 4 days’ delay. It is therefore ideal for projects that don’t need to be washed after their making.
SEAM RIPPER
Whether you are starting or an experience seamstress, the seam ripper will be your best friend. So I’m proposing you three options. The first one is probably my favourite out of the three, it’s on the costliest side, but trust me when I say it’s worth it! Ergonomic is the perfect word to describe it! I’ll admit it had been a couple of years since I last bought a seam ripper (because I had so many in my collection), but when I saw this one, I just knew it would make my life easier and it delivered. Simple and effective, I now love to unstitch (haha, well almost).
The second option I’m proposing to you as a little fun twist to it. As you can see on its tip, the cap is provided with a piece of rubber. It will allow you to remove the threads still caught in the seam, since they’ll get stuck to the rubber.
The last one I’m proposing you is great for starting off, since it’s easy to hold on to. It does the job we expect of a seam ripper to do!
SEWING GAUGE
I must admit that I rarely measure anything when I’m sewing; I prefer to trust my instinct. However, all my sewing teachers, including my mom, always told me to use this tool, which comes in very handy when you need to take some last minute measurements. The small cursor allows you to quickly see your measurement. Keep it close to your sewing machine, it will save you time!
UNIQUE SEWING GAUGE
PINS
Pins are certainly the most useful item when it comes to sewing. The ones I’m proposing you have a flat and big end, which makes them super easy to use. Don’t hesitate to use pins, when you feel the need. It will help guide you and will keep your fabric from stretching when sewing it. You’ll like pining more than unstitching, I promise!
I’m also proposing you an alternative that has been gaining more and more popularity recently. I started using them myself and although I’m not ready to completely leave my pins, I love them. They’re little clips that are ideal to fix your fabric when sewing in a circle or even when installing bias.
THREAD SCISSORS
Regular scissors can definitely do the job of thread scissors, but they take up more space in your work environment and take longer to manipulate than a simple thread scissors. In addition, its tip is much finer, perfect for small unwanted threads that are hidden in a seam.
The one I’m proposing you today is by the brand Prym, but you can find several other models in store. I usually buy ten at a time, because we can never have enough thread scissors in my opinion! You can find one in every room in my house, including one in my purse, my car, and my suitcase.
PRYM THREAD SCISSORS RUSTPROOF
PIN CUSHION
One thing my mom wished I did when living with her was to use my pin cushion. I don’t recommend you to this at home! You can find pins and needles everywhere in my sewing room, shoes are mandatory when entering. I have to tell you that if my pin cushion was as cute as this one, I might have better habits today!
DE L’ENTOILAGE À TRACER
Tracing interlining is an indispensable when working with patterns. It allows you to trace the needed size, instead of directly cutting it and not be able to use the other sizes available afterwards. In addition, the paper used for patterns are usually very fragile, this interlining will last you longer, allowing you to reuse your favourite patterns multiple times.
NEEDLES
The multiple choice of needles on the market is a great puzzle that I have not completely solved yet. They come in many shapes and sizes for any project possible. That is why I’m proposing you this assorted craft needle kit. You will get needles of different sizes perfect for the project and fabric you are using. In addition, its casing is perfect to keep them clearly organized.
ASSORTED CRAFT NEEDLES
MEASURING TAPE
A measuring tape is a must for taking measurements, since most rulers are not long enough. A measuring tape most not be rigid, otherwise you could get false measurements when taking someone measures, since it will not curve to the body shapes. The one I’m proposing you is ideal for its texture and its length that is perfect for any kind of project. Plus, every time I wear it around my neck it makes me feel like Gabrielle Chanel!
MESURE TAPE 254 CM – 100 IN
SCISSORS
Without scissors no project would get very far! Many options are offered depending on your budget and the fabric you will be cutting. The first pair I’m proposing you is the one my grandmother offered me many years ago. The second pair is more on the costliest side, but you can never go wrong with Kai scissors. These are the new favourite of my colleague Valerie and they are at the very top of my Christmas list. We are working on an article that will demystify the different types of scissors during our scissors sharpening promotion.
TITECH SCISSORS – DRESSMAKERS AND EMBROIDERY
You are now ready to begin your class. Obviously, these are essentials for beginner or experienced sewers. Know that we love to follow you and that you can share your findings, your comments and your creations on the various social media using the #clubtissus.
See you soon !
