TOOLS AND EQUIPMENTS COMMONLY USED BY FASHION DESIGNERS

Whenever I want to make a new dress, I check for a few tools. Here I am gonna to tell you all about those tools and equipments I use in the making of my garments. Probably the most common ones in my sewing set.

1. MEASURING TAPE

A measuring tape is a flexible ruler used to take measurements of our body parts before making of a garment. These are mostly made up of a ribbon of cloth, or plastic, or fibre glass, or metal strip (soft). It is really handy and useful especially in taking measurements on curvy lines. I can't even imagine of making a garment without my measuring tape.

2. CHALK (TAILOR'S CHALK)

It is a marking tool. Unlike the chalk we have seen in our class rooms, these are thin flat pieces of chalk or soapstone. These give temporary markings on the fabric to give the seam lines. The thing I don't like about these chalks is just that they break so easily, it's irritating while you are working.

3. SCISSORS

Scissors are used in cutting the patterns, fabrics, threads, etc. I guess you all might be familiar with this great tool (but be aware while using it). The scissors we use in cutting of fabrics should be kept separate and should not be used it cutting of anything else like papers, card boards, etc. There are many types of scissors we use some of them are:

• Dressmaker's shears : Dressmaker's shears have a long blade (approx 9"), making them ideal for cutting out fabric.
• Pinking shears : This saw-toothed pair of scissors leaves a zig-zag design on the fabric edge after cutting. Oftentimes used for cutting seam edges to keep them from unraveling. 
• Thread Cutters : These are one of my must-have tools. I always have a pair next to my machine when sewing to quickly snip threads.Thread cutters have no handles, so they quickly snip by pressing the blades together.
• Embroidery Scissors : Small embroidery scissors are good to go for embroidery purpose in garment creation. These are another kind of thread snipers.
• Rotary cutters :  It consists of a handle with a circular blade that rotates, thus the tool's name. Rotary cutter blades are very sharp, can be resharpened, and are available in different sizes: usually smaller blades are used to cut small curves, while larger blades are used to cut to straight lines and broad curves.
  

4. NEEDLES

Needles are used to sew fabrics together either by hands or using a sewing machine.

A sewing needle, used for hand-sewing, is a long slender tool with a pointed tip at one end and a hole at the other. Whereas a needle used in a sewing machine has a hole at the pointed side of the needle.

5. THREADS

We can't sew without threads. The most common threads are made up of cotton, polyester, nylon, silk, metals, rayon, etc. The threads used in embroidery are different from those used for sewing. Sewing threads are stronger than embroidery threads.

6. THREADER

A threader is useful for threading any kind of needle, by putting it in the eye of the needle, then threading it and pulling it back.

7. THIMBLE

A thimble goes on our finger tips and protects it while we push the needle or pin.

8. SEAM RIPPER

Its primary purpose is to cut seams, both wrong seams on garments. also used to open button holes.

9.LINT REMOVER

This is used to keep the fabric clean from bits of thread wandering after using the seam ripper.

10. CUTTING TABLE

A cutting table is usually a long surface with a built in yard stick on one edge and a long groove for scissors going across the center.