You’ll find essential information, useful stitches and key sewingtechniques on these
pages.
SEAM RIPPER
This sharp blade cuts through and unpicks stitches.
SHEARS
Keep a pair of sharp shears just for cutting out your fabric.
SMALL SCISSORS
Use for snipping threads and cutting notches.
PINKING SHEARS
These cut a zigzag edge on fabric to neaten.
FABRIC WEIGHTS
Use instead of pins to hold your pattern in place.
THIMBLE
Wear to protect your fingers when handstitching.
TAILOR’S CHALKS
Chalk temporarily marks fabric and can be easily brushed away.
FABRIC CLIPS
Use these instead of pins when sewing thicker fabrics.
BOBBINS
This forms the underside of the machine stitch.
PINS
Stainless steel pins with sharp points are best.
THREAD
This forms the top side of the machine stitch.
MARKING PENCIL
Choose a colour that shows up on your fabric.
TAPE MEASURE
A flexible fabric tape measure will take accurate measurements.
HOW TO MEASURE YOURSELF ACCURATELY
BACK WAIST LENGTH
From the top of your spine at the base of your neck to your natural waist
BUST
Around the fullest part of your bust
HIPS
Around the fullest and widest part of your thighs and bottom
HEIGHT:
Stand against a wall, barefoot, then measure from the top of your head to the floor
HIGH BUST/CHEST:
Across the back, under your arms and above the bust
WAIST:
Your natural waistline, around the slimmest part of your waist
ALWAYS MEASURE YOURSELF BEFORE you choose a pattern size to cut out. The sizes do
vary greatly from pattern to pattern, so it’s always best to measure yourself accurately
and then refer to the pattern’s size chart to find your size. The chart will usually
be printed on the pattern envelope or on the instructions inside.
Measure yourself in your underwear and preferably in the bra you’ll be wearing underneath
your garment as this can alter the measurements slightly. Use a fabric tape measure
as it’ll curve around your body well for accuracy. You can measure on your own if
you stand in front of a mirror, but, for best results, ask a friend to help so they
can check the tape measure is sitting in the right places. Make sure the tape measure
sits snugly around you but is not pulled tight.
Take the measurements shown in the diagram and note them
