Threads - for people who love to sew

What's your favorite sewing notion?

What's your favorite sewing notion? Tell us about the sewing notions you just can't live without.

Victoria North, senior web producer
Posted on Mar 8th, 2010 in tools & supplies, notions

Comments (13)

sewnotso writes: I think I'd have to say that my trusty pocket knife is my right hand man. Learning tailoring prior to learning garment-making, being able to "un"-sew quickly was crucial. Also, since I do a lot of bridal alterations, a pair of needle nose pliers are invaluable when sewing beaded fabrics. I can remove the beads in a seamline(by pinching them) without breaking the thread which saves time in the end as I don't have as many loose beads to tie off. Please protect your eyes!!!!! The beads do ricochet!
Posted: 11:23 pm on March 10th

Dallas_Raye writes: Yep! I agree with Ruby...if you're not ripping you
re not sewing! And on that note I have to say that one of my very FAVOURITE notions is my THIRD HAND! Literally worth its weight in gold. It makes life so much easier when having to Riiippppp!!!! It also works great to help with hand basting and sewing. Anytime, you find you need that extra hand!
Posted: 12:46 pm on March 10th

donnabgoode writes: Right now, my favorite is my pin cushion.
I use it for all size needles as well as decorative dress pins.
It was handmade over 35 years ago by a good friend.
It is stuffed with something on the line of "beany" but has keeps the
pins sharp and easy to pull out. I also use it to capture bits of fiber
so I can think about how to use it in a project. Also, the internal
ingredients make it "stay" cling to the top of my thread workbox
or the arm of a chair.
Posted: 10:06 pm on March 9th

KittyF writes: hmmm, the one I Love most is pink hair tape. In the sixties it was used to keep hair flat while it dried to create a curl o the cheek, etc. I used to be able to buy it at the five and dime, now I have to find it at a Hair supply store.

I use it to patch holes in a favorite pattern when the pin has pulled a hole in it, or when the cat has decided that that nice crinkly sound is fun and ripped a piece to shreds. it's saved me more times than I can count.

It's slightly stretchy so it doesn't seem to be as hard on the pattern, and is fairly easy to pin through if need be, unlike cellophane tape or scotch tape.
Posted: 1:06 pm on March 9th

berninagal writes: I couldn't live without a magnetic pin cushion to the right of my machine. I am a garment sewer and I pretty much refuse to baste anything! I use a lot of pins and throw them to the right toward the magnet as I sew. Just be careful to not set it right on a computerized machine. 1/4" double-sided tape is also very handy for keeping zippers and such in place while sewing.
Posted: 12:27 pm on March 9th

emmyt writes: I have so many that I am not sure where to start. A good cutting mat and sharp rotary cutter is essential, plus several good rulers, also several pair of sharp scissors of various sizes. Love my buttonhole cutter which comes in handy for other things than just cutting buttonholes. A good thimble is very necessary to me, I had a difficult time finding one that fit until I found a sterling silver one at the Chicago quilt show, Love it. Also washaway stabelizer is one of my favorites although I use many other kinds of stabelizer. I just have to many to name them all. I just Love to sew!!
Posted: 12:09 pm on March 9th

poorme writes: The notion to sew, is my favourite thing I think. And by the "favourite" spelling you will know I am a Canadian eh? Probably the rotary cutter and a sharp craft knife. Most of the time I don't use a seam ripper. The craft knife is faster for me.
Posted: 11:06 am on March 9th

DeirdreNF writes: The one item I use all the time, whether sewing or embroidery are my right angle tweezers. They are high quality with very accurate points. I use them for pulling the thread through the needle, picking up small threads when ripping and picking up jump stitches to trim. If I have taken them away from my machine and forget I go a little nuts. Should probably just get a second pair.
Posted: 7:44 am on March 9th

Sewing2enjoying writes: I cannot imagine doing without most all my notions, some I use more than others. However, the one I use most are my little thread cutters. They are very small scissors with pointed, curved blades which make them ideal for cutting threads nice and close without damaging fabric. They are also the best item for removing buttons from fabric. The short, sharp pointed blades can slip between the thread and the fabric or button easily and cleanly. They are also quite sharp. I can't imagine doing any of my thread-related projects without them.
Posted: 2:11 am on March 9th

Robinbobbin writes: I keep blue painter's tape at the ready. It sticks to everything and doesn't leave residue. I use it to indicate the wrong side of fabric, lay down a 1" (or whatever) seam guide on my machine bed, label slightly used needles, mark places on patterns or in books, and pick up stray threads from my clothes after a sewing session. A favorite application: cut a strip 1/4" wide and about 1/2" long, and lay it over the tip of my left thumbnail to use as a seam guide when hand-piecing.
Posted: 11:21 pm on March 8th

Jaranda writes: My rotary cutter, cutting pad, and ruler are always on the table beside my sewing machine. I enjoy good scissors and have three or four seam rippers, but I use the rotary cutter all the time, to trim seams, to trim threads, to cut some patterns, etc. My last project was covers for my small kitchen appliances. Measure the appliance, rotary cut the pieces,
serge them together, and presto! A new look for the kitchen!
Posted: 8:37 pm on March 8th

samlilypepper writes: My favourite is a really good pair of scissors. Mine are spring loaded and have a lock on them. Second to that would have to be my stitch ripper. I have the cheap little one you see everywhere, and a good one that pros use. Surprisingly, I think I prefer the cheap one!
Posted: 7:17 pm on March 8th

Ruby writes: My Clover stitch ripper. Maybe favorite isn't the best descriptor,rather most used! If you're not ripping you're not sewing.
Posted: 6:45 pm on March 8th

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