Machines & tools

A looped stitch formed by a single needle thread interlocking with a looper thread in a chain-like pattern beneath the fabric, used alone or alongside cover stitching.

A smooth, flat hardwood block pressed onto a just-steamed seam or edge to flatten and set a sharp crease as it cools.

A transparent, gridded acrylic ruler used with a rotary cutter for measuring, marking, and cutting straight and angled lines through fabric.

An industrial sewing machine motor that runs continuously, engaging the machine via a friction clutch pedal, resulting in a distinctive momentum on start and stop.

A machine controlled by an onboard computer that stores stitch patterns and adjusts tension and length automatically, typically operated through a digital screen or touchpad.

A machine that sews two or three parallel rows of straight stitching on top with interlocking looper threads underneath, used for hems and flat seams on knits.

A self-healing, gridded mat that protects work surfaces and guides straight or angled cuts when used together with a rotary cutter.

A large, flat, sturdy work surface, often at standing height, sized for laying out fabric and patterns for cutting.

An industrial machine with a narrow, tube-shaped bed that allows sewing on cuffs, cylindrical items, and other hard-to-reach curved seams.