Machines & tools

A flat or triangular piece of chalk or clay-based marking material used to draw temporary lines and symbols directly on fabric.

A flexible, usually fiberglass or cloth ribbon marked with inch and centimeter graduations, used to take body and fabric measurements around curves.

Focused lighting positioned at the sewing machine and cutting table to reduce eye strain and improve accuracy when threading needles or matching thread colours.

A tangled mass of thread, usually on the fabric underside, caused by incorrect threading, an unbalanced tension, or an improperly seated bobbin.

A dense tangle of looped thread that jams beneath the fabric, usually caused by an unthreaded take-up lever or incorrect upper threading.

A wall-mounted or freestanding storage rack with pegs or spindles that holds spools of thread visibly and within easy reach.

Small, spring-loaded scissors with short blades designed for quickly trimming thread tails and jump stitches without picking up full-size scissors.

The balance of pull applied to the upper and lower threads so they interlock at the midpoint of the fabric layers, producing an even, flat stitch.

A tool with a small spiked or serrated wheel, rolled along pattern lines to transfer markings onto fabric, typically paired with dressmaker's carbon paper.