FABRIC SCISSORS

 These can be bought in all haberdashery retailers. They have one flat blade in order to cut the pattern out smoothly. It is important that these are kept sharp to make

 PINS

Pins are essential at all stages from cutting the pattern out through to production. Your pinning technique is also important when it comes to cutting out the pattern and in production phases. It can make the process a lot easier. Get a good pin pot or pad so you know where they are at all times.

 SHARP PENCIL

It is important when making your pattern that you have a sharp pencil. This means your pattern will remain clear and easy to read. Rotary pencils are the best.

 FABRIC CHALK

 This is very useful when producing a garment. It means such things as darts can be drawn on to maximise consistency and accuracy. This can be then be rubbed off without permanently marking the fabric.

 THREAD

A good variety of colours and thickness’s of threads are important when producing a garment. It is important to match your thread with your chosen fabric. Later in this manual there will be a description of the varieties of threads and their uses.

 SEWING MACHINE

 A sewing machine is inevitably the most important tool. It is likely for anyone working from home to have a domestic sewing machine, whereas working in industry on larger scales industrial sewing machines will be used.

 PATTERN CUTTING MATT

This will stop your table from being damaged and will ensure the surface remains flat to maximise accuracy.

 PATTERN CUTTING TABLE

This needs to be high enough for you to cut the pattern out standing up. This also needs to be big enough to lay a cut of fabric on.

 PATTERN PAPER

Pattern paper is a wide length of paper that usually has repetitive print on with a 1cm gap on to allow accurate grading and patterns.

 PATTERN BLOCKS

These basic bodice blocks are the basic shapes on which any pattern can be adapted from. These blocks made from card form the basis of a good pattern.

 STITCH RIPPER

Important for when you make small mistakes. This is an easy way of undoing a small section of stitching without undoing it all.

 OVER LOCKER

 This is an important machine for ensuring a professional finish to a garment. You can get industrial machines as well as domestic machines. This technique of over locking ensures the fabric does not fray at the edge of the garment for both practical and visual purposes.

 STEAMING IRON

This is important for making your sewing process easier as well as completing the finishes of your garment.

 HAND SEWING NEEDLE

Hand sewing is far from a dying art. It is important for sewing on buttons or finishing off small sections of a garment that can’t be reached by a sewing machine.

 MEASURING TAPE

A ribbon measuring tape is the only thing that will work for measuring bodies. Do not use a retractable tape measure for any area of garment production as it’s stiff nature will distort the measurements provided.

 PATTERN CUTTING RULER

This specially adapted pattern cutting tool is vital for developing a basic pattern into your own design. This has many uses and is essential if pattern cutting is something you are interested in. This will be explained further in the manual.