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16 Cool Sewing Tools

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I’m always on the lookout for cool sewing/quilting tools and gadgets; anything to make sewing more enjoyable! I’m running down some tools that I’ve found lately – some you may already have but hopefully you’ll see something new to consider adding to your arsenal!

For each tool, I’ll show you the item and give you a quick run-down. The link provided for each item is sometimes the manufacturer’s website if they retail the item, but in some cases I have linked you to another retail shop that stocks the item, as some manufacturers do not sell retail. I just wanted you to easily be able to find the product if you were interested in getting it; I believe that I purchased nearly all of these items myself (or they were given to me by friends), so all opinions are 100% my own. 🙂

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1. Folded Corner Clipper by Prairie Sky Quilting

Earlier in the year, I asked my friend Roseann for a recommendation for a fun quilting notion, and she suggested this ruler. I am sometimes skeptical about rulers since many of them have only one function, but Roseann knows everything, so I got one. This seems like such a simple idea but it has several functions that quilters would use on a weekly basis. For starters, this tool helps you cut and trim flying geese and half-square triangle blocks and sew them without having to draw those diagonal lines on them first. It also leaves little notches at the corners so your fabrics are easier to line up before sewing. My favorite use of this ruler, though, is to prepare binding. When cutting fabric strips on the bias and sewing them together, I’m always eyeballing how I should sew the strip and at what angle, and sometimes it comes out wrong. This ruler helps you cut the ends of the strips so that you can easily sew them together. Here’s a video I found of the Folded Corner Clipper in case you’d like to see it in action.

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2. Snap Setter

I had one of these years ago, but when we moved I lost it. Okay, I know what you’re thinking, “The snap kits from Joann’s that you use a hammer with are the same thing.” No my friend, no they are not! That’s exactly what I thought last year when I was making my Beatnik Waist Bag, which I designed with snap closures on the pockets. I must have hammered about 20 snaps in with the Joann’s kit, and none of them were coming out right. Maybe there was some kind of trick to it? I was near tears. Finally, a friend sent me another Snap Setter kit (I use Size 16) with pretty colored snaps, and they worked on the first try. If you have any desire to use snaps (bibs, bags, etc.), just get this and save yourself the frustration.

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3. Clover Desk Needle Threader

Okay, raise your hand if you have ever had trouble threading a hand needle. I do have one of those little plastic tools with the wire sticking out, to help with threading my hand sewing needle, but the wire comes out really easily. I was suggested this at my local quilt shop, and it’s like magic! This tool sits on your desk, the thread lays in the opening, the needle is inserted, you push down on the lever, and voila! I’m not sure how much easier it can get than that. No more licking your thread to get it to go through or squinting because that needle opening is too darn small.

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4. Swatch Buddies

I saw this item last year at Quilt Market. Swatch Buddies are little sturdy plastic tags that are bundled together on a small chain, for putting your fabric swatches on. There are also small labels included in the pack so that you can write down the names of your fabrics. This is very appealing to me as I like using solids in my quilts, and I have solids from a lot of different manufacturers. Once the fabric is added to my stash, I no longer have any idea what color names that they are. Now I label them (I have a Swatch Buddy for each color, i.e. pinks, purples, etc.) and can easily find and compare. This is also great for fabric designers, as you can put your Pantone swatches on it.

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5. Clover Press Perfect Iron Safe

I have 2 irons in rotation, and I am always switching them out because they *constantly* get the gunk on them from all of the fusible interfacing that I use, even though I use a pressing cloth. It just happens. And that brown gunk can be transferred onto any fabric that I am working with. Iron Safe is a lightweight, flexible sleeve that is attached to your iron using a metal spring that goes through the opening where your handle is and attaches to the other side. You can leave it on your iron all the time, and if you get any gunk on it, you can just wipe it right off the Iron Safe instead of dealing with cleaning your iron.

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6. ThimblePad

When I am sewing, say, the lining of a bag to the zipper, this sometimes is done by hand. I have a bad habit of always piercing the skin on my thumb at the nuckle. I’m not really into wearing a thimble, it’s just too bulky for me and I’m not used to it. I like that these ThimblePads are sticky and reusable for several times. I put them anywhere on my fingers that I find I need the protection.

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7. Jaybird Quilting Rulers

Jaybird Quilts has 3 specialty rulers, the Hex N More, the Sidekick, and the Mini Hex N More. I have used all of them in the past and they are a dream – each ruler cuts multiple shapes, so you are getting the bang for your buck, and these are shapes that would be tedious to cut if you had to make a template from template plastic. Added bonus is a lot of shapes have notches to help you piece together more quickly and accurately.

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8. Frixion Pens

This is one of the few sewing supplies that you can find at any office supply store (Staples, Office Max, etc.) or even at Target. They are made by Pilot, and they’ll just be in the section with the pens. I use them on a daily basis to make markings on fabric; they are my favorite sewing tool. Lee from Freshly Pieced wrote two articles about the Frixion pens, here and here. For me, they are super convenient as I especially use them when writing my bag patterns – I can use them on my fabric to make any measurements or markings, and then when I’m referring to the instructions on paper, I can make edits on there too, all with the same pen. Double-duty.

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9. Sewline Fabric Glue Pen

Sort of like a glue stick, this will help with glue basting your fabrics together, and the tip is small enough to keep the glue within the seam allowance. It comes with one refill and is water soluble.

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10. Purple Daisies Glue Tips

I actually have a second glue product that I love, and it is the Glue Tips from Purple Daisies. They come as a two-pack and will attach to a bottle of washable Elmer’s School Glue, which you can find anywhere. Christy from Purple Daisies has two fantastic tutorials for use of the Glue Tips, the Glue Basting Your Seams video and the Piece-lique for Drunkard’s Path and Circles tutorial, both of which are life-changing!

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11. Purple Thang

This little and inexpensive tool is especially great when you are piecing blocks and need to hold the layers of fabric together when they are going through the machine. I especially like the little square at the end, which is a helpful gauge for 1/4″ seam allowance.

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12. Clover Hera Marker

This tool is especially great for machine quilting, when you’d like to mark a quilting pattern on your quilt sandwich. I used it last week when I made my Indelible Table runner (I had straight line quilting in different intervals). It’s a plastic tool that makes a crease in the fabric that you can see and stitch right on top of, so you’re not actually ‘drawing’ on your fabric with a fabric marker.

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 13. Machinger’s Gloves

I don’t do a whole ton of free motion quilting, but when I do, my arms and shoulders get really tired. I started using these gloves and it helped a lot with that. They have a finger grip that helps guide the fabric through your machine with less drag on the fabric. They come in several sizes (I have S/M) and are washable).

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14. Supreme Slider

This is another tool that I got to work hand-in-hand with the Machinger’s Gloves. This is a teflon sheet that sits on the bed of your sewing machine and can be removed and reused. Another tool that will help with stress on the shoulders and back, as it helps the quilts glide more easily through the machine. Leah Day has a great video of the Supreme Slider in action. I have the queen size, although the smaller size is available as well.

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 15. Flatter 

This is a starch alternate spray for flattening fabrics while quilting. It is available in several scents or unscented. I got the Yuzu scent, which is a pleasant floral/citrus smell. I actually dropped my bottle right after I got it and the spray nozzle wouldn’t press in after that, so I poured my Flatter liquid into a store-bought spray bottle (it’s a gigantic bottle for the amount of liquid I have, but oh well, it works). I really enjoy using this as it makes the fabrics crisp and flat.

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16. Wonder Clips

Besides my Frixion pens, this is the other thing that I cannot do without. Especially for bag-making, try to get through all those layers with regular pins; I had many a bent pin and pricked fingers before I found out about Wonder Clips. They are also great for attaching quilt binding, as the seam allowance is marked on the clip. I started out trying to be cheap with the 10 pack, and once I tried them I realized I would need more, so I got another 50 pack.

 

Hope you enjoyed my little list! What other sewing tool do you love that I’ve missed?

36 thoughts on “16 Cool Sewing Tools

  1. Great. Now I have to go shopping again *Wink* 🙂 The glue tips are on my to-buy list. I have heard of Flatter but have not used it. If you have used Best Press, how do you think it compares to BP? Cindy

  2. Lisa W says:

    I love to hear about new sewing stuff! Thank you :0)

  3. carolejm says:

    great article on those tools. Some I have, some I want, some I am now certainly interested in. I love my frixion pens and my machingers. I’m interested in trying the glue basting and might try to find some of those tips that screw on to the glue bottle.

  4. Paula says:

    I have two of the 50 packs of clover clips. Can’t live without them. I use them on almost everything. I hate pins (I always end up pinning ME!) I also have the machingers gloves – even though I only do straight line quilting they make a big big difference for me being able to control my quilt. I definitely need one of those snap setters, and I want to try the herra marker too. Thanks for the tips!!

  5. MsVicki says:

    I LOVE my Frixion markers, and use them a lot. The two links you provide are really helpful, since they do have some limitations.

  6. bobbingirl says:

    The Snap Setter is amazing, just watched a demo on YouTube – I had no idea these existed ! Wonder if you can buy them in the UK ?

  7. Wapiti says:

    Thanks! I just have two of these tools. My ‘favorite’ tool is the seam ripper.

  8. dotbrennan says:

    What a fun article, Sara! Thank you for taking the time to share your favorites with us.

    A recent favorite of mine is the Clover Hot Hemmer (http://www.clover-usa.com/p/hot-hemmer-7806?pp=24) from Joan Hawley’s Press Perfect line. I am crazy about it. I zipped through pressing half inch hems in place on a very large project without burning my fingers. You can press right on the ruler and get accurate hems. I really like it!

    1. dotbrennan says:

      PS: Be sure to watch the great video on the page. Good tips!

  9. Beth says:

    I have most of those items, but not all. Great review and I think I need to go shopping. 😉

  10. Meredith says:

    Thanks for this great list! There’s at least 5 items on here that I must have that would make sewing life easier!

  11. Sonia says:

    Ooooh there’s some great ideas there! Some I already use (I’m an ardent supporter of the Thimblepads after being recommended them!) but I think I can see some shopping on my horizon!!!! Especially the needle threader and binding tool – they look fab!

  12. marijka says:

    I have most of these tools, but I must say the Snap Setter is IRREPLACEABLE! I bought mine 10 years ago when my neighbor had twins and quickly became a bib-sewing expert. 🙂 The parents loved that unsnapping didn’t wake up a sleeping baby like Velcro.

  13. Suz says:

    WOW! You have some amazing tools there! I see so few of these gadgets here inAustralia, although I do love my Hera marker, that I will need to do some research and see who has the most online and put in a BIG order! I certainly need a Supreme Slider! Thank you for all the links too!

  14. Love this list!! I actually just went through the VERY same thing with the snap setter from JoAnn’s…no matter how closely I followed the directions, even googled more, ALL of my snaps turned out like crap. So frustrated I threw my project away and haven’t done it since. I will try this snap setter thing for sure!!

  15. Veronica says:

    Great list! I wrote a post for Craftsy today that lists 5 sewing tools and products that I like! Funny how we only had one that was the same, but I’m going to check out a few others on your list. http://www.craftsy.com/blog/2014/06/simple-sewing-tools/ If you don’t want my post shared, then please delete!

  16. kris says:

    These are all great. I have a couple more for you. I love the Kwik Klip tool for pin basting. I just heard about a newer product if you mark your quilts with the blue line pens. (not the air erase) There is a liquid called Blue Line Eraser. It is liquid so you can use it in spray bottle. I saw it demonstrated by a gal that does whole cloth quilting and she just sprayed it after quilting and the lines all disappeared and no staining.

  17. I love using the disappearing ink markers when making bags. I use the to mark seams, curves, topstitching lines, anything on the bag that I don’t want to show. You never have to worry, ever, having any marking showing through, they just fade away.

    I also love the quilter’s circle ruler. I use it instead of a glass or plate to cut rounded corners. Plus its a nice small clear ruler to cut small pieces and mark angles. Its come in super handy.

    I’m going to have to try the needle threader and wonderclips. I would love to end the bent pin and poking myself when adding lining etc.. to bags.

  18. Karen Thurn says:

    Thanks for writing my Christmas list. I’ll give it to my kids. Everything you wrote about sounded helpful as I get started in quilting.

  19. wendy says:

    some great products here and some I need to check out! The glue bottle lids are no good to me as we don’t have Elmer’s glue, i’m not even sure what it is. I need to check out the snap setter, i’ve tried various kinds and they just do not work. I hate snaps! There is something I think you missed, especially as a bag maker – what about a tube turner? Mine is invaluable.

  20. SonJa says:

    Washable glue stick and my orange peeler (free in a bag of oranges–has all the functions of a purple thang but free!)….and I sooooooo agree with the clover clips! Now, if someone would design a pair of scissors similar to pinking shears that would notch curves……

  21. Katy says:

    I got some snap setter plier things a while ago, but still haven’t brought myself to using them yet! There’s an upcoming project i’m going to have to bite the bullet on though…

  22. Karen Buchs says:

    I too like those Frixion pens, but don’t leave your marked quilt in the car during winter. The marks will continue to reappear. On some fabrics the red does not come out. The thimble pads are great and last a long time. What a great list you’ve made!

  23. Laura says:

    does the supreme slider and gloves mean you have overcome your fear of free motion?!

  24. Allison says:

    I love the way you are using Swatch Buddies. I couldn’t really think of a reason why I would necessarily need/use them – but girl, you are a genius – Solids! Of course!

  25. Sandy Burnette says:

    I didn’t know about the purple thang having the 1/4 inch measure. Good to know.

  26. Janda T. says:

    Just like I used to collect all kitchen gadgets, I now look for quilting gadgets since I started quilting about a year ago. Thanks so much for this list and your comments! Looks like I need to do some shopping!

  27. mumbird3 says:

    Love clover clips!!! they make life so much easier!!!

  28. Dana Womack says:

    I love gadgets of all kinds sewing and kitchen. I have the clips can’t believe how nice they are to use and also have a purple thang that I use often. I have been thinking about the sliding sheet as i have begun to quilt many more of my quilts. I have had mixed experience on the Frixion pens, had it leave a mark that did not come off one of my fabrics.

  29. Susan says:

    I had one of those iron covers. DO NOT LEAVE ON YOUR IRON! Mine developed rust spots on the sole plate. Love the glue pen and the tips for Elmer’s. Clover clips are amazing! I am so glad you reviewed the Snapsetter, I need one but was hesitant. Also interested in that ruler for HSTs- does it do anything that the Easy Angle does not do?

    1. Susan says:

      Forgot to say that I borrowed a Purple a Thang at a retreat and used the hole in it as a bodkin th thread a cord through a casing. It saved the day!

  30. Janet siler says:

    I’ve used a few of these. the Frixion Pens work well but don’t iron off so well. Sometimes leaving a white mark on darker fabrics. Absolutely love the Thimble Pads and use them for all hand sewing. The Sewline Glue Pen I had glue EVERYWHERE! User error I’m sure. love the Super Slider and would love to have the Clover Desk Needle threader as the eyesight isn’t what it used to be. The Machingers wasn’t carried at my local quilt shop but was suggested that gardening gloves worked as well. Yes, they do and cheaper, too, I’m sure. There were a couple other items I’d like to try so should make a shopping list. It’s nice to hear the likes and dislikes about the gadgets.

  31. Nathalie says:

    What an awesome article! I am already using the Frixion pens, but will definitely be giving some of these other goodies a try too. I have shared your article with the followers on my Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/mysewingpatterns

  32. Alex says:

    Thanks for sharing a great post of cool sewing tools to try, I made a list of them as I will try them out!
    I’m sure these tools will make my sewing easier and better!

  33. Judy Calvert says:

    I remember you recommended a tabletop grommet/rivet tool that you really liked. I’ve looked around a bit and cannot find the video or post. Any chance you could send me the link?

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