Notions is the tools needed to perform certain types of sewing projects. In Clothing Alterations there are a number of tools that must have. When they say must have It means without them the job will be harder to perform the clothing alteration.



Sewing is a terrific practical skill. Sewing machines for alteration use vary drastically in price and quality. Purchasing the best quality machine that one can afford and Picking one with more attachments and settings than currently needed will grow into the machine as one learn more about sewing. New machines usually come with a package of needles for that machine, but it won't be long before the need to buy more---one should change the needle after every project, and then it might need specialty needles, like ballpoint for knits, for a certain project. One will also need household needles for hand work. Pins are indispensable to the sewer. Use these to hold together pieces of fabric before sewing them, to mark hems and other alterations, and to pin patterns to fabric. Straight pins have a knob at one end; pins with glass heads are easy to see in fabric and on the floor, and they don't melt when ironed. Some sewers prefer safety pins, and it's a good idea to keep an assorted package on hand. Magnetic pin holders are popular today---if one spill their pins, they can simply wave the pin holder over the floor to pick them up! Polyester-covered cotton is a good general-use thread. However, when selecting a spool of thread for a specific project, match the thread fiber to the fabric. home sewer needs three pairs of scissors: one pair of quality scissors or dressmaker's shears that are for cutting fabric only, one pair of general purpose scissors for cutting patterns and trims, and one pair of small scissors for cutting details, trimming threads, clipping seams, and other close work. The seam ripper is used to undo stitches without destroying the fabric. It can be used to take apart seams when making alterations, removing buttons or trims, and for undoing any sewing mistakes. Measuring tape, a regular 12-inch ruler for measuring and marking patterns and fabric, and a sliding dressmaker's measuring tool for measuring hems and alterations is very important in cloth alteration. Marking tools are used to transfer the markings of a pattern (such as darts, buttonholes, or notches) or to make alteration marks to fabric. There are many types of marking tools: chalk blocks, chalk pencils, dressmaker's carbon paper and tracing wheel, marker pens, and vanishing pens. One will need a high-quality steam iron, an ironing board, and large squares of lightweight cotton to use as press cloths between the iron and delicate fabrics. In addition, a "seam roll" and a "ham" will make your job easier. A seam roll looks like a bolster pillow and is used to press seams in sleeves and other small areas; a ham looks, well, like a ham and is used to press darts and other curved areas.

Although there are many more possible items and accessories for sewing and tailoring, some of which one might want to add to their workshop over time as they become a more advanced sewer. However, the items discussed here should give all of the tools that need to get started right away with making own clothes or soft furnishings.