SEWING TIPS JUST SEW YOU KNOW!

DO NOT LEAVE STEEL PINS IN FABRIC, for years at a time. Moisture in the air, causes them to rust,
 and as they rust, the fabric fibers actually attach to the rusting metal. Note the 2 different rust holes, the pin held them together, but the rust actually damaged the fabric, several yards of it, because the person we bought the batch of fabric from, had left steel pins in the fabric, possibly for decades.

Professional electric rotary cutter, 110 electric (always make sure you get the correct power setup for your work area, some are 220, but if used in your home, you want 110. Note the shiny silver button, this holds the whetstone against the blade, to sharpen it, without having to stop your work.  A small wick is kept oiled, to help ensure cool, fast rotary movement, despite long hours of use.

Specialty cutting tools for sewing, beginning with left front, above L squares, Pattern notcher (for paper only, not fabric ), rotary cutter (small) buttonhole chisel with 2 knife bits, and a wood block, snips, Gingher Duckbill applique scissors, pinking shears, Tailor's shears 12 1/4", dark gray handle above buttonholer chisel/knife is larger rotary cutter, tall corded electric professional rotary fabric cutter, capable of cutting several layers of fabric all at once, very quickly, has built in whetstone for sharpening blade, this is a 110 electric rotary cutter. The L squares, or T squares are helpful for marking and cutting straight lines, as well as making sure fabric is properly aligned, with the grain at a 90 degree angle.

Industrial rotary cutter has small wheels (special bearings) that allow it to slide easily, under the layers of fabric. There is a spring loaded blade which is held under tension, against the bottom of the rotary blade, it acts like a pair of super sharp scissors. No mat is needed under this type of rotary cutter, this bed slides under your plies of fabric, without sticking, for accurate cutting.

tailor's chalk is excellent for marking seamlines, or pattern pieces onto fabric, before cutting them out, hems, and other sewing marks before sewing