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Curtain Queen Creates

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Ten Home Decor Sewing Must-Haves

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Do you visit fabric shops and stand in the notions isle for hours?

Haha!  Me, neither!

But…

I do have several favorites that I wouldn’t want to sew without.

Ten Home Decor Sewing Must-Haves @CurtainQueenCreates.com

Before we get started, let’s look at this handy-dandy seam ripper the Decorating Diva showed me recently.

Do we need seam ripper bling?

I didn’t know I needed a brass seam ripper, but this one makes me what to go all out!  {Or, maybe someone in my family (hint, hint) will take this as a birthday present idea.  HH, are you paying attention?  Ha!}

Any sewists on your list?  Anyone’s list you want to be on?  Hey, how about a Christmas present?

I found a link at Amazon*, if you want to place an order.  (Race ya to it!) 🙂

The List of Ten Must-Haves

Since you may want to see my favorites for a closer look, I’m including links* so you can go check them out for yourself.

Scissors* (three pairs = three must-haves):

I’ve had Gingher scissors for years, and they’re still going strong!  I’ve never had to replace any because they are such good quality.  All I have to do is occasionally run the blade across a wet stone to sharpen.  I use the 8-inch size for cutting fabric for my projects.

This medium size is so useful beside my sewing machine for snipping threads, cutting cording, making cuts in small spaces, and often used as a seam ripper.  (Please don’t tell the Decorating Diva!)

I have three pairs of these tiny scissors – one at my sewing machine and another at my serger.  The third is in my bathroom drawer for pedicures.  Yikes!  Did I just share that?

1″ x 25′ Measuring Tape*

For measuring up a wall, you need a nice wide tape that won’t bend on you.  The 1-inch size holds up best.  I never buy less than a 25-footer.  (And, yes, I have three of those, as well.  But not in my bathroom.  Ha!)

Extra Bobbins

Since bobbins are different, depending on what machine you own, I didn’t include a link for those.  You can find the type you need for your sewing machine on Amazon.com, at Wal-Mart, or at JoAnn’s pretty easily.  I recommend that you take one with you to the store to be sure you’re getting the right size and shape.

Long (Quilting) Pins*

I discovered these 1-3/4 inch pins early in my window treatment sewing days.  They give you enough length to hang onto, and they are nice and sharp.  They slide right into your fabric with no punctures or pulled threads in your fabric.

Pin Magnets*

How many times have you spilled your pins?  I used to do it all the time, but no more!  My main pincushion is magnetic just like this one, and I couldn’t (nor wouldn’t) do without it!

HH has come to really like this wand style*, as well.  It comes in real handy when you drop something (not just pins…anything metal) in a tight space.  This magic magnet will get it for you.  But, HH doesn’t get this out of my supplies.  I get it for him when he needs it.  (You touch-a my stuff, I break-y your face!  Ha!)

Rowenta Steam Iron*

I broke down and bought a Rowenta when I was sewing for the public, and it’s still kicking fifteen years later.  I got the cheapest because that’s all I could afford at the time.  And, it was worth every penny and more.

Extra-Wide Ironing Board*

The kids got me this 18-inch-width ironing board a few years ago for Mother’s Day.  I know.  Who wants an ironing board for Mother’s Day?  Me, that’s who!  I love this board and wouldn’t trade it for anything – well, maybe diamonds.  But, what kids buy their mother diamonds for Mother’s Day?

I was horrified to find out my kids went to Bed Bath & Beyond and paid twice the price of Amazon or Wal-Mart.  Please don’t do that.  Even at double the price, it rusted and needed repairing after only a couple of years.  (Here’s the scoop on that.)

June Tailor Press-Mate*

After having an ironing board cover with a tape rule printed on it for many years, I’m afraid I’ve become addicted to it.  It’s useful for so many things!

I hope no one ever asks me to give up even one of these on my list.  I sure wouldn’t want to!

Do you see any on my list that you need?  (Remember to make your birthday or Christmas list..and share it.)

What are your favorite tools for sewing home decor?

Blessings~

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*Affiliate links.  See disclosure here.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Pinned your list even tho I don’t sew as much as you do. Still a sterling list!

  2. That is a great list….I have all of those and could not sew without them. Thank you for reminding me of the magnetic wand….I will have to look for mine :^( I have two more things that may be of interest to some. I bought a stick on 36″ tape from the woodworking department. It is stuck on the front of my machine desk, and has come to be invaluable!!! The second item is old, and if I lost it I would have a hemorrhage!!
    It is a plastic thingy (technical term) about 6″ long and 3/4″ square in shape. It has a sharp pick (a little heavier duty than a corsage pin) on one end and the other end holds a single edged razor blade (replaceable). I use it SO much for SO many things!!! I think the pick end is pretty well worn, but since I can’t find another newer one….it’s still my favorite tool!!
    Have a lovely and blessed weekend,
    J
    PS: I also have a 6″ metal rule that lives right by my hand as well :^)

    • That tape is a great idea! I’ve never seen anything that looks like the plastic thingy you describe. I hope you get to hang on to it and that it keeps working for many more years. Oh, and I use my 6″ metal rule a lot, too. It could have been included in my list. 🙂 Thanks for sharing some of your favorites. I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

  3. I love this post! First because when I read the email title (out loud) “Ten things I could never sew without” my amazingly warped wit flared up and I blurted out, “MY FINGERS! HA!” and then I laughed myself into a bronchitis-laugh-wheeze-cough and my daughter-sidekick was rolling. I am T.I.R.E.D. today…not enough sleep and when I get tired my jokes get worse! lol (We had a busted AC til this afternoon and I can’t sleep when I am warm. Now I am in HEAVEN, I TELL YA!!!!)

    Then I opened the email I was like YEAH…brass seam ripper! I have broken quite a few cheap ones using them for things OTHER than ripping seams. I would like this!!!

    I have my fave scissors, too. I bought Fiskars razor sheers waaaaay back when (80’s?) and always had to hide them becuz the boy would always go for THEM, in my sewing stuff instead of going to the junk drawer and getting the cheap ones….usually for cutting tape or metal. I would raise holy heck if I found any kind of fiskars in his room (I had a few different pair, some just regular).

    He musta inherited that from his father. His dad would take my sewing scissors, too, if visible, and I would give him an earful as well. “We have 20 pairs of scissors in the house and garage and you take my fabric scissors. Once you cut even paper with them they are not sharp enough for fabric. And you cut WIRE!!!! WHY do you continue to do this to me!!!??? I can’t even have a stinkin pair of fabric scissors!” I didn’t get mad often , but mess with my scissors and I think I grew some horns! hahahaha

    I have to say…THIS husband already HAD 3 pairs at Fiskars scissors when I married him. I was impressed and found that to be strangely attractive! hahaha And he was told the scissor rule…by my daughter “Don’t touch mom’s sewing scissors, not even as a last-resort-emergency-situation. That is a side of her I don’t care to see.” hahaha SHE never used my fabric scissors…she got the concept that anything dulls them when she was very young. And she was younger and watched me rave like a lunatic at her brother. LOL The boy….sometimes I thought he was sent here just to torture me. hahaha

    I love tape measures…have all kinds. I keep a little 60″one (was magnetic wind up til it busted) in my purse for in store use. I’ve even whipped it out in Home Depot.

    I discovered the quilting pins back in my fabric store days….my older co-workers were quilters. So I use them for everything.

    I have some magnetic pin cushions but right now I am using 2 regular ones.
    Extra bobbins…yep…sittin in the biggest bobbin case I could find!

    I always wanted the steamer…maybe one day!

    Extra wide ironing board….CHECK…got that at Target years ago. Not many people sell the covers, though. Well, maybe now…I have not needed one in a while. I use this board for all my ironing….I use the square side for ironing hubby’s shirts. It’s perfect.

    I have my fave rulers…clear plastic quilting ones… I have gotten my money’s worth with them 10x over! I use them for all kinds of crafting…line drawing, etc. One is 12 x12.5″ I think. Another is 18″ x (I wanna say) 4″.

    I got a 17.4 cu ft upright freezer for my garage for MY birthday/Mother’s Day present. The benefir of a May b-day is that you can ask for a more $$$ appliance! ha We also got a new dishwasher so I can say that is “sorta” for me as well. Although my “dish wash girl” is the one who should REALLY be thankful for THAT! lol

    If I need an appliance or some big tool…and it’s around Christmas or May….I don’t mind AT ALL if I get it as a gift. (2014 I got a 10″ dual bevel compounding mitre saw and you woulda thought I got a 10k diamond ring! ha! I would probably get a ring that big caught on something and tear my finger off! I know me. So I am happy with my 1K ring….and yes, I HAVE gotten it caught and hurt myself. LOL)

    But one thing I won’t give up….my Ott Lite floor stand natural daylight craft lamp! I had one a long time and it got knocked over when painting the basement and it died. I was devastated. I had like 4 extra bulbs for that one…they go for $40 each. I was still on the 1st bulb! The thing sells for like $250+. I paid about $100 yrs ago on sale. It had an attachment….magnifying glass arm. I found the cheaper one in a great 60% off deal and paid $84. It didn’t have the magnifier, but since I ALREADY HAD ONE….YAY me!

    I also like to have Fray Check handy. I use it in crocheting sometimes too. (Great for ribbon edges !)

    If I ask for the steamer…..maybe I won’t ever have to iron another one of my wonderful hubby’s shirts! Ironing is my nemesis…probably becuz my ex was so anal about his shirts and would have me take back shirts for REDOs when they pressed and starched wrinkles into them. (They were only charging 99 cents a shirt!) I can’t tell ya how many cleaners told us to not come back! hahaha I ended up having to do the ironing MYSELF. He couldn’t fire me, but we are no longer married..so….(LOL!)

    • You are so funny! I understand completely about hiding your sewing scissors. That’s funny what your daughter said and how she learned at such a young age. I’m sorry about your craft lamp. My mom has something similar, and it’s very helpful. I hope your weekend is awesome! Thanks for sharing!

  4. Wow! I thought I was well set up, but there are some great ideas in this post and comments. I actually love to walk around the notions section to see what gadgets might make things easier. I love my straight edge and right angle and various adjustable angles and disappearing markers. One thing I’ve REALLY come to depend on is my little steam press iron for small things and my vintage Ironrite for long lengths of fabric and everything else.