Sewing Tools we Love & How to Use Them
- Manon
- Sep 20
- 9 min read
Updated: Sep 24
Our list of the best sewing tools. Updated regularly with our current obsessions, must-haves, and classics every sewist should know. Bookmark this page to stay in the know and inspired <3
Why Sewing Tools Matter
But first, let's talk about why the right tools matter. Sewing, quilting, and crafting are as much about precision as they are about imagination. The right tools elevate your work: stitches run straighter, cuts stay sharp, and the process feels less like a struggle and more like art. For beginners, a thoughtful toolkit sets the stage for a lifetime of making. For seasoned sewists, it’s about refinement, chasing tools that make the craft smoother, faster, and more luxurious.
Below, we’re spotlighting the tools we use, love, and recommend. Think of this as an insider’s guide with equal parts education and edit.
Cutting Mat: The Unsung Hero of Quilting
What It Is
A self-healing cutting mat is a thick, durable surface designed to protect both your
workspace and your rotary cutter blade. Its grid lines provide precise measurement, while the special material “heals” from shallow cuts, keeping the surface smooth for repeated use.
Why We Love It
It turns any table into a professional cutting station and makes precise measuring effortless. The self-healing surface not only extends the life of your rotary blades but also ensures each cut glides smoothly. For beginners, the printed grid and angle markings are an instant guide, reducing the guesswork and helping you cut with confidence.
How to Use It
Place the mat on a flat, stable surface before cutting.
Align your fabric with the grid lines for accurate positioning.
Place a quilting ruler over the fabric, then run your rotary cutter along the ruler’s edge.
Rotate the mat, not the fabric, when cutting multiple angles. This helps preserve accuracy and saves time.
Beginner Tip: Start with a medium-sized mat, such as 18x24 inches. It’s large enough for most projects without overwhelming your workspace.
Caution: Keep your mat away from extreme heat or direct sunlight. Warping or cracking can ruin its surface integrity.
Pro Tips
Invest in a rotating cutting mat if you do a lot of patchwork or smaller quilt blocks. The ability to turn the mat instead of the fabric is a game-changer.
Clean your mat occasionally with a gentle wipe-down of warm water and mild soap to extend its lifespan.
Store your mat flat, never upright. This prevents warping and ensures an even surface.
A self-healing cutting mat is not just an accessory, it is a foundation.
Free Motion Quilting Foot: A Quilter's Creative Playground
What It Is
A free motion quilting foot is a specialized presser foot designed for quilting with unrestricted movement. Unlike standard feet that guide fabric in a straight line, this spring-loaded or hopping foot hovers just above the fabric, allowing you to move your quilt sandwich in any direction under the needle. The result is fluid, artistic stitching that goes beyond straight lines.
Why We Love It
Quilting is both structure and expression. The free motion foot is where technique meets artistry. It unlocks the freedom to stitch curves, swirls, feathers, and custom motifs with precision. For beginners, it might feel intimidating at first, but once mastered it becomes a creative playground. It is not only about finishing a quilt, it is about signing it with your personal style.
How to Use It
Lower the feed dogs on your sewing machine. This allows the fabric to move freely in all directions.
Attach the free motion quilting foot securely.
Place your quilt sandwich under the needle, starting with a test corner or scrap.
Begin stitching, gently guiding the fabric with your hands. Keep movements smooth and consistent.
Practice breathing with the rhythm of your stitches. The steadier your motions, the smoother the design.
Beginner Tip: Start with simple shapes like loops or waves before attempting more complex patterns. Confidence builds stitch by stitch.
Caution: The freedom of movement can be overwhelming. Resist the urge to move too quickly — your stitches will look more even if you slow down.
Pro Tips
Use quilting gloves or grip pads to help hold and maneuver fabric with less strain.
Choose a slower machine speed at first. Control comes from consistency, not speed.
Mark guidelines with a fabric-safe pen or chalk to map out your design before stitching.
Practice on small quilt sandwiches to build muscle memory before moving to larger projects.
A free motion quilting foot transforms quilting into an art form. If you are ready to go beyond the basics, this is the tool that opens the door.
Heat Erasable Pen: Precision without Permanence
What It Is
A heat erasable pen is a fabric marking tool that disappears with the touch of heat. The ink glides onto fabric smoothly, creating clear lines for quilting, garment construction, or embroidery placement. When the project is finished, a quick pass with an iron erases the marks instantly.
Why We Love It
Chalk can smudge. Traditional fabric pencils fade. The heat erasable pen feels like the elegant solution. It offers the precision of a fine-tip pen without permanence, making it ideal for marking quilting lines, darts, pleats, or appliqué placement. Beginners love it for its clarity and ease, while seasoned sewists value the professional finish it guarantees. It turns the stress of visible markings into a simple step that vanishes with heat.
How to Use It
Test the pen on a fabric scrap to ensure the marks disappear cleanly.
Draw your stitching lines, placement marks, or notes directly onto the fabric.
Sew as usual, keeping the markings visible until you no longer need them.
Apply heat with an iron to erase the lines completely.
Beginner Tip: Always mark on the wrong side of the fabric if possible, especially when working with delicate or specialty fabrics.
Caution: In rare cases, faint “ghost lines” can remain after erasing, particularly on dark fabrics. Testing first is essential.
Pro Tips
Keep multiple colors of pens for different fabric shades. A bright pen on light fabric, and a white or pastel version for dark fabric.
Use a light touch when drawing — heavy pressure can sometimes indent the fabric.
Pair with rulers or templates to draw precise quilting designs before stitching.
Loop Turner: The Atelier’s Sleekest Secret
What it is
At first glance, the loop turner looks unassuming: a slim metal rod with a tiny latch at one end. But don’t be fooled. This elegant little tool is the couture insider’s shortcut to clean straps, ties, and loops. Think spaghetti straps, bag handles, belt ties, and quilted drawstrings that look like they stepped off a runway.
Why we love it
Every sewist eventually faces the frustration of flipping fabric tubes right-side out. Chopsticks, pencils, safety pins... all clever hacks, but none glide with the ease and finesse of a loop turner. With it, even the narrowest strap surrenders instantly, turning crisp and ready to stitch into your project. It’s a tool that elevates your finish, making handmade details feel professional, intentional, and undeniably chic.
How to use it
Sew your fabric strip into a tube, leaving one end open.
Insert the loop turner through the tube until the hook peeks out at the closed end.
Catch a bit of fabric with the latch and gently pull the turner back through the tube.
As it glides, the fabric flips inside out, revealing a flawless strap.
It’s simple, fast, and transformative. The kind of ritual that makes sewing feel effortless.
Pro tip
For silk, satin, or other slippery fabrics, keep your stitches tight and use gentle tension when pulling. The loop turner will still deliver, but patience will save your strap from snags. And if you’re quilting accessories, consider quilting the strip before turning. The loop turner handles bulk surprisingly well.
Quilting Rotary Cutter: The Secret to Clean Edges
What It Is
The rotary cutter is a circular blade attached to a handle that functions like a rolling razor
for fabric. Instead of lifting and snipping with scissors, the cutter glides flat across the surface, producing clean, continuous cuts. It was originally designed with quilters in mind but has become a staple for sewists of every style.
Why We Love It
Scissors are classic, but they can be imprecise when cutting multiple layers or long straight lines. A rotary cutter transforms the process. It offers speed, precision, and elegance in one motion. Quilters especially benefit from its ability to cut consistent strips and shapes, which is essential for patchwork accuracy. Once you use a rotary cutter on a self-healing mat, you may never return to traditional shears for fabric preparation.
How to Use It
Place your fabric on a cutting mat to protect your surface and maintain blade sharpness.
Hold a quilting ruler firmly over the fabric where you want to cut.
With steady pressure, roll the cutter along the ruler’s edge, keeping the blade upright.
Lift the ruler and admire the perfectly straight cut.
Beginner Tip: Keep your fingers clear of the ruler’s edge. Many quilting rulers now have grip textures to help prevent slips.
Caution: The blade is extremely sharp. Always retract the blade guard when not in use to avoid accidents.
Pro Tips
Pair your cutter with a clear acrylic quilting ruler for unmatched accuracy.
Change blades regularly. A dull rotary blade can snag fabric and lead to uneven cuts.
For curves or small shapes, look for smaller rotary cutter sizes such as 28mm or 18mm.
Keep a separate blade for paper if you use your cutter for templates. Mixing paper and fabric will dull the blade quickly.
This is one of those tools worth investing in. A quality rotary cutter paired with replacement blades will last for years.
Seam Ripper: Your Least Favorite, Favorite Tool
What It Is
The seam ripper is a small handheld tool designed to remove stitches. With its sharp point, curved blade, and protective cap, it makes undoing mistakes clean and controlled. The forked end slips neatly under stitches, allowing you to cut threads without damaging fabric.
Why We Love It
Every sewist makes mistakes. The seam ripper is proof that precision and redemption can coexist. Rather than battling with scissors or tugging at threads by hand, this tool erases errors gracefully. Quilters appreciate its ability to rescue misaligned seams, while garment makers use it to unpick darts, zippers, and hems. It transforms what could be a moment of frustration into one of refinement.
How to Use It
Insert the sharp point under the stitch you want to cut.
Gently push the seam ripper forward until the blade cuts through the thread.
Continue every few stitches, then pull the seam apart by hand.
Use the red ball tip (on most seam rippers) to glide along the fabric without tearing it.
Beginner Tip: Always work slowly. Rushing can damage the fabric. A seam ripper is a precision tool, not a race.
Caution: The blade is sharp. Keep the protective cap on when not in use, and never rip toward yourself.
Pro Tips
Keep two seam rippers: one for your main sewing kit and another as backup. They tend to disappear right when you need them most.
Replace your seam ripper occasionally. The blade can dull, making it harder to cut stitches cleanly.
Use short, controlled motions for delicate fabrics and longer, gliding motions for sturdier seams.
For stubborn threads, gently stretch the seam open before ripping to expose more of the stitches.
A seam ripper may not feel glamorous, but it is essential. Think of it as the secret to a polished finish.
Sewing Clips: It's Time to Ditch the Pins
What It Is
Sewing clips are small, spring-loaded clamps that hold layers of fabric together. They are designed as a modern alternative to pins, especially useful for fabrics that are thick, delicate, or prone to showing holes. The flat base slides neatly under fabric layers, while the curved top holds everything in place without distortion.
Why We Love It
Pins have their place, but sewing clips feel like the couture version of fabric management. They secure layers with elegance and ease, leaving no trace behind. For quilters, clips are particularly useful when binding edges or handling multiple bulky seams. For garment sewing, they keep delicate fabrics pristine. They are quick to place, quick to remove, and they eliminate the small frustrations that come with bent or broken pins.
How to Use It
Align your fabric layers as you normally would before sewing.
Position the clip over the edge, letting the flat base rest against the fabric.
Space clips evenly along the seam or edge to keep layers steady.
Remove clips just before the presser foot reaches them to maintain a smooth line of stitching.
Beginner Tip: Start with a set of at least 20 to 30 clips. Once you realize how many uses they have, you will want more.
Caution: Clips are not a replacement for every situation. For small, intricate curves or darts, traditional pins may still be more effective.
Pro Tips
Use clips to hold binding in place around quilt edges. They grip securely without shifting.
Keep different sizes on hand. Standard clips are versatile, but jumbo clips are ideal for thick fabrics or layered projects.
Try them beyond sewing. They can organize stacks of fabric, secure pattern pieces, or even act as makeshift chip clips in your kitchen.
A set of sewing clips will quickly become one of the most reached-for items in your sewing kit.
Coming Soon
This series will continue to grow. Future entries may include everything from sewing machines and irons to specialty rulers and marking tools. Each post will be archived here so you can browse our full collection of recommended tools.
Editor’s Note: This article is part of an ongoing series. We revisit, update, and expand it regularly to bring you the best tools and most useful guidance for your sewing journey.
