A few of my favourite (sewing) things...

While I am faffing around with the Kwik Sew 2955 top I thought it would be a good idea to show some of the sewing tools that I find handy (and cheap to buy).

First up is this elastic grabber/threader/tube turner thingy:















The thingy I am talking about is the one that looks like a pair of tweezers with a ring on. This is the most useful thing for threading elastic through waists and turning tubes. Basically it is like a pair of tweezers, except the end have blunt, jagged "teeth" that interlock together.
The ring slides up and locks the teeth together on whatever elastic/ribbon you are threading, then when you have threaded it you slide the ring down to release it- easy! To turn tubes insert the blunt end into the tube, close the teeth onto one side of the tube end, slide the ring up (while inside the tube) then start feeding the "tweezers" through until you come to the other end of the tube, turning the tube as you go. The teeth don't damage whatever fabric you are using and the ring makes sure it is quite secure until you are ready to release.
The blunt needle like threader came with the "tweezers" as part of a pack however I never use it, it is just that much easier to use the "tweezers".


Japanese glass head pins- I brought these as a present to myself from Knitwits in Nedlands. Originally I was a bit skeptical as they were quite pricey at $9, but after reading about how you should have good pins for sewing I thought I would give them a go.
Now I have used them I am totally converted. Good pins make pinning, cutting and sewing up so much easier, plus I don't get snags in my finer fabrics any more from imperfect/blunt pin ends.
These babies are sharp!


Plastic bobbin tidy - I think this cost me about $10 from Janome in Balcatta. Buying this has meant that I don't have to spend forever untangling bobbin spools in my sewing box. Ideally I would like to have more bobbins pre-wound and sitting ready ...maybe one day :)


Finally a "universal" invisible zipper foot that I brought from Textile Traders a few years ago. Not by any means the best one on the market, but a cheap option when starting out. If you can get the hang of using this dodgy number, by the time you can afford a proper one you'll be inserting zips like an expert:)

A full review of this item on Sewing Pattern Review is available here.