Underrated Sewing Tools I Use Every Time I Sew
If you have ever peeked into another sewist’s workspace, you will know that sewing tools are a very personal thing. We all have our favourites, the ones we instinctively reach for without thinking, and the ones we would be genuinely lost without.
Over the years, I have slowly built up my sewing tools. Not all at once, and not always deliberately. Some were upgrades, some were happy discoveries, and some made me wonder why on earth I did not buy them years earlier. Today I wanted to share a handful of underrated sewing tools that I use every single time I sew, and why they make life so much easier.
These are not flashy gadgets or expensive machines. They are simple, hardworking tools that quietly do their job and do it well.
Thread snippers
Let us start with the tool I genuinely cannot sew without. Thread snippers.
I keep a pair right next to my sewing machine at all times. They are perfect for quickly trimming threads as you sew, cleaning up loose ends, and even unpicking in a pinch. Once you get into the rhythm of sewing, reaching for snippers instead of scissors feels so natural.
The only problem with thread snippers is that they seem to vanish. I am convinced they fall into a parallel universe somewhere between projects. This is why I firmly believe every sewist needs at least ten pairs. One by the machine, one on the cutting table, one in your notions box, one that mysteriously lives in another room, and several spares for when they inevitably disappear.
Glass-headed pins
Glass-headed pins are one of those tools that feel like a small upgrade but make a big difference.
I use them constantly for pinning hems, tucks, pleats, and just about anything that needs holding in place. The real magic is that you can iron straight over them without fear. Unlike plastic-headed pins, the heads will not melt when they meet a hot iron.
Yes, you can use full metal pins, but I personally find glass headed pins much easier on my fingertips. The little sphere head makes them easier to grip, easier to insert, and easier to remove as you sew. They feel kinder on your hands during longer sewing sessions, and that alone makes them worth it.
Some of my glass headed pins have been with me for years. I actually got my first set back in Year 8 when I was studying Home Economics at high school, and they have followed me through every stage of my sewing journey since. I love tools like that, the ones that quietly last and become part of your story as a sewist.
Double-sided tape measure
If you have never used a double sided tape measure, prepare to have your sewing life changed.
This is an absolute must in my sewing room. Once you use one, you will never want to go back to a single sided tape. It does not matter which end you pick up, it is always the right end. No more flipping the tape around or trying to work out where zero went.
I also recommend choosing a longer tape measure, at least 1.5 metres, which is roughly 60 inches. The extra length is invaluable for measuring pattern pieces, hems, and full garments without constantly repositioning the tape.
It is such a simple tool, but it removes a surprising amount of friction from the sewing process.
Erasable fabric pens
Erasable fabric pens are another underrated essential. I keep both heat-erasable and water-erasable pens in my sewing kit, and each has its place.
Heat erasable pens are my favourite in most situations. They lay down a good amount of ink, so your markings are clear and easy to see. This is especially helpful when working with busy patterned fabrics where faint lines can disappear into the print.
Water-erasable pens can sometimes be a little faint, and I often find myself remarking lines a few times to make them visible. That said, they are perfect for projects that require a lot of ironing between steps.
Heat erasable ink disappears the moment it encounters heat. Even residual warmth from the iron can cause the markings to vanish, which is not ideal if you still need them. For projects like tops with pintucking details or anything involving repeated pressing, water erasable pens are the safer choice.
Bobbin organiser box
This is the tool I bought most recently, and I cannot believe how long I went without it.
For years, I kept all my bobbins loose in a pencil case. It was chaos. Threads tangled together, bobbins rolling around, and endless frustration when I needed an empty one. I finally bought a bobbin organiser box, and it has been completely transformative.
Not only can I see all my bobbins at a glance, but I also discovered just how many duplicate, half-filled bobbins I own in the same colours. No wonder I could never find an empty bobbin. I am now slowly working my way through using up the duplicates, and my sewing room feels calmer already.
Why these tools matter to me
I have been building up my sewing tools over many years, and these are the ones I always come back to. Some, like my glass-headed pins, have been with me since my very first sewing classes. Others are more recent additions that have quickly earned their place.
They are not the most exciting tools, but they are the ones that quietly support every project. They make sewing smoother, quicker, and more enjoyable, and they remove the small frustrations that can break your creative flow.
At Piccolla, sewing is about enjoying the process as much as the finished garment. The right tools make that possible. If you are slowly building your own sewing kit, these are the tools I would wholeheartedly recommend starting with.
And yes, I still think you should buy extra thread snippers. Just in case.