For chalk, if you don’t want to buy anything new I’ve had a lot of success sharpening my tailors chalk with a vegetable peeler from the kitchen. I sharpen all the edges in 15 seconds before every project and I get clean sharp lines!
Consider using washable Crayola markers instead of chalk for washable fabrics. Great for mask making for me! Also, a must have tool is a bodkin. Allows you to feed elastic through casings much more easily than a safety pin.
I use the same for pattern weights with one very helpful change, I think! I put two together for additional weight. I wrap them in the stretchy self sticking medical wrap. Actually I went to a farm supply store and purchased the horse leg wrap. It is the same as the medical wrap but comes in colors and is much wider. So for the same price of a human medical wrap I got a 4-5” wide roll that is heavier and stickier. I just cut it into 1” strips and wrapped the two large washers completely in it. The advantage of this is a heavier weight that stays put because of the texture of the wrap. Just a tip from a seamstress from a long line of seamstresses!
Lizzie, just found your channel. You’re recommendations are spot on. I have been sewing longer than you’ve been alive and I just discovered the “walking foot.” Did my research, got the one for my exact machine model, and sewing with it is like listening to the Alleluia Chorus. Who hid this from me so long?
I think this is your best video yet! You seen so completely at ease and totally yourself! I love how real you are. It's easy to see how genuinely enthusiastic you are about your sewing. You are a joy to watch!
Hi Lizzie - very helpful video thanks ! Someone told me today that the best thing for marking your fabric are Frixion pens which rub out. They don't smudge and write perfectly on fabric. To get rid of the lines, you just iron as normal and they totally disappear ! We tried it with bright pink Frixion on white this morning and it was like magic !
Pinking shears are one of my favorite tools. I don’t have a serger/overlocker and I like the inside of my clothes to look finished and polished. Also, Wonder clips are my new besties!
So thankful for your recommendation on tracing paper. The stuff I have is way too thin to last long, and if you drop water on it, it is ruined right away. Glad you are enjoying your sewing. It will lead you into areas of expertise you have never thought about. Keep going.
I'm big into repurposing items around the house. My pattern weights are my husband's wrenches/ spanners that he is no longer using because he has "aged out" of repairing motorbikes! They work terrifically well and come in a variety of sizes😉
I had to smile when you held up the seam gauge as a game changer! That was absolutely standard in one’s tool box when I learned - but that was six decades ago, when all the girls had to take Home Ec! We had to learn buttonholes to pass the course. Does anyone still use a thimble? Both my grandmothers insisted I should use one, and now I always do. It really makes it easy to push the needle through. I have a silver one from my Nana’s sewing box!
Yes! And I have my mother's silver thimble given to her as a child (in England about 100 years ago now). She was a dressmaker as was her mother so I suppose the thought was that good training starts early.
I totally agree about the walking foot - I leave mine on all the time now too as it makes such a massive difference. Before I started using it, I was constantly having to extract jammed material from my machine, but it has totally solved the issue. And it goes over multiple layers of fabric and differences in thickness/number of layers like an absolute dream! Total game changer!
I'm using wrapping paper with grid lines on the back for pattern paper - just started sewing again after 25 years away, and saw this on another channel. It works fabulously well for drafting your own patterns.
The SimFlex expanding sewing gauge for the buttons is A GAME CHANGER ... don’t know what the difficulty with the buttonholes as not so tricky if following sewing machine instructions. I mark my buttons holes with masking paper ( the basic one for painting diy) it help with clearly seeing the limit of the holes. Good video btw :)
My wife is an long time sewer and watched your video with great interest - with nigh on every thing you talked about she would say "I have that!!!" Anyway when it comes to marking she discovered during the summer frixion pens (Lisa Comfort at Sew Over It used them in her videos over lockdown) and best described as biros whose ink disappears when heat is applied.. I ordered some from Amazon (red, blue, black and white) only to discover Sainsburys sold them as well!!! Like you she tends to trace out her patterns but rather than using tracing paper she uses something called PatternEase instead - it is like thick interfacing but it is really strong and you can write/draw on it, pin it together to try the pattern for size etc. She discovered it when travelling in the USA and I used to buy it when on business trips. I now just order bolts of 46inch wide by 50 yards in length of it at a time from Amazon. All she really needs now is an extension to store all her fabric stash in!
Buttonholes ARE extremely hard with the computerized buttonholes. The 4 step buttonholes are great and I saved my old machine because it’s the only way to guarantee good buttonholes
Hi Lizzie, really enjoyed that. I also use washers as weights and they only cost a few euro cents from a DIY shop. I use FRIXION pens as markers. They make a nice fine mark and then disappear with the heat of an iron. Never had a problem with them re-appearing or anything. My Husqvarna does a 4 step buttonhole and I have always had great success with it. I put a pin in front of the end tab so that when I use my seam ripper to open the buttonhole, It stops me going through the end of the buttonhole. Happy sewing - stay safe.
Those giant washers are for automotive use, but can be used in sewing too and I have to get some of those. I am new to sewing and have two new sewing machines and have plenty of tools needed for getting started with. My first sewing machine I have is in need of setting up due to bobbin problems and the reason I recently purchased a better machine which was cheaper than the first one I purchased. I will be getting a walking foot for my machines and use it to make sewing some items easier. I have been watching videos on doing button holes and enjoyed them and have to practice doing it myself.
Those large cutting mats are expensive! I'm just starting out sewing (again) and I can't believe how expensive it is for even simple things! Patterns for $10 and up??!! Thank goodness I already had most of the things needed but I have indulged in some "luxuries"! Like the wonder clips and a rotary mat and cutter and a few other time savers. It's crazy how the stores take advantage of hobby and crafting items because they know people will usually spend money on their hobbies!
Your sewing journey is amazing and I look forward to seeing many more things that you sew. I am just over a year into my sewing journey and I'm getting there very slowly. I bought loads of stuff. I started with the usual long pins as I found the shorter pins were too fiddly. I then bought clover pins which are like a 'u' shape but I must admit, I've never bothered with them. Just got them 'cos someone said they were good to pin your fabric in place when sewing as the machine could sew over them and not damage your needle. After that I bought a very long ruler. 24 inches long by 6 inches wide and also a curve ruler. These have proved invaluable. Use them all the time. I bought an overedge foot for my sewing machine and it was useless and so I ended up buying an overlocker. Best thing I ever bought. Also a hot hemmer ruler is good. There's a load of other stuff that I have bought but far too many to mention. As for marking tools for my fabric. I've got exactly the same tailors chalks as you in the little container, I've also got the chaco ones as well and some chalk pencils. I find all of them so different as they don't show up on every fabric and because of this I bought wax paper and some frixion pens (these iron out). I have loads of them and to be honest, I go through a few of them before I find the right one for the project that I'm doing. I don't think there are any of them that I would recommend in particular as I use different ones for different projects as they don't all stand out on the fabric and you can't see where the marker pen has been. I made my own pattern weights but to be honest, I'm going to buy the ones you have. I saw someone wrap fabric around them to make them not look so boring so that's what I'll do when I get them. Keep doing what you're doing as I love to see your makes. Take care and stay safe. x
I was having the same issues with chalk in all its forms, so I tried the Prym Aqua-Trickmarker and I'm finding it much better. Also, the Burda carbon paper (it comes in various colours) used in conjunction with a tracing wheel is great for marketing darts accurately x
I'm encouraged by your button hole experience! I also feel the fear or the sewing community over button holes and have totally avoided them. Thanks for the encouragement!
I’ve never understood all the fuss about buttonholes either! If you don’t have a chisel use a seam ripper from one end to the middle and then from the other end to the middle!
Buttonholes are easily cut by first applying a seam sea to to the center, and then when completely dry, lay one half (lengthwise) over the edge of a small block of wood, then slice open with a blade from a razor that has been taped on one side. Cut from the top end of the buttonhole toward the edge of the block of wood. Repossession the buttonhole to cut the remaining half. Store the taped razor blade in a small tin, such as an empty Altoids tin, for safety. I keep the extra blades in the same tin. Buttonhole chisels and seam rippers Can slip and cut into the garment. A razor blades provides more precision and control.
Hi, Lizzie. I’m a fan of chalk pencils. What I really like about the pencils is if you wet the tip, the mark that you make becomes darker. I love the sewing gauge too. So helpful.
Hi Lizzie Love your vlogs!! I have the Prym Chalk Pencil set, comes with various colours and quite a few white replacements so you can use on all patterns. Has sharpener too and I wouldn't be without it! Also have a Clover Hot Hemmer which is a graduated marked card/fabric type rectangle which is to be used with steam irons so it won't disintegrate in use. You put it on your fabric then pull over the nr of cms required and steam away, no need to pin. Makes hemming a doddle now! The other game changer was a handle press which makes press studs easy to fix e.g. for denim skirts or whatever. This press will also make self covered buttons and cut the fabric for the Buttons. And yes the gizmo for calculating button hole spacing is brilliant. Keep on making! Thanks jo
I can absolutely recommend the Prym cartridge pencils for chalk marking. I have tried all of the marking tools going and this is absolutely my favourite x
Have you tried using soap to mark with. It stays on without dusting off and washs out later. For sewing in darts try making lightweight cardboard templates to sew by.
Thank you for your channel. I’m learning so much! I went to your shop and couldn’t find the link to your tracing paper. Maybe it’s because a bit of time has passed since this release? Thank you ahead of time for your special help.
Amazon sells Frixion pens and they disappear when pressed and also the button thing is awesome for keeping your buttons at a perfect distance makes life easy
For marking, Frixion markers, not the pens. The Simiflex - the buttonhole thingy is a good investment if you are doing a lot buttonholes, it also marks pleats and button placement.
When you print out a pdf pattern you can choose which size to print out if you use Adobe. I usually have to grade between sizes so I print out both sizes. It saves all that tracing which, I agree, is essential on bought tissue patterns. I gave up on rotary cutters! Couldn't cut a straight line and the blade was jumping onto the ruler. I know it isn't the blades fault! I'm just not strong enough to press hard enough. Scissors for me!
You are adorable, I loved your video. Good girl, reading instructions is soo much helpful. I have never seen a button hole chisel in my life, it comes from using what I have on hand because of fundage mostly. It is really good to see young people sewing again. I subscribed to your channel because I enjoyed watching this one. Right now I’m in the process of sizing down a size small denim jacket to fit my granddaughter. I just could not find one for her anywhere. There is nothing online that I could find anywhere to help. You need to take the whole thing apart and size each piece down, it’s actually been fun to do. Have a great life! ❤️
I can't believe you mentioned chalk markers....that's my issue too....with knit fabric I find it difficult to use tailors chalk. I just brought a whole box of those, yesterday I just brought the pencils, I have the chalk rollers....let me know how you make out with that 😊
Eurgh I hate marking my fabric 😂 I’m going to try frixion heat erasable pens soon, which I’ve heard great things about so I’m hoping they will be good 🤞🏻 I will report back!
I don't like chalk markers of any description because regardless of the advice I can never remove the marks when I've finished with them. I discovered heat erasable pens a few months ago and now wouldn't use anything else. I do always check them on some scrap fabric first but so far not had a problem. Another tool I've discovered are the hot hemmers and rulers by Clover. I find them particularly useful for pressing narrow hems prior to stitching, especially curved hems - there's one hemmer with a curved edge.
Hi Lizzie. Only recently discovered your channel. For marking fabric, I really recommend the friction pens - the type that can be erased by friction. I have Pilot Frixion ball pens. The beauty of them is that you can iron away the marks afterwards like magic! Be aware though I have heard that the marks could reappear again if they get very cold although it hasn’t happened to me. You can buy them anywhere - Tesco, stationers etc.
I am so glad to see that you are discovering some of these wonderful sewing tools and especially glad to see that you're doing buttonholes now I remember 57 years ago when I started sewing but I was afraid of doing any buttonholes or zippers so I know the feeling but you have conquered it and I'm so proud of you. You do beautiful work
Hi! I’ve collected pretty much the same tools as you in my first year of sewing! 😁 Apart from the rotary cutter...just don’t get on with it 🤷🏼♀️. Chalk-wise I use a Prym tool - it’s like a propelling pencil but with very fine chalk sticks instead of lead...I got it from Amazon. Also from Amazon: Frixion pens by Pilot, basically you can “write” on your fabric and then the ink disappears when you iron it - magic! Obviously, test on a piece of scrap fabric first. 💜
All these tools are practical! I like the idea of tracing.. but when I put the pattern away, I've always forgetting to label it. So it usually stay in 'junk' box and I tend to dig it one day in future😅😅😆
For me the big issue with buttonholes is that they usually come at the end of making a garment and it really only takes one really big mess up (like putting them in the wrong place) to make you nervous about them. Also, it can be tough, when you have a lot of them, to get a nice consistent, professional look. Like anything though, they are totally doable with a bit of practice and patience.
The chalk pencils are no better. I like the felt tip pens with one side that washes out of the fabric, and the other side that fades out with heat. The button hole gage is a must! Makes quick work of getting buttons and holes in the right place.
I also have issues with the tailors chalk and chalk wheels. I recently got the Fons and Porter chalk pen from Amazon. It comes with extra refills and it works AMAZING. Nice crisp thin line. For darker fabric I use Frixion pens. They work fantastic.
Hi Lizzie. Great vlog and lots of interesting and useful ideas. I've had a long break from sewing but I've just started again and have been finding lots of sewing gadgets that didn't exist when I first started. I've been looking for washers but don't know about size. Could you put a link for the giant ones that you have? I've checked out your amazon storefront but it doesn't seem to work at the moment.
Yayy for doing the buttonhole. 😀 I have a Janome too but it has s automatic foot thing for buttonholes. I got a gadge ruler a year in a cheap sewing kit. Oh my goodness I use it all the time. I use those pencil markers which ok but still hard to see. But I heard you can buy these sewing markers that disappears when you iron it with steam. 😁
Thank you! I'm determined to make more than a passing acquaintance with my sewing machine before the new term in September. It's remained in its box, untouched, since I bought it a few years ago. Between you, Emily (Self assembly required) and Tilly (and the buttons) I'm feeling a bit more enthusiastic and confident. I am a little concerned now, though, that my A3 cutting mat just won't, well, cut it! I was going to use scissors, but I have arthritis and I think that the rotary cutter you recommend might be a bit easier on my wrists and fingers.
Hi Mia, I hope you do get your sewing machine out soon!! I promise it will be worth it :) I do think the bigger the cutting mat the better, but don't let that put you off getting started with your A3 one. You will still be able to cut out on it, even if you need to manoeuvre the fabric a bit more, and you can always upgrade to a larger one in the future if you catch the sewing bug :)
The twisty bit on your seam gauge is to space buttons away from the fabric when hand sewing them on. I have the chalk cartridge pencil, which is good, but I still think the line it draws is a bit thick. I want to try a frixion pen next as I think they will be more accurate.
You mean it makes a space between the button and the fabric so the item can be buttoned? I use toothpicks and have a rough time of it. I need to add one of these to my collection of seam gauges. 😊
Really good vlog. I have the tools you have and totally agree regarding the walking foot. However, I don’t find it easy fitting it! I’m sure there must be an easier way of doing it!
I trace my pdfs for the same reasons. I've just been using white tissue paper for it though. I don't think buttonholes are that hard either. My first machine was a 4 step too and now I have a one step (not digital, it's a lever on the machine) and it's a breeze!
I somehow inherited a big box of chalk sticks from an ex-teacher, and I just sharpen it with a dedicated sharpener (which I pinched from my kids Bottomlesss Basket of Colouring Supplies). It washes out fine (although I wouldn't use the pink on a white fabric) and it sharpens so easily. And for the whole cost of free, it's been a fantastic investment. Ha. I have a chalk pencil too, but it's so much worse than the sticks.
For marking, have you tried using a Frixion pen by Pilot? They are actually ink, but you can erase everything on them totally with an iron because they use heat to erase!
Ahaha my friend used Frixion pens when taking notes for a whole year at university. She used to study in the garden, and on one beautiful Summer’s day, left her work outside in full sun. She came back to find that ALL of her notes had faded away. Literally, a whole year’s work just disappeared! Completely blank, like-new notebook. After an afternoon’s panic, she had the desperate idea to try and reverse the process. She put her notebook in the fridge, and - like magic - her work reappeared. Lucky for her, but a warning to anyone living in a colder climate and marking fabric with Frixion pens. 😂
I too like the frixion pens but have recently heard recommendations for Crayola Ultra Clean fine point markers. They are inexpensive. I believe the bold colour 8 pack is the smallest and it is said the colour washes out completely. They were discussed in the live stream of SewSewLive which is a RUclips channel I highly recommend. Check out Saremy’s playlist at sewsew.live I plan on buying the markers as soon as my fabric store re-opens. I also love the Clover Tailor’s awl for encouraging awkward layers of fabric under the (walking) foot.
I actually do use a biro for marking notches, its going to be in the seam allowance anyway. Tried that chalk triangle and it was useless. A general issue I have with notches is that if you neaten edges before sewing seams as recommended by most pattern instructions, you all but obliterate the notches or marks, what's the answer?
Helen Slater Hi, Helen. If I plan to neaten edges before sewing seams, I will take a fabric marking pen or tool and draw a line or make a mark where the notch is. Once the notches are trimmed away, I can see where the notch used to be by the mark that is made.
I’m gonna decorating big rocks with glitter and crafting glue as a fun craft with my kids! For some fun paper weights. I use Swedish tracking paper for patterns for everything. I’m gonna have to add that tracing paper to my amazon cart! I only use scissors for quilting and a wheel for clothing.....
I’ve recently learned that glitter gets in the waste stream and eventually into rivers and the ocean, where fish mistakenly eat it for food. So we should all try not to use glitter, or to be very careful about where it ends up!
For chalk, if you don’t want to buy anything new I’ve had a lot of success sharpening my tailors chalk with a vegetable peeler from the kitchen. I sharpen all the edges in 15 seconds before every project and I get clean sharp lines!
Thank you for that idea
Consider using washable Crayola markers instead of chalk for washable fabrics. Great for mask making for me!
Also, a must have tool is a bodkin. Allows you to feed elastic through casings much more easily than a safety pin.
Great suggestion on the Washable Crayola Markers - so much less expensive than washable marking pens!!
I use the same for pattern weights with one very helpful change, I think! I put two together for additional weight. I wrap them in the stretchy self sticking medical wrap. Actually I went to a farm supply store and purchased the horse leg wrap. It is the same as the medical wrap but comes in colors and is much wider. So for the same price of a human medical wrap I got a 4-5” wide roll that is heavier and stickier. I just cut it into 1” strips and wrapped the two large washers completely in it. The advantage of this is a heavier weight that stays put because of the texture of the wrap. Just a tip from a seamstress from a long line of seamstresses!
Lizzie, just found your channel. You’re recommendations are spot on.
I have been sewing longer than you’ve been alive and I just discovered the “walking foot.”
Did my research, got the one for my exact machine model, and sewing with it is like listening to the Alleluia Chorus. Who hid this from me so long?
I think this is your best video yet! You seen so completely at ease and totally yourself! I love how real you are. It's easy to see how genuinely enthusiastic you are about your sewing. You are a joy to watch!
18:28😂😂😂 I like your excitement. 3 years and still excited🧵🥰
Hi Lizzie - very helpful video thanks ! Someone told me today that the best thing for marking your fabric are Frixion pens which rub out. They don't smudge and write perfectly on fabric. To get rid of the lines, you just iron as normal and they totally disappear ! We tried it with bright pink Frixion on white this morning and it was like magic !
Pinking shears are one of my favorite tools. I don’t have a serger/overlocker and I like the inside of my clothes to look finished and polished. Also, Wonder clips are my new besties!
I'll have to look those up, now! Thank you, from a newbie :)
Pinking shears are a great time saver when making masks
So thankful for your recommendation on tracing paper. The stuff I have is way too thin to last long, and if you drop water on it, it is ruined right away. Glad you are enjoying your sewing. It will lead you into areas of expertise you have never thought about. Keep going.
Thank you Marsha and I hope you get on better with this tracing paper 👍🏻
I'm big into repurposing items around the house. My pattern weights are my husband's wrenches/ spanners that he is no longer using because he has "aged out" of repairing motorbikes! They work terrifically well and come in a variety of sizes😉
I'd reccomend carbon paper and a tracing wheel (the kind which is a full circle not spoked). Also for stubborn dark fabric use a soap sliver!
I had to smile when you held up the seam gauge as a game changer! That was absolutely standard in one’s tool box when I learned - but that was six decades ago, when all the girls had to take Home Ec! We had to learn buttonholes to pass the course. Does anyone still use a thimble? Both my grandmothers insisted I should use one, and now I always do. It really makes it easy to push the needle through. I have a silver one from my Nana’s sewing box!
Yes! And I have my mother's silver thimble given to her as a child (in England about 100 years ago now). She was a dressmaker as was her mother so I suppose the thought was that good training starts early.
I totally agree about the walking foot - I leave mine on all the time now too as it makes such a massive difference. Before I started using it, I was constantly having to extract jammed material from my machine, but it has totally solved the issue. And it goes over multiple layers of fabric and differences in thickness/number of layers like an absolute dream! Total game changer!
I'm using wrapping paper with grid lines on the back for pattern paper - just started sewing again after 25 years away, and saw this on another channel. It works fabulously well for drafting your own patterns.
The SimFlex expanding sewing gauge for the buttons is A GAME CHANGER ... don’t know what the difficulty with the buttonholes as not so tricky if following sewing machine instructions. I mark my buttons holes with masking paper ( the basic one for painting diy) it help with clearly seeing the limit of the holes. Good video btw :)
This is a great tip - thank you!
My wife is an long time sewer and watched your video with great interest - with nigh on every thing you talked about she would say "I have that!!!" Anyway when it comes to marking she discovered during the summer frixion pens (Lisa Comfort at Sew Over It used them in her videos over lockdown) and best described as biros whose ink disappears when heat is applied.. I ordered some from Amazon (red, blue, black and white) only to discover Sainsburys sold them as well!!!
Like you she tends to trace out her patterns but rather than using tracing paper she uses something called PatternEase instead - it is like thick interfacing but it is really strong and you can write/draw on it, pin it together to try the pattern for size etc. She discovered it when travelling in the USA and I used to buy it when on business trips. I now just order bolts of 46inch wide by 50 yards in length of it at a time from Amazon.
All she really needs now is an extension to store all her fabric stash in!
Buttonholes ARE extremely hard with the computerized buttonholes. The 4 step buttonholes are great and I saved my old machine because it’s the only way to guarantee good buttonholes
Thank you! I learned something today! Now I know how to use some of the tools I already possess! Awesome!
That tracing paper looks like vellum! Now I have to go look for it and put it in my wish list.
I hope you enjoy using it too 😊
I’ve used all kinds of stuff to make patterns with including newspaper my best find it was a roll of woven paper that brides walk up the aisle on
I agree about the walking foot. I was afraid at first, but love it!
I LOVE my walking foot 😍
Hi Lizzie, really enjoyed that. I also use washers as weights and they only cost a few euro cents from a DIY shop. I use FRIXION pens as markers. They make a nice fine mark and then disappear with the heat of an iron. Never had a problem with them re-appearing or anything. My Husqvarna does a 4 step buttonhole and I have always had great success with it. I put a pin in front of the end tab so that when I use my seam ripper to open the buttonhole, It stops me going through the end of the buttonhole. Happy sewing - stay safe.
Those giant washers are for automotive use, but can be used in sewing too and I have to get some of those. I am new to sewing and have two new sewing machines and have plenty of tools needed for getting started with. My first sewing machine I have is in need of setting up due to bobbin problems and the reason I recently purchased a better machine which was cheaper than the first one I purchased.
I will be getting a walking foot for my machines and use it to make sewing some items easier. I have been watching videos on doing button holes and enjoyed them and have to practice doing it myself.
Those large cutting mats are expensive! I'm just starting out sewing (again) and I can't believe how expensive it is for even simple things! Patterns for $10 and up??!! Thank goodness I already had most of the things needed but I have indulged in some "luxuries"! Like the wonder clips and a rotary mat and cutter and a few other time savers. It's crazy how the stores take advantage of hobby and crafting items because they know people will usually spend money on their hobbies!
YES, the walking foot is everything!! I just got one too!
Your sewing journey is amazing and I look forward to seeing many more things that you sew. I am just over a year into my sewing journey and I'm getting there very slowly. I bought loads of stuff. I started with the usual long pins as I found the shorter pins were too fiddly. I then bought clover pins which are like a 'u' shape but I must admit, I've never bothered with them. Just got them 'cos someone said they were good to pin your fabric in place when sewing as the machine could sew over them and not damage your needle. After that I bought a very long ruler. 24 inches long by 6 inches wide and also a curve ruler. These have proved invaluable. Use them all the time. I bought an overedge foot for my sewing machine and it was useless and so I ended up buying an overlocker. Best thing I ever bought. Also a hot hemmer ruler is good. There's a load of other stuff that I have bought but far too many to mention.
As for marking tools for my fabric. I've got exactly the same tailors chalks as you in the little container, I've also got the chaco ones as well and some chalk pencils. I find all of them so different as they don't show up on every fabric and because of this I bought wax paper and some frixion pens (these iron out). I have loads of them and to be honest, I go through a few of them before I find the right one for the project that I'm doing. I don't think there are any of them that I would recommend in particular as I use different ones for different projects as they don't all stand out on the fabric and you can't see where the marker pen has been.
I made my own pattern weights but to be honest, I'm going to buy the ones you have. I saw someone wrap fabric around them to make them not look so boring so that's what I'll do when I get them. Keep doing what you're doing as I love to see your makes. Take care and stay safe. x
Aha a sharpener for your rotary blades ✅.....I "pretty" up my pattern weight washers with pretty masking tape or ribbon.
Great idea!
I was having the same issues with chalk in all its forms, so I tried the Prym Aqua-Trickmarker and I'm finding it much better. Also, the Burda carbon paper (it comes in various colours) used in conjunction with a tracing wheel is great for marketing darts accurately x
I'm encouraged by your button hole experience! I also feel the fear or the sewing community over button holes and have totally avoided them. Thanks for the encouragement!
I've just invested in a button and button hole gauge. Absolutely amazing. So helpful specially when you try and line up so many buttons
Hi Lizzie!! Wonderful vlog.. You’ve got all the right tools to start.. Your gauge also automatically helps with button depth for the shank....
💜💜🧵🧵
I’ve never understood all the fuss about buttonholes either! If you don’t have a chisel use a seam ripper from one end to the middle and then from the other end to the middle!
Buttonholes are easily cut by first applying a seam sea to to the center, and then when completely dry, lay one half (lengthwise) over the edge of a small block of wood, then slice open with a blade from a razor that has been taped on one side. Cut from the top end of the buttonhole toward the edge of the block of wood. Repossession the buttonhole to cut the remaining half. Store the taped razor blade in a small tin, such as an empty Altoids tin, for safety. I keep the extra blades in the same tin. Buttonhole chisels and seam rippers Can slip and cut into the garment. A razor blades provides more precision and control.
Hi, Lizzie. I’m a fan of chalk pencils. What I really like about the pencils is if you wet the tip, the mark that you make becomes darker. I love the sewing gauge too. So helpful.
You can sharpen the edge of that chalk with a knife and some brands come with a little v-shaped metal sharpener on the case which works well too.
I use the same pattern weights , you can paint them with nail varnish to make them look better
Hi Lizzie
Love your vlogs!! I have the Prym Chalk Pencil set, comes with various colours and quite a few white replacements so you can use on all patterns. Has sharpener too and I wouldn't be without it! Also have a Clover Hot Hemmer which is a graduated marked card/fabric type rectangle which is to be used with steam irons so it won't disintegrate in use. You put it on your fabric then pull over the nr of cms required and steam away, no need to pin. Makes hemming a doddle now! The other game changer was a handle press which makes press studs easy to fix e.g. for denim skirts or whatever. This press will also make self covered buttons and cut the fabric for the Buttons. And yes the gizmo for calculating button hole spacing is brilliant. Keep on making! Thanks jo
I can absolutely recommend the Prym cartridge pencils for chalk marking. I have tried all of the marking tools going and this is absolutely my favourite x
Hi there....I opened RUclips and found you for the first time... I'm still watching the video, but I love that tracing paper.....
Hi Lynette, I’m so glad you’ve found my videos 😊 I love the tracing paper I use 👍🏻
Hi mam your vedio is so helpful thank you so much
You are most welcome :)
Have you tried using soap to mark with. It stays on without dusting off and washs out later. For sewing in darts try making lightweight cardboard templates to sew by.
These are such good tips - thank you! I’ll give them a try
Go for the expandable buttonhole guage for sure. I just bought one and love it.(and I have been sewing almost all my life,)
Thank you! It’s great to know you love yours
Thank you for your channel. I’m learning so much! I went to your shop and couldn’t find the link to your tracing paper. Maybe it’s because a bit of time has passed since this release? Thank you ahead of time for your special help.
Love, love love your video! Just found you!!
Amazon sells Frixion pens and they disappear when pressed and also the button thing is awesome for keeping your buttons at a perfect distance makes life easy
For marking, Frixion markers, not the pens. The Simiflex - the buttonhole thingy is a good investment if you are doing a lot buttonholes, it also marks pleats and button placement.
When you print out a pdf pattern you can choose which size to print out if you use Adobe. I usually have to grade between sizes so I print out both sizes. It saves all that tracing which, I agree, is essential on bought tissue patterns. I gave up on rotary cutters! Couldn't cut a straight line and the blade was jumping onto the ruler. I know it isn't the blades fault! I'm just not strong enough to press hard enough. Scissors for me!
You are adorable, I loved your video. Good girl, reading instructions is soo much helpful. I have never seen a button hole chisel in my life, it comes from using what I have on hand because of fundage mostly. It is really good to see young people sewing again. I subscribed to your channel because I enjoyed watching this one. Right now I’m in the process of sizing down a size small denim jacket to fit my granddaughter. I just could not find one for her anywhere. There is nothing online that I could find anywhere to help. You need to take the whole thing apart and size each piece down, it’s actually been fun to do. Have a great life! ❤️
I use elastic marked (different colours) 1 inch 2 inch etc for buttons .
I use the washers too. I wrapped mine in pretty ribbon and hot glued the end in place.
I can't believe you mentioned chalk markers....that's my issue too....with knit fabric I find it difficult to use tailors chalk. I just brought a whole box of those, yesterday I just brought the pencils, I have the chalk rollers....let me know how you make out with that 😊
Eurgh I hate marking my fabric 😂 I’m going to try frixion heat erasable pens soon, which I’ve heard great things about so I’m hoping they will be good 🤞🏻 I will report back!
@@LizzieB the frixon pens are good, but they tend to leave an outline when you use heat on them 🤷🏾♀️
I don't like chalk markers of any description because regardless of the advice I can never remove the marks when I've finished with them. I discovered heat erasable pens a few months ago and now wouldn't use anything else. I do always check them on some scrap fabric first but so far not had a problem. Another tool I've discovered are the hot hemmers and rulers by Clover. I find them particularly useful for pressing narrow hems prior to stitching, especially curved hems - there's one hemmer with a curved edge.
Hi Lizzie. Only recently discovered your channel. For marking fabric, I really recommend the friction pens - the type that can be erased by friction. I have Pilot Frixion ball pens. The beauty of them is that you can iron away the marks afterwards like magic! Be aware though I have heard that the marks could reappear again if they get very cold although it hasn’t happened to me. You can buy them anywhere - Tesco, stationers etc.
For cross-stitch work there is a pen to help with counting treads etc. it marks Iines and is removed with heat
I am so glad to see that you are discovering some of these wonderful sewing tools and especially glad to see that you're doing buttonholes now I remember 57 years ago when I started sewing but I was afraid of doing any buttonholes or zippers so I know the feeling but you have conquered it and I'm so proud of you. You do beautiful work
Hi!
I’ve collected pretty much the same tools as you in my first year of sewing! 😁 Apart from the rotary cutter...just don’t get on with it 🤷🏼♀️.
Chalk-wise I use a Prym tool - it’s like a propelling pencil but with very fine chalk sticks instead of lead...I got it from Amazon. Also from Amazon: Frixion pens by Pilot, basically you can “write” on your fabric and then the ink disappears when you iron it - magic! Obviously, test on a piece of scrap fabric first.
💜
All these tools are practical! I like the idea of tracing.. but when I put the pattern away, I've always forgetting to label it. So it usually stay in 'junk' box and I tend to dig it one day in future😅😅😆
For me the big issue with buttonholes is that they usually come at the end of making a garment and it really only takes one really big mess up (like putting them in the wrong place) to make you nervous about them. Also, it can be tough, when you have a lot of them, to get a nice consistent, professional look. Like anything though, they are totally doable with a bit of practice and patience.
The chalk pencils are no better. I like the felt tip pens with one side that washes out of the fabric, and the other side that fades out with heat. The button hole gage is a must! Makes quick work of getting buttons and holes in the right place.
I also have issues with the tailors chalk and chalk wheels. I recently got the Fons and Porter chalk pen from Amazon. It comes with extra refills and it works AMAZING. Nice crisp thin line. For darker fabric I use Frixion pens. They work fantastic.
Maybe fine sandpaper can be used to sharpen the chalk.
Hi Lizzie. Great vlog and lots of interesting and useful ideas. I've had a long break from sewing but I've just started again and have been finding lots of sewing gadgets that didn't exist when I first started. I've been looking for washers but don't know about size. Could you put a link for the giant ones that you have? I've checked out your amazon storefront but it doesn't seem to work at the moment.
THANKS A LOT FOR THE SUGESTION OF THE TOOLS . HOW CAN I GET THE RULLER YOU TALK ABOUT FOR CURVES?
Yayy for doing the buttonhole. 😀 I have a Janome too but it has s automatic foot thing for buttonholes. I got a gadge ruler a year in a cheap sewing kit. Oh my goodness I use it all the time. I use those pencil markers which ok but still hard to see. But I heard you can buy these sewing markers that disappears when you iron it with steam. 😁
Lovely... thanks for sharing
Hi really great info but you mentioned a rotary blade sharpener, can you tell me what one you use. Thanks
The one I use is here in my Amazon storefront 😊 www.amazon.co.uk/shop/lizzieb?listId=3OOWDOU4WE4VG
@@LizzieB thanks Lizzie
Thank you! I'm determined to make more than a passing acquaintance with my sewing machine before the new term in September. It's remained in its box, untouched, since I bought it a few years ago. Between you, Emily (Self assembly required) and Tilly (and the buttons) I'm feeling a bit more enthusiastic and confident.
I am a little concerned now, though, that my A3 cutting mat just won't, well, cut it! I was going to use scissors, but I have arthritis and I think that the rotary cutter you recommend might be a bit easier on my wrists and fingers.
Hi Mia, I hope you do get your sewing machine out soon!! I promise it will be worth it :) I do think the bigger the cutting mat the better, but don't let that put you off getting started with your A3 one. You will still be able to cut out on it, even if you need to manoeuvre the fabric a bit more, and you can always upgrade to a larger one in the future if you catch the sewing bug :)
The twisty bit on your seam gauge is to space buttons away from the fabric when hand sewing them on. I have the chalk cartridge pencil, which is good, but I still think the line it draws is a bit thick. I want to try a frixion pen next as I think they will be more accurate.
You mean it makes a space between the button and the fabric so the item can be buttoned? I use toothpicks and have a rough time of it. I need to add one of these to my collection of seam gauges. 😊
Really good vlog. I have the tools you have and totally agree regarding the walking foot. However, I don’t find it easy fitting it! I’m sure there must be an easier way of doing it!
I trace my pdfs for the same reasons. I've just been using white tissue paper for it though. I don't think buttonholes are that hard either. My first machine was a 4 step too and now I have a one step (not digital, it's a lever on the machine) and it's a breeze!
The pens are called frixion in france
Your Amazon storefront is no longer there. was looking for info on the tracing paper
I use a Frixion pen for anything but outerwear (as the markings disappear with heat but return if it gets cold)
I somehow inherited a big box of chalk sticks from an ex-teacher, and I just sharpen it with a dedicated sharpener (which I pinched from my kids Bottomlesss Basket of Colouring Supplies). It washes out fine (although I wouldn't use the pink on a white fabric) and it sharpens so easily. And for the whole cost of free, it's been a fantastic investment. Ha. I have a chalk pencil too, but it's so much worse than the sticks.
I like your choice of must haves. Same for me. Why use chalk when you have a whole range of erasable pens the ones that react to heat
walking feet are ok, but try a Juki 415-5 needle pull. you'll be surprised
I heard you can use bar soap for markers
For marking, have you tried using a Frixion pen by Pilot? They are actually ink, but you can erase everything on them totally with an iron because they use heat to erase!
Ahaha my friend used Frixion pens when taking notes for a whole year at university. She used to study in the garden, and on one beautiful Summer’s day, left her work outside in full sun. She came back to find that ALL of her notes had faded away. Literally, a whole year’s work just disappeared! Completely blank, like-new notebook.
After an afternoon’s panic, she had the desperate idea to try and reverse the process. She put her notebook in the fridge, and - like magic - her work reappeared.
Lucky for her, but a warning to anyone living in a colder climate and marking fabric with Frixion pens. 😂
I too like the frixion pens but have recently heard recommendations for Crayola Ultra Clean fine point markers. They are inexpensive. I believe the bold colour 8 pack is the smallest and it is said the colour washes out completely. They were discussed in the live stream of SewSewLive which is a RUclips channel I highly recommend. Check out Saremy’s playlist at sewsew.live
I plan on buying the markers as soon as my fabric store re-opens.
I also love the Clover Tailor’s awl for encouraging awkward layers of fabric under the (walking) foot.
I actually do use a biro for marking notches, its going to be in the seam allowance anyway. Tried that chalk triangle and it was useless. A general issue I have with notches is that if you neaten edges before sewing seams as recommended by most pattern instructions, you all but obliterate the notches or marks, what's the answer?
Helen Slater Hi, Helen. If I plan to neaten edges before sewing seams, I will take a fabric marking pen or tool and draw a line or make a mark where the notch is. Once the notches are trimmed away, I can see where the notch used to be by the mark that is made.
What about tracing cloth?
😀
What kind of sharpener do you have for your rotary cutter pls? Thanks!
That's what I was wondering. And how easy is it to use?
Something to do with sewing a shank on a button, the end bit of the gauge 🙂
You can actually get pens that look like biros and when the material is ironed it will disappear.
Could you tell me which rotary blade sharpener you use?
I’m gonna decorating big rocks with glitter and crafting glue as a fun craft with my kids! For some fun paper weights. I use Swedish tracking paper for patterns for everything. I’m gonna have to add that tracing paper to my amazon cart! I only use scissors for quilting and a wheel for clothing.....
I’ve recently learned that glitter gets in the waste stream and eventually into rivers and the ocean, where fish mistakenly eat it for food.
So we should all try not to use glitter, or to be very careful about where it ends up!
I never trace patterns
Follow Rachel in stitched up. She got me into chalk pencils with refill lead/ chalk! It’s the best thing to buy next to the sewing machine itself
If you ever use fusible tape for your hems on knit, you will never go back.