Rotary cutters are like pizza cutters for fabric, with a rolling blade. When to use: For general cutting, especially pattern pieces with curves. Pros: Usually easier to control your cuts, better for cutting curves or small details, doesn't require a cutting mat.Ĭons: Cuts are not always even, especially for new sewists, less control when cutting slippery or knit fabrics, can hurt your hand when cutting large quantities of fabric. Use your scissors only for fabric to keep them nice and sharp. This makes it easier to keep the fabric laying flat while you cut. The most common scissors used for cutting fabric are dressmakers shears, which have a bent handle. Try these tools and see which you like best. When to use: Specialty fabrics, marking things like grainline or pocket placement in the middle of garment where other methods leave marks. Pros: great for marking on fabric where other methods aren't ideal or are impossible (fine fabrics, sequined or embroidered fabric, lace), leaves little to no residue on fabric, not affected by the iron.Ĭons: Time consuming! On very fine fabrics thread can leave holes, tacks sometimes come out or can be pulled out accidentally, thread in sewn areas can get stuck in stitching and need to be picked out. When to use: For quick marks as you sew, when chalk is not ideal. Pros: Clear markings, easier to use, no need to remove as they will fade on their own.Ĭons: Fades away - not ideal for marking a project that won't get finished immediately, may not fade completely (always test first on a scrap). Disappearing Ink PenĪ pen with exactly that, ink that disappears after a period of time. When to use: When you need a clear, long lasting mark. Pros: Much longer lasting than chalk, felt tip pen makes marking easier, often easier to see than chalk.Ĭons: Sometimes marks don't come out all the way (always test first on a scrap), draws a thicker line than chalk makers. Goes on blue or purple and erases with water. Erasable Ink Penīe sure to buy the kind for fabric, not paper. When to use: When marking tricky fabrics like jersey or silk, for markings you intend to sew right away. Pros: Draws a fine line, rolls so it does not get resistance from fabric making it great for tricky fabrics, makes a pleasant 'clicky' sound, doesn't break like regular chalk.Ĭons: Like regular chalk can rub off easily, periodically needs to be re-filled, can be hard to find. All the benefits of chalk, but in a roller that creates a thin, clear line. When to use: Great for projects using quilting cotton or other medium weight fabrics. Comes in different colors for different fabricsĬons: Sometimes an iron can set chalk marks (do a test before using), marks can rub off easily before you need them, draws a thick line, hard to use on slippery or stretchy fabrics, can get 'dull' after a lot of marking (to fix, take a butter knife and sharpen up the edge), often breaks. Pros: Fairly easy to mark, inexpensive, marks (usually) come out of fabric. If you're new to the mark-then-cut method, you may not know which marking tool you prefer to use.
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