A few days ago I shared my favorite tools for sewing miniatures over on my Instagram feed. I had a few people request links, so I figured I’d put together a little list here for reference.
This is by no way an exhaustive list. I’m always looking for things to make life a little easier. And, to be quite honest, I’m also always trying to find ways to make things work a little easier without buying yet another tool to take up space in my sewing room. (My sewing room is currently a corner of our laundry room/storage area/basement… so there isn’t a ton of space for unnecessary items!)
None of these items are sponsored, I’m just sharing them because I genuinely like them. I will, however, include affiliate links. If you choose to purchase an item through those links, I would receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Here’s a quick list for you, and then I’ll go through and explain a few of the more unique ones.
- chop stick
- Frixon removable marking pen
- Mini iron, ironing pad and silicone mat
- Hemostats
- pinking shears
Chop Stick
This is a super easy thing to have on hand and I LOVE having it to turn out little corners or to hold down tiny pieces while I iron. I like pick one that has a nice smooth finish (either metal or lacquered wood) so it doesn’t snag on delicate fabrics.
Frixion Pens
Any removable marking pen will do, but these have such a lovely, sharp point which is great when working with small objects. I also like that these come off with heat. Sometimes the items are small and it’s hard to get to all the little nooks and crannies to remove my markings. I like that I can throw the item in the dryer, or blow it with a blow dryer and the ink will disappear.
Mini Iron
This isn’t an absolute necessity. I will definitely still use my full sized iron when I don’t have time to pull this out. But it is really nice when you are doing a lot of tiny ironing. I purchased a wool ironing pad (typically for quilting) so that I could keep the iron right on my sewing table. The tip does get very hot, and I definitely have a couple burn marks in my wool pad. (oops!) so I also invested in a heat proof silicone mat. I lay the mat on my ironing pad and when my iron is not in use, I’ll place it on top of the silicone mat.
Hemostats
If you are going to invest in just one of these tools, have it be the hemostats! Originally made as a tool for surgeons, these scissor-like clamps have become a fast favorite for makers. I love to use them to turn tiny objects. I personally like the ones that are made of surgical steal, they have a nice weight to them that feels nice in my hand and I feel like they work a little smoother than the cheaper options. That said, I also own some cheaper ones and they really do work just fine. They just don’t ‘feel’ as fancy.
Pinking Shears
I often like to trim my seams with pinking shears when making miniatures. It cuts down on bulk and helps reduce fraying. Again, not a complete necessity, but it sure does make clipping curves go so much faster.
How about you- what are your favorite tools for sewing miniatures?
Don’t forget our Top Tips when Sewing Miniatures for a few favorite techniques to use as you make your tiny projects.
Leave a Reply