Project Runway Ezy-Hem Set

I was at my local Jo-Ann Fabrics recently and I came across this cool measuring set!  It has an Ezy-Hem, a nice, sturdy seam gauge with point for turning out corners, and a 60″ tape measure with a D-ring end.  I didn’t catch the price, but I love a good tool set, especially one with such good tools!

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Measuring Tools

I thought I’d start off with a list of basic tools that I pretty much can’t live without in my sewing room.  I’ll probably go into more detail at some time about how specifically I use them and how specifically I cannot do without them, but here’s an overview:

1. Seam Gauge: This is a handy-dandy 6″ ruler that comes in most starter sewing kits.  It’s nice because it’s small and light and perfect for keeping right by your sewing machine to check seams, mark hems, darts, etc.  The little slider on it holds your place for easy hem or line marking.  I have about 5 of these because one is never where you want it (usually underneath some other part of the project).

2. Soft Tape Measure: These standard sewing tape measures also come in most sewing kits and I probably have 6 in use all over the sewing room so one is always in easy reach.  Use for measuring bodies, patterns, just about anything!

3. Retractable Tape Measure: These are extra handy because they take up less space and neat because they retract.  I’ve taken to carrying one in my purse and it’s come in handy for measuring furniture, table lamps, boxes, etc.  I also love them because they come in all kinds of cute forms (like the chicken one with an egg for the tape pull).  (They’re a cute gift idea for any seamstress in your life!)

4. Rotary Cutting Ruler: Until I started quilting, I never had or used these, but now, I use them for everything.  I have 2 each of the sizes pictured (6″ x 12″ and 3″ x 18″) and more sizes to boot.  I use these for precise measuring and cutting on lots of craft projects. These rulers are thick enough to stand up to not being cut by the rotary blade, and their grid and varying sizes make them great for marking anything from hems to tote bag pocket placement.  (I also used a larger one for cutting planks when installing our new vinyl floor.)

5. See-Thru or C-Thru Gridded Ruler: I’m not sure of the real name for these, though I have a few brands (I think C-Thru is a brand).  They’re usually 2″ x 18″ (though I also have a 2″ x 12″) and can be found in the sewing notions department as well as the fine art department.  Besides seam gauges and regular soft tape measures, I’ve been using these the longest.  They have an 1/8″ grid, with 1/2″ and 1″ marks, and the outer edge shows 16ths.  Some even have holes running at 1″ intervals down the center for centering and drawing circles and scallops. These rulers aren’t as thick as rotary cutting rulers and are pretty flexible, making them useful for measuring curves.  I use these for marking fabric as well as for drafting and marking patterns.  They’re excellent for any drawing you may need to do and were an all-around staple in fashion school.  (I think I have 4 of these rulers throughout the house…I use them for papercrafting as well!)

6. Dritz Ezy-Hem: This one I’ve only been using for about 2 years, but I love it.  It’s an aluminum (or some kind of metal) ruler and guage that can be used while pressing.  I only pictured the front above, but the back (pictured here) is also full of lines for pressing hems.  I’ll do a separate post on using this ruler because I think pictures will show off it’s amazingness better than my words can.

Let me just say that in this and future posts, I will be showing you a lot of amazing tools and gagets that I use.  I have to tell you that I am not a millionaire.  I buy all these things when my local fabric (or craft) store has a good sale on notions or rulers or whatever, or online when there are sales, or when I get coupons from my local quilt shop or sewing machine dealer.  I make sure to sign up for all their fliers or email lists to be sure I know when the sales are going on or when the coupons are coming out.  That’s really the best way to stock up on all these cool things and save a little money (because as I’ve said, I usually have multiples of all these tools!)

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