Sewing tools
Needles and Pins and Pincushion and Thimble
Needles
When you buy needles, search for slender ones with long eyes. If they are slender, they will slip in and out of the material without much effort. The long eye will be easier for you to thread. Also notice the length of the needles. Will they be easy for you to handle?
Pins
Pins are used to hold the pattern and material together while you cut out a pattern, or to help you hold the pieces of material together when you are getting ready to sew.
If you borrow some pins from your mother, you will be a smart little girl if you notice whether they slip into your material easily. Avoid using pins that are too large or have a blunt point. They are likely to snag or tear the material.
If you buy new pins, ask the saleslady for brass pins. These are strong pins, but fine in size.
Pincushion
To help you develop the habit of putting pins and needles into a pincushion, always remember to wear your pincushion when you sew. If you drop pins or needles they are hard to find because they are small and will easily slip into a hiding place, where they may hurt someone later.
The wrist pincushion is the most convenient. If you are right-handed, wear the pincushion near your wrist on your left arm. If you are left-handed, wear the pincushion near your wrist on your right arm.
Thimble
People who sew usually wear thimbles for several reasons. They help to push the needle through the material, and they protect the finger from being pricked by the needle.
To push the needle through the material with the end of the thimble, hold the needle between the thumb and the first finger so that the eye end of the needle is resting against the end of the thimble.
Buy the size that fits your middle finger snugly.
TRICK FOR NEATNESS
When you begin to use the sewing machine, you will be snipping many threads. Keep the area around your sewing table neat by using a paper bag for a wastebasket for scraps of material, paper, and thread. Fasten it to the edge of the table where you can reach it easily when you are sitting at the machine.
