8

Technology and
Livelihood Education
DRESSMAKING/TAILORING
Module 2
IDENTIFYING SEWING TOOLS
AND EQUIPMENT

Department of Education ● Republic of the Philippines

1
 Lesson IDENTIFYING SEWING TOOLS
AND EQUIPMENT

Activity 1 – Essay Questions

Directions: Answer the following questions below. Write your answer in your
Paper.
1. What do you think are the importance of dressmaking/tailoring?
2. What is the difference between a dressmaker and a tailor?
3. What are the characteristics of a good dressmaker?
4. How do you determine the needs and wants of the target market and
industry in an immediate community?
5. What are the steps to take in order to formulate a sound business idea?

What’s New

Activity 2 - Sewing Word Search Puzzle

This is word search puzzle. A word search puzzle is composed of squares

FOR VALIDATION

with letters in which the main goal of the players is to form words by connecting the
letters. Before we will have the discussion, let’s know what are the different sewing
tools and equipment by finding first their names in the puzzle below.
Note: Words go left, right, up, down and diagonal (ignore spaces and dashes, if
any). Write your answers in your paper.
U I P Y F I R O N I N G B O A R D
Q A S D R F G H J K L O T P M B C
Z X C V E B N L Q W E H U I S A V
S E W I N G M A C H I N E R O Q X
R P L K C J H G F M D S E A P W Z
O D S A H Z X C B V B L N E M E T
S F L W C Q F L A E U T Y U D T H
S G P E U Z E C B R N M P I O L R
I H O F R X Y A R D S T I C K Y E
C J I T V D V Q Z B H J K L S U A
S K U Y E R U S A E M E P A T O D
 What is It

Sewing Tools And Equipment

Let’s Define

Sewing Tools are instruments that aid in accomplishing a sewing task. These
are those which don’t require the use of electricity. These are used manually or by
hand.
Sewing equipment is needed for sewing which aid in construction of
garments of good quality and appearance. These are those which require the use of
electricity such as the sewing machine.
Sewing Kit is a small package containing items, such as threads, pins,
needles, etc. that you need to sew something.

Classification of Sewing Tools and Materials

Measuring Tools
Measuring tools are instruments used for obtaining quantities, dimension
or forces of real world objects. They are also tools used to
differentiate distances on particular materials or objects.
FOR VALIDATION

1. Tape Measure
It is also known as tapeline. It is made of non-
stretchable strip used in taking body measurements.
It measures 150 centimeters in the front side and 60
inches on the other side.

2. Sewing Gauge
It is a small ruler with a sliding guide and is
about six inches long, used to measure small hem
areas and short distances like hem folds, pleats,
seam allowance, buttonholes, and tucks.

3. Ruler
This is the most common measuring device
usually 12 inches long. It is used for general marking.
It aids in connecting lines.

4. Yardstick
It is used for general marking and for measuring fabric grainline when laying
out the pattern. This is a one-meter long wooden stick and is used to measure fabric
length by yard or meter.
Cutting Tools
Cutting tools are cutting implements- tools for cutting. These are
instruments that serve well if properly maintained. They should not be used for other
household task. They must be sharpened regularly and the joints are oiled
occasionally for better use. In other words, they should be kept in good working
order for periodic sharpening.
Sharp cutting tools make clean cuts and well-defined notches and they do
not damage fabric. On the other hand, Dull tools slow the cutting process and make
your hand and wrist tire easily.

1. Shears
These are for cutting fabric, paper and other materials.
Types:
a. Cutting shears has blades that are straight and best for cutting fabrics
usually 7-12 inches long.
b. Pinking shears has a zigzag edge used to cut the edge of seam
allowance of fabric that does not ravel. It is used also for cutting
decorative materials.
c. Scalloping shears is a tool that has scallop blades used to cut parts of
garments with series of uniform scallops.

b.
a.c.Pinking
Cutting
Scalloping
Shears
Shears
Shears

FOR VALIDATION

2.Trimming Scissors
These are 3-4 inches long used for trimmings, clipping threads
and snipping slashes.

3.Buttonhole scissors
These are intended for making buttonholes.

4. Seam ripper
 This tool is intended for cutting off or ripping out stitches from seam either as
a result of an error or during alterations.

5. Embroidery scissors
It is a sharp pointed scissors usually 4-5 inches
long used in cutting fine delicate cloth and thread in
embroidery work.

6. Thread clipper
It is a handy little spring loaded cutting tool
that allows for the snipping of threads.

7. Rotary Cutter and Mat

These are used by the garment industry. It works
like a pizza cutter and can be used by left or right handed
sewers. It works on a cutting mat to protect the blade
and the cutting surface. FOR VALIDATION

Marking Tools
Marking tools are required for transferring pattern markings to garment
fabric pieces and for making alterations on garments.

1. Tailor’s Chalk
This is essential as a marker for use on materials.
It is available in a variety of colors and is used to mark the
fabric. It is made of hard chalk and can be removed by
brushing.

2. Tracing Wheel
This is an instrument with serrated edge wheel
that produces dots on the fabric. The smooth one creates
a straight, solid line.

3. Dressmaker’s Carbon Paper

It is a specially waxed carbon paper that transfers
the tracing wheel’s markings to the fabric. This is available
in different brands with different instructions.

4. Chalk Pencils/Dressmaker Pencil

This is available in white or pastel shades. This is
used to make fine lines on fabric. It has an erasing brush
at one end.

5. Liquid Marking Pen

It comes in two types. The one that washes out and
it should not be used on fabric that show water marks. Another
one is that fades after 48 hours. The mark should be removed
before pressing the fabric

6. Wax chalk
This is available in black or white and is used for
woolen fabrics. Wax can be removed by pressing.
Pinning and Sewing Tool
Pinning tools are devices used to fastened or designed to pierce on
the fabrics or any materials, or to joined two or more garment parts temporarily while
doing sewing operation.

1. Pin cushion
It is a cushion available in different shapes and colors used
to hold pins and needles to prevent them from accidents
and scattering in the workplace.

2. Hand Needle
These are available in different sizes and used for
temporary stitches, hemming, and other sewing purposes.
FOR VALIDATION

Sizes are 7 to 10.

3. Sewing Needle Threader

This is a diamond shaped wire attached to a
handle and wire used to insert thread through the needle
eye. It consists of two parts; the handle and the wire.

4. Thimble
This is a small cup placed on the tip of the middle
finger to protect it from being pricked by the needle while
sewing. It is made of metal or plastic.

Materials:

1. Fabric
It is the cloth used in making garments. The plain
cotton fabrics, flour sack or catcha is the most appropriate
materials for beginners because these are very easy to
handle.

2. Threads
It is used in assembling or constructing the parts of
the garment. These vary in sizes and colors. Heavy fabrics
need stronger threads. Threads should have the same color
with that of the fabric used.

Drafting Tools
These are the instruments used for making paper patterns.
1. L – Square

It is called Tailor square, which is one of the most basic

of the pattern making. This is an aluminum ruler with 90 degrees
angle. It has two arms connected perpendicularly and used to
draw or make construction lines in pattern drafting.

2. Hip Curve
It is a curve stick made of metal or wood calibrated on
both side used to form the hipline and other areas of garments
that need to be curved.

3. French Curve
It is an instrument made of flat metal, plastic or wood
used to shape the depth of the neckholes, armholes, and
and collar.

4. Drafting Table -– It is a wooden table used to draft

the pattern paper laid in the smooth and firm surface.
FOR VALIDATION

Pressing Tools
These are tools used to make the fabrics or materials smooth, to give a form
or shape, to remove crease or wrinkles with the application of heat, moisture and
pressure.
 It involves No sliding of iron.
 It is done by lifting and placing the iron on the fabric in an UP and DOWN
motion.
 It is the application of heat, moisture and pressure to crease fabrics.
 It may be done during assembly to facilitate other operations.
 It may be done to improve quality of the fabrics for final finishing process.

1. Flat Iron
It is a roughly triangular flat surface that is heated
used to press clothes to remove wrinkles, flatten seams,
and crease hems.

2. Ironing Board
It is a long, narrow board and flat padded cloth
covered surface with collapsible supporting legs, used as
a working surface for ironing.

3. Pressing Cloth
The pieces of fabric used to protect the items or
garments while pressing. The purpose of using Pressing
cloth:
a. to prevent from scorching on shiny fabrics;
b. to protect the iron and the garments.

4. Sleeve Board
It is a small ironing board used for pressing narrow
areas such as sleeves and trousers legs.

5. Pressing Ham
It is a tightly stuffed pillow used in a curved mold
when pressing curved areas of the garments such as,
sleeves collars, necklines, darts, etc.

What’s More

Activity 2 - Identify and Classify Me

Now that you have learned the different types of sewing tools and equipment,
let us measure what you have learned about this topic by answering the activity
FOR VALIDATION

given below.
Directions: Identify these pictures below. Name the classification of each tool and
write its function/use. Copy the table given below in your TLE notebook for you to
answer.

Example
1. 2. 3. 4.

5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

10.

Name of the Classification of tools Function/use

tools/equipmen /equipment
t
 Example Example Example
Threads Pinning and Sewing tool used in assembling or constructing
the parts of the garments
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

What I Have Learned

A: Directions: Identify the word(s) that best describes the following

statements. Write your answer in your TLE notebook.

_______1. It aids in accomplishing a sewing task.

_______2. This is needed for sewing which aid in making clothes of good quality and
appearance.
FOR VALIDATION

_______3. It is a small package containing items such as threads, pins, needles, etc.
that you need to sew something.
_______4. It is used for obtaining quantities, dimension or forces of real world
objects.
_______5. These are tools required for transferring pattern markings to garment
fabric pieces and for making alterations on garments.
B: Directions: Complete the following statements by supplying the correct word.
1. __________are cutting implements that serve well if properly maintained.
2. __________ are devices used to fastened or designed to pierce on the fabrics or
any materials, or to joined two or more garment parts temporarily while doing sewing
operation.
3. ____________ are the instruments used for making paper patterns.
4. ____________make clean cuts and well-defined notches and they do not damage
fabric.
5. ___________ slow the cutting process, and make your hand and wrist tire easily.

Assessment

Directions: Answer the following questions. Choose the letter of the best answer.
Write your answers in your TLE notebook.
1. What tool is made of non-stretchable strip used in taking body
measurements?
a. ruler c. tape measure
b. sewing gauge d. yardstick

2. Which of the following measuring tool is used for general marking and for
measuring fabric grain line when laying out the pattern?
a. chalk pencil c. tapeline
b. liquid marking pen d. yardstick

3. What tool is intended for cutting off or ripping out stitches from seam?
a. buttonhole scissors c. rotary cutter and
b. embroidery scissors d. seam ripper

4. Which of the following tools is used as a working surface for ironing with
collapsible supporting legs?
a. cutting shears c. pressing cloth
b. ironing board d. sleeve board

5. Which of the following is not a type of shears?

a. cutting shears c. scalloping shears
b. pinking shears d. zigzag shears

6. What tool has serrated edge wheel and a smooth edge wheel?
a. marking pen c. tracing wheel
b. pencil d. shears
FOR VALIDATION

7. What marking tool is essential as a marker for use on materials?

a. pencil c. tracing wheel
b. tailor’s chalk d. wax chalk
8 What diamond-shaped wire attached to a handle to insert thread
the needle eye?
a. dressmaker’s pencil c. pressing ham
b. embroidery scissors d. sewing needle threader

9. What tool is used to form the hipline and other areas of garments that need
to be curved?
a. chalk pencil c. hip curve
b. dressmaker’s carbon paper d. sewing gauge

10. Which of the following tool is a small cup placed on the tip of the middle
finger to protect it from being pricked by the needle while sewing?
a. hand needle c. pincushion
b. drafting table d. thimble

11. What tool is used to shape the depth of the neck holes and armholes?
a. French curve c. tailor’s chalk
.b. hip curve d. wax chalk

12. What tool is used in constructing lines in pattern drafting?

 a. gauge c. L – square
b. hip curve d. yardstick

13. What tool has a handy little spring that allows the snipping of threads?
a. scissors c. shears
b. seam ripper d. thread clipper

14. When drafting the pattern paper laid in the smooth and firm surface, what
wooden table are you going to use?
a. cutting table c. ironing board
b. drafting table d. sleeve board

15. Which tool is used to press clothes to remove wrinkles, flatten seams, and
crease hems?
a. buttonhole scissors c. ironing board
b. flat iron d. sleeve board

FOR VALIDATION