Cutting
- Dressmaking shears kept for fabric only.
- Small snips for threads.
- Rotary cutter and self-healing mat for quilting and straight cuts.
- Seam ripper, because everyone needs one.
Measuring and marking
A tape measure, a clear ruler, tailor’s chalk or erasable pens, and a seam gauge cover most jobs.
Thread
Use a good-quality polyester all-purpose thread for most sewing, and match the thread to the needle size. Cheap thread sheds lint into the machine and breaks more often.
Pressing and workshop kit
An iron, pressing cloth and ham make seams look professional. Workrooms also need cutting tables, steam irons and heat presses. PK Sewing Machines supplies pressing and cutting equipment, tables, motors and workshop essentials alongside machines.
Buttons, zips and notions
- Zips: regular, invisible (concealed) and open-ended for jackets. Match the length or buy longer and shorten.
- Buttons: sew-through or shank; buy a spare.
- Interfacing: fusible or sew-in, in weights to match the fabric.
- Elastic, bias binding and tape: worth keeping in stock.
Machine care tools
A lint brush, sewing machine oil (for machines that need it), small screwdrivers and spare needles keep a machine running between services.
Last updated: 14 October 2026
