July 07, 2020
Here are some of the equipment that I get asked about frequently and would recommend if you were looking to take fashion more seriously.
These adjustable mannequins are great because you can adjust its bust, waist, and hip measurements. I would highly recommend this if you do a lot of client work because it saves you from having to buy dress forms in multiple sizes and you can also adjust it to fit their proportions.
I was sceptical at first due to a few reviews saying it was flimsy so refrained from purchasing one. I finally gave it a go and found it to be quite decent value for money.
Here are a few things to note if you decide to purchase one:
A rotary blade and cutting mat combo is great for cutting slippery fabric such as silk or viscose. By weighing the pattern pieces down, the fabric won't shift out of place. Also, it is much quicker because you can often skip pinning the pattern to the fabric.
I got my mat and rotary cutter from Olfa but any brand would work. The weights I use are cheap stone coasters from Kmart.
Here are a few things to note if you decide to purchase one:
Two years ago, I saved enough money and decided to invest in my business with an industrial machine. The model I got was an automatic straight stitch (Brother S-7100a). I chose this model because I used it on Project Runway and fell in love instantly. It was easy to use and was not as scary as I imagined.
Before that, I used a small domestic machine which was my very first (Bernette 66). It did its job for 9 years and I felt it was time to upgrade.
Here are benefits of industrial vs domestic that I found:
Cons
This comparison is just from my personal experience as the machine I had prior was older and very basic. For general-purpose, a domestic machine will do everything you’ll need it to. How fancy your machine is will not necessarily equate to beautiful garments so don’t feel pressured into getting the latest or most expensive machine.
I would advise, only invest in an industrial machine with the profit you have made from your clothing business. This is a good rule of thumb for any big pricetag equipment.
Don’t forget about all the sewing machine feet add-ons! Look into different machine feet compatible with your machine and see how they can benefit your sewing. They're relatively inexpensive and can make a huge difference.
Here are some I use most often
A comment I get very often on my videos is whether or not sewing over pins is safe to do. Most of the time no. The only exception to this rule is when you use entomology pins. These are super fine pins and are great to use for delicate fabric like silks and chiffons. They will glide right through the fabric without leaving any marks afterwards.
This is not a must-have but was a nice little treat.
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