Ten Great Sewing Tools Under Ten Dollars!

Hello Shiny Crafty People and welcome back! Today I'm making a followup to two other videos about sewing tools, linked below, to bring you even more affordable sewing tools that are also super-useful!

I've listed these products below with links to Amazon. All items were less than $10 USD when the video was recorded August 2024.

I hope you enjoy this video and realize that not every sewing tool has to cost $25 or more.

Until next time, Stay Crafty! Bye for now!

[sarahdaneke]

I have had my clapper since the 70's, when I was doing garments. Works great on flatting seams too.

[patriciamaeanthony]

With respect to the clapper, of clapping something on the bias and shooting it with steam, it can be important to allow the piece to dry completely before moving it very carefully. If the piece is moved while still damp, it can stretch considerably, and bias doesn’t like to return to its previous shape and size.

[marionbarber]

My sister suggested I watch this episode. Then we got into a discussion of storing pins due to both of us having cats. But I digress. I use pins but do not sew over them. At least not anymore. My problem can be changing feet and forgetting to change the needle position! Bamo! Number 6, the pulling instruments are nifty. But I usually use a safety pin, or a tool I bought years ago. But when you showed the thing that looks like tweezers, I was stunned. So, that's what it's for! I thought it was weird tweezers for pulling out the hairs on my chinny chin chin! But, it never did work for that purpose. Thank you! Always informative and fun. Marion in Oregon 🏵

[sarahdaneke]

Great t-shirt, I got the purple one. Love your video's.

[smileytow]

Love all the ideas! Thank you! I am a safety pin user for getting elastic or ribbon or whatever through channels. I guess my mom taught me to do it that way. ❤️

[QuiltedPigPhoebe]

I'm glad you showed the actual Purple Thang, even if it was just the package. I always thought it was just a pointer with a square end and didn't know about the elastic turning slot.

[kathytripp]

I just found your channel and am very impressed with your finds and your clear instructions. Will continue to watch your videos. 🙂

[sharonrocha]

Great video ! Have a few items & now i know about the rest ! Thanks! Xox❤

[charlotteamodeo]

Majority of the those tools I have used household items I already have, ei, safety pins, premarked cardboard for hems, binder clips and large bobby pins, tea towel holder, etc. I did buy the tube turners but, I probably could have made those too. I try not to buy anything except fabrics, I even use reclaimed fabrics for sewing. These are all nice to use and have but, when sewing on a small amount of cash I need to save where l can.

[jolinbarilla]

I'm rather new to you. Thanks for your wonderful information!

[meacadwell]

I have every single item in your video, lol.

Purple Thang: I stopped using mine when I discovered Sizzix weeding tweezers. These tweezers can do everything the Purple Thang can do plus more so I no longer even need to use some notions since this has so many uses (and they're under $10).
These tweezers can be used as tweezers, the tips are thin enough they fit between the presser foot and fabric giving you the best fabric control possible, they can snap thread and be used to unpick seams, the tips can be used as an awl, and the handle end can be used as Hera marker.


Zipper jig: I adhered the zipper jig (an adhesive towel holder) to a small ceramic tile - it's weighted down enough that it doesn't move around while I'm using it but small enough I can put it away when it's not needed. That means it's also portable and can be used where I want to use it.

Just a heads up on the silicone brushes: The last time I used one the head got caught in the bobbin area and came off the handle, had to use tweezers to pull it out of the sewing machine.

[robintheparttimesewer]

Oh a very good list! The number of times I really could have used the zipper thing I didn’t even know it was a thing

[phenomenal_woman]

Timothy, this was soooo helpful. Those are the type of zippers I use for my over the shoulder body bags.

[wendyshill]

Before I bought my hit hemming tool, I used my homemade version. I took a manilla folder, cut it in widths from 1/4” to 5”, marked the size of each with a sharpie, then clipped them together with a binder clip. I could then hang the kit from an IKEA Skadis clip. The price is almost $0. Love your channel!

[irenegarcia]

Good video. You showed how to use the items which is helpful especially for beginners. My purple thang broke, but I still use it.

[CathyWinkelhake]

Hair barrettes from Dollar Tree are good clips, too. Their craft clamps work well for heavy fabrics. If you take a few hand stitches in your cord or elastic, you can attach wide elastic to any of your bodkins and feed them through your casings. 😊 The Dritz metal hem ironing guide has curved edges. A bench scraper could snag fabric. I use my pattern piece for pockets to cut a guide from cardboard like a cereal box. I cut off the seam allowance and iron it, then attach to my garment. I store the template with the pattern. Just found your channel and will be back. Thanks!

[RKusmie]

Another great video, Tim! I've got a few things in my cart 😊 Thanks! ❤ (Part 2 - yes, please!)

[patriciatriolo]

TY for this video! I love each and every item.

[susangerardo-stewart]

Good morning, Tim. Definitely need a few of your finds. Thank you ❤

[cleobradford]

Thanks Tim!! Yes please part 2!!! Enjoy your you & your channel.