Sometimes we do get what we pay for, and that goes for pricey sewing tools to. In this video, I share four investment pieces that I’ve found to be worth the money (and effort in some cases)
Products mentioned
Kai Sewing Scissors (I got the 7230, 9 inches, great for smaller hands)
Tefal Steam Pro Express GV8460 (similar model to the one I have)
How I made my Ikea hack sewing table
So these are four of my faves? What have been your best sewing tools investments?
6 Comments
Adrianne
June 4, 2018 at 1:51 pmHey Johanna. The first time I used my Kai scissors, I was in love! I’ll never use anything else if I can help it. If my “skills” improve enough, I will definitely consider purchasing a BabyLock Imagine; that is one cool machine!
Johanna
June 9, 2018 at 11:47 amYes it has hard to explain the magic of Kai’s until we get a pair in our hands. I think it’s similar with the BabyLock, everything is just better and easier. Just wish it was a tad bit less pricey
COREY
June 4, 2018 at 8:54 pmAfter sewing for over 30 years I have accumulated some nice equipment that supports my sewing “production line” My tools and sewing space is setup to complete projects as quickly as possible. 25% of my total project time is spent on planning, measuring, cutting in doing so here are some of my best tools
1. Giant HA Kidd cutting board and table. I love the cutting board, it cost about 100+ dollars, my sewing tables/chairs were are cheap purchases of office furniture (going out of business sale).
2. 3 pairs of Fiskar Sheers in different sizes that I sharpen myself. Cost 150 dollars for the 3 pairs of sheers. At the 4 sewing station areas I also have had snips for clipping threads from china – 8 pairs for around 10 dollars.
3. Reliable Iron Steam station, it is nice to just fill the tank up with distilled water (no calcium) and be able to have it available to press – cost 300-500 dollars depending on the model you get.
4. Sewing machines – Bernina 350 PE (cost around 2000 dollars including quilting table, and additional presser feet) – this is just a recent purchase from last month and i bought it on a whim. Bernina Artista 180 with embroidery module purchase around the 1999/2001 period, cost was in around 5-6K I have over 20 bernina feet and a quilting table for it. This was my most expensive purchase
5. 3 sergers – 2 janome, 1 babylock The babylock is a basic model cost 800 dollars, a janome 3/4 thread serger cost 250 dollars and a janome 5 thread serger/coverstitch machine compulock 888, cost around 1200 dollars. I might upgrade my babylock to a higher end model.
6. I have many vintage sewing machines by Pfaff, Viking, Singer, Kenmore that I use for heavy duty, and home dec projects cost of the machines 50-300 dollars at most.
7. Storage room full of various fabric – 15-20K (now i guess that is a big number, but great fabrics to choose from)
I think i have covered my most expensive purchases to support my sewing.
Johanna
June 9, 2018 at 11:51 amWow, your set-up brings up some serious equipment envy in me 😊. I assume you have a decent space room to host all this? I do think that having a dedicated space is the ultimate luxury as it frees up so much time and makes sewing much less cumbersome!
Aileen
June 14, 2018 at 12:58 pmHi johanna. Just a comment about your scissors. If you look after them they will last for years without needing to be sharpened. Use them for strictly fabric only and occasionally wipe them over with a very very lightly oiled rag. Once a good pair of scissors have been sharpened they are just never the same. Anyway, that is my experience. Enjoy your videos and blog.
Aileen from Australia.
Johanna
June 15, 2018 at 6:14 pmThat is very assuring to hear! I was a bit hesitant about having to take on a lot of extra costs for regular sharpening, which was one the reason I waited so long to invest in proper tailor’s shears