Cutting Mat

A cutting mat is a measurement tool used for sewing and crafts projects. Generally, cutting mats are a rectangular piece of durable material, such as vinyl or rubber. They are marked on one side with a grid guide of specific measurements, usually of one quarter to one inch (6.35 mm to 2.54 cm). A cutting mat is used both to protect the surface you are cutting on, and to provide measurement guidelines and references to ensure a clean and straight cut. It is useful in a variety of projects and is considered an essential for accuracy in many crafts.

The material used to make the mat is generally self-healing, which means it absorbs small nicks or cuts and survives multiple uses. Cutting mats range in area from around 88 inches² (2.23 m²) for small projects, all the way up to 32 feet² (9.75 m²) for large-scale cutting. Some companies offer custom mats in even larger sizes, used to cover cutting tables or production surfaces. Usually, the grid-imprinted side will also include 40 and 60 degree angles along with the standard measurements, while the opposite side is left blank for general cutting.
When using a cutting mat for sewing or crafts, most people work with a rotary cutter. This tool is a pizza-wheel shaped knife blade that rolls along material, cutting as it goes. A straight blade, like a utility knife, may also be used, but rotary cutters are considered by experts to be easier to handle and safer for beginners.
For quilters, a cutting mat can be invaluable for cutting out precise squares. With extremely long pieces of fabric, using a cutting mat and rotary cutter is more efficient than the repeated motion of scissors, and following the grid marks ensures precision. However, cutting mats can be used for a variety of projects, not only for those involving sewing or fabric.
If you are a baker who has difficulty dividing dough into even amounts, a cutting mat can be a useful tool. Simply pour a little flour on the grid side of the mat to prevent sticking and roll your dough directly onto it. By using the grid marks as a guide, you can ensure perfectly identical dough strips for pastries or pasta.
Another use for a cutting mat is to aid in handwriting. Those studying calligraphy can slip a mat under their paper and use the grid marks as a reference to ensure even and equal-sized lettering. This technique also provides protection to the surface below, keeping it safe from ink leaks.
Small cutting mats are generally inexpensive, starting at around $5 US Dollars (USD). Prices go up with size and durability of materials, with some of the larger varieties costing $200-$300 USD. You can find such mats at crafts stores, sewing and notions stores, art stores, and on many online sites. For cutting, crafting and even for baking, a cutting mat is a valuable tool that can aid almost any project, and fit almost every budget.

Blind Hem

A blind hem is a type of stitch that is done so that it prevents the fabric from unraveling, but isn’t visible from the “right” side of the fabric — the side you will be looking at. Blind hems are often used when you don’t want to be able to see a row of stitching on the finished product. For example, window hangings, skirts, and dressed are often hemmed along the bottom with a blind hem.
Certain fabrics may also require a blind hem. Some sheer or lightweight fabrics — for instance, organza and voile — tend to look better without heavy rows of stitching.
There are two types of blind hems: those that allow the fabric to stretch, and those that don’t. The simplest blind hem is one that is not used on stretchy fabric. This type of hem requires a pattern of three straight stitches and one zigzag stitch, repeated the entire length of the hem. The straight stitches only go through the backmost layers of the fabric, with only the high point of every zigzag going all the way through to the front layer of fabric. As a result, when you finish the blind hem and turn the fabric around, only the very top of each zigzag stitch will show.
The other type of blind hem is used on fabric that may need to be able to stretch. Because straight stitches won’t allow for any stretch, this type of stitch is a pattern of three small zigzags followed by one taller zigzag. When the hem is stretched, the zigzags will straighten out, allowing the fabric to stretch without breaking the thread and ruining the hem.
A blind hem can be done either on a sewing machine or by hand. This particular stitch can be tricky to do on a sewing machine, since the seamstress needs to have very precise control over her machine. Some sewing machines offer only one type of blind hem — usually the kind that allows for stretch, since it can be used on almost any type of fabric — while others are programmed with both types.
In addition, sewing a blind hem with a sewing machine requires a special type of foot, known as a blind hem presser foot. The "foot" on a sewing machine is the little metal piece that sits underneath the needle and holds the fabric down as you sew. A blind hem presser foot is constructed with a special edge to guide your stitching and make sure the diagonal stitches go to the right place.
A blind hem can also be sewn by hand. Careful stitching will be required to ensure that the needle only picks up a tiny bit of the front layer of fabric every time. When done correctly, a hand-sewn blind stitch should be even more difficult to see than a machine-sewn blind stitch.

Different Types of Tape Measures

Tape measures are special types of rulers that can be made of metal, cloth, or plastic. They all include linear-measure markings, with many including both imperial and metric units. Imperial measurements are those commonly used in the United States, including feet, pounds, and seconds. Metric units, on the other hand, are those used in the metric system, commonly used by many countries outside of the United States.

Surveyors, individuals who work to accurately determine the position of points on land and the angles and distances between these points, commonly use tape measures in order to determine hectometers. Often, surveyors are called upon to help create land maps and to establish land ownership boundaries. The flexibility of a tape measure makes it an easy to use measuring device, because they can follow along curves and corners. They can also be rolled up neatly and conveniently stored in a toolbox or a pocket.

Tailors also use this measuring tool. Typically, theirs are made of cloth and are used to take measurements of the person for whom the clothing is being made. As such, these tape measures are used to measure around a person’s waist, chest, and hips. They are also used to measure the length of a person’s arms and legs in order to ensure the best possible clothing fit.

Carpenters and construction workers also use them. Those used in this capacity are generally stiff, yet somewhat flexible, and are made of a metallic ribbon that is slightly curved on its sides. These tape measures are capable of remaining stiff and straight when properly extended. At the same time, they can retract and coil up when not in use. They have a tang at the end that allows them to be hooked onto the object being measured as the user walks to the other end of the object.

The first modern day tape measure was patented on 14 July 1868 by Alvin J. Fellows. According to Fellows, his design was simply an improvement on a design already being used.

Nylon thread

Nylon thread is one of many types of thread that are available for use with home sewing machines, as well as in industrial applications. Also commonly referred to as polyamide, nylon is a synthetic fiber that first became popular in homes across the United States in 1940 when nylon pantyhose were introduced. Since that time, nylon has been widely used, both as both a thread and as a fabric. When compared to other types of thread, nylon is appreciated because it is extremely strong and flexible. This is important because a sewn seam should be stronger than the material that is being sewn in order to ensure the durability of the finished product.

There are many pros and cons of nylon thread. On the positive side, synthetic thread made of nylon is stronger than other fibers, most notably cotton. The durability of thread is especially important with high-speed sewing machines that draw thread quickly through material with a needle, which can weaken it by breaking the individual filaments. Additionally, nylon thread is lightweight, smooth and does not absorb liquid, which is especially important for clothing applications where underarm seams are prone to weakening because of perspiration.
There are some negative issues with nylon thread, because it tends to get brittle and turn yellow over time. When used for seams on clothing, this issue is likely not a problem because of the overall short lifespan of clothing and the fact that seams are hidden on the inside of a garment. Nylon thread melts when exposed to the high heat of a clothing iron. To avoid fused seams, users should be sure to iron items with a low-temperature iron and with the correct side out, rather than inside out.
There are many uses for nylon thread in its various forms, such as in the production of clothing, luggage, draperies and purses. Woolly nylon is a type of thread that is commonly used for rolled hems on knits, as well as in producing stretchy seams on bathing suits, dance costumes and active wear. Bonded nylon is exceptionally strong and is commonly used for heavy-duty sewing such as in the production of sporting goods, parachutes and shoes. Upholstery nylon thread is specifically made to withstand the rigors of use that is common with furniture. Transparent nylon thread is translucent, and it is commonly used to topstitch quilts, comforters and shams.

Hemming tape

Hemming tape is a kind of heat-activated adhesive tape that allows garment wearers or sewers to create a temporary, new hem. Hemming with hem tape can be achieved with little difficulty, and it allows for frequent modifications to be made because the tape is removable. It can be easily purchased in many department stores or craft stores, or it can be ordered as a specialty sewing item, if necessary.

Usually, hemming tape is used as a temporary or on-the-go hemming. It can be utilized to shorten the length of a garment without cutting or stitching. Instead, hemming tape relies on its adhesive properties to make garment modifications. The tape's adhesive is activated and adheres against clothing when it is ironed onto the fabric.

The advantages of using hemming tape are numerous. With hem tape, clothing wearers can create temporary hems and wear their garments to determine if the changes are suitable before making them permanent. It also can be used by women who like to make adjustments to garments depending on the types of shoes that they wear. For example, hemming tape can shorten the length of pants so that women can use flat shoes. The tape might also be used as a temporary fix for permanent hems that have disintegrated.

The type of hemming tape purchased will largely depend on the type of fabric that the user wants to hem. Thick tape can be purchased by those who wish to hem heavy fabrics, such as wool, denim, suede and corduroy. Thinner versions can be bought by those who desire to hem regular fabrics, such as cotton, acrylic and rayon. It's important to select the right type of hem tape for the fabric.

Specific steps necessary to complete a hem with tape will vary between manufacturers. Generally, however, those who want to use hem tape should first launder their clothes without using fabric softener. Then, users will have to turn the piece of clothing inside-out and measure, mark and pin the garment as if they were stitching a hem. A piece of adhesive tape should then be cut and affixed to the inside of the hem to reflect the desired length of the garment. The hem tape will then have to be pressed onto the fabric using an iron on a safe setting for a few seconds, followed by a running of the iron over the hem tape.

Hemming tape's adhesive is specially designed so that it doesn't leave behind unwanted residue and doesn't compromise the fabric on which it is applied. The adhesive usually is strong enough to last for days without having to change or reapply the tape. However, any tape on clothing should be removed before garments are washed, dried or ironed.