All the items in this article thus far have been the more standard options, but they are not the only options. There are many good tools and gadgets out there that you can purchase as alternatives to, or in addition to, the ones you already have. Here are a few of the most popular.
If you hate pinning, you don’t have to use pins! Fabric clips are often used by quilters to hold the thicker layers of a quilt together. They are also great with certain art projects or for fabrics like leather and vinyl that you don’t want to poke holes into. Otylzto’s pack of 100 plastic clips from Amazon has fun colors and a storage case.
Alternatively, pattern weights can be used while cutting. Instead of pinning your pattern through a few layers of fabric, simply lay the pattern over the fabric and place your fabric weights on top. You have to be very careful not to shift anything around. Usually when cutting with pattern weights you will also use a rotary cutter (see below), not scissors. This ensures you won’t be lifting the fabric and accidentally moving it. A 4-pack of Dritz weights should be enough weights for a simple pattern. Buy 1 or 2 more packs for for a pattern with lots of parts to it.
My rotary cutter and self-healing mat are my favorite upgrades to my sewing room. If you have never seen one before, a rotary cutter looks and functions like a pizza cutter. You can lock the blade in a cutting position and firmly press down onto the fabric while rolling the blade along. The OLFA 45mm Ergonomic Rotary Cutter is compact and a fan favorite.
Make sure to have extra rotary blades handy for when your blade gets dull, or if you accidentally roll over a pin. The OLFA RB45 five pack should hold you over for a while. When ordering, check that you’re getting the right size replacement blades for your particular rotary cutter.
Rotary cutters are super sharp (and should carefully be used by adults only), so always use a self-healing mat under your fabric while cutting to avoid carving into your tabletops and dulling your blade. I prefer a larger cutting mat and recommend the OLFA 24″ x 36″ green double-sided mat.
Otylzto Premium Plastic Clips, 100 Pieces
Dritz Pattern Weights, 4-Count
Olfa 45mm Rotary Cutter, Pack of Five 45mm Blades, and Cutting Mat
